Webster’s Ciulla Appointed Chair of ABA’s American Bankers Council

John Ciulla, president and CEO of Stamford-based Webster Financial Corporation, has been appointed chair of the American Bankers Association’s American Bankers Council.

Ciulla was elected, along with six others, to a three-year term on the ABA board of directors during the association’s annual meeting in Austin, Texas last month. 

The ABA represents banks of all sizes across the country. The ABC is its banker-driven peer group for midsize bank chief executives.

The council provides feedback and direction to ABA on key regulatory and legislative issues critical to midsize banks. 

“John’s tremendous banking knowledge and experience make him an ideal choice to represent this critically important industry segment,” said ABA president and CEO Rob Nichols.

Ciulla said he was looking forward “to working with my fellow midsize bank CEOs to identify the major policy issues and opportunities facing us in the year ahead.”

“Banks of all sizes are essential to our country’s economy, and our efforts will help ensure that we have a policy environment that will allow ABC members and the industry to meet the needs of our customers and communities going forward,” he said. 

‘Highly Regarded’

Ciulla joined Webster in 2004 as senior vice president for Middle Market Banking. He became Webster CEO in 2018 and was elected chair in January 2020.

He served as Webster’s chair, president, and CEO until the bank’s merger earlier this year with Sterling National Bancorp.

“John had big shoes to fill when he assumed his role at Webster and has done a tremendous job creating his own path,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.

Ciulla is a member of CBIA’s board of directors, including a term as chair in 2017. 

“John is incredibly supportive of the business community, committed to doing what is right, and genuinely cares about growing the state economy to provide more opportunities for all Connecticut residents,” said DiPentima.

“He is highly regarded by policymakers, his peers, and his team, and I am fortunate to call him a friend. I am excited to see what he will do at this next level.”

Ciulla serves on the Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America’s executive committee, and most recently served on the Federal Reserve System’s Federal Advisory Council as a representative for Boston-First District.