Inspiring the Next Generation of Bankers

On July 22, NJBankers held its in-person Future Ready Internship Program networking event at Top Golf. The program spans from June to August and is designed to further enhance banks internal internship programs and motivate interns to become the next generation of leaders at member institutions.

 

Throughout the summer, participants engage in a specialized education program, and have opportunities to network with their fellow interns and bankers.

 

The 2025 program was one of our most successful to date, with 80 interns from 10 banks participating. Thank you to First Bank, First Commerce Bank, First Hope Bank, Kearny Bank, Magyar Bank, Manasquan Bank, Northfield Bank, OceanFirst Bank, Peapack Private Bank & Trust, and Valley Bank.

 

 

Advocacy in Action: Meeting with Top Officials in D.C.

In July, NJBankers President & CEO Mike Affuso traveled to Washington, D.C., for the American Bankers Association's Summer Leadership Meeting. He was joined by other state bankers associations as well as bank executives from across the country for discussions surrounding the current state, and future, of our industry. 

 

Over the course of the meeting, attendees heard from top officials including Michael Faulkender, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury; Michelle Bowman, Vice Chair for Supervision, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Travis Hill, Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of the FDIC, and Dr. Mark A. Calabria, Associate Director for Treasury, Housing and Commerce Programs, White House Office of Management and Budget, and Chief Statistician of the United States. 

 

Thank you to our members who also joined! There were important discussions being had on how we can collectively enhance the great work we are doing. 

 

NJBankers And Rider University Partnership to Support Vets Continues  

In July, NJBankers VP/Director of Government Affairs Brittany Wheeler attended a completion ceremony for Rider University's Veteran Entrepreneurship Training (VET) program. The NJBankers Charitable Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the program, which spans 6 weeks each summer and is offered free to participants.

Designed to support veterans, their spouses, and dependents, the program helps participants develop the skills needed to start a new business or expand an existing one.

NJBankers was honored to be a part of the ceremony and to assist veterans in our state. Along with our members, we are dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities we serve.

 

 NJBankers Supports NJ Veterans through Vital Educational Initiatives  

July 2, 2025 - Ahead of the July 4th holiday, the New Jersey Bankers Association (NJBankers) has continued its efforts to support our state’s veterans through a variety of educational initiatives.

On June 25, NJBankers partnered with OceanFirst Bank and VFW Post 1333 in Neptune on a financial literacy class for NJ veterans. NJBankers VP/Director of Government Affairs Brittany Wheeler addressed attendees, and the class was facilitated by OceanFirst's Tom Vogel, who spoke to the importance of credit scores, saving, creating personal budgets to achieve financial goals, and identity theft.

This was the fourth veterans’ financial literacy class that NJBankers hosted with one of its member banks over the past year.

“It’s been an honor to meet with our state’s veterans and provide this critical programming,” Wheeler said. “Now, more than ever, with the prevalence of fraud targeting our veterans, this work is extremely important. We want to give them the tools and resources to take control of their finances and thrive.”

The NJBankers Charitable Foundation also recently made a $8,500 donation to the New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH) to support the Clemente Course in the Humanities, which is open and free of charge to veterans across the state.

The free college humanities courses empower adult students to further their education and careers, become effective advocates for themselves and their families, and engage in cultural and political life. With NJBankers support, the 12-week course will be offered through Atlantic Cape Community College this fall, specifically for veterans of the U.S. military, regardless of discharge status.

“Support from the NJBankers Charitable Foundation will allow NJCH and Atlantic Cape Community College to expand the Clemente Veteran’s Initiative humanities course to additional veterans and active-duty service people across New Jersey,” said Gigi Naglak, Director of Programs at NJCH. “This course allows participants to process their personal experiences in a broader social and historical context and gain credentials towards further education and employment."

NJBankers Installs New Officers to its Board of Directors


July 1, 2025 – The New Jersey Bankers Association (NJBankers) recently installed a new slate of officers for its 2025-2026 fiscal year. They are: Chair, Craig L. Montanaro of Kearny Bank; Vice Chair, Elizabeth Magennis of ConnectOne Bank, and Second Vice Chair, Jorge S. Gomes, Esq. of Lusitania Savings Bank.

“I look forward to working alongside all members of the New Jersey Bankers Association to strengthen the banking industry across our great state. Advocating for regulatory clarity and relief will be a key part of this effort — ensuring that all institutions, from community banks to large financial institutions, can thrive in a fair and transparent environment,” Montanaro said. “Our continued commitment to the communities we serve is equally important. Our communities are the lifeblood of our business and we remain dedicated to supporting their growth, resilience, and prosperity. Together we will continue to build a stronger, more inclusive, and forward-looking banking landscape for New Jersey.”

Montanaro is the President & CEO of Kearny Bank. He was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Kearny Financial and the Board of Directors of Kearny Bank in 2010. He joined Kearny Bank in 2003 when Kearny acquired West Essex Bank where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Kearny Financial and Kearny Bank in April 2011. Prior to that time, he had served as President and Chief Operating Officer since April 2010.

Magennis is the President of ConnectOne Bank and serves on the Board of Directors, where she is responsible for the growth, function, and strategic direction of the bank. She holds over 30 years of experience in the banking industry, and joined ConnectOne Bank in 2006. Under her leadership, the bank has experienced record organic growth, expanded its footprint into new markets, built a robust loan portfolio, and made significant strides into the digital space.

Gomes is the President & CEO of Lusitania Savings Bank. He joined Lusitania Savings Bank as Executive Vice President/General Counsel in 2006 and was appointed President & CEO in 2014. Gomes has also served on the Lusitania Savings Bank Board of Directors since 2003. He began his professional career in private law practice in New York City after receiving degrees from Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law.

Patrick L. Ryan, President & CEO of First Bank, will serve as Immediate Former Chair. Steven M. Klein, Chairman, President & CEO of Northfield Bank, will serve as Former Chair.

In addition, members serving on the NJBankers Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 year are:

  • John M. Bonhomme, Managing Director/Regional Director, JPMorgan Chase Bank
  • John Borelli, Jr., President & CEO, Newfield National Bank
  • Matthew Carcich, President & CEO, Freedom Bank
  • John V. DeSclafani, SVP – Commercial Banking Leader, Wells Fargo
  • Edward Dietzler, President & CEO, The Bank of Princeton
  • John S. Fitzgerald, President & CEO, Magyar Bank
  • Catherine D. Franzoni, SEVP, Chief Operating Officer, Manasquan Bank
  • Thomas J. Kemly, President & CEO, Columbia Bank
  • Anthony Labozzetta, President & CEO, Provident Bank
  • Kevin M. Lenihan, President/Chief Operating Officer, Crown Bank
  • Chris A. McFadden, President & CEO, Union County Savings Bank
  • Martin P. Melilli, Market President, TD Bank
  • Donald Mindiak, President & CEO, First Commerce Bank
  • James D. Nesci, President & CEO, Blue Foundry Bank
  • Kevin B. Peterson, President & CEO, Haddon Savings Bank
  • Ira Robbins, Chairman & CEO, Valley Bank
  • G. Gregory Scharpf, President & CEO, Amboy Bank
  • Michael A. Shriner, President & CEO, BCB Community Bank
  • Kenneth R. Totten, Chairman, President & CEO, United Roosevelt Savings Bank
  • Philip B. Vaz, New Jersey Regional President, Ion Bank

 Recent Press

July 2, 2025: Salute to veterans: NJBankers is supporting a number of ways
July 1, 2025: NJBankers installs new officers to its board of directors
June 19, 2025: NJBankers celebrates 5th graduating class of leadership development program
June 6, 2025: Jane Allerman-Rey of Spencer Savings Bank receives NJBankers Woman of Impact Award
May 8, 2025: Erica Connor of Manasquan Bank cited by NJBankers diversity work
April 14, 2025: NJBankers Recognizes 2 for Outstanding Service
April 10, 2025: Lusitania Savings Bank's Jorge Gomes named second vice chair of NJBankers board
March 11, 2025: Experts weigh in on state and national economy at NJBankers' forum
March 10, 2025:Banking Industry: Feeling Optimistic While Coping with Change