BELOIT — First National Bank and Trust (FNBT) is pleased to announce that Diane Gustafson has been promoted to First Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer. First National Bank and Trust (FNBT) also announced Jan. 6 that Deb Griffith has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Director of Retail Banking.

Gustafson has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. Joining FNBT in 2013, she has been instrumental in building relationships with the bank’s commercial clients. Responsible for new commercial loan growth, providing excellent service and Sound Advice to existing customers and mentoring her team members, Gustafson is a trusted advisor to a diversified portfolio of clients to meet their borrowing, investment and cash management needs.

“Diane is a great asset to our lending team at First National Bank and Trust. She consistently shows dedication and commitment to doing the right thing for her customers and the bank while helping our customer family achieve their financial goals,” said Dave Marshick, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Manager at FNBT. “Her tireless efforts in representing the bank at community events also demonstrates her drive and passion.”

Gustafson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Wheaton College, and has completed the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Commercial Lending School and the WBA Advanced Ag Lending School. She enjoys playing an active role in partnering with community organizations, currently volunteering with Beloit Meals on Wheels. She was formerly on the board and past president of the Delavan-Darien Rotary Club and was a board member for the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce. Recently completing a nine-year term as a board member and past board chair of the Beloit Health System Foundation, she served on the steering committees for the foundation’s Cancer Care Center and Hendricks Heart Hospital.

In her personal time, Gustafson is an active member of Calvary Community Church in Williams Bay with Steve, her husband of nearly 40 years. They reside in Clinton, Wisconsin and have raised two children. They have five grandchildren with another baby expected in 2021. Gustafson is based at FNBT’s Beloit-Grand Avenue office located at 345 East Grand Avenue, working with clients in Rock and Walworth County.

As the head of the retail management team, Griffith will provide oversight for the bank’s retail banking division throughout the bank’s footprint in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. She is responsible for the overall performance of the retail branch network, monitoring new developments in retail delivery methods and market needs, developing the retail sales and service plans, as well as managing strategic priorities supporting bank-wide initiatives.

“Deb has shown great leadership over the past couple years,” said Don O’Day, FNBT’s Chief Banking Officer. “Her focus on the customer experience and doing what’s right for our customers was instrumental this past year as she guided the retail branch team through the bank’s recent core and digital system upgrade.”

Griffith joined FNBT in 2003 bringing prior banking experience from another local community bank. She received her undergraduate degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois with a double major in Business Administration Management and Public Relations. She went on to receive her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. 

Over the years, Deb has volunteered with many community activities, including the Downtown Beloit Association’s Street Dance event and multiple holiday parades. She also represents the bank at Hononegah High School’s Incubator program. Griffith is based at FNBT’s Beloit-Grand Avenue office located at 345 East Grand Avenue and resides in Rockton with her husband and twin daughters.