First Hope holds shareholders meeting

Hope, NJ — At the Annual Shareholders Meeting of First Hope Bancorp on May 22, 2018, President and Chief Executive Officer, Donald Somma and Lewis R. Beatty, SVP, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board, addressed the shareholders on a variety of topics including the Bank’s continued financial strength and its dedication to providing vibrant product offerings and enhancements with customer service in mind. As shown throughout the market, loans have decreased however, deposits have increased with First Hope retail branch deposits increasing by $18.6 million from 2017. First Hope has remained technologically advanced and focused on developing the community we serve to grow and prosper.
Following initial remarks and department statuses, Shareholders re-elected Everett Chamberlain, Owen Dykstra and Donald Somma for additional three year terms on the Board of Directors. They also welcomed a new Board member, Michelle Beatty, to a three-year term.
Michelle M. Beatty is an Associate with Morris, Downing & Sherred, LLP of Newton, New Jersey and is a member of the New Jersey bar, as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. She joined the firm in 2007 and focuses her practice on commercial and business transactions as well as real estate transactions. She is also experienced in estate planning and administration, municipal government law, and general civil litigation.
In recognition of their achievements and contributions, the Board of Directors also approved the advancement of:
Timothy Smith, SVP, Chief Commercial Lender, has been an associate since July 2016, starting as the VP, Medical Commercial Lending Manager. In October 2016, he was then promoted to VP, Senior Lending Officer. Now becoming SVP, Chief Commercial Lender, Timothy Smith will join the First Hope Bank Executive Committee.
Kasey Csezmadia, AVP, Residential Mortgage Underwriter, started as a Teller in May of 2005. In March of 2009, Kasey Csezmadia was promoted to Mortgage Opening Clerk. Since that time she has held various positions within the Mortgage Department with her latest being the Mortgage Underwriter since September of 2016.
First Hope Bank’s foundation is built on the associates within. The values of community and teamwork are engrained in all 117 First Hope Bank Associates and the Bank looks forward to continuing to make a difference by providing financial solutions that help its customers achieve their hopes and dreams while enhancing the growth and prosperity of the Bank and its community.
About First Hope - First Hope Bank, established in 1911, is a full-service financial institution with locations in Andover, Blairstown, Great Meadows, Hackettstown, Hope and Sparta. Known for its customer service, financial strength and stability, First Hope Bank also offers the sophisticated range of products and services found in large financial institutions including a comprehensive Wealth Management division. First Hope Bank's associates strive every day to fulfill the Bank's motto, "Turning Hope into Reality." Visit First Hope Bank’s Web Site at firsthope.com, or email the Bank at info@firsthope.com