QCBT’s Anderson retiring in 2025; Ekizian to become CEO

Quad Cities Bank & Trust CEO John Anderson will retire from banking Jan. 3, 2025 and Laura "Divot" Ekizian, president and chief relationship officer, will take his place. The two are pictured here in the 2023 Corporate Citizenship Award at the inaugural QCBJ Connect for a Cause event. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON

Quad City Bank & Trust CEO John Anderson will retire after 40 years in banking on Jan. 3, 2025, and Laura “Divot” Ezikian, QCBT’s current president and chief relationship officer will become its president and CEO, the bank announced today.

Ms. Ezikian will be just the third leader in QCBT’s 30 years of existence.

Mr. Anderson has been in the banking industry for 40 years including 26 years with QCBT, the last 17 years as its CEO, according to the QCBT’s news release. Under Mr. Anderson’s leadership, QCBT has enjoyed significant growth and prosperity, the release said.

For example, when he took the helm in 2007, QCBT had a total asset size of $600 million. That has grown to $2.6 billion today. QCBT also has greatly expanded its market share from No. 10 in 2007, to its No. 1 spot today with over 20% market share. 

QCBT’s Trust Department has also experienced significant expansion with $5 billion in assets under management and $5 billion in safekeeping assets. With this growth, the bank’s employee headcount also has increased to 155 employees. 

“Watching the banking industry transition and change has been amazing, but the one thing that has not changed is how we work with clients and support their financial needs,” Mr. Anderson said in the release. “I believe a banker is a dream-maker for their clients and I have had a front row seat for watching that happen.”

QCBT Board Chair Mark Kilmer said “John has redefined community banking in his stellar career and has done an incredible job cultivating and building upon the customer centric culture created by our founders, Mike Bauer and Doug Hultquist.”

Relationships ‘paramount’

Mr. Kilmer added “John has blended his genuine passion for the community with his strong leadership skills, admiration for our employees, and relentless focus on building a best-in-class financial organization where personal relationships are paramount.”  

He also lauded Ms. Ezikian’s promotion. “The board is very excited to welcome Divot as only the third CEO in QCBT’s impressive history,” he said. “Her vast community involvement combined with her leadership and overall banking expertise make her an ideal individual to lead QCBT to continued growth and success.”  

Smooth transition planned

Once Mr. Anderson’s retirement is official, he will continue to work with QCBT to ensure a smooth transition to Ms. Ekizian’s leadership, the bank said. 

Ms. Ekizian has been with the QCBT for 24 years, the last four as president and chief relationship officer.

“While I am excited and honored to serve QCBT in the role of president and CEO, I am also mindful of the legacy John A. has imparted on this company,” Ms. Ezikian said in the release.

“His commitment to the Quad City community and to our work as a community banking organization is what we will continue to focus on,” she added. “I am looking forward to working with our entire team at QCBT to continue our 30-year history of serving this community and being worthy of our name.”

Ms. Ezikian will be honored Thursday, May 23, as one of the QCBJ’s first Women of Influence winners. 

For Mr. Anderson, public service is a core belief, QCBT said. He’s been active in the Quad Cities community throughout his career including serving on the boards of St. Ambrose University, Genesis Foundation, Vera French, Community Foundation and the Diocese of Davenport Foundation, among numerous others. 

“It has been an amazing journey from my first job as a cash vault teller at Davenport Bank to serving as CEO of QCBT for the past 17 years,” Mr. Anderson said in the release. “I have been able to witness the impact that a community bank has on the community, and it has been a gift. Watching the Quad Cities grow and prosper has been a personal blessing for me.”

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