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November 18, 2025

Maine Bankers Association president to retire in June

By Renee Cordes

After more than four years at the helm of the Maine Bankers Association, Jim Roche has announced plans to retire at the end of June.

File Photo / Jim Neuger
Jim Roche

“I’ve been working professionally for 44 years, I’m a new grandfather and have other interests I’d like to pursue in retirement,” Roche said. “It’s time.”

Roche joined the organization as president in August 2021 after leading the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire for 17 years. He succeeded Chris Pinkham. 

In an “On the Record” interview with Mainebiz published in early 2022, Roche talked about the fresh perspective he brought to the role as someone from outside of banking.

"Sometimes, when we’re in the middle of something we know exceptionally well, we fail to see new opportunities, new paths, new ways of doing things,” he said at the time. “Having no preconceived notions or long-held assumptions can be a great advantage.”

The Maine Bankers Association’s 34 member banks and trust companies operate 438 offices across the state and have a combined workforce of more than 8,000.

Search plans 

Neil Kiely, the group’s board chair and president and CEO of Androscoggin Bank, lauded Roche’s "tremendously valuable leadership” in helping Maine banks navigate wide-ranging changes across the economic and regulatory landscape.

“His effective leadership allowed Maine banks to keep our focus on serving the interests of our clients and our communities, for which we are all appreciative,” Kiley said. "We’ll miss Jim’s leadership and wish him a successful and fulfilling retirement.”
 
Kiely and chair-elect Dan Walsh, president and CEO of Norway Savings Bank, have started discussions with the association’s executive committee about the search for a successor.
 
“We’re very confident we will fill the position with an exceptionally well-qualified candidate to lead the organization upon Jim’s departure next summer,” Kiely said.

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