There’s a new boss in the compliance office at Kearny Bank, and she’s a familiar face with an impressive background. Silvia Merino-Topley, a Garfield resident and Montclair State alum, has been appointed as senior vice president and chief compliance officer (CCO).
Operating out of the bank’s corporate headquarters at 120 Passaic Avenue in Fairfield, Merino-Topley is taking the wheel of the bank’s entire compliance engine. She’s the one making sure the bank follows every rule in the book, stays ahead of risky business, and keeps a direct line open with government regulators to keep things running smooth.
Merino-Topley joined the financial institution’s team in 2020 as a 2nd VP and quickly proved she could handle the task. By 2022, she was promoted to 1st VP, overseeing the day-to-day of the compliance program. This latest jump to SVP and CCO is the ultimate “stamp of approval” on her leadership.
“Managing risk for our clients takes a massive eye for detail,” Michael Valente, Kearny’s chief risk officer said. “Silvia’s promotion shows she’s got the expertise and the leadership skills that a high-demand field like this requires.”
Being a CCO isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about building a culture where safety and ethics come first. Merino-Topley brings a heavy-hitting toolkit to the job, including:
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A bachelor’s in international business and marketing from Montclair State.
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ABA certificates in Lending, Deposit, and BSA/AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance.
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She co-chairs the NJBankers Compliance committee and helps plan the “Banking on Women” initiative.
