B2 Bank Rebuilds Leadership to Power Nationwide Digital Growth

B2 Bank Rebuilds Leadership to Power Nationwide Digital Growth

Minnesota, United States, 27 March 2026 – B2 Bank, a Minnesota-based financial institution, has announced a major leadership reshuffle as part of its plan to grow beyond traditional community banking and strengthen its position in the digital banking space. The move brings in experienced leaders from Florida’s Climate First Bank, marking a new chapter in the bank’s transformation journey.

Ryan Jaskiewicz has been appointed as the new chief executive officer, taking over from Randy Petersen, who is retiring after more than a decade of leadership. Petersen has been at the helm since 2013 and played a key role in maintaining the bank’s stability and local presence.

Jaskiewicz brings over 20 years of experience in finance and leadership. He previously served as president of structured finance at Climate First Bank and has also worked as chief strategy officer at Breakout Finance. Earlier in his career, he founded 12five Capital and led it as CEO for 17 years. His experience in fintech, structured finance, and strategy is expected to guide B2 Bank’s next phase of growth.

Alongside him, Chris Cucci has been named president, sharing responsibilities that were earlier handled solely by Petersen. Cucci also joins from Climate First Bank, where he served as chief strategy officer. His career includes leadership roles at major financial institutions such as Wells Fargo, SouthState Bank, Floridian Bank, and JPMorgan Chase. His background in banking strategy and operations is likely to support B2 Bank’s expansion plans.

Completing the new leadership trio is Chris Van Buskirk, who steps in as chief credit and risk officer. He previously held the same role at Climate First Bank and has deep experience in community banking. Van Buskirk has also been a founding member of Florida Choice Bank and First Green Bank, adding strong expertise in credit management and risk assessment.

B2 Bank, formerly known as First National Bank of Buhl, underwent a rebranding after its acquisition in 2021 by Brian Barnes, founder and CEO of M1 Finance. Since then, the bank has been working toward modernisation by investing in financial technology and building a banking-as-a-service model. M1 Finance became its first major client under this new approach.

While the bank is moving toward a digital-first strategy, it continues to serve its local Minnesota community through two physical branches. With assets of around $71.8 million, B2 Bank offers a range of services including personal banking, business accounts, loans, and credit cards.

According to the company, these leadership changes represent a key moment in its evolution. The bank aims to combine its community banking roots with a growing nationwide digital presence, supported by fintech innovation and strategic partnerships.

As the financial services industry rapidly shifts toward digital transformation, embedded finance, and AI-driven banking solutions, B2 Bank’s new leadership team is expected to play a crucial role in shaping its future. The focus on banking-as-a-service, digital banking platforms, and scalable fintech infrastructure positions the bank to compete in an increasingly tech-driven market.