ATB's incoming CEO eyes mid-cap energy, agriculture and real estate as lending pillars
ATB Financial’s board of directors has appointed Chris Turchansky as the institution’s next president and CEO, following what it described as a North America-wide search process.
Board chair Joan Hertz said the search aligned with the organization’s governance standards.
Hertz said Turchansky’s experience in Alberta and his work in some of the institution’s more complex business areas were key factors in the board’s decision to appoint him as ATB’s next leader.
Turchansky is group head of ATB Business and Wealth, overseeing the financial institution’s largest revenue-generating segments, including capital markets, commercial banking and wealth management, where he has led the business through a period of growth, according to ATB.
Under his leadership, ATB has worked to position itself as a banking leader in mid-cap energy, reaching more than $15.1bn in loan commitments in that segment, which represents 30 per cent of the organization’s total business lending commitments.
His team also directs capital and expertise to Alberta’s agriculture and real estate sectors, which together form the other largest portions of ATB’s business lending portfolio.
In wealth management, Turchansky has focused on expanding and refining ATB’s services across Western Canada.
That includes introducing new investment management funds and growing assets under administration to nearly $40bn as of the end of the most recent quarter.
Turchansky spent almost his entire 30-year financial services career working in rural Alberta.
ATB says he has a strong connection to the sectors that underpin Alberta’s economy and an understanding of the role the institution plays for its clients.
Before his current role, he held a series of senior positions at the organization, including chief experience officer and president of ATB Wealth.
Current president and CEO Curtis Stange informed the board earlier this year that he would retire.
He will remain in the role until the end of 2025, after a tenure that ATB describes as marked by record-setting financial performance, including its recently released FY26 Q2 results.
Turchansky will assume the president and CEO role on January 1, 2026, with Stange staying on until that date to support the leadership handover.
The Government of Alberta, ATB Financial’s sole shareholder, has formally approved Turchansky’s appointment.
