Empire Bank names new senior vice president

Steve Gassel has been named senior vice president of relationship banking at Empire Bank.

Gassel previously was with U.S. Bank in Springfield for nearly 20 years, most recently as a vice president and managing director, according to past SBJ coverage.

In his new position, he will focus on lending and deposit needs of high-net-worth clients. He is based at Empire's 3333 S. National Ave. branch.

Gassel's move to Empire comes three weeks after Jami Peebles - who also was with U.S. Bank previously - joined Empire's investment affiliate, Central Trust & Investment Co., as senior vice president. She and Gassel both worked with U.S. Bank's Private Client Group.

Gassel has a bachelor's degree in finance with a banking emphasis from Missouri State University. He also is the current board president of Leadership Springfield.