Bill Fink, a veteran of more than 30 years in commercial banking, laughed outwardly at the idea that bankers can be a bit nomadic during their careers.
“We do tend to move around from time to time,” he joked.
Not Fink. He had spent the past two decades in the South Jersey/Philadelphia market, rising to a key leadership role at one of the nation’s biggest banks.
So, when it was announced earlier this month that Fink would be moving to Provident Bank as its new chief lending officer, everyone assumed he had received an offer that was too good to pass up.
Fink agreed wholeheartedly with the assumption.
Fink, who will lead the commercial bank and the commercial lending growth strategy for Provident, said he was overwhelmed by the potential of the bank, which grew tremendously following the approval of its acquisition of Lakeland Bank in 2024.
“I’ve certainly had other opportunities in the past that I passed on,” he said. “As I evaluated this opportunity, what was attractive to me is the opportunity to continue to facilitate the growth of a now combined Provident-Lakeland brand.
“When I looked at the market penetration in New Jersey, where we’ve got great positioning with over 140 branch locations, with more to come in Pennsylvania and the greater New York area over time, and the bigger capital base we have, it’s an incredible opportunity.
“We’re well positioned to be a growth engine for the future.”
Fink said the chance to work for CEO Tony Labozzetta was a huge plus, too.
“Terrific guy, terrific leader – with great vision,” he said. “You put all those pieces together and you see why this was such a great opportunity.”
Fink, who will work out of Provident locations in Iselin and Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, will oversee a $16B loan portfolio and lead a team of eight direct reports and a total team of 250 employees based in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
He will direct the bank’s commercial lending strategies, including new business development, loan portfolio management and policy management for all commercial business lines, including C&I, commercial real estate, middle market, treasury management and specialty lines.
Fink recently spoke with ROI-NJ about the move – and the future possibilities. Here’s more of the conversation, edited for space and clarity.
ROI-NJ: You said the bank was well positioned for the future. Give us more insight?
Bill Fink (BF): We are a well-capitalized institution with a great product set. We’ve got a great commercial banking franchise, a great real estate franchise, and emerging specialty franchises: Middle market, Asset-based lending, SBA, mortgage/warehouse and health care. And we’ve got an excellent treasury management service product platform.
When I looked at our products overlayed against our market opportunity, I was very excited.
ROI: Talk about the market opportunity. Or, better said, the expanding market opportunity?
BF: I would say both Pennsylvania and metropolitan New York are both great growth opportunities.
There already is an early established Pennsylvania franchise in the Allentown-Bethlehem corridor. We can grow that. And there’s a tremendous opportunity in eastern Pennsylvania for a bank of our asset size and our capital base.
There’s also a great opportunity in metropolitan New York. It may be a little bit behind where Pennsylvania is, but the same great growth potential is there.
When I looked at a combination of factors and our ability to serve as a catalyst for growth, this was an easy decision for me to come here.
ROI: You come to Provident after nearly two decades at TD Bank, working out of their Cherry Hill office. How does that experience give you a running start?
BF: I helped build that core franchise business for more than 20 years, so I know what it takes to build – and build so that there’s a strong foundation that can be sustainable.
When I did my homework on Provident, I saw that same opportunity. With the experience I have, the market knowledge I have, the contact base I have, I know I can help this bank grow.
ROI: Of course, succeeding in banking is easier when the economy is humming. What are your thoughts on the current business climate?
BF: I’m confident. I studied the recent Provident Bank business survey closely and liked what I saw. It reinforced the idea that the business community is optimistic about the future.
There’s been a lot of changes in the last few weeks, but the outlook is that interest rates will come down slightly over the next year – and that the economic environment is going to be positive.
There is an opportunity for businesses to grow, and Provident Bank is positioned to serve as that catalyst in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and metropolitan New York markets.
