Ascendia Bank has hired longtime bank finance executive Len Kulesa as its next chief financial officer.
He will oversee financial performance and operational excellence for the five-branch bank, working closely with recently appointed president and CEO, John D. Allen IV.
Kulesa will play a pivotal role in driving Ascendia Bank’s financial health in northern New Jersey’s competitive, rapidly evolving economic landscape. As CFO, he will help drive and monitor the bank’s financial performance and manage its broad investment portfolio and short- and long-term liquidity planning.
Kulesa also will oversee the institution’s accounting department and be responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, regulatory reporting, regulatory examinations and external audits.
Before joining Ascendia Bank, Kulesa worked at Freedom Bank, where he rose through the ranks to become the institution’s vice president of finance and interim CFO. Prior to that, he spent over a decade with Kearny Bank, serving in several supervisory roles.
“Len brings extensive financial oversight experience to Ascendia Bank, including decades of successful, responsible stewardship at other institutions within northern New Jersey,” said Allen. “His exemplary track record, combined with his deep knowledge of the northern New Jersey landscape, make him an ideal fit and valuable asset.”
Ascendia Bank, formerly Glen Rock Savings Bank, has served northern New Jersey customers since 1922. Its five branches are in Glen Rock, Hawthorne, Oradell and two in West Orange.
