Ex-Chase executive joining Johnson Bank
Popp begins duties as president in May
Former Milwaukeearea Chase Bank executive James R. Popp is joining Johnson Bank as president.
Popp, who was Milwaukee market leader for Chase until this winter, also has been named executive vice president of Johnson Financial Group, the company said Wednesday.
Popp will officially join Johnson Financial Group in May.
“Our commitment as a leading financial services partner in Wisconsin is strengthened today as we officially announce news that Jim Popp has accepted an offer to join Johnson Financial Group,” Thomas M. Bolger, president and chief executive of Johnson Financial Group, said in a statement. “Jim brings a seasoned perspective of what it takes to succeed in the Wisconsin marketplace. He understands and values the approach we take to serving our customers and communities as a familyowned business.”
Bolger has held the title of Johnson Bank president.
Bolger will remain president and chief executive of Johnson Financial Group.
Racine’s Johnson Bank is the second-largest bank based in Wisconsin, behind Associated Bank of Green Bay.
Popp, 53, has been in banking since 1988. In 2005, he came to Milwaukee as market president of Chase — then known as Bank One — for Wisconsin and Minnesota. He also had been managing director for Chase middle market banking in Wisconsin.
Before that, Popp was a commercial banker, mostly in the Chicago area.
“Jim’s a great cultural fit, too,” Bolger said. “Bringing nearly 30 years of financial services experience, Jim’s knowledge of the industry in the markets we serve will be a great complement to our team and directly impact our growth plans.”
Popp played football at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., where he was voted to the All Southeast Conference teams in his junior and senior years in 1986 and 1987, respectively.
A resident of Mequon, Popp has been active in civic organizations in the metro Milwaukee community and state.
Chase has not yet named a new Milwaukee market leader.