Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation Appoints Blerina Limaj as Senior Managing Director to Strengthen New York Commercial Banking

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation and Peapack Private Bank & Trust have announced the addition of Blerina Limaj as Senior Managing Director and Group Director, marking a significant step in strengthening their commercial banking team in New York. Based at the Bank’s Manhattan office on 300 Park Avenue, Limaj brings a wealth of experience in commercial real estate, deposit relationship management, and leading high-performing teams.

Limaj's career highlights include her role at Customers Bank as Senior Vice President and Group Director, where she was instrumental in building a diverse team to expand the bank’s deposit base. Her leadership at Signature Bank/Flagstar Bank further underscores her capability in managing substantial portfolios, having co-led a team that oversaw deposits exceeding $3 billion for real estate firms. Her foundational experience at North Fork Bank/Capital One Bank, managing private banking relationships with assets over $1 billion, rounds out her impressive background.

With an MBA from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Finance from Brooklyn College, Limaj's academic credentials complement her professional achievements. Her appointment is poised to enhance Peapack Private's offerings in treasury and cash management services, trade finance, and more, reinforcing the bank's commitment to delivering tailored financial solutions. This strategic hire matters because it positions Peapack-Gladstone to better serve the competitive New York commercial banking market, where expertise in commercial real estate and large-scale deposit management is crucial for growth. The implications include potential expansion of the bank's client base and enhanced service capabilities for existing clients seeking sophisticated financial solutions. Limaj's track record of managing multi-billion dollar portfolios suggests she can help the bank attract and retain significant commercial relationships, particularly in the real estate sector where she has demonstrated substantial success. The appointment reflects the bank's ongoing investment in top talent to strengthen its market position and deliver comprehensive banking services to businesses operating in one of the world's most competitive financial markets. This move is important because it addresses the growing demand for specialized commercial banking services in New York, where businesses require sophisticated financial partners with deep industry knowledge and proven leadership capabilities. The banking industry continues to evolve with increasing competition for commercial clients, making strategic hires like Limaj essential for institutions seeking to differentiate themselves through expertise and service quality. Her background in both deposit relationship management and commercial real estate financing provides Peapack-Gladstone with valuable capabilities across multiple banking functions, potentially creating synergies that benefit clients across different business segments. The appointment also signals the bank's commitment to building diverse leadership teams with varied professional backgrounds, which can contribute to more innovative approaches to client service and business development. As commercial banking becomes increasingly specialized, having executives with Limaj's specific expertise in managing large-scale real estate portfolios and deposit relationships becomes more valuable for financial institutions competing in markets like New York. This hiring decision has implications for how Peapack-Gladstone positions itself against larger competitors in the region, potentially allowing the bank to leverage Limaj's established relationships and industry knowledge to capture market share. The move matters because it demonstrates how regional banks are strategically investing in talent to compete effectively in key markets, recognizing that experienced leadership with proven track records can drive growth and enhance service delivery to commercial clients with complex financial needs.