Matthew Smith has been appointed chief operating officer of Columbia Financial, the mid-tier holding company for Columbia Bank, it was announced Tuesday.
The position is effective Jan. 31, 2025.
Smith served as the chief digital banking officer and head of enterprise product, marketing and transformation at Webster Bank from February 2022 until November 2024. Prior to that, he served in various roles with Sterling National Bank, which was acquired by Webster Bank.
Columbia Bank CEO Thomas Kemly applauded the hire.
“Matthew has a proven track record of driving innovation and growth in banking operations, and we are pleased to welcome him to the company and the bank,” he said. “We look forward to working with Matthew as part of our executive leadership team in an effort to continue to provide quality and convenient products and services to our customers.”
Smith will succeed the retiring Tom Allen.
“We also extend our deepest appreciation to Tom Allen for his three decades of dedicated service to the bank,” Kemly said. “Tom’s expertise and commitment have been instrumental in the continued success of the company and the bank and we wish him all the best on his well-deserved retirement.”
