Cole Taylor Bank Names Conte COO

Randall Conte has joined Rosemont, Ill.-based Cole Taylor Bank as its new EVP and COO. He will be responsible for bank operations, corporate services, project management, information technology, customer service and the $4 billion-asset institution's nine banking centers.

Conte hails from ABN Amro's LaSalle Bank operations in Chicago, where he held numerous roles in finance and operations over 10 years. Most recently he was EVP and head of operations in charge of the bank's retail, consumer, mortgage and virtual banking businesses.

At Cole Taylor, Conte says, his first order of business will be to build a business and technology road map. "The business requirements will determine what role technology plays," he remarks. Systems integration, Conte adds, will be key to the bank's smooth operation. "Whether it's mobile banking or enhancing our customer experience, the tight integration of our core systems will play a critical role," he says.

Making the transition from a bank the size of ABN Amro's organization to one the size of Cole Taylor, Conte adds, is a welcome challenge. "In this environment I have an opportunity to cover a broader range of topics more thoroughly," he relates. "It enables me to move the needle with greater efficiency and effectiveness."

Conte is quick to note that the scale and available resources, however, will be different. "As always in smaller organizations, resources are more critical and have to be addressed effectively," he says.