NATION

Marine Midland Banks Inc. has announced that Northrup R. Knox, a director since 1973, has been named to the new position of non-executive chairman of both MMBI and its principal subsidiary, Marine Midland Bank, effective May 27. John R. Petty will retire as chairman and a director of Marine that same date.

Geoffrey R. Thompson, president of both Marine Midland Banks Inc. and Marine Midland Bank, has been appointed to the additional post of chief executive of Marine Midland Banks Inc., effective immediately, while retaining the title of president and chief executive of Marine Midland Bank NA.

Thomas F. Donovan, vice chairman, is retiring as an officer and director of Marine.

Richard C. Keller, sector executive, has been named to the new position of executive director and will join the Marine board at its April 20 meeting. Keller, who joins Thompson as one of the two Marine officers who also will serve as directors, will retain responsibility for capital markets activities while assuming a number of additional responsibilities.

Marine Midland, with assets of $25.5 billion, is a New York-based regional banking organization.