Submitted by Lucas Fumiatti, Essex Bank
(September 30, 2026) — Essex Bank is proud to announce the appointment of Christine Koster to the position of Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer. With more than twenty-five years of banking experience, Koster brings expertise in relationship management, risk mitigation, compliance and more.
Prior to joining Essex Bank, Koster built her commercial banking career across several financial institutions in Connecticut. She most recently served as Vice President Business Banking Officer-Commercial Lending at Westfield Bank where she focused on growing the commercial portfolio and developing marketing opportunities.
In addition to her professional career, Koster has been president of Friends of Hammonasset (FOH) in Madison for nearly a decade. FOH works to protect, enhance and preserve Hammonasset Beach State Park through environmental education. Koster has been a member of the Friends of Connecticut State Parks since 2013 and joined the Board of Directors in 2017.
Koster spends much of her time camping at Hammonasset Beach State Park with her husband. Growing up, she spent half of her summers camping on Fire Island and traveling to other parts of the United States. She has visited forty-eight states and many national and state parks. “We are thrilled to welcome a lender of Christine’s caliber to our commercial lending team and
look forward to the financial expertise she will bring to the businesses in our area,” said President and CEO Lynn Giroux.
Essex Bank is a leading provider of financial services since 1851. Featuring six Bank branch locations, Essex Trust, and wholly owned subsidiary Essex Financial, Essex Bank empowers customers throughout the Connecticut Shoreline and River Valley. Essex Bank prides itself on safe banking practices, personalized service, and deep community investment. It was the first bank in the State of Connecticut to share profits with the community it serves, and each year –through its Community Investment Program – Essex Bank donates up to 10% of its after-tax net income to nonprofit organizations and community development projects. The Bank has also won numerous awards for its team and expertise, including the Best of the Shoreline, and is rated by Bauer Financial as a 5-Star institution. For more information, please visit www.essex.bank. Essex Bank: Member FDIC.
