ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Nov. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNOB), (the "Company" or "ConnectOne"), today announced a new addition to its management team with the appointment of a leading expert in commercial lending, Mark Santasieri, to Executive Vice President & Chief Credit Officer of ConnectOne Bank (the "Bank"). He will be based out of the Bank's headquarters in Englewood Cliffs.
As Chief Credit Officer, Santasieri will oversee all loans made by the Bank and be responsible for implementing and monitoring a system of credit analysis and control for the Bank's entire loan portfolio to ensure strong credit quality.
"Mark brings an impressive track record of driving growth in both commercial real estate lending and the financial industry as a whole. His depth of experience brings a tremendous level of sophistication to our management team," said Frank Sorrentino III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ConnectOne Bank. "Since our founding, ConnectOne Bank has been committed to maintaining the highest standards in credit quality and Mark's addition underscores this focus for the benefit of our clients."
Prior to joining the Bank, Santasieri served as Senior Vice President at TD Bank, where he was responsible for the management of the commercial real estate lending team focused on the orientation of new business to major real estate developers. Previously, Santasieri served as SVP & Team Leader at Bank of America.
"I look forward to working alongside the senior leadership team at ConnectOne and being part of a brand widely recognized for its integrity and client-first mission. The bank's commitment to credit quality is vital to its long-term growth and ability to serve customers. My focus will be on reinforcing this commitment and building on its strong reputation," said Santasieri.
About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
ConnectOne is a New Jersey corporation and a registered bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, for ConnectOne Bank ("the Bank"). The Bank is a community-based, full-service New Jersey-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2005. The Bank operates from its headquarters located at 301 Sylvan Avenue in the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County, New Jersey, and through its 23 other banking offices.
For more information regarding ConnectOne Bank, visit https://www.ConnectOneBank.com.