Matter is new Equitable Bank president
The Equitable Bank board of directors has promoted John P. Matter to the presidency of the Wauwatosa-based bank. Matter, who succeeds Charles R. Pittelkow, is the first non-family member to run the bank.
Pittelkow will remain as chairman of the board and chief executive officer.
Matter started his banking career as a teller with City Federal Savings and Loan in 1976. He joined The Equitable Bank in 1980, starting as a branch manager of the Brookfield office. In the years to follow, he assumed higher positions, starting with promotion to regional branch manager in 1981.
In 1983, he was named assistant vice president of sales and marketing. Subsequently, he assumed responsibilities for sale of annuity and investment products, consumer lending, mortgage loan origination and retail banking. Matter was promoted to senior VP in 2000, followed by chief operating officer later that same year, and executive vice president in 2001.
Pittelkow’s grandfather founded The Equitable Bank, then known as Equitable Savings Building and Loan Association, in 1927.
Prior to Matter’s promotion, the bank has been led by four generations of the Pittelkow family. According to Pittelkow, "I am proud to have John following me in the leadership of the bank. His leadership has been instrumental for the bank’s substantial growth in deposits, mortgage loan origination, and continued financial strength."
Matter is a graduate of UW-Milwaukee and received a master of business administration degree from the UW-Whitewater in 1993. He is a member of the American Marketing Association, Wisconsin Bankers Association, Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association, and the Exchange Club of Milwaukee.
Equitable originated more than $400,000,000 in residential mortgages last year. The Equitable Bank (www.equitablebank.net) operates an 11-branch network in the metropolitan Milwaukee area.
Jan. 24, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
