Peapack Private Bank & Trust Expands Commercial Real Estate Platform with Key Hire

Peapack Private Bank & Trust has strengthened its Commercial Real Estate lending platform through the strategic hiring of Kenneth A. Stagnari as a Senior Managing Director. This appointment represents a significant investment in the bank's growth strategy, leveraging Stagnari's extensive industry experience to expand its reach and capabilities in the competitive CRE lending market. With total assets of $7.0 billion and assets under management of $11.9 billion as of December 31, 2024, the bank is positioning itself for further expansion.

Stagnari brings more than 25 years of specialized experience, most recently serving as Senior Vice President and Group Director of CRE Lending at Signature Bank in New York. During his tenure there, he managed an extensive portfolio comprising over 1,000 loans with balances exceeding $6 billion. His expertise spans multiple critical asset classes, including multifamily, retail, office, mixed-use, shelter housing, and land development, along with various complex financing structures. This depth of experience is crucial for Peapack as it seeks to navigate diverse market segments and client needs.

Prior to his role at Signature Bank, Stagnari held significant positions at several prominent financial institutions, where he honed his skills in portfolio management and stabilization. At People's United Bank, he successfully stabilized a $1.5 billion CRE loan portfolio during a critical acquisition period. His professional background also includes roles at M&T Bank, Beacon Federal Bancorp, and North Fork Bank, where he developed comprehensive expertise in underwriting, credit analysis, and risk management. This proven track record in managing large-scale portfolios through various economic cycles provides Peapack with enhanced risk mitigation and strategic lending capabilities.

Academically, Stagnari holds a Bachelor of Technology in Public Safety: Criminal Investigations from the State University of New York at Canton and a Master of Public Administration from Long Island University. His professional affiliations include active membership in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Risk Management Association (RMA), organizations detailed at https://www.icsc.com and https://www.rmahq.org respectively. These memberships facilitate ongoing industry engagement and access to best practices in commercial real estate and risk management.

The implications of this hire extend beyond individual expertise. For Peapack Private Bank & Trust, it signals a deliberate move to capture a larger share of the commercial real estate lending market by deploying seasoned leadership. For clients and the broader market, it indicates the bank's commitment to offering sophisticated, client-focused banking solutions backed by deep institutional knowledge. In a sector where relationships and experience significantly influence lending decisions and portfolio performance, Stagnari's appointment strengthens Peapack's competitive positioning and its ability to serve complex client requirements in both established and emerging markets.