Dr. Julie Van Der Wilt Joins Merchants Bank as Chief Risk Officer
News
| 01.02.2025
Dr. Julie Van Der Wilt has joined Merchants Bank as Senior Vice President/Chief Risk Officer (CRO) according to Greg Evans, President & Chief Executive Officer. Van Der Wilt will replace current CRO, Cindy Adolph, who retired at the end of 2024.
“Julie joins us with an impressive and diverse professional background that will enrich our enterprise risk management programs and approach,” said Evans. “The risk environment in which all community banks must navigate today continues to intensify. Managing our regulatory requirements in a balanced, effective and efficient manner will only become more important as we work to accomplish our strategic priorities.”
Van Der Wilt has spent most of her professional career in the banking industry, with more than a decade of experience in compliance, security and risk management. She was previously Risk Manager for Citizens Alliance Bank and VP/Compliance and Security Officer for the Bank of Wisconsin Dells, where she established Enterprise Risk Management governance frameworks and the required support systems. After earning her doctoral degree in Business Administration in Finance & Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Van Der Wilt also taught business classes as an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for several years.
“I was particularly drawn to Merchants’ reputation for forward-thinking leadership and commitment to excellence,” shared Van Der Wilt. “This role offers the perfect platform to collaborate with talented teams across the organization, align risk management practices with the bank's vision, and contribute to the overall success and sustainability of the business. I am eager to help steer Merchants toward continued success, navigate potential risks with confidence, and build a robust risk culture that empowers all stakeholders to thrive in an evolving global market.”
Van Der Wilt earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from St. Cloud State University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and International Business from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in addition to her doctorate.
Merchants Bank is a full service community bank with bank locations in southeastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin and a leasing division, Merchants Bank Equipment Finance, in Edina. Headquartered in Winona, MN, MFGI has more than $2.6 billion in assets. Merchants was founded in 1875.
“Julie joins us with an impressive and diverse professional background that will enrich our enterprise risk management programs and approach,” said Evans. “The risk environment in which all community banks must navigate today continues to intensify. Managing our regulatory requirements in a balanced, effective and efficient manner will only become more important as we work to accomplish our strategic priorities.”
Van Der Wilt has spent most of her professional career in the banking industry, with more than a decade of experience in compliance, security and risk management. She was previously Risk Manager for Citizens Alliance Bank and VP/Compliance and Security Officer for the Bank of Wisconsin Dells, where she established Enterprise Risk Management governance frameworks and the required support systems. After earning her doctoral degree in Business Administration in Finance & Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Van Der Wilt also taught business classes as an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for several years.
“I was particularly drawn to Merchants’ reputation for forward-thinking leadership and commitment to excellence,” shared Van Der Wilt. “This role offers the perfect platform to collaborate with talented teams across the organization, align risk management practices with the bank's vision, and contribute to the overall success and sustainability of the business. I am eager to help steer Merchants toward continued success, navigate potential risks with confidence, and build a robust risk culture that empowers all stakeholders to thrive in an evolving global market.”
Van Der Wilt earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from St. Cloud State University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and International Business from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in addition to her doctorate.
Merchants Bank is a full service community bank with bank locations in southeastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin and a leasing division, Merchants Bank Equipment Finance, in Edina. Headquartered in Winona, MN, MFGI has more than $2.6 billion in assets. Merchants was founded in 1875.
