Leominster-based Fidelity Bank has hired a new president and chief operating officer.

Christopher W. McCarthy will fill the role with Fidelity, bringing with him 20 years of experience with community and regional banks in Massachusetts. The announcement comes after Fidelity Bank President John Merrill shared with the board and Chairman and CEO Edward Manzi that he plans on making a career change next June.

“I have an incredible opportunity to launch a new company that will provide a technology and service based solution to optimize community banks’ commercial banking capabilities. Although I’m eager to get started, my number one priority is a smooth and successful transition,” Merrill said in a statement.

“Given Chris’ vast experience at community and larger regional banks, his leadership style, executive experience, and his commitment to the Central Massachusetts community, I couldn’t be more excited to announce this appointment,” Manzi said in a statement. “But I’m also relieved. When John Merrill came to me and expressed a readiness to embark on the next chapter of his career, all I could think about was how we would ever find someone to fill his extra-large shoes.”

Merill’s role will also be replaced by a second individual, to be hired, who will serve as the bank’s senior leader. McCarthy will step down from the board of directors upon assuming his new role as president on Oct. 5.

McCarthy has had an array of roles in banks across Massachusetts including TD Bank, Enterprise Bank, Banknorth and Safety Fund National Bank. His background includes several years of national, executive-level experience in wealth management working as head of national sales and head of institutional/retirement trust at TD Bank.