Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation and Peapack Private Bank & Trust announced the appointment of Elizabeth Martone as Senior Managing Director, Group Director, representing a strategic investment in leadership talent for the organization. Martone will operate from the Bank's Park Avenue Office in New York City as part of James Handal's leadership team, bringing 25 years of financial services experience to Peapack Private, which reported total assets of $7.4 billion and assets under management and/or administration of $12.9 billion as of September 30, 2025. Her proven track record in building high-value client relationships and driving business development aligns with the bank's client-centric approach to banking, and the move signals Peapack Private's commitment to strengthening its presence in the competitive New York market through experienced leadership.
Most recently, Martone served as Senior Vice President, Commercial Private Banking at BankUnited in Melville, NY, where she led a team focused on enhancing client experience and cultivating new business opportunities across high-net-worth individuals, companies and referral networks. Prior to that role, she served as Managing Director at The Montauk Group, where she collaborated in developing comprehensive global banking relationship management strategies to strengthen client relationships and optimize financial performance. Her earlier career includes positions as Vice President, Cash Management at Herald National Bank in New York; Vice President, Private Banking at Capital One; and Vice President, Cash Management Team Lead at North Fork Bank, providing her with broad industry perspective that she can apply to her new role at Peapack Private.
The appointment comes as Peapack Private continues to expand its wealth management division, which offers comprehensive financial, tax, fiduciary and investment advice to individuals, families, privately held businesses, family offices, and not-for-profit organizations. Founded in 1921, the bank has built its reputation on providing customized and innovative wealth management, investment banking, commercial and personal banking solutions, with more information about the bank's services available at https://www.peapackprivate.com. Martone's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Philosophy and Education from Siena College, and her combination of psychological understanding and financial expertise positions her well to contribute to Peapack Private's mission of helping clients establish, maintain, and expand their legacy through personalized banking relationships.
The bank emphasizes its unparalleled commitment to client service, and Martone's appointment reinforces this corporate priority through the addition of senior leadership with extensive relationship management experience. This strategic hire demonstrates how established financial institutions are investing in proven talent to navigate competitive markets, particularly in wealth management where personalized service and deep client relationships are critical differentiators. Martone's diverse background across multiple banking institutions gives her unique insights into client needs across different market segments, which will be valuable as Peapack Private seeks to grow its $12.9 billion in assets under management and administration. The appointment reflects broader industry trends where financial institutions are prioritizing leadership with both technical financial expertise and strong relationship-building skills to serve increasingly sophisticated client needs in complex market environments.
