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 move signals Peapack-Gladstone's strategic focus on expanding its commercial banking footprint in competitive markets like New York, leveraging Limaj's expertise to attract and serve high-value clients in sectors such as real estate. The implications extend to potential growth in deposit volumes and strengthened client relationships, positioning the bank to better compete with larger institutions by offering specialized, personalized services. For the broader financial industry, such appointments highlight the ongoing competition for top talent in commercial banking, particularly in key urban centers, where experience in managing billion-dollar portfolios is crucial for driving institutional growth and stability.
