Cross River Bank, the Fort Lee-based fintec powerhouse, has officially opened its first full-service branch in Delaware. Located at 1000 N. West Street in the heart of Downtown Wilmington, the move signals a major strategic pivot toward the “First State’s” fintech ecosystem.
The expansion places Cross River within the Market West campus, a five-city-block mixed-use district revitalized by a $160 million investment from the Buccini Pollin Group (BPG). The new branch will offer a suite of services including consumer and small business credit origination, deposit services, and lending, further bridging the gap between traditional banking and modern financial technology.
The decision to expand into Wilmington is no coincidence. Delaware has recently doubled down on its reputation as a hub for financial innovation under Gov. Matt Meyer, who recently established the Delaware Artificial Intelligence Commission.
“Delaware has established itself as a champion of fintech innovation,” Gilles Gade, founder, chairman, and CEO of Cross River said. “Our Delaware branch positions us to better serve partners and consumers alike, delivering credit solutions and banking services on a broader scale.”
Meyer echoed this sentiment, noting that the branch will bring “high-quality jobs to Downtown” while strengthening the state’s fintech ecosystem with a focus on transparency and consumer protection.
The 1000 N. West Street building, formerly the Brandywine Building, is a landmark of Wilmington’s commercial history. Cross River joins a prestigious roster of tenants at the site, including global agriculture leader Corteva, which recently relocated its corporate offices to the same building.
Since 2008, Cross River has been a pioneer in Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), providing the back-end “rails” for millions of consumers through partnerships with leading fintechs. This new physical footprint in Delaware allows the bank to tap into a specialized local talent pool while advancing its mission to modernize how Americans access credit.
“Cross River selecting 1000 N. West reflects the vibrant mixed-use destination we’ve carefully curated,” Chris Buccini, founder of BPG said. “We are excited to welcome them to their new Delaware home.”
