Team

Martin McCarthy

Co-Founder, Director and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. McCarthy most recently served as Senior Vice President, Commercial Real Estate and C&I Lending at Revere Bank, headquartered in Rockville, MD. From October 2010 until its sale in September 2016, Mr. McCarthy served as Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Loan Officer at Bank of Georgetown where he was also responsible for the management of a commercial real estate loan portfolio. Prior to joining the Bank of Georgetown, Mr. McCarthy worked as Associate Director at the mortgage banking firm, Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. Mr. McCarthy earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from Lehigh University, is a graduate of ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking, University of Pennsylvania, and earned the Wharton Leadership Certificate for Executive Leadership in Banking. Mr. McCarthy has been and is currently active on a number of boards and committees for various organizations in the WMA area since 2002. Mr. McCarthy currently serves as Chair of Sibley Hospital’s Young Professionals Board.

Jonathan Higgins

Co-Founder, President & Chief Banking Officer

Mr. Higgins, most recently served as Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Commercial Services at United Bank. In this role, Mr. Higgins was responsible for a team of commercial bankers located in DC, MD, VA, and WV which focused on core deposit growth and treasury services. Prior to the acquisition of Bank of Georgetown by United Bank in 2016, Mr. Higgins was employed at Bank of Georgetown since its inception, serving in various positions including Branch Manager, Commercial Loan Officer and most recently, Senior Vice President, Director of Business Development. As Senior Vice President, Mr. Higgins was responsible for core deposit growth and led a team of Business Development Officers. He served as a voting member on Bank of Georgetown’s Officer’s Loan Committee and Asset Liability Committee. Mr. Higgins received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. He is a graduate of ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking, University of Pennsylvania and earned the Wharton Leadership Certificate for Executive Leadership in Banking. Mr. Higgins is an active Board member at the Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority and serves as Board President of Second Story, a non-profit organization focused on serving disadvantaged youth.

Gerard McLoughlin

Co-Founder, EVP, Chief Credit Officer

Mr. McLoughlin most recently served as Senior Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer at United Bank. Prior to its acquisition by United Bank, Mr. McLoughlin served as Senior Vice President, Maryland Commercial Market Leader at Bank of Georgetown. Mr. McLoughlin’s banking experience also includes commercial credit analysis at two regional banks and commercial and residential real estate construction and development financing. Mr. McLoughlin is a graduate of Marymount University, Arlington, VA, with a Master of Business Administration degree, and earned a B.A. degree in Communications from Fordham University, Bronx, NY. He was named a Next Leader in Banking by the Maryland Bankers Association and the Warren Group in 2014. He has been an active member and board member at numerous organizations in the WMA, including Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland.

Karen Grau

EVP, Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Grau has over thirty-five years of financial services experience in the local community banking industry. She most recently served as Director of Financial Reporting for Capital Bank, NA, preparing all SEC regulatory filings for their new IPO. Ms. Grau also served as Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting with Revere Bank, responsible for internal and external financial reporting, and served as Secretary of the Asset & Liability Committee. Prior to its acquisition by Revere Bank, Ms. Grau was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Monument Bank from its formation, where she directed all financial activities and human resources. Ms. Grau also assisted Congressional Bank at its inception, serving as Controller and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that position, she served as Chief Financial Officer of FBR National Bank & Trust during the acquisition and charter conversion of Rushmore Trust and Savings. Ms. Grau’s first long-term banking experience was with Home Federal Savings Bank, previously located in the exact location of the new Founders Bank branch, where she served thirteen years in various positions including Assistant Controller and Assistant Vice President of Loan Servicing. Ms. Grau is an original Washingtonian, received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of the District of Columbia, and passed the CPA exam in Washington, DC. Ms. Grau has been active with St. Mary’s Parish in Rockville, Maryland, and served for over ten years on the Parish Finance Council and School Advisory Board.

In Memoriam

Domingo Rodriguez

1948-2020

Founding director Domingo Rodriguez, a banking leader in the Washington region for more than 40 years, died at his home in Germantown, MD, January 20, 2020. He was 71. Mr. Rodriguez served as the bank’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) until the onset of his illness.

Mr. Rodriguez was a seasoned bank executive with over 40 years in banking and finance having served as Chief Financial Officer at four community banks in the Washington Metropolitan Area ranging from $120 million to $4.3 billion. Most recently, Mr. Rodriguez served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Bank of Georgetown from its formation in 2005 until it was acquired by United Bank in 2016. Mr. Rodriguez started his banking career in internal audit and risk management, having held positions as Audit Manager and Senior Risk Officer. Mr. Rodriguez was a Certified Public Accountant. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD and was also a graduate of the School of Banking, University of Wisconsin. He was a member of the AICPA and a member of the Board of Directors of Martha’s Table where he served as Vice Chair. He also served on the Board of Directors of Capital Impact Partners and the Board of Trustees of Trinity Washington University.

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