DUBLIN, OHIO (January 4, 2019) — Primary Financial Company, provider of the popular SimpliCD® CD investment and issuance program, announced today that Chris Lewis has been named to the position of President/CEO. Mr. Lewis succeeds retiring President/CEO Mark Solomon and will assume the responsibility of President immediately. Upon Mr. Solomon’s retirement in May of 2019, Lewis will assume the CEO function, as well.
“Chris’ knowledge, expertise, and leadership skills will ensure a smooth transition for the organization, its owners, and, most importantly, the credit unions it serves,” said Jeff Merry, Primary Financial’s Chairman of the Board and President/CEO of Volunteer Corporate Credit Union. “We did an extensive national search, and the board is very happy to have concluded that we have exactly what we need with Chris. His foresight of the market in his current role will continue to be a great asset. We are excited both for him and for the future of the organization.”
Lewis has been part of Primary Financial’s management team since its inception in 1996 and has helped the company grow to $7.39 billion in current outstandings. With more than 30 years of professional experience in the CD industry, Lewis most recently served as Primary Financial’s Vice President, Director of Trading. He is also a chartered financial analyst and has a degree in finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
“Chris understands the value Primary Financial gives to its corporate owners and, ultimately, to the credit unions they serve every day,” said Merry. “It is this understanding that drives his passion for what he does, and that same passion will help fuel the success of the organization for many years to come.”
“Having worked with the team at Primary Financial for more than twenty years, I know the important work they do, and it’s a real privilege to continue my tenure here as President/CEO, helping to move the company forward,” said Lewis. “Our business continues to expand and I’m excited about the possibilities we have to serve even more credit unions by providing them exceptional tools to better manage their balance sheet.”
Through the SimpliCD program, Primary Financial has relationships with 3,800 credit unions represented by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Founded in 1996, Primary Financial is a credit union service organization (CUSO) jointly owned by 10 corporate credit unions, primarily serving natural-person credit unions nationwide with CD investments and issuance. A leader in the CD industry, Primary Financial is a registered broker dealer in the state of Ohio and has offices in Dublin, Ohio, and Columbus, Indiana. To learn more, visit www.epfc.com.
Julie Cox
Financial Services Specialist
812-378-1970
