First National Bank & Trust is pleased to announce Russell C. Kassin has been named the new president of First National Bank & Trust as the Bank transitions its leadership.
He succeeds David Kashian as the 10th president in the Bank’s 135 year history. Kashian, who has served as president since May of 2005, will continue to serve as Chairman and CEO throughout the transitional period until 2023.
“Our goal during this period is to make this transition to the next generation of leadership as seamless and transparent as possible for all of our stakeholders,” said Kashian. “Russ is an outstanding choice as my successor and the Board of Directors and I are confident in his ability to lead this outstanding and highly successful organization for many decades to come.”
Mr. Kassin graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in personal finance, in addition to graduating from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He has also earned Series 7 and Series 66 health and life insurance licenses and the designation of Certified Financial Planner®.
Prior to joining First National Bank & Trust in 2012, he held positions at Lincoln Financial and Wells Fargo. His career at First National Bank & Trust has included promotions to Senior Vice President/Chief Lending Officer in 2018 and to Executive Vice President/Chief Lending Officer in 2021. In February 2022, he was appointed to the Board of Directors.
“I am very pleased to accept the position of President of First National Bank & Trust, the Bank where I opened my first checking account many years ago,” said Kassin. “It is an honor to be selected by the Board of Directors to lead this Bank into the future. First National Bank & Trust has been successful for 135 years and the real reason is our employees and the community we serve. I chose First National Bank as my employer because of how deeply rooted they are in the success of our community. That has not changed, and I am excited to take the helm of this very well-oiled machine, continuing to improve as we move through the next 100 years!”
Mr. Kassin plays a very active role in the community. He is an executive board member of the Dickinson Area Economic Development, Chairman of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance, Iron Mountain Academic Booster Club, Iron Mountain Sports Booster Club, Kiwanis member and past president, and also serves on the boards for Care Free Dental, Bay College West Advisory Board, and the St. Mary & St. Joseph Finance Council. He and his wife Joy are lifelong area residents, along with their four children, Carter, Lucas, Brayden and Noah.
