Old National Restructures Commercial Banking Amid Leadership Transition
Event summary
- Old National Bancorp has appointed Chris Doyle as President of Commercial Banking, replacing retiring CEO Jim Sandgren, who departed April 1, 2026.
- John C. Thurston has been promoted to President of Corporate Banking, expanding his role within the organization.
- The bank is reorganizing Commercial Banking leadership to align with client complexity and scale.
- Joe Wicklander will expand responsibilities to include Foreign Exchange and Fintech/Liquidity solutions.
- Tim Kocher is transitioning to Chief Service Delivery Officer, focusing on Commercial Banking client service.
The big picture
Old National’s leadership reshuffle signals a strategic effort to bolster its Commercial Banking operations, which represent a significant portion of its $72 billion asset base. The appointment of Doyle, with his experience supporting complex client transactions, suggests a focus on deepening relationships and expanding services. The move also comes as regional banks face increasing pressure to compete with larger institutions and fintech disruptors, necessitating operational efficiency and targeted growth initiatives.
What we're watching
- Integration Risk
- Doyle’s success will hinge on his ability to quickly integrate into Old National’s culture and strategy, given his recent arrival from a super-regional bank.
- Client Retention
- The reorganization and leadership changes could impact client relationships, requiring close monitoring of retention rates within Commercial and Corporate Banking segments.
- Fintech Adoption
- The expansion of Joe Wicklander’s role to include Fintech and Liquidity solutions suggests Old National is accelerating its digital transformation; the pace of adoption and ROI will be key.
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