Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/16/2010 -- Unity Bank, headquartered in Clinton, N.J., is pleased to announce the appointment of Lynda Lesko to the position of Assistant Vice President/Relationship Manager for the Linden branch and Market Leader for the Linden, Union and Springfield branches. Lesko&aposs responsibilities include Linden branch management and providing sales guidance, direction and personal development assistance to employees in the Linden, Union and Springfield branches.

In her most recent position, Lesko served as Assistant Vice President/Business Banker Relationship Manager for PNC Bank where she was responsible for increasing business banking sales using effective sales strategies. Through the development of effective service guidelines, Lesko was able to increase customer service ratings and retention. She also implemented successful marketing strategies and plans for the new branch in which she served as Relationship Manager. Prior to that, Lesko held several positions in Washington Mutual and First Union Bank.

Lesko commented, “I am very excited to be able to share in Unity Bank’s vision. I have many years of prior banking experience in larger institutions, so I am looking forward to helping to make a difference in a smaller community bank. With Unity, there is a major emphasis on relationship building and being part of the community in which you work. I look forward to engaging with my individual and small business customers and mentoring my wonderful co-workers in Linden, Union and Springfield.”

A graduate of Universidad Ponteficia Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia, Lesko earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance. She served on the Arbitration Committee of NJ, which is responsible for mediating and resolving disputes regarding attorney fees charged to clients. In addition, Lesko has been active with Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Intervention (DASI), a not-for-profit organization that helps abused women find safe shelter and learn critical life skills, such as financial management. She is also a member of the Kiwanis in Sussex County.

Unity Bank President and Chief Executive Officer, James A. Hughes, commented, “We are pleased to welcome Lynda and her extraordinary relationship management, marketing, and employee coaching and mentoring skills, which will be an asset to both her customers and her colleagues in her new role.”

Unity Bank has branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now has over one hundred and sixty employees.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK(2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-42613.htm

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/18/2010 -- The name, “Bernie Madoff,” still evokes extreme feelings of anger and disbelief that are almost palpable. Madoff is the former stockbroker, investment advisor and mastermind behind the $50 billion Ponzi scheme that left thousands of investors reeling from the loss of their entire life savings and substantial retirement accounts. Many are left wondering how Madoff “pulled off” a fraud scheme of this magnitude for as long as he did. Many were left in complete financial ruins.

In the wake of this, you may be wondering what you can do when you absolutely can’t afford to lose your retirement account, especially when there are so many different investment options to choose from? For many people, yearly investments in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) have become automatic. But what kind of IRA – traditional, Roth or SEP? Do you invest through a bank, broker or investment firm? What about your company’s 401K plan?

Faced with all these choices, it’s imperative that you know the pros, cons, ins and outs of each one so that you can make the best decision for you, your money and your retirement. It’s also beneficial to consult with your tax advisor to discuss the specific tax advantages/disadvantages of each option in light of your specific circumstances.

Here are some basics to consider when it comes to the various types of individual retirement savings plans.

Bank or Broker?

People often ask, “Why would I open an IRA account in a bank when I can get a much larger return on my investment dollars through a brokerage firm?” If you can afford to lose your investment, perhaps even all of it, then it really doesn’t matter where you choose to invest. If you can’t, then here are the advantages of a bank-held IRA:

- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Protection (FDIC) – Bank-held IRA accounts are FDIC insured and protected up to $250,000, separate from any other accounts held in the same bank.
- Guaranteed Interest Rate – Interest rates on bank-held IRAs remain constant for the entire length of the investment term (3 months – 10 years), and your principal is protected and guaranteed. When you use an investment advisor or broker, your money is usually invested in accounts with fluctuating rates of return. Some of these are high-risk accounts, with possible loss of principal; others carry lower risk and are considered more stable. However, most investors with these types of accounts took a major hit with the current recession; many lost more than half their account value.
- No Maintenance Fees – Banks typically do not charge maintenance fees for IRA account plan administration.
- Personalized Service – When you deal with your local community bank, you get the benefit of individualized service and support. You’re not just an account number – you’re a familiar face and they know your name.

What Type of IRA – Traditional, Roth or SEP?

There are several types of IRAs to choose from, and your selection has a lot to do with your present and anticipated future income and the types of tax advantages you need, both now and in the future. An accountant who understands your complete financial picture is the best resource to offer advice on the type that’s right for you.

- Traditional IRA – With a traditional IRA, you can contribute up to $5,000 yearly ($6,000 after age 50). The amount of your contribution is a dollar-for-dollar deduction from your gross income, which decreases your tax burden for the year in which the contribution was made. If you’re married, both spouses can take advantage of the full allowable contribution. In return for this yearly tax offset, withdrawals from a traditional IRA account are taxed in the year in which the monies are withdrawn, which can begin anytime after age 59 ½. The advantage here is that most people are in a lower tax bracket (and therefore are taxed at a lower rate) when they reach retirement age.

- Roth IRA – With a Roth IRA, you don’t receive any tax breaks for the year in which the contribution is made. The contribution is taxed at the time it is made; when you withdraw money from this account, after the age of 59 ½, you don’t pay any tax or interest penalty on the money, as long as it has been held in an account for a minimum of five years.

You can make yearly contributions to both a traditional and Roth IRA, however, your contributions to both may not exceed the $5,000 or $6,000 limits. For example, if you are 45, you can put $2,500 in a traditional IRA and $2,500 in a Roth IRA.

- SEP Plan – If you’re a sole proprietor or a small business owner, a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan may provide you with the best vehicle to save for retirement. With a SEP IRA, you can contribute up to $49,000 or 25% of your income, whichever is less. For many sole proprietors, this is an excellent way to save for retirement, with tax advantages that are similar to a traditional IRA.

Keep in mind that anyone with earned income can contribute to an IRA. As long as you have a job that reports earned income, you are eligible to contribute to an IRA, no matter how old you are (i.e., a 16-year-old with earned income can contribute to an IRA).

There are certain circumstances when you can withdraw from your IRA prior to age 59 ½ without penalties. These include situations when the money will be used for hardship cases, education or medical expenses; you will pay taxes on the interest only, with no IRS penalties.

What About a 401K Plan?
Many employers offer 401K plans to their employees both as a benefit and as a means to save for retirement. These plans are usually diversified among a number of high- and low-risk stock options. However, while they can yield a high rate of return and maximize investment savings, they are not FDIC insured or guaranteed. In other words, you could potentially lose a substantial amount of savings in a bad financial market.

The Bottom Line…
Your accountant is best suited to advise you on the retirement savings options that provide the best benefit for your individual circumstances. For example, it might be in your best interest to contribute to a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a 401K program through your employer.

Just remember that the only way to guarantee your rate of return and to safeguard your entire investment is through an FDIC-insured bank-issued IRA. Anything other than that may deliver a high rate of return or you can suffer crushing losses. Only you can decide what you’re willing to risk, After all – it’s your money.

Unity Bank has branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now has over one hundred and sixty employees.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK (2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-40579.htm

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/02/2010 -- As part of its mission to provide excellent customer service on a consistent basis, Unity Bank is pleased to announce two new service provider affiliations. Jaguar Software and SOURCECORP Statement Solutions have provided a solution for creating the most efficient and cost-effective means to deliver check images and statement documents to retail and commercial customers.

According to Unity Bank COO, John Kauchak, “We began a search for a best-in-class solution to answer our need to more effectively manage our retail and commercial customer check imaging and statement process. After interviewing several technology and service providers, we determined that Jaguar Software and SOURCECORP Statement Solutions provided us with a winning combination to deliver affordable and efficient resources and a comprehensive solution to meet this need.”

The implementation of the Jaguar Software modules and the connectivity to SOURCECORP Statement Solutions took about six months, start to finish, and has resulted in an outcome that has been beneficial to Unity Bank’s operations and to enhancing its service to retail and commercial customers. Kauchak sums up Unity Bank’s partnership with Jaguar Software and SOURCECORP Statement Solutions, “All in all, transition and implementation was smooth and seamless. Faced with this decision again, we wouldn’t change a thing. We are pleased, and more importantly, our customers are pleased.”

Unity Bank has branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now has over one hundred and sixty employees.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK(2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com

About Jaguar Systems
Jaguar Software is committed to developing and delivering check-imaging systems that even the smallest of financial institutions can afford. They believe that if financial institutions are given the resources to re-engineer their back office at an affordable cost, they will present new and exciting products to add additional value within their communities.

Jaguar Software Development was incorporated in April of 1997 to provide affordable check-imaging systems to the independent community bank. We believe that check imaging empowers the bank to have access to information in a timelier manner. The MirrorImage™ check imaging system reduces overhead, improves customer satisfaction, and enhances workforce productivity.

About SOURCECORP Statement Solutions
SOURCECORP Statement Solutions (a division of SOURCECORP) is a full service national statement processing company with three interconnected processing centers serving the financial services industry with hard copy and electronic document delivery services.

SOURCECORP is a business process outsourcing (BPO) and consulting firm that offers solutions and industry expertise to clients throughout the United States that transform their business processes and accelerate their business performance.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-38610.htm

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/04/2010 -- The collapse of the subprime mortgage market that began in late 2006/early 2007 also saw a decline in the availability of U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) loans through community banks. For entrepreneurs and would-be small business owners, who were seeking career changes or striking out on their own because of recession-related layoffs, the inability to secure an SBA loan at their local community bank was like adding “insult to injury.”

With the first stimulus bill (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009), the SBA received $730 million from the government to readdress lending to small businesses through SBA-participating lenders, which include local community banks throughout the U.S. Unity Bank, headquartered in Clinton, NJ, has a commercial loan department that is responsible for making SBA loans. Additional funding, granted to the SBA in December 2009, supported an additional $4.5 billion in small business lending, along with a 90% guaranty and reduced fees on SBA loans.

Unity Bank’s Senior Vice President/Commercial Lending Officer, Michael Downes, stated, “The economic stimulus package has been a boon to banks and small business owners who have been struggling to get by or even to stay open throughout the recession. Several new provisions of SBA-backed business loans are extremely attractive to both lenders and borrowers, allowing both to fully take advantage of favorable conditions in the small business lending market.”

While the SBA does not actually lend the money to small businesses, it does guarantee repayment of a certain percentage of the principal to the lending institution in cases where the borrower defaults on the loan. Previously, borrowers had to pay a guaranty fee (similar to points on a mortgage loan), on top of the loan principal and interest, in order to secure the loan. Depending on the size of the loan, this fee ranged between 1% and 3.5%, depending on the loan size. For example, the guaranty fee on a $1,000,000 was $26,500. The 2009 stimulus bill eliminated the guaranty fee on SBA loans, lifting a substantial burden on small business borrowers and encouraging their increased participation in the SBA loan application process and a higher likelihood of approval.

In addition, lenders concerns about small business borrower defaults, especially in a challenged economy, have been addressed by the SBA’s new 90% guaranteed principal repayment on defaulted loans, compared with pre-stimulus guarantees of 75% – 85%, depending on the size and terms of the loan.

According to Downes, “By eliminating the borrower guaranty fees and increasing the lender guaranteed repayment, the SBA has definitely made small business loans more attractive to both lenders and borrowers. Unity Bank was built on the SBA loan market, so we possess a great deal of history, knowledge, expertise and experience in helping our small business customers secure the funding they need to start and build their businesses. As a community bank that prides itself on building and nurturing personal relationships in the local towns we serve, we’re very pleased to be able to offer our business customers enhanced SBA loans at current lower interest rates.”

According to the SBA, loans to New Jersey small business owners increased by 44% during the first fiscal quarter of 2010 (October 1 – December 31, 2009), demonstrating a re-commitment to the financial needs of small businesses that are facing financial challenges.

Unity Bank has branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now has over one hundred and sixty employees.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK(2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-37727.htm

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/13/2010 -- When opening a new checking account, banks regularly offer bank cards to their account holders. These cards can be used to withdraw money at Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or as a payment alternative at any establishment that recognizes and accepts major credit cards.

Most consumers welcome these bank cards as a convenient means to obtain cash and to pay for anything from a cup of coffee to big-ticket items in warehouse outlets. What they don’t realize is that using their bank card as a “debit” (ATM) card carries risks and the potential for fraud and abuse that is eliminated when they use the card as a “credit” (Point of Sale or POS) card instead.

The problem is that most consumers aren’t aware that they can use their bank card as a “credit” card, with none of the fees, charges or accumulation of debt associated with a bank-issued major credit card. In fact, when consumers use a bank card as a “credit” card to pay for an item, the payment is applied to their account in the same manner as an actual debit transaction. However, there is one critical difference – a “credit” transaction is covered by the Visa or MasterCard fraud detection and prevention network that stands behind every Visa or MasterCard bank-issued card. Using a bank card as a “debit” card bypasses this protection, eliminating this additional layer of security.

“Today’s criminals are very tech-savvy. They have to be just to keep up with ever-changing technology,” commented Unity Bank Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer, John Kauchak. “For example, they can insert a card skimmer into an ATM card reader during off-peak hours, when no one is watching. Then, when customers access the ATM, the skimmer captures their bank card information and a hidden camera, focused on the key pad, captures their Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).”

These high-tech hackers remove the devices before start of business the following day and no one is any wiser that this type of illegal activity has taken place. Compromised cards can then be duplicated and/or used for Internet purchases, without the cardholders’ or the issuing bank’s knowledge. It isn’t until a cardholder sees charges that they don’t recognize that the bank becomes aware that the card has been compromised in some way.

Many consumers access cash through debit and ATM withdrawals. However, nearly every retail establishment, restaurant, grocery store chain, gas station and convenience store accepts POS or bank-issued credit card payments; therefore, they can also accept bank cards for credit, rather than debit, payments.

It’s important that consumers know that some retail outlets automatically default to “debit” when customers swipe their bank cards. Customers can “cancel” out of the debit transaction to select the “credit” option instead. Whenever a bank card is used as a “debit” card to make a purchase, the customer’s card information and PIN are stored, opening the door to potential security risks and breeches.

“When one of our account holders questions a fraudulent bank card “credit” transaction on their statement, they’ve usually had to enter their signature at the time of payment,” added Kauchak. “If the signature on the transaction doesn’t match the cardholder’s signature, the cardholder is covered by Visa/MasterCard regulations and is not liable for the charge. Using the “debit” option doesn’t afford this same level of protection and the bank may not have to reimburse any of the disputed amounts.”

When making purchases via the Internet, consumers also are advised to select “credit” rather than “debit” when entering their bank card information. The purchase will appear as a “debit” on the holder’s account, but the transaction will receive the same Visa/MasterCard regulation protection as a bank-issued Visa or MasterCard.

Consumers can even use their bank cards internationally, as either “debit” or “credit” cards, but when they are used as “credit” cards, they retain the same fraud protection backing of the Visa/MasterCard networks. This allows cardholders to make secure purchases in foreign countries, without having to walk around with large sums of cash, or to get cash if they really need it.

According to Kauchak, “Some banks have even begun to offer Rewards Programs for using bank cards for POS transactions. At Unity Bank, we have instituted the innovative ‘UChoose Rewards’ program that allows account holders to earn points for every signature-based “credit” transaction they make using their bank cards. As they accumulate points, they can redeem them with participating retailers, both online and in-store. This program matches programs offered by the large credit card issuing banks, but without the interest, minimum monthly payments and accumulation of debt that goes hand-in-hand with those programs.”

Consumers should also be aware that using their bank cards as “credit” cards is more secure than check writing or “pay by check” through the Internet, again because of the security measures in place with Visa/MasterCard networks.

Unity Bank has branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now has over one hundred and sixty employees.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK (2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-36552.htm

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/06/2010 -- As part of Unity Bank’s ongoing commitment to charitable causes and community outreach projects, twelve employees, including the CFO, several branch managers and back office personnel, participated in Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) Chapter’s home build in Bridgewater on December 8, 2009.

According to Rosemary Fellner, Marketing Officer Vice President, Unity Bank, “We signed up to sponsor a corporate build, committing $1400.00 and a team of employees who donated their time and hearts to help with the concrete footings and sheathing work for the home that was being built. This was an opportunity not only to provide financial support, but also to have a hands-on impact in one of the many communities we serve.”

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH), an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is committed to improving the lives of low-income families throughout Somerset and Hunterdon counties by helping them build and buy their own simple, decent homes. Habitat offers families a hand up,
not a hand out.

Unity Bank CFO, Alan Bedner, commented, “In addition to helping an excellent cause, this was a great team-building exercise. Working with totally different skills to help the community as a group was an extremely rewarding experience for all of us.”

Unity Bank has branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now has over one hundred and sixty employees.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK (2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-36283.htm

Due to the current state of the economy, the number of delinquent residential mortgages in New Jersey and Pennsylvania continues to increase, right alongside the unemployment rate. As borrowers continue to lose their jobs, they’re finding it increasingly difficult to make their monthly mortgage payments. A steady decline in home values has resulted in many unemployed borrowers who, in addition to being unable to afford their payments, are “underwater” – they can’t sell their homes for the balance they owe on them.

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/09/2009 -- Michelle Kirmser, Esq., VP, Asset Recovery Manager for Unity Bank, a community bank with offices in Central New Jersey and Pennsylvania, states that job loss doesn’t have to result in foreclosure. In fact, many community banks may be more understanding, flexible and accessible when hardship strikes. That’s because community banks tend to maintain control over the loans they originate while larger lenders frequently sell their mortgages to other financial institutions. Name and face recognition in a local community bank can be a plus when a mortgagee falls on hard times.

Still, with the number of job and business losses, many homeowners are left wondering what’s in their best interests, especially when there are no promising job prospects in sight. Some mortgagees believe that bankruptcy is the only viable option. It’s not. Bankruptcy doesn’t erase your mortgage debt. While you may receive payment relief, similar relief may be obtained by negotiating directly with the lender and without the stigma of having filed bankruptcy. Keep in mind that a bankruptcy may appear in your credit history for up to 10 years from the filing date, adversely affecting your ability to obtain credit and even a new job.

Kirmser offers some sound advice to those who are experiencing hard times and who are finding it increasingly difficult to make their monthly mortgage payment. “The first thing you need to do is notify your lender of any changed circumstances, such as a job loss or illness. If you’re a small business owner impacted by the economy, this is also information that should be communicated to your home mortgage lender. It is beneficial to meet face-to-face with your lender to present and discuss updated personal information or to show substantial losses in your business. Ask if the financial institution has any programs available to help you work through your current crisis. Most importantly, the homeowner must be reasonable and realistic in assessing his or her situation.”

Financial institutions may be able to offer programs that consider your present circumstances, especially if they know that your situation is likely to be temporary. For example, the lender might reduce your payments for a period of time. This is typically accomplished on a temporary basis by a Forbearance Agreement which protects both the mortgagee and the financial institution. Under the terms of this agreement, which typically ranges from six months to two years, the lender may agree not to foreclose provided you make the required payments. Another option may be a short sale; this occurs when the home is sold for less than the outstanding mortgage. This may be a good option, especially if the lender is agreeable to discharging you from any further personal liability on a deficiency after the sale. These types of solutions are based on individual circumstances; everyone has a unique story to tell.

Kirmser states, “Losing your job doesn’t necessarily spell ‘doomsday,’ especially if you are completely honest with your lender and lay all your cards out on the table. Lending institutions do not want adversarial relationships with their borrowers nor do they seek to become homeowners. At Unity Bank, we have renegotiated many terms and conditions for our home and business borrowers who have been impacted by job losses and hard economic times.”

Unity Bank has branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now has over one hundred and sixty employees.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK(2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-35054.htm

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/11/2009 -- Only a few short months ago both homeowner and property had to perfectly fit the ideal mortgage mold in order to qualify for financing. Most banks, especially the big ones, just couldn’t afford to put more home loans into their portfolios, and since the real estate bubble burst many have simply been unwilling to listen to legitimate explanations for nonconformity.

Now, however, more mortgage money is becoming available, and many community banks are being much more understanding when it comes to circumstances outside the norm. With New Jersey home prices down an average of 21% from their peak, and with some areas down as much as 35%, it’s a good time to be a buyer. All of which is good news for those who want to purchase homes or trim their mortgage rates, especially since interest rates are still at historical lows.

According to Marc Sovelove, the chief retail lending officer for Unity Bank, a community bank with branches in Central Jersey and Pennsylvania, many area homeowners would do well to review their mortgage with a community bank officer at this time.

“We’ve had many people come to us who thought they were stuck with a high interest rate,” says Sovelove. “Many of them had been turned away by larger banks and finance companies because of some small complication with their title, property or credit history; but we looked at the big picture and found them to be great candidates for a new mortgage.”

For homeowners looking to finance a number of criteria generally apply. Bank regulators consider any credit score below 660 to be subprime. The FHA minimum credit score is 620. Currently, average credit scores have dropped below 680, which is the Fannie Mae requirement. Mortgage insurance companies are not offering mortgage insurance on loans with credit scores under 720. Mortgage insurance is required on loans being sold to Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac with less than 20% down payment or equity. Stated income programs for self-employed borrowers have disappeared from the secondary markets. All this adds up to many borrowers not being eligible for loans which will be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Often the consumer is not aware of the fact that community banks generally hold their loans; as such they can be very flexible with terms and conditions.

“Loans generally have a story,” says Marc Sovelove, “because most often they have a good reason for not fitting the mortgage mold. That’s why here at Unity we don’t just look at a sheet of facts and figures. We listen to our customers and come up with solutions for their financial need.”

Unity Bank has branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now has over one hundred and sixty employees.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK(2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-33897.htm

Small and mid-sized businesses do much better at community banks, according to the watchdogs of commercial banking. One such community bank that fits this description is Unity Bank.

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/23/2009 -- Big commercial banking institutions are a must for big business. According to most veterans of the banking industry, when a corporation has multiple out-of-state funds, asset-based inventory, and needs international lines of credit, an international commercial institution is just about the only banking partner they can team up with. Although not always gentle, these commercial giants are essential to keeping the wheels of big business in motion.

However, small and mid-sized businesses do much better at community banks, according to the watchdogs of commercial banking. One such community bank that fits this description is Unity Bank.

Unity Bank is a mid-sized community institution with 16 branches. It’s President, James Hughes, says Unity is representative of a regional bank in that its services are focused on helping area businesses grow and thrive. “As do many banks our size throughout the country, we provide a combination of critical business services and small business loans,” says Hughes. “Of course, we strive to do it better than most.”

Founded in 1991, Unity Bank has been designated a Preferred Lender by the Small Business Administration, based on its lending track record. It offers a one-stop suite of services to area business, and has set up what the bank calls its Small Business Capital Group to address the specific needs of their commercial customers. “We’re dedicated to helping local businesses stay healthy and maintain profitability,” says Hughes, “and that goes beyond everyday banking services. We develop personal relationships with our customers, and everything we do on their behalf takes into consideration the welfare of the community as a whole. That’s not the way the international banking institutions think. They’re just not built to operate that way.”

Each business customer at Unity Bank is assigned a Relationship Manager, as well as a loan officer, according to Hughes. “It’s their job to help our customers anticipate their banking needs by providing an outside perspective on how local trends and outside influences may affect their businesses.”

Unity Bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now employs over one hundred and sixty men and women in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-32084.htm

The banking industry has long paid lip service to the importance it places on customer appreciation in its advertising and new business efforts. One area bank, however, has made it a tangible part of its every day banking services.

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/01/2009 -- Unity Bank, with offices spread over five New Jersey counties and Northampton County in Pennsylvania, has initiated a program that rewards its loyal business customers with a special suite of services and fast track processing of small business loan applications.

“Our Loyalty Business Savings Program is simply a reaffirmation of our bank’s ongoing commitment to the economic success of the communities we serve,” says James Hughes, President of Unity Bank. “Here, the age of genuine customer appreciation refuses to be replaced by an era of nickel and dime profiteering.”

Unity Bank as a mid-sized community institution with 16 branches has reasserted its leadership role in the area of critical business services and loans to help area businesses take advantage of every opportunity for growth. Even as other lending institutions are scaling back on business loans and services the Unity Loyalty Business Savings Program is giving Unity’s steadfast customers a leg up on the competition.

Founded in 1991, Unity Bank attributes most of its success on behalf of its business customers to a hands-on approach and community involvement on the grass roots level. “Our overriding objective is to strengthen our area’s economy one business at a time,” says James Hughes. “Our new loyalty program promises to help us do just that.”

Unity Bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. It now employs over one hundred and sixty men and women in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK(2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-31206.htm

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/04/2009 -- Unity Bank has announced the appointment of Richard J. Grossi to head its Compliance Department, and oversee the bank’s internal and external regulatory and compliance responsibilities. Grossi, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Seton Hall University before earning his law degree at Catholic University of America, is a member of the New Jersey Bar Association and New York Bar Association.

Prior to this appointment, Grossi served as vice president in charge of compliance management and as senior legal counsel for Banco Popular. Working out of its New York City headquarters, Grossi had direct oversight of all regulatory issues impacting the bank and its mortgage subsidiary, including the coordination of investigations of identity theft and data breaches.

Grossi began his career in banking at Summit Bancorp in New Jersey, before moving on to The Bank of New York where he provided legal advice and guidance to both senior and middle management retail, commercial and corporate trust officers.

After graduating law school, Grossi joined law firms in Washington DC and in New Jersey, handling general civil and commercial litigation on both the federal and state level. He is now a member of the American Bar Association’s Bankers Compliance Advisors, and a member of the Compliance and Regulatory Division of the New York State Bar Association and New Jersey State Bar Association.

Commenting on his appointment, Grossi pointed out that Unity Bank conducts its business guided by four simple, self-imposed commandments. Says Grossi, “One of those commandments is ‘always do the right thing’ when it comes to employees and customers alike. Internally and externally, I am pleased to take on the responsibility of holding to a guiding principal so basic to common sense values, that it is often overlooked at larger institutions.”

According to James Hughes, President of Unity Bank, the decision to bring Richard Grossi to Unity Bank was an easy one for him and his review committee to make. “Richard is a true financial service professional,” said Hughes, “with exceptional communication skills and a rare depth of experience in the areas of regulatory law, compliance, and contract review.

He’s going to feel right at home here at Unity.” Unity Bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. Today, it has over one hundred and eighty employees in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK (2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-30196.htm

Clinton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/28/2009 -- While the financial industry as a whole has received much criticism of late, one area bank is receiving high praise for its role in helping small businesses lead the economic recovery in five New Jersey Counties and one in Pennsylvania.

Unity Bank, a mid-sized community institution with 16 branches, is providing a combination of critical business services and much needed loans to help area businesses thrive, while competitors struggle to survive.

According to Michael Downes, Chief Lending Officer of Unity Bank, the bank decided to take a leadership role in its service area at the first signs of an economic slowdown. “Even as other lending institutions began holding back on business loans, we continued to make loans to worthy businesses with a strong sense of commitment to the community,” says Downes, “and we provided a one-stop suite of services that is giving our business customers a distinct competitive edge to this day.”

Downes points to the bank’s wide array of products as the source for many of the innovative business services now offered by Unity. “At the beginning of the downturn we formed a team from within our ranks that continues to find creative solutions for the financial needs of our customers,” says Downes. “We offer overdraft protection in the way of lines of credit for small businesses and we provide for the seasonal and short-term working capital needs of other customers with lines of credit suitable for their businesses.”

Founded in 1991, Unity Bank has been designated a Preferred Lender by the Small Business Administration, based on its years of experience and track record as a lending institution. Michael Downes credits much of that track record to the bank’s hands-on approach to small business lending.

If the breadth of business services and the volume of business loans provided by a bank is any measure of its willingness to support the local community, then Unity Bank certainly ranks among the area’s most supportive lending institutions. Recent loan recipients run the gamut from day care centers, to body shops, to professional service companies.

Lending practices aside, the bank attributes most of its success to its unremitting community involvement and helping-hand approach to neighborhood banking. “We’re on a mission to reach out to every business customer in our area, “says Downes. “We’re out to over-service them away from all those banking institutions that don’t have a vested interest in our community, and give our entire region a competitive advantage in the process.”

President of Unity Bank, James Hughes, also emphasized the fact that the bank’s formula for small business success has less to do with capital availability than it does with its overall philosophy and strong sense of good citizenship. “We’re all about establishing and growing banking relationships that will strengthen our area’s economy,” says Hughes. “Most important, we never forget that human beings run the companies we service, and we treat them as such.”

Ask the bank’s business customers about their experience with Unity and you get the feeling that Unity Bank has truly developed a unique bond with its customer base. According to one Unity Bank business customer, “Ours is more than a business relationship, it’s also a business friendship.”

Unity Bank began as First Community Bank in 1991 with two branches and thirty employees. Today, it has over one hundred and eighty employees in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Northampton County in Pennsylvania.

For more information about Unity Bank, call Rosemary Fellner at 800.618.BANK (2265), or visit http://www.unitybank.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-29957.htm