Metropolitan CEO retires; executive VP takes over

Metropolitan National Bank's president and CEO is retiring, and his position will be filled by the current chief operating officer.

CEO Dave Tooley is stepping down in what a bank news release calls "a scheduled leadership transition plan," with Executive Vice President and COO Sterling Huff assuming the positions.

Huff already has assumed the president role following several years of succession planning, according to the release, and also is serving on the bank's board of directors. He will assume CEO responsibilities March 31.

Tooley led the Springfield-based bank for nine years and has more than 35 years of financial industry experience, according to the release. He will remain on the bank board.

"In a tough economic time for banks, Metropolitan has remained strongly capitalized and is positioned to continue to serve our customers in Southwest Missouri," Tooley said in the release. "Sterling's wide range of leadership experience, and his relationships inside and outside of the bank, will ensure continuity of successful leadership into the future.”

Metropolitan has 12 branches in a seven-county region and assets of $560 million.