Merchant has over three decades of financial services experience, and has spent the past 26 years with Jewett City Savings Bank. He joined the Bank in 1981 as an assistant vice president, and was promoted to vice president two years later. He was named senior vice president in 2000.

“Kevin is a very talented banker,” Horstmeyer said of his successor. “He is well respected by his colleagues, and will bring a new enthusiasm and vision to the position.”

A graduate of Norwich Free Academy, Merchant went on to study at Central CT State University in New Britain, earning a bachelor’s degree in administrative sciences. He is a member of Jewett City Businessmen’s Club and several banking organizations and local chambers of commerce. Until recently, he was also actively involved with his daughters, Kristen and Lindsay, in their youth basketball and softball activities and coached the Connecticut Green Devils AAU fastpitch softball team.

Merchant lives in Sterling with his wife, Lori, and stepchildren Ariel and Zachary.