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Compensation
09/10/2026

Compensation & Talent Survey: Analyzing CEO Succession at Family-Owned Banks

Bank Director’s research found that family-owned banks are more likely to have a CEO successor in mind — but they’re less likely to believe that candidate is ready to take on the job.

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About the authors
Written by
Laura Alix Director of Research

Laura Alix is the Director of Research at Bank Director, where she collaborates on strategic research for bank directors and senior executives, including Bank Director’s annual surveys. She also writes for BankDirector.com and edits online video content. Laura is particularly interested in workforce management and retention strategies, environmental, social and governance issues, and fraud. She has previously covered national and regional banks for American Banker and community banks and credit unions for Banker & Tradesman. Based in Boston, she has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from CUNY Brooklyn College.

Laura Alix
Director of Research
The boards of family-owned banks may have an easier time identifying potential CEO successors, according to Bank Director’s 2026 Compensation & Talent Survey, but they’re more likely to struggle with establishing a timeline for that transition and developing the next generation of leaders. That could be due to the unique interpersonal challenges that exist at family-owned banks. When the current CEO is also the board chairman and a majority shareholder in the bank, it can be tough for independent board members to challenge that executive on questions about succession. And when family members serve together on the bank’s board, it…

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WRITTEN BY

Laura Alix

Director of Research

Laura Alix is the Director of Research at Bank Director, where she collaborates on strategic research for bank directors and senior executives, including Bank Director’s annual surveys. She also writes for BankDirector.com and edits online video content. Laura is particularly interested in workforce management and retention strategies, environmental, social and governance issues, and fraud. She has previously covered national and regional banks for American Banker and community banks and credit unions for Banker & Tradesman. Based in Boston, she has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from CUNY Brooklyn College.