Valley Bank Appoints Gail Castellano to Lead New Staten Island Banking Team

Rhea-AI Summary

Valley Bank (VLY) announced a significant expansion into Staten Island with the appointment of Gail Castellano as Senior Vice President and Division Head. Castellano, bringing over 30 years of banking experience from Flagstar/New York Community Bank, will lead business development and strategic initiatives in the region. The expansion includes three additional veteran bankers: Rita Pirrone as VP and Market Manager, Narmada Tissera as VP, Retail Business Development Officer, and Mark Giacalone as VP, Business Banker II.

Castellano previously managed 16 branch locations with over $2 billion in deposits. The new team brings extensive banking experience and strong community involvement, positioning Valley Bank for strategic growth in the Staten Island market.

Positive

• Strategic expansion into new market (Staten Island)
• Acquisition of experienced banking team with proven track record
• New leader previously managed $2B+ in deposits
• Strong local market knowledge and community connections

Negative

• None.

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Valley Bank (NASDAQ: VLY) announced the appointment of Gail Castellano as Senior Vice President and Division Head to lead the Bank’s expansion into Staten Island. With more than 30 years of banking experience, Castellano will be responsible for assembling and developing a strong team of trusted advisors and relationship bankers while leading business development, community service efforts, and strategic initiatives throughout the region. Also joining the Valley team in Staten Island are three veteran bankers: Rita Pirrone as Vice President and Market Manager, Narmada Tissera as Vice President, Retail Business Development Officer and Mark Giacalone, Vice President, Business Banker II.

Prior to joining Valley, Castellano had a 30-year career at Flagstar/New York Community Bank. Most recently she was a First Senior Vice President and Regional Executive overseeing 16 branch locations, with more than $2 billion on deposit. Over the years, her responsibilities encompassed business development, community service, banking operations and retail services in the Staten Island market. Dedicated to the Staten Island community, Castellano serves on the Executive Board of the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, is a Director for the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the St. George Theatre. She is also a member of the Wagner College DaVinci Society Executive Committee and the co-chair of the Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp Walk.

Rita Pirrone brings over 35 years of experience and expertise to Valley and is responsible for business development, deposit growth, customer relations, recruiting, and overseeing the overall operations of Valley’s first retail branch in the Staten Island market. She most recently was a Vice President and Branch Manager with Flagstar/New York Community Bank. Pirrone excels at implementing strategies to drive growth and foster strong client relationships, always prioritizing a customer focused approach. Active in the Staten Island community, she is a board member of the YMCA and actively participates with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and Sunrise Day Camp. Rita was recognized by Schneps Media as a Top Woman in Business.

With more than 20 years banking experience, Narmada Tissera is responsible for business development, community engagement and cultivating strong customer relationships. She joined Valley from Flagstar Bank where she was Vice President and Branch Manager, leading a high-performing team of 15. She began her banking career at Northfield Bank in an entry-level position and received numerous promotions over her 19-year tenure. Tissera is also actively engaged in the community and serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Out of the Storm Senior Housing, is a committee member for Crimsonrise (which supports autistic individuals), and is a board member of both the Staten Island Business Outreach Center (SIBOC) and the Community Agency for Senior Citizens (CASC). She is also an active member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce’s Business Guild 2 and serves on its New Membership Committee.

Mark Giacalone has more than a decade in private and business banking and is responsible for delivering tailored financial solutions to high-net-worth clients and business owners, helping them navigate challenges and plan for long-term success. Most recently, he was Vice President, Concierge Business Relationship Manager with Empire State Bank. He has also held key roles at Israel Discount Bank of New York, Citibank, and Wells Fargo. He is deeply involved in the community, serving as a board member for The Greenbelt Conservancy, the Staten Island YMCA, and the Staten Island Center for Independent Living. Giacalone also holds leadership roles with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, including the Young Professionals Group and the Police Officer and FDNY Firefighter of the Year Luncheon and serves as Treasurer of the Italian Club of Staten Island Foundation Inc. and is Treasurer of the Sundog Theatre Inc. In recognition of his contributions to the local economy, he was honored with the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation’s (SIEDC) 20 Under 40 award, highlighting his significant impact on Staten Island’s business community.

About Valley

As the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp, Valley National Bank is a regional bank with over $62 billion in assets. Valley is committed to giving people and businesses the power to succeed. Valley operates many convenient branch locations and commercial banking offices across New Jersey, New York, Florida, Alabama, California and Illinois, and is committed to providing the most convenient service, the latest innovations and an experienced and knowledgeable team dedicated to meeting customer needs. Helping communities grow and prosper is the heart of Valley’s corporate citizenship philosophy. To learn more about Valley, go to www.valley.com or call our Customer Care Center at 800-522-4100.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211171729/en/

Pam Golden

(973) 564 - 8591

pam@glapr.com

Source: Valley National Bank

FAQ

What is Valley Bank's (VLY) expansion strategy for Staten Island?

Valley Bank is expanding into Staten Island by appointing Gail Castellano as SVP and Division Head, along with three veteran bankers, to develop business, lead community service efforts, and implement strategic initiatives in the region.

Who are the key appointments in Valley Bank's (VLY) Staten Island team?

The key appointments include Gail Castellano as SVP and Division Head, Rita Pirrone as VP and Market Manager, Narmada Tissera as VP, Retail Business Development Officer, and Mark Giacalone as VP, Business Banker II.

What experience does Gail Castellano bring to Valley Bank (VLY)?

Gail Castellano brings over 30 years of banking experience, previously serving as First Senior VP and Regional Executive at Flagstar/New York Community Bank, where she oversaw 16 branches with more than $2 billion in deposits.

How will Valley Bank's (VLY) Staten Island expansion affect its market presence?

The expansion will establish Valley Bank's first retail branch in Staten Island, leveraging the team's extensive local experience and community connections to develop business and grow market presence in the region.