Farmington, ME — Franklin Savings Bank (FSB) proudly announces the retirement of Dee LaPlant, Senior Vice President and Director of Operations and Compliance, recognizing her remarkable career and decades of dedicated service to the organization.

Dee’s journey with FSB began in 1986 on the Farmington teller line. After a brief time away, she returned to FSB in 1992, embarking on a career that would span more than three decades and touch nearly every corner of the organization. Over the years, she contributed her talents across multiple departments, including customer service, accounting, and security, ultimately finding her niche in operations leadership.

In 2013, Dee was instrumental in establishing the Operations Department. This brought together loan operations, deposit operations, security, facilities, and compliance into one cohesive team. She was asked to lead this newly formed department, a role in which she truly thrived.

Dee shared when reflecting on her career, “Bringing together talented individuals to support those on the front lines, implement new services, and maintain strong compliance has been incredibly rewarding.”

Dee also demonstrated a deep commitment to the communities Franklin Savings Bank serves. She actively gave her time and leadership beyond the Bank, including serving on the board of the Care and Share Food Closet. In this role, she supported efforts to address food insecurity and strengthen local connections, reflecting the same compassion and dedication that defined her work at FSB. Dee’s involvement in community initiatives highlights her belief that true success extends beyond the workplace.

Her leadership style was guided by a simple yet powerful philosophy: make time to think, pause to evaluate processes, and remain open to better ways forward. This thoughtful approach helped improve efficiencies and ensured the Bank remained well-positioned for the future.

During her tenure, Dee played a key role in advancing services that enhanced customer experience, including the introduction of online banking. She also helped nurture the evolution of FSB’s employee-focused culture. Dee took pride in being part of an organization that consistently puts its people first.

Throughout it all, Dee has been known as a calm, steady presence and a trusted resource for colleagues at every level. Her expertise, thoughtful approach, and dependable guidance have made a lasting impact on those who have had the privilege of working alongside her.

Reflecting on her career, Dee hopes her path serves as inspiration to others. “I hope I’ve shown that starting on the teller line can lead to a lifetime of growth and success,” she said. “None of it would have been possible without the relationships I’ve built along the way and the people, at work and at home, who supported my every step.”

Dee now looks forward to enjoying a well-earned retirement with her husband, Dave, who also recently retired. The Bank is thrilled for them both and wishes them every happiness in this exciting new chapter.

“Dee’s impact on Franklin Savings Bank cannot be overstated. Her steady leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment have helped shape who we are today. She built a remarkable Operations team and set a standard of excellence that will continue to guide us into the future. On behalf of the entire organization, we are incredibly grateful for Dee’s contributions and wish her and Dave all the best in a well-deserved retirement,” said Tim Thompson, President and CEO.

Founded in 1868, Franklin Savings Bank is a community-focused financial institution that serves Maine’s western, central, and Downeast regions from eight locations. With a reputation for strong customer service and deep community involvement, the Bank offers a wide range of products and services.