The former Connecticut president of Citizens Bank is jumping ship to take a senior leadership role at First Niagara Financial Group, officials announced Tuesday.
Richard Barry has been named the chief credit officer of First Niagara Financial Group, which entered the Connecticut market in 2011 with the acquisition of NewAlliance Bancshares.
Barry, who reports to First Niagara President and CEO John R. Koelmel will replace Kevin O’Bryan, who plans to retire later this year.
Barry joins First Niagara with more than 25 years of experience in credit and banking, most recently with Citizens Financial Group, where he served as chief credit officer for wholesale banking.
He also served as the president for the company’s Connecticut region.
Prior to Citizens, Barry held a series of leadership positions in lending and credit with BayBank and Fleet.
Barry left Citizens Bank in December.
