The Board of Directors of Granite Bank announces the appointment of Scott A. Cooper as President and Chief Executive Officer succeeding Loyd W. Dollins, who has retired after over 40 years in banking.

Cooper transitioned from his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer to President and CEO on January 1, 2017, and remains based out of the bank's Colebrook, New Hampshire office.

"Scott's knowledge of the banking industry and experience makes him a vital asset to continuing to expand our community bank. Scott's commitment to the communities Granite Bank serves is proof that he will continue putting customer's needs first," said Granite Bank Chairman Judith Dalton.

Cooper served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Vermont-based First Brandon National Bank. More recently he was Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Management Officer of a large community bank in Minnesota. For over three decades Cooper held roles ranging from Chief Risk Management Officer, Chief Credit Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Cooper attended New Hampshire College, now Southern New Hampshire University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at University of Colorado, Graduate School of Bank Investments and Financial Management at the University of South Carolina and other bank related schools.

About Granite Bank

Founded in Colebrook, NH in 1889, Granite Bank is a New Hampshire-owned community bank, operating from offices in Amherst, Colebrook, Concord, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Serving the banking needs of individuals and small businesses across the state for 127 years, the bank is an SBA Preferred Lender and has received the New Hampshire SBA's Outstanding Partner Award for consistent and sustained annual growth in SBA loans.