Bridgewater Bank names new chief risk officer

He has a background in managing both financial and non-financial risks

Bridgewater Bank names new chief risk officer

Bridgewater Bank has announced the appointment of Graham Kent (pictured) as its new chief risk officer (CRO).

Kent comes to Bridgewater with a background in managing both financial and non-financial risks. He has held several high-level positions, including senior vice president, chief investment officer, chief operating officer, and chief actuary. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science and economics from the University of Waterloo.

In his new role, Kent will be responsible for overseeing the bank’s risk governance, security measures, regulatory compliance, corporate safeguards, internal controls, and fraud deterrence strategies.

Established in 1997, Bridgewater Bank is a Canadian Schedule l chartered bank that specializes in providing competitive residential mortgages and deposit products through a select network of brokers. It has a portfolio of over $2.5 billion representing over 40,000 accounts across the country.

The Calgary-based bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Alberta Motor Association, which is the largest membership service organization in the province.

Michelle Chimko, president of the Alberta Motor Association, commented on the appointment in a recent news release and said they are “delighted” to welcome Kent as Bridgewater’s new CRO.

“His extensive experience and strategic acumen will be instrumental in enhancing our risk management practices and furthering our commitment to sound governance,” said Chimko.

Dave Fromow, Bridgewater Bank’s chief operating officer, also praised Kent for his expertise and strong actuarial background.

“Graham’s appointment underscores our dedication to strengthening our risk management capabilities,” he said. “His actuarial background will provide a unique perspective and enable us to leverage data-driven insights for effective decision-making.”

Kent joins Bridgewater as CRO a year after Fromow officially took over as COO on April 1, 2023. Fromow was named interim COO in September 2022, just two years after he joined the bank as vice president, enterprise risk.

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