Bender Kevin M. Bender of Delphi has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of Bank of Wolcott, effective Jan. 1.

Margaret M. Howard will assume the responsibilities of advisor for the year 2010, effective Jan. 1 as well. Mrs. Howard has served as President of Bank of Wolcott and Wolcott Bancorp since Jan. 18, 1993.

Bender joined the bank in November 1992, and has most recently served as executive vice president. A graduate of Purdue University in agriculture, Bender has 28 years of banking experience.

“I’m excited to be provided the opportunity to lead Bank of Wolcott into the new decade,” Bender said. “We’re proud of the fine tradition of community banking we’ve offered customers over the years and I feel we’ve assembled a great staff to continue forward this trademark. I thank Margaret Howard for her tireless efforts and the many contributions she has made to the bank throughout her years of service.”

Bender and his wife Denise, reside in the Delphi area and are the parents of three sons, Kyle age 20, Kris 18, and Karson 16. Bender serves on the boards of Wolcott Bancorp, White County Junior Achievement, and Carroll County REMC. He has been a Junior Achievement classroom consultant at Tri- County High School for many years.

He is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Delphi where he serves as a lector and CCD instructor.

“Many challenges lay ahead in the years to come but we have a great team to carry on our tradition of community banking,” Howard said. “I look forward to supporting Kevin this year and the future years as I feel privileged in having someone with his qualifications taking the reins and leading our bank into the future.”

During Howard’s tenure, the bank has grown from a $5.5 million institution in 1967 to its current level of over $90 million in assets. The bank maintains full service offices in Wolcott and Monticello and has recently announced plans to open another full service office in Remington in the near future.