Leary Joins Provident as SVP, BSA/AML Compliance Director

ISELIN, NEW JERSEY - April 15, 2019 (PR NEWSWIRE): Provident Bank, a leading New Jersey-based financial institution has announced that Sheila Leary of West Nyack, N.Y., has joined the bank as Senior Vice President, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)/Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Director.  She will serve as the bank’s designated BSA/AML and Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) Compliance Officer, and will be responsible for oversight of the bank’s compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering rules, as well as OFAC regulations. 

“We are pleased to add Sheila to our team.  She brings extensive knowledge and experience to this key priority area for the bank,” said John Kuntz, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer.  “Her expertise addressing anti-money laundering compliance and regulatory matters, as well as her significant contacts within law enforcement, will greatly enhance our ability to focus on additional regulatory requirements as the bank continues to grow,” added Kuntz. 

Prior to joining Provident, Leary was a First Senior Vice President, AML/BSA Compliance Director, BSA Officer and OFAC Officer with Valley National Bank.  She also served as Senior Counsel with the Bank of New York, where she was a founding member of the bank’s Law Enforcement and Investigations Unit and served as Legal Advisor to the bank’s Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee, Special Investigations Unit.  Leary has also served in key roles in the legal profession, including Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Trial Counsel with a private law firm.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Pace University, New York, N.Y., and earned a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University Law School, Newark, N.J.     

###

About Provident Bank

Provident Bank, a community-oriented bank offering “Commitment you can count on” since 1839, is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS), which reported assets of $9.73 billion as of December 31, 2018. With $6.83 billion in deposits, Provident Bank provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services through its network of branches throughout northern and central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. The Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company.  For more information about Provident Bank, visit www.provident.bank or join the conversations on Facebook (ProvidentBank) and Twitter (@ProvidentBank).