
Information Technology
Chair: Paul Nee, SVP, Chief Information Officer - First Seacoast Bank
The Information Technology Peer Group is responsible for identifying current and emerging issues pertaining to technology in an effort to assist member banks in their technology planning processes. In addition, the group provides a forum for the sharing of ideas and experiences designed to improve a bank’s use of technology. Members of the group also identify training and educational opportunities that NH Bankers may provide to help enhance IT professionals’ skills in this area.

Mortgage
Chair: Jaime Frederes, Senior Vice President, Director of Residential Lending, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
This peer group provides a forum for bankers to discuss timely and relevant topics affecting mortgage lending in the State of New Hampshire, including state and federal regulations as well as legislation and industry trends. In addition, the group provides suggestions on changes in laws and regulations at both the state and federal level; and assists the NH Bankers with identifying educational and training opportunities to help enhance lending skills and techniques throughout the state to its membership.

Retail
Chair: Sarah Rastello, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking & Business Development, Salem Co-operative Bank
Some topics covered by the Retail Peer Group are Teller/Custer Service staffing models; the account opening process as it relates to OFAC and BSA; cross-selling challenges; launch of new technologies and subsequent training/adoption; branch transformation to cash recyclers and self-serve kiosks; and Safe Deposit. The peer group serves as a resource for legislative matters, and advises on education and training needs.

Risk Management
Chair: Joanne Pearce, SVP/Risk Management Officer - NH Mutual Bancorp
The primary objective of this peer group is to establish an ongoing forum where senior-level risk managers can meet periodically to network, share best practices, ask questions, and be supportive of each other on a full-range of risk considerations and ERM topics impacting the banking industry. It is also a forum where members will serve as a resource for the NH Bankers on legislative matters at the state and federal level, as well as identify educational and training opportunities for the association to provide to enhance the skills for its members with oversight of enterprise risk management at their institution.