Third generation at First.

• Author: Gerhart, Clifford
• Position: First National Bank of Anchorage

Ask David Cuddy how much he plans to change things at First National Bank of Anchorage after taking over the presidency from his father, Dan Cuddy, and he replies, "About 2 percent."

"I plan to do almost nothing different. There are certainly going to be some differences in style and focus, but Dad will be coming in every morning as usual, and I'm going to be doing the same things I've been doing for the past year." The senior Cuddy remains as board chairman and will continue at the bank.

The 39-year-old David Cuddy doesn't fit the image of a bank president, especially a bank as conservative as First National, the state's second-largest bank. His youthful and relaxed demeanor mask decades of experience in banking. He's worked in almost every department and all over Alaska.

Cuddy grew up in Anchorage, graduated from West Anchorage High and earned a degree in economics from Duke University. He says even though he had dreams of touring the country as a musician, he always knew he would be a banker.

Cuddy worked his way up at First National, starting as a teller and management trainee. Most recently, he was senior vice president in charge of branch lending. Lending remains the focus of Cuddy's activity.

"I spent most of my time at the branches, and spent four years in Fairbanks and two to six weeks in most of the other branches," he notes.

One of Cuddy's most valuable experiences was 20 years ago, working as a drive-in teller in the branch at Boniface and Northern Lights. "We had six employees and everybody did everything. I even helped with mowing the yard. You really got a good...