Suku Radia is leaving his position as chief financial officer of Meredith Corp. to become president of Bankers Trust Co., effective March 13, according to a Meredith announcement this morning.

J. Michael Earley will continue to serve as the bank’s CEO, but will retire at the end of this year; Radia, 56, will eventually assume that position.

“Mike Earley has built such a solid foundation,” Radia said, “that this is continuing to build upon what Mike has built. … I’ve got big shoes to fill.”

Radia has known Earley and the Ruan family, the bank’s owners, on a personal level for more than 25 years, having worked with them while he was the managing partner of the Des Moines office of KPMG LLP. Radia became vice president and CFO of Meredith in 2000, succeeding current President and CEO Stephen Lacy.

“It was just a very very difficult decision,” Radia said, “Because I’m leaving one great organization to go to another great organization.” But Radia said his community involvement and relationship with the company leaders influenced his decision.

Meredith will begin an immediate search for a new CFO.