North Jersey Community Bank Names Frank W. Baier Chief Financial Officer; Promotes Laura Criscione to Chief Operating Officer

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- North Jersey Community Bank (NJCB), the fastest growing bank in New Jersey, today announced that Frank W. Baier has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Laura Criscione, who has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.

Baier will be responsible for NJCB's business and financial strategy.  Additionally, he will oversee the bank's accounting and investment operations, along with working on the bank's capital formation plans.

"Frank brings a wealth of financial experience to our executive ranks. His experience building and managing core functions at a variety of financial institutions will be especially valuable as we enter the next phase of our growth at NJCB," said Chairman and CEO Frank Sorrentino III. "We are thrilled to welcome him to our senior leadership team."

Baier has held a number of senior leadership roles at financial institutions including Independence Community Bank; Capital Access Network; and ContiFinancial Corporation. He also served as a consultant to Meridian Capital Group. He holds a BS in business administration from Seton Hall University and an MBA from New York University.  Baier is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Baier's appointment to CFO is currently pending confirmation by the New Jersey State Department of Banking and Insurance.

Criscione, who joined NJCB at its inception in 2005 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has helped drive the growth of the bank from one to seven branches throughout Bergen and Hudson counties. She has been responsible for the overall financial and operational functions of the bank, overseeing each of its seven branches, managing the development of new products and services as well as the bank's use of cutting-edge technology to improve the customer experience and bank operations.

In her new role as Chief Operating Officer, Criscione will continue to be responsible for the Bank's day-to-day operations, internal controls, and compliance with all regulatory, federal and state laws.

"I want to congratulate Laura on her well-deserved promotion. She has been a key member of NJCB's executive team from the start and has played an integral role in our exceptional growth," continued Sorrentino. "In her new position, Laura will focus on driving operational excellence throughout the organization as well as on risk management and compliance issues."

In 2010, Criscione was named "CFO of the Year" by NJBIZ magazine for her significant career achievements, impactful contributions and leadership at NJCB. Prior to joining NJCB, she served as Investment/Senior Staff Accountant at Lakeview Savings Bank; Controller at Ridgewood Savings Bank of New Jersey and Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer at NorCrown Bank. Criscione holds a BS in accounting from Seton Hall University.

Both Baier and Criscione will report directly to Chairman and CEO Frank Sorrentino III.

NJCB offers a complete range of financial services for both personal and business customers, backed by advanced technology. The bank provides a full-line of banking products and services, including mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, as well as a wide selection of commercial services. Its "Simply Better Money Market Account," with one of the highest rates in the area, is available for both business and personal accounts and includes free checking and free online bill pay, and now mobile banking.  Each of its branches feature NJCB's exclusive "Coin Toss" free coin counting machine as well as extended lobby hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday. NJCB also provides 24-hour ATM service and free online banking at www.njcb.com.

About North Jersey Community Bank (NJCB):

North Jersey Community Bank was founded by local community and business leaders to provide the highest level of personalized community banking services to Northern New Jersey. With a strong commitment to the communities it serves, the bank offers a variety of innovative deposit and loan products. 

NJCB was recently recognized among the "Top Five Best Performing Community Banks in the Nation" by SNL Financial, a leading provider of news and data on the banking and financial services industry. Additionally, NJCB received a top 10 ranking on NJBIZ's 50 Fastest Growing Companies List, was a finalist for the publication's Emerging Business of the Year award and was named to Inc. Magazine's Inc. 500|5000 list as the 64th fastest growing bank in the country.

In addition, NJCB was also a recipient of the Forbes® Enterprise Awards--the most esteemed and sought after small-business awards in the United States. The Forbes® Enterprise Awards honor the visionary practices and exemplary achievements of a select few small businesses.

NJCB is an Equal Housing and Equal Opportunity Lender, and a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  For more information, call 201-816-8900, go online to the bank's website at www.njcb.com, or visit NJCB's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NJCBfan

SOURCE North Jersey Community Bank