Columbia Financial, Inc., based out of Fair Lawn, announced that Dennis E. Gibney has been promoted to first senior executive vice president and chief banking officer of the company and the bank. This promotion is effective immediately.
In connection with Gibney’s promotion, Thomas Splaine, Jr. has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer of the company and the bank. Gibney was previously senior executive vice president and CFO.
Gibney will partner closely with the president and chief executive officer, as well as the executive management team in the overall administration of the company and the bank. He will help drive the development and execution of the company’s strategies, policies and financial performance.
In addition to the oversight of finance, credit and special assets, Gibney will now also oversee the company’s legal, commercial banking, consumer banking and technology functions.
“We are pleased to announce the promotion of Dennis to the position of first senior executive vice president and chief banking officer,” said Thomas J. Kemly, president and chief executive officer. “As chief financial officer, Dennis has provided significant leadership in guiding the company and the bank, including playing an instrumental role in the company’s 2018 initial public offering.
“He has been a key leader in the company’s growth strategy, including expanding the company’s asset base from $5 billion to more than $10 billion and completing four acquisitions within a five-year period.”
Gibney joined the company and the bank in 2014 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. In May 2025, he was appointed to senior executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Before joining the company and the bank, Gibney had 17 years of prior banking experience and served as principal at FinPro Capital Advisors, Inc., an investment banking and consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry.
He graduated magna cum laude from Babson College with a triple major in finance, investments and economics. He has also earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
As executive vice president and chief financial officer of the company and the bank, Splaine will be responsible for the company’s accounting and treasury departments. He joined the company and the bank in 2025 as first senior vice president and chief accounting officer.
“Tom has significant experience in banking, finance and accounting, which we believe will make him especially well-suited for this role,” said Kemly.
Splaine has over 35 years of experience in banking, finance and accounting, mergers and acquisitions, investor and regulatory relations, and strategic planning.
He previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and Lakeland Bank. He was also senior vice president and chief financial officer of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank.
Splaine holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Rider University.
