First National Appoints President of Lending Division

Darren Franz, Senior Executive Officer and Chief Credit Officer at First National Bank Alaska, is now President of the bank’s Lending Division line of business.

The overall president of the bank remains Betsy Lawer, who is also CEO and board chair. Lawer says, “As part of an outstanding leadership team, Darren played an important role in helping the bank weather the many challenges over the past few years and in keeping the bank on an even keel, with steady and consistent positive performance. This appointment is well-deserved recognition of his management skills and the responsibilities he has assumed.”

With the appointment, Franz remains Chief Credit Officer and is also elevated to the bank’s board of directors. “Darren’s deep-rooted knowledge of banking and business in the Great Land will serve First National very well as he joins the already exemplary group of Alaska leaders on the board,” says Lawer.

Franz earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School. During his decades-long banking career, Franz has successfully overseen the management of retail and business banking in sixteen Alaska communities with broad geographic, economic, and cultural diversity.