GARY FISH

NORWAY — Gary Fish has been appointed president and chief lending officer at Northern Interstate Bank as well as a member of its board of directors.

Fish takes over the president’s role from Tim Mattson, who will remain the bank’s CEO, along with president and CEO of Northern Interstate Financial Inc., the bank’s holding company.

Fish has been with Northern Interstate Bank since November 2017, beginning as vice president — business banker, and most recently as the bank’s chief lending officer as well.

“We are excited to have an individual of Gary’s experience already on staff and positioned to be able to lead our bank into the future,” said Allan Burklund, board chair. “His extensive background in the commercial lending area and knowledge of the Upper Peninsula make for an ideal match for our bank.”

Fish will become the eighth president in the history of the bank, which was founded in 1901.

A L’Anse native, Fish is a 2006 graduate of Finlandia University. His career in financial services spans more than 15 years. He was a regional vice president for a mid-sized banking group before joining NIB. He currently attends the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wis.

He and his wife, Hallie, have two daughters and live in Iron Mountain.

Mattson has been president and CEO of NIB and its predecessor, First National Bank of Norway, for 28 years. With more than 40 years of banking experience, all in the Upper Peninsula, Mattson expects to retire in mid-2023, saying he is “confident to be able to pass the leadership role on to Mr. Fish. Having worked closely with Gary for the past few years, I know he is dedicated to the principles of community banking.”

Northern Interstate Bank has more than $190 million in assets and operates seven offices throughout the south central Upper Peninsula.