Stearns Bank Continues Leadership Team Additions, Welcomes New Chief Credit Officer and Promotes New General Counsel

St. Cloud, MN (January 25, 2025) – Today, Stearns Bank announced an addition and a promotion to bolster its Leadership Team. Erika Miller has joined as the organization’s new Chief Credit Officer and Jordan Hopkins has been promoted to General Counsel. These developments continue Stearns Bank’s commitment to cultivating a best-in-class leadership team that exemplifies diversity, inclusion and exceptional expertise that will guide the company through its strategic plans.

“As Stearns Bank continues to grow its national footprint and build innovative banking solutions that help our customers reach their full financial potential, we’re excited to welcome both Erika and Jordan to our leadership team,” said Kelly Skalicky, President & CEO of Stearns Bank. “Both have deep experience and impressive skillsets within their respective fields, and I know each will bring a wealth of talent and drive success to our entire organization, employee base and the customers we proudly serve across the country.”

In her role as Chief Credit Officer, Miller will oversee Stearns Bank’s national credit risk management strategy, ensuring the strength and stability of its lending operations. Her role will be instrumental in developing and implementing credit policies, managing risk portfolios, and driving credit-related strategies to support sustainable growth. In addition, Miller will work closely with Stearns Bank’s leadership team to uphold the bank’s commitment to responsible lending practices and compliance with regulatory standards. She will report to Heather Plumski, EVP, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer.

“I am honored to join the Stearns Bank team and excited about the opportunity to contribute to its innovative banking model. This role allows me to leverage my background in banking regulation and credit to support the bank’s strategic objectives and further enhance its credit risk management framework,” said Miller. “I look forward to contributing to the bank’s impressive legacy of driving financial empowerment, building customer-centric solutions, and strengthening communities nationwide.”

Miller brings over 22 years of experience in banking and leadership roles to Stearns Bank. Most recently serving as Business Manager leading operations within the Large Bank Unit in supervision, regulation, and credit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Prior to that, she served as Credit Risk Manager in the Credit Risk Management and Applications Unit and Exam Manager within the Regional and Community Banks Unit. She was also commissioned as an Examiner by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. She’s also held senior examination roles at the Massachusetts Division of Banks and began her career at Wells Fargo. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Bridgewater State University and will be based in Boston, MA.

With Hopkins being promoted to General Counsel, she will be responsible for leading Stearns Bank’s legal function, while providing legal, operational and strategic support to the overall organization. She will oversee non-fraud-related legal matters, including contract drafting, reviews, negotiations, and research, as well as collaborating on a variety of risk management, vendor management, and compliance work. She will report to Kelly Skalicky.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve Stearns Bank in this new leadership capacity and look forward to leading the bank’s talented group of legal professionals,” said Hopkins. “As our industry continues to navigate complex legal and regulatory issues, I’m prepared to deliver top-tier legal services in a practical, solutions-oriented manner to ensure the organization achieves its primary business objectives.”

Prior to joining Stearns Bank in 2018, Hopkins served as an Associate Attorney at Eckberg Lammers, P.C. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law and bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Bethany Lutheran College. She will continue to be based in St. Cloud, MN.

To learn more about the innovative and industry-leading banking services, products and solutions available at Stearns Bank, please visit: www.StearnsBank.com.

About Stearns Bank N.A.

Stearns Bank National Association is a majority women-owned and governed financial services institution committed to empowering people, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities to reach their full financial potential. As a privately held, employee-owned entity, Stearns Bank offers a wide array of national products and services including consumer and small business banking, affordable housing financing, USDA and SBA lending, and equipment and small business financing. Headquartered in Minnesota, the well-capitalized institution has branch locations in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. Guided by a commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, Stearns Bank is regularly recognized as one of the nation’s highest performing banks and ‘Best Banks to Work For’ by American Banker. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at www.StearnsBank.com.

Media Contact
Armando Diaz
Armando.Diaz@StearnsBank.com
C: 561-729-6091