Simon Griffiths

President and CEO Simon Griffiths said the company's balance sheet "remains exceptionally strong and credit metrics continue to trend favorably."

Camden National Bank is the second-largest Maine-based bank, based on assets of $5.7 billion.

Citing slowing growth in the first half of the year, central bankers lowered interest rates by a quarter of percentage point and signaled the possibility of two more cuts this year.

Marie McCarthy, a retired L.L.Bean executive, will become chair of the board after Lawrence Sterrs retires on Dec. 31.

The CEO offered a bullish outlook for "continued net interest margin expansion and earnings growth" in the second half.

A number of Maine-based banks have been expanding into New Hampshire in recent years. The goal is to broaden markets and serve existing New Hampshire customers, while remaining close to the Maine base.

The combined institution has total assets of around $7 billion and 73 branches in Maine and New Hampshire.

Camden National expects to complete the $86.6 million all-stock deal for Conway, N.H.-based Northway Bank by Jan. 2.

Mainebiz spoke with Maine leaders about today’s banking environment, customer preferences and bank strategy. Here’s what they had to say.

Over the last four quarters, the parent company of Camden National Bank has surpassed consensus earnings forecasts three times.