Gerry Lipkin, the legendary leader and beloved member of the Valley Bank, has died.
Current Valley CEO Ira Robbins said Lipkin was more than the former chairman, CEO and president of Valley Bank.
“He was the architect of our culture, the embodiment of relationship banking and a mentor whose legacy is deeply etched into the DNA of our organization,” Robbins said.
Lipkin joined Valley in 1975 after a successful career with the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency and became chairman and CEO in 1989. Under his leadership, Valley grew from an eight-branch community bank into a multi-state regional institution with over 200 locations.
Robbins, who came to Valley in 1996, said Lipkin was a mentor for all.
“He taught us that success begins with values, to lead with integrity and to serve your communities with pride,” he said. “He was a visionary and a constant source of inspiration to all who knew him. His influence shaped generations of leaders, including myself.”
The bank released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gerald H. Lipkin, whose leadership and vision shaped Valley Bank for more than four decades. Gerry was more than a CEO. He was a mentor, a friend and the heart of our organization for many years. Under his leadership, Valley evolved from a small community bank in New Jersey into a multi-state commercial institution with more than 200 branches across New Jersey, New York, Florida and Alabama.
“Gerry believed in people. He led with integrity, expected the best from those around him and never wavered in his commitment to doing the right thing. His passion for this company and the people in it was unmatched and his approach to banking remains at the heart of Valley’s culture today.
“Gerry’s legacy lives on in the culture he helped create and the countless lives he touched. On behalf of everyone at Valley, we extend our deepest condolences to the entire Lipkin family.”
