Employee Spotlight | Christopher Walkley – SVP – Senior Commercial Banking Manager

Chris Walkley’s Journey with Bank of New Hampshire

Bank of New Hampshire (BNH) offers career opportunities for individuals looking to advance in their careers. For Chris Walkley, his journey began with learning the fundamentals of commercial lending, which evolved into a leadership role at the bank. In this Employee Spotlight, we share how Chris advanced to become the leader of our Commercial Banking Division.

From Junior Credit Analyst to SVP – Senior Commercial Banking Manager

Chris began his career with BNH in 2011 as a Junior Credit Analyst in the Commercial Lending division. In this role, he analyzed financial statements and provided critical insights to other analysts. Over time, he assumed increasing responsibility and advanced to a Credit Analyst position. His career continued to evolve as he took on roles including Collections Specialist, Portfolio Manager and Commercial Banker.  

“When I first came to Bank of New Hampshire, I started by learning the very basics in commercial banking,” said Chris. “As my knowledge grew, I advanced into other roles that provided unique challenges and opportunities for me to further advance my career in commercial banking.”

Why Bank of New Hampshire?

Chris was drawn to a career in banking due to his longstanding interest in finance and business, which he further developed while pursuing his undergraduate degree. Banking proved a natural intersection of these interests and offered a stable, rewarding career.

“The reason I chose to explore an opportunity with Bank of New Hampshire is because its always had a strong presence in the local community, added Chris. “I wanted to be able to live, work and give back to the community I was a part of.”

Throughout his career, the bank has provided Chris with opportunities to learn and grow through formal training, online courses and mentoring.

Assisting Businesses with Paycheck Protection Program Funding

One of Chris’s most memorable achievements was assisting businesses in securing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other emergency assistance loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. When businesses faced unprecedented challenges during stay-at-home orders, the entire Bank of New Hampshire team came together to offer support in any way possible. While the effort was significant, the result was meaningful financial stability for businesses during a critical time.

Ever Changing

When asked to describe his career at the bank in one word, Chris chose ever changing.

“I have worn many hats since I started at the bank, and my role continues to evolve ─ whether due to organizational changes or the needs of our customers,” he said.

Advice for Aspiring Professionals

When asked what advice he would share with aspiring bankers, Chris offered, “Be open to any opportunity presented to you and immerse yourself in as many areas as possible. It will help you determine the best fit for you and allow you to become more of a more well-rounded contributor.”

Be on the lookout for more inspiring stories in our Employee Spotlight series, as we continue celebrating the unique journeys of our team members.