HarborOne Bank CEO Jim Blake (center, in black suit) poses with bank staff and state legislators for the grand opening of the bank's Middleboro branch in August 2021. Photo courtesy of HarborOne Bank
After more than 25 years leading HarborOne Bank and its predecessor credit union, CEO James W. Blake will retire in May.
Joseph F. Casey, HarborOne’s president and chief operating officer, will retain his role as president and take over as CEO. Blake will retire on May 18, and Casey will become CEO the next day, the bank said in a statement.
Blake and Casey will remain on the boards of the bank and HarborOne’s parent company.
“Jim Blake has provided exceptional leadership throughout his 25 years as CEO, growing the Bank’s assets from $458 million to over $4.5 billion,” Michael J. Sullivan, HarborOne’s board chairman, said in the statement. “With Jim at the helm, we benefited from both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, increasing our branch network from 7 locations in 1995 to 30 this year. The Board would also like to extend its sincere appreciation to Jim for his many years of service to the Bank and to the communities that it calls home. We look forward to his continued service on the Bank and Company Boards.”
Blake has spent 50 years working in the community banking industry, the statement said. He joined HarborOne Bank, which was known at the time as Brockton Credit Union, in 1993 and became CEO in 1995.
During Blake’s tenure, HarborOne converted from a credit union in 2013 and made two acquisitions: Merrimack Mortgage Company Inc. in 2015 and Coastway Bancorp Inc. in 2018. HarborOne did a partial conversion to a publicly traded stock bank in 2016 before going fully public in 2019.
The bank’s footprint also expanded into Metro Boston in 2019, with more new branches opening late last year in Brighton, Brookline and Cambridge.
Casey, who began working at HarborOne’s predecessor credit union in 2004 as chief financial officer, became the bank’s president and COO, as well as a director, in February 2017.
“My fellow directors and I are pleased that Joe Casey will be stepping in to succeed Jim as HarborOne Bank’s next CEO,” Sullivan said. “Joe understands and embodies the mission, culture and values that have helped drive HarborOne Bank over more than a century of service, growth and diversification. We are confident that Joe is the right person to lead the Bank and drive further growth and strong performance for all of our stakeholders.”
Before joining HarborOne Bank, Casey worked at Seacoast Financial Services and Compass Bank for Savings in New Bedford from 2003 to 2004. He previously spent 17 years with Andover Bancorp Inc.
“I couldn’t be more delighted that Joe has been named my successor,” Blake said. “Consistent leadership is more important than ever, and Joe has been an indispensable member of the management team at HarborOne Bank for many years. Most recently, he has proven his ability to lead in an ever-changing environment. Joe brings a wealth of institutional knowledge, and a strong commitment to the culture that has helped make the Bank successful. His extensive banking and financial experience, as well as his deep understanding of our customers, will be an invaluable resource as he drives HarborOne Bank to continued growth and positive results.”
“I am honored to be appointed CEO of this outstanding bank and look forward to leading such a committed and talented team of bankers,” Casey said. “Together, we will maintain the Bank’s unique culture and build upon its proud history as we work to deliver sustainable growth in the years ahead.”
