RED BANK, N.J., May 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OceanFirst Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC), announces the appointment of Susanne Svizeny as President of the Greater Philadelphia Region.

Ms. Svizeny will lead OceanFirst’s expansion in the metropolitan Philadelphia market area, which is a strategic priority for the $8 billion asset bank. Her responsibilities as the Greater Philadelphia Regional President include growing commercial relationships along with treasury management, retail banking and trust and asset management services.

An executive with decades of banking experience serving the Philadelphia region, Ms. Svizeny was most recently Executive Vice President & Division Manager, Commercial Banking, at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. for markets in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Western New York and Eastern Canada. Under her leadership, the Division established and managed a portfolio of more than 700 relationships. She successfully led her teams through four bank mergers spanning two decades, with the last merger including up to 1,600 members of the wholesale and retail teams during the Wells Fargo acquisition of Wachovia in 2008. Also, during her tenure at Wells Fargo, she founded the Women’s Market Growth strategy for Middle Market Banking and was appointed to lead the Middle Market Banking Diversity & Inclusion Council.

Joseph J. Lebel, OceanFirst Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said, “We are pleased to welcome Susanne to our OceanFirst family. An accomplished and successful banker, Susanne has a wealth of experience particularly in the Philadelphia market.” Mr. Lebel added, “OceanFirst is excited to extend our market into the dynamic Philadelphia region and we look forward to meeting the banking needs of businesses and residents of the greater Philadelphia area.”

Ms. Svizeny currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, as well as the CEO Council for Growth. She is a graduate of The College of New Jersey and is serving her second term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Ms. Svizeny has been recognized for her community commitment, receiving several awards, including the Philadelphia Business Journal Women of Distinction, Catholic Charities Light of Hope Award, NJ Biz Top 50 Women in Business, New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners Rose and Scroll Award and The College of New Jersey Presidential Honoree.

OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s subsidiary, OceanFirst Bank N.A., founded in 1902, is a $8.1 billion regional bank operating throughout New Jersey, metropolitan Philadelphia and metropolitan New York City. OceanFirst Bank delivers commercial and residential financing solutions, trust and asset management and deposit services and is one of the largest and oldest community-based financial institutions headquartered in New Jersey.

OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s press releases are available by visiting us at www.oceanfirst.com.