News & Media

By David A. Mann – Managing editor, Louisville Business First

Jan 22, 2019

Brian Karst has joined Eclipse Bank Inc. as executive vice president, CFO and chief deposit officer.

Karst has more than 30 years of senior bank management experience in the Louisville market, having previously served as executive vice president, CFO and chief operating officer of First Capital Bank. He also was regional mortgage sales manager at MainSource Bank for a time after that, but he left after it was acquired by First Financial Bancorp.

A few weeks ago, we reported that an $11.65 million acquisition deal in which he was involved had fallen apart because of lack of funding and that he was seeking work elsewhere.

Karst replaces Patrick Judd as CFO. The release said Judd is pursuing another opportunity.

“Pat joined the bank at a pivotal time and helped oversee record profitability during his short tenure,” Eclipse President and CEO Andrew Pyles said in a news release. "We will miss him and wish him the very best."

Eclipse also added Jeff Gleeson as senior vice president and chief credit officer. As chief credit officer, Gleeson will be responsible for managing the bank’s credit risk management function and overall credit quality, according to the release. He most recently served in the same role for King Southern Bank. Prior to that, he was chief risk officer at River Valley Bancorp, in Madison, Ind.

"We're extremely pleased to welcome these two industry veterans to our team," Pyles said. "Their experience in overseeing safe, profitable growth at other institutions aligns well with our strategic growth objectives."