GARDINER -- Brent L. Hall and Tracy L. Plourde have been named to staff Kennebec Savings Bank's new Gardiner branch, according to a news release from the bank.

Hall, formerly of Savings Bank of Maine in Gardiner, has accepted the position of vice president and commercial loan officer.

Plourde, who currently works in the bank's main office in Augusta, will become assistant vice president and branch manager.

Both are area residents and grew up in the Gardiner area, according to William S. Hill, regional vice president of the bank.

Hall, of Hallowell, made banking his career immediately after graduation from the University of Maine with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

He brings 17 years in local banking experience to the new Gardiner branch, from loan servicing and teller operations to credit risk analysis.

Hall also is past president of the Gardiner Board of Trade and has held positions with Gardiner Main Street and the Kennebec Performing Arts Company.

Plourde, of North Monmouth, has been with Kennebec Savings Bank since 2000, when she was hired as assistant vice president and loan processing officer.

She was a branch manager for Northeast Bank and has staff management experience with Border Trust bank.

"We have been able to secure a top-notch management team for this branch, and the response to our other employment positions and to our announcement, in general, has been not only encouraging, but overwhelming," President & CEO Mark L. Johnston said.

Kennebec Savings Bank is a $713 million state-chartered mutual savings bank with 82 employees and branches in Augusta, Waterville and Winthrop.