Waterstone Bank Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Waterstone Bank has 10 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, community banking operations, and mortgage lending services.

Committed to long-term stability and local growth, Waterstone Bank delivers comprehensive financial solutions while maintaining a deep-rooted tradition of community involvement across suburban markets.

Leadership Roles at Waterstone Bank

  • Chief Financial Officer - Mark Gerke
  • Community Bank President - Korey Smith
  • Community President - Joshua Braun
  • Community President-Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS 583434 - Laura Merchle
  • Community Bank President - Aimee Good
  • Community Bank President - Maria Castro
  • Community President - Gurdeep Chahal
  • Community Bank President - Heather Rodriquez
  • Community President - Caleb Quakkelaar
  • Community Bank President - Heather Fletcher
  • Mark Gerke - Chief Financial Officer

    Mark Gerke, the Chief Financial Officer at Waterstone Bank, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the bank's balance sheet, the Chief Financial Officer ensures liquidity and regulatory compliance across all financial products. This leadership role involves managing the institution's investment portfolio and optimizing interest rate risk to support sustainable growth. By analyzing market trends, Gerke maintains the financial health of the organization while providing critical data to the board for long-term planning. The Chief Financial Officer also coordinates with regional leaders to ensure that capital resources align with the bank's mission of providing stable mortgage and commercial loan products. Through rigorous oversight of accounting practices and financial reporting, Mark Gerke secures the fiscal integrity of the institution. This focus on precision and transparency allows the bank to continue offering competitive savings and checking accounts to the local community.

    Korey Smith - Community Bank President

    Korey Smith, the Community Bank President at Waterstone Bank, manages retail banking operations and customer engagement strategies. Overseeing branch performance, the Community Bank President drives deposit growth and expands the reach of checking and savings products within suburban markets. This leadership role involves fostering relationships with local businesses to increase the adoption of commercial loan services. By implementing service-oriented initiatives, Smith enhances the overall client experience and strengthens the bank's reputation for community involvement. The Community Bank President also collaborates with mortgage teams to ensure seamless cross-selling of home equity products. Through consistent outreach and operational excellence, Korey Smith elevates the bank's market presence. Smith focuses on building a robust pipeline of business banking clients while maintaining the high standards of service that define the institution's century-long history of supporting local financial needs.

    Joshua Braun - Community President

    Joshua Braun, the Community President at Waterstone Bank, architects regional business development strategies to expand the bank's commercial loan portfolio. Overseeing local market penetration, the Community President identifies opportunities for growth in business banking and treasury management services. This leadership role involves cultivating partnerships with regional enterprises to provide tailored financial solutions that support local economic development. By analyzing competitive landscapes, Braun refines the bank's approach to commercial lending and business account acquisition. The Community President also works closely with the executive team to align regional objectives with the broader corporate mission of stability and service. Through strategic networking and proactive client management, Joshua Braun drives revenue growth and increases the bank's footprint in key suburban areas. Braun ensures that every business client receives personalized attention, reinforcing the bank's commitment to being a trusted partner for local companies.

    Laura Merchle - Community President-Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS 583434

    Laura Merchle, the Community President-Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS 583434 at Waterstone Bank, manages the end-to-end mortgage lending process for residential clients. Overseeing loan origination and underwriting workflows, the Community President-Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS 583434 ensures that all mortgage products meet the specific needs of local homeowners. This leadership role involves guiding clients through complex financial decisions regarding home equity and long-term financing. By maintaining high standards of compliance and service, Merchle facilitates seamless transactions and builds lasting trust with borrowers. The Community President-Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS 583434 also coordinates with the broader banking team to integrate mortgage services with checking and savings offerings. Through expert knowledge of the housing market, Laura Merchle drives significant volume in home lending. Merchle consistently delivers value by simplifying the path to homeownership for families across the region, upholding the bank's tradition of financial accessibility.

    Aimee Good - Community Bank President

    Aimee Good, the Community Bank President at Waterstone Bank, leads initiatives focused on consumer banking excellence and branch-level operational efficiency. Overseeing the delivery of certificates of deposit and money market accounts, the Community Bank President ensures that retail customers receive optimal financial guidance. This leadership role involves training staff to provide superior service while promoting the bank's full suite of personal banking products. By monitoring branch performance metrics, Good optimizes resource allocation to maximize customer satisfaction and retention. The Community Bank President also engages in local community events to bolster the bank's visibility and commitment to regional development. Through effective team leadership, Aimee Good fosters a culture of accountability and service. Good prioritizes the growth of the retail deposit base, ensuring that the bank remains a primary financial resource for individuals seeking stability and reliable banking solutions in the suburban market.

    Maria Castro - Community Bank President

    Maria Castro, the Community Bank President at Waterstone Bank, directs strategic efforts to expand the bank's reach within diverse suburban demographics. Overseeing the implementation of inclusive banking programs, the Community Bank President ensures that IRA accounts and savings products remain accessible to all community members. This leadership role involves developing outreach strategies that connect the bank with underserved market segments. By fostering strong relationships with local organizations, Castro enhances the bank's reputation as a community-focused institution. The Community Bank President also collaborates with product managers to refine offerings based on specific regional feedback. Through dedicated leadership, Maria Castro drives growth in personal banking accounts and strengthens the bank's overall market position. Castro focuses on creating sustainable financial pathways for clients, ensuring that the bank's long-standing tradition of stability continues to benefit a broad range of individuals and families.

    Gurdeep Chahal - Community President

    Gurdeep Chahal, the Community President at Waterstone Bank, manages the strategic expansion of business banking services in high-growth suburban corridors. Overseeing the acquisition of new commercial clients, the Community President drives the adoption of business checking and lending products. This leadership role involves analyzing regional economic indicators to identify emerging opportunities for the bank's commercial loan portfolio. By providing expert financial advice to business owners, Chahal builds long-term partnerships that support local economic vitality. The Community President also works with the executive team to ensure that regional operations align with the bank's overarching goals for stability and growth. Through proactive market engagement, Gurdeep Chahal increases the bank's share of the local business banking market. Chahal focuses on delivering customized financial solutions that help companies thrive, reinforcing the bank's status as a premier partner for businesses seeking reliable and professional banking services.

    Heather Rodriquez - Community Bank President

    Heather Rodriquez, the Community Bank President at Waterstone Bank, oversees the integration of digital banking tools with traditional branch services to enhance customer convenience. Overseeing the adoption of online savings and money market platforms, the Community Bank President ensures that retail clients have seamless access to their funds. This leadership role involves managing branch staff to provide high-touch service in an increasingly digital environment. By balancing technology with personal interaction, Rodriquez maintains the bank's reputation for exceptional customer care. The Community Bank President also coordinates with the marketing department to promote new financial products to the local community. Through effective management, Heather Rodriquez drives growth in retail deposits and improves overall operational efficiency. Rodriquez focuses on modernizing the banking experience while preserving the core values of stability and community involvement that have defined the institution since its inception.

    Caleb Quakkelaar - Community President

    Caleb Quakkelaar, the Community President at Waterstone Bank, leads the development of specialized commercial lending programs for local real estate developers. Overseeing the underwriting and management of complex business loans, the Community President ensures that the bank's portfolio remains robust and diversified. This leadership role involves assessing project viability and risk to support sustainable development within the region. By building strong relationships with developers and business leaders, Quakkelaar secures the bank's position as a key financier for local growth. The Community President also collaborates with the credit department to maintain high standards of risk management. Through strategic oversight, Caleb Quakkelaar drives significant revenue growth and strengthens the bank's commercial banking presence. Quakkelaar focuses on delivering tailored financial solutions that meet the unique needs of the real estate sector, ensuring that the bank continues to play a vital role in regional economic expansion.

    Heather Fletcher - Community Bank President

    Heather Fletcher, the Community Bank President at Waterstone Bank, manages the delivery of comprehensive wealth management and retirement planning services. Overseeing the promotion of IRA accounts and certificates of deposit, the Community Bank President helps clients achieve long-term financial security. This leadership role involves providing personalized guidance to individuals planning for their future. By leveraging the bank's stable financial products, Fletcher assists clients in building wealth and managing risk effectively. The Community Bank President also works with the retail team to ensure that retirement planning is integrated into the broader customer experience. Through dedicated service and financial expertise, Heather Fletcher drives growth in long-term deposit products. Fletcher focuses on building trust with clients, ensuring that the bank remains a reliable partner for individuals seeking to protect and grow their assets while maintaining the institution's tradition of stability.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Waterstone Bank Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Waterstone Bank?
    Waterstone Bank is led by Mark Gerke (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Korey Smith (Community Bank President) and Joshua Braun (Community President).
    Who is part of Waterstone Bank’s executive team?
    The executive team of Waterstone Bank includes leaders such as Mark Gerke (Chief Financial Officer), Korey Smith (Community Bank President), Joshua Braun (Community President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Waterstone Bank have?
    Waterstone Bank has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Waterstone Bank’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Waterstone Bank includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Community Bank President, Community President, Community President-Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS 583434, Community Bank President.