Submitted by Lucas Fumiatti, Essex Bank
(January 14, 2026) — The Board of Directors of Essex Bank is pleased to announce that Lynn Giroux, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Essex Bank, will be assuming the role of President and CEO in August 2026, upon the retirement of current President and CEO Diane Arnold.
Ms. Arnold will have served in this role for five years, overseeing steady growth in deposits and loans, improving technology, developing leadership and rebranding the Bank in time for its 175th anniversary celebration. In addition to inheriting Ms. Arnold’s role, Ms. Giroux will also serve on the Board of Essex Bank, and on the Board of Essex Financial Services, Inc.
Douglas Paul, Chairman of the Essex Bank Board of Directors, stated, “Diane Arnold has been a very accomplished and exemplary leader, and our Board engaged in extensive discussions to select her successor. Ms. Giroux is an outstanding choice with the broad experience, foresight and leadership skills necessary to continue to propel Essex Bank forward as a leading community bank.”
Ms. Giroux (photo above) began her banking career in 1983 gaining experience in a variety of avenues comprising branch, lending, and operations. She joined Essex Bank in 1999 as the VP of Human Resources and Branch Administration, growing to her current position that also includes oversight of Deposit Operations, Loan Administration, IT, Compliance, Marketing and facilities. Over the past 26 years, she was instrumental in leading and developing the customer-facing and customer-support technology at the Bank, expanding the Bank’s geographic footprint by opening de novo branches in Madison and Chester, fostering the Bank’s talent pipeline, instituting cash management products for the growing commercial portfolio and fostering outreach.
Ms. Giroux earned her BA in English at the University of Vermont and is a graduate of the New England School of Banking, a 2014 recipient of The Commercial Record’s Women of FIRE award and has shared her expertise on numerous banking panels throughout the years. She has been an active volunteer in both the shoreline and banking community for decades.
“I am deeply honored to accept the role of President and CEO of Essex Bank upon Diane Arnold’s retirement,” said Ms. Giroux. “As a longtime advocate of community banking, I believe in the power of local institutions making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors and the vitality of our region.” Ms. Arnold stated: “I am thrilled to have Lynn Giroux serve as the next President and CEO of Essex Bank. We have worked closely together for many years and I look forward to a smooth and successful transition.”
Essex Bank is an FDIC insured, state chartered, mutual savings bank established in 1851. The Bank serves the Connecticut River Valley and shoreline with six offices in Essex, Chester, Madison, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook providing a full complement of personal and business banking. Financial, estate, insurance and retirement planning are offered throughout the state by the Bank’s Trust Division, Essex Trust and wholly-owned subsidiary, Essex Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.
Photo provided by Essex Bank
