Today the American Bankers Association elected Jeffrey M. Szyperski as its chairman for the 2018-2019 association year. The election took place during ABA’s annual convention in New York. Szyperski is also chairman, president and CEO of Chesapeake Financial Shares, Inc., and Chesapeake Bank, an $820 million institution based in Kilmarnock, Va.  In addition, he is chairman of Chesapeake Wealth Management.

“The heart of banking lies in the service we provide to our customers and communities each day,” said Szyperski.  “I’m honored to have this opportunity to represent and advocate for the two million women and men working in banking and helping to drive our economy forward.”

Chesapeake Bank’s corporate culture, and the resulting high level of employee engagement, have been recognized by American Banker as one of the top workplaces in the country for six straight years. American Banker has also recognized Chesapeake Bank as one of the 200 best performing community banks for 11 years in a row.

“Jeff is a dedicated industry leader with a keen insight into how to foster a strong bank culture, engage employees and harness technology to meet the ever-changing needs of bank customers and communities,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “His commitment to America’s banks has already shined through in his tremendous service to ABA’s Board, and I expect his contributions will only increase as he takes the reins as ABA chairman.”

Szyperski is a past chairman of the Virginia Bankers Association (2012-2013), and currently serves on VBA’s board and chairs the VBA Education Foundation. Szyperski is also past chairman of ABA’s Membership Council and a past chairman of ABA’s Audit Committee.  In his community, he served on the Saint Mary’s School board of trustees, is a past chairman and member of the Chesapeake Academy board of trustees, and is a past chairman and member of the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, Inc., board of trustees.

“Jeff is an outstanding individual dedicated to serving his community and his industry,” said Bruce Whitehurst, president and CEO of the Virginia Bankers Association. “He was a great VBA Chairman and is an excellent choice to serve as Chair of the American Bankers Association.”

Prior to his time at Chesapeake Bank, Szyperski was a CPA in Raleigh, N.C., where he was a senior manager for a major accounting firm. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Szyperski succeeds outgoing ABA chairman and president, Kenneth L. Burgess, Jr., who is chairman of FirstCapital Bank of Texas.

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About the Virginia Bankers Association

The Virginia Bankers Association represents banks of all sizes and charters and has served as the unified voice for Virginia’s $615 billion banking industry and its 42 thousand employees since 1893. To learn more about the VBA, click here.