Kathy Thorson, who is currently a market president at MetaBank, will oversee strategy for all of its four markets.
Great Western is looking to hire a president to give CEO Ken Karels more time to focus on leadership and growth initiatives.
Meta expects to originate $500 million to $1 billion in personal loans as part of a three-year partnership with Liberty Lending in New York.
Banks that have flocked to the business because of higher yields and loan diversity stand to benefit if clients use tax savings to upgrade equipment.
The payments company will pay $321 million for Crestmark Bank, a commercial lender that focuses on asset-based lending, equipment finance and government-guaranteed loans.
