First Internet Bank Names Nick Campbell Chief Lending Officer to Drive Nationwide Growth

First Internet Bank has appointed Nick Campbell as Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer to oversee its nationwide lending operations. For fintech professionals, this leadership change signals a focus on scaling specialized credit products, from SBA loans to commercial real estate, while maintaining risk discipline in an increasingly volatile macroeconomic environment for digital-first lenders.

What was announced

Nick Campbell’s promotion to Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, places him at the helm of First Internet Bank’s diverse lending organizations. His remit covers a broad spectrum of financial products, including small business lending, owner-occupied and investor commercial real estate (CRE), and commercial and industrial (C&I) lending. Additionally, he will manage construction lending, single tenant lease financing, franchise finance, and consumer lending portfolios. The role involves overseeing lending strategy and portfolio growth across the United States, with a specific focus on expanding specialized solutions for both business and consumer segments.

This move follows Campbell's tenure as First Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, where he led credit administration and risk management efforts. Campbell joined the Fishers, Indiana-based institution in March 2017 as Vice President, CRE Portfolio Manager. His trajectory within the bank included roles as Vice President, CRE Relationship Manager, and First Vice President, Credit Administration, before moving into commercial real estate leadership in 2021. During his time at the bank, he has been credited with driving the performance of the commercial real estate portfolio, particularly within the construction and development sectors.

Campbell brings over 20 years of experience in the banking and lending sector to the position. Before his tenure at First Internet Bank, he held various roles at FORUM Credit Union and Monroe Bank. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a Master of Business Administration from Ball State University.

"Nick has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep lending expertise and a strong commitment to serving our clients," said Nicole Lorch, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Throughout his career at First Internet Bank, he has delivered results through disciplined execution and sound risk management. As Chief Lending Officer, Nick will play an important role in aligning our lending strategy with the Bank's long-term objectives. His leadership will help us navigate an increasingly complex environment while driving sustainable, profitable growth and value for our stakeholders."

Nicole Lorch, President and Chief Operating Officer at First Internet Bank.

The companies involved

First Internet Bank, headquartered in Fishers, Indiana, operates as a pioneer in the digital banking space. Launched in the late 1990s, it was one of the first state-chartered, FDIC-insured institutions to operate entirely online without a traditional physical branch network. This digital-first model has allowed the bank to offer a suite of commercial and retail banking services to customers across all 50 states, leveraging a lower overhead structure to compete on service efficiency and specialized product offerings.

The bank has carved out a specific niche in specialized lending, moving beyond standard consumer deposits into more complex areas like single tenant lease financing and small business administration (SBA) loans. By operating without the overhead of physical storefronts, the institution has historically utilized its technology stack to manage a national client base. Nicole Lorch serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the bank, overseeing its strategic direction alongside the executive leadership team. The company remains an independent entity, maintaining its focus on providing high-tech financial services while navigating the regulatory requirements of the commercial banking sector.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely tracked First Internet Bank’s efforts to modernize its lending and operational infrastructure through high-level technology integrations. In July 2026, the publication reported on the bank's move to enhance its internal capabilities in First Internet Bank Integrates ChatGPT and Claude for Real-Time AI Financial Insights. This initiative aimed to provide the bank's teams with sophisticated data analysis tools to improve decision-making and operational efficiency.

Furthermore, the bank has demonstrated a commitment to streamlining its credit processes through strategic partnerships. In late 2025, FF News covered the institution's collaboration with a fintech provider in Parlay Finance and First Internet Bank Join Forces to Modernize SBA Lending. This partnership was designed to simplify the application and approval process for small business loans, reflecting the bank's broader strategy of using digital tools to scale its specialized lending arms and improve the borrower experience.

What this means

This appointment highlights a critical trend in the mid-tier banking sector: the necessity of blending traditional credit rigor with digital-first agility. By promoting a veteran with deep experience in credit administration to the Chief Lending Officer role, First Internet Bank is prioritizing portfolio stability over aggressive, unvetted expansion. In a market where high interest rates and commercial real estate volatility are putting pressure on regional and digital lenders alike, the focus on "disciplined execution" is a defensive necessity. The industry is watching whether digital-only institutions can maintain their lower cost-to-income ratios while managing the increasingly complex risk profiles of nationwide commercial and construction lending.