Richard Spengler, the CEO of the newly launched Liberty Bank, bragged about its technology during a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Tuesday night in Verona.
“Everything we have is from 2026,” he said.
The same can’t be said for the bank’s customer service: That comes from 1986.
“When people call us, the phone rings — here,” he said. “And we answer it.”
That commitment to customer service — an effort to connect Liberty Bank to a time when financial institutions were more responsive to the communities they serve — was an ongoing theme during the event.
Spengler says it’s the biggest differentiator for Liberty Bank.
It’s not the only one.
The bank not only wants to serve its customers, it wants to serve customers of all sizes, including the middle-market, which Spangler feels is now being overlooked in the industry.
Spengler told a gathered group of about 100 that he has received a number of calls on loans this week, asks that ranged from $50,000 to $4 million.
That willingness to serve all — to act like a true community bank — will draw people away from other banks.
It certainly worked for Branch Manager Eduardo Lopez.
Lopez, who has worked in banking for more than two decades, was in the process of moving to a bigger bank.
Then Liberty called.
Lopez, who began his career in community banking, said he was excited by the opportunity to return to his roots. And the more he heard about Liberty Bank, the more he knew he wanted to be part of the team.
“It was hard to tell the other bank I wasn’t coming, but when I saw the commitment the leaders here had to their customers, it was an easy decision,” he told BINJE.
The leadership is impressive.
Longtime Bank of America executive Keith Banks serves as the chair; highly regarded attorney Thomas Scrivo is the co-chair and Ryan Peene serves as the chief operating officer.
Of course, the depth of talent goes much deeper.
Liberty Bank not only has an all-star board, it has a group of investors — more than 350 of them — who make up a ‘Who’s Who’ of key leaders in the state.
Banks said the makeup truly makes Liberty a New Jersey bank.
Spengler echoed that thought, telling the group that the money that goes out in loans will almost always stay in state.
“It could be a shop down the street or a nonprofit in the county,” he said.
Folks who are in the community.
Lopez said it’s his team’s job to keep them coming bank.
“When they come in, we’re quick to say ‘Hello,’” he started. “When they leave a message or a voice mail, we make sure we get back to them right away.”
Peene said customers notice the difference — and they notice when that type of personal service goes away after a big merger.
“There is a lot of opportunity for us to win over customers,” he said.
One at a time. As you would in any great community.
