Chinelo Ezenduka Joins First Bank as Regional Branch Manager, Southeastern Pennsylvania & Southern New Jersey

May 2026 – Smith & Wilkinson was retained by First Bank to lead the search for its Regional Branch Manager covering Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, concluding in the appointment of Chinelo Ezenduka.

As part of its continued investment in retail banking leadership across key growth markets, First Bank sought a proven retail leader to oversee one of its most important regions. Reporting to Darleen Gillespie, Chief Retail Banking Officer, the Regional Branch Manager is responsible for branch performance, deposit growth, talent development, community engagement, and business development across the region, and plays a key role in advancing the Bank’s retail growth strategy.

Chinelo joins First Bank from Citizens Financial Group, where she most recently served as Vice President, Regional Manager for the Mainline Region, one of Citizens’ largest and most affluent retail markets. In that role, she oversaw 20 branches, more than $2.1 billion in deposits, and over 53,000 customer households. During her tenure, she led a regional turnaround, reduced employee attrition, and delivered consistent growth across deposits, investments, and customer relationships.

Known for a hands-on, player-coach leadership style, Chinelo combines operational discipline with a genuine commitment to developing people and building strong community relationships, qualities well aligned with First Bank’s culture and its long-term vision for the market.

This engagement was led by Cameron Boyd, Managing Partner, Financial Services, and Jake Strong, Associate Recruiter, Financial Services, at Smith & Wilkinson.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Hamilton, New Jersey, First Bank is a publicly traded community bank serving individuals, businesses, and municipalities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. With approximately $4 billion in assets, the Bank combines the relationship-focused service of a community institution with the capabilities and resources of a larger organization.

For more than 25 years, Smith & Wilkinson has been a trusted executive search and talent advisory partner. Our Financial Services team serves banks, credit unions, service providers, associations, nonbank lenders, financial technology companies, community and economic development organizations, and government-sponsored enterprises in attracting, promoting, and retaining senior leaders who drive long-term business success.

Our financial services executive search work includes Board, C-suite, and Director-level engagements across executive leadership, strategy, risk, finance, operations, lending, technology, wealth management, and more. With industry-leading market insight and a consultative approach, we provide both clients and candidates with exceptional visibility into today’s evolving talent landscape.

Looking to fill a leadership role similar to this position? Get in touch to learn how Smith & Wilkinson’s financial services and association executive search team can help you attract, promote, and retain the talent your organization needs to grow and compete.