FIRST BANK/HAMILTON NJ Business Summary

First Bank (FRBA) is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Hamilton, New Jersey, operating a network of 26 branches across the New York-to-Philadelphia corridor and Palm Beach County, Florida. The bank generates revenue primarily through net interest income derived from a $3.37 billion loan portfolio, which is heavily weighted toward commercial and industrial (C&I) and owner-occupied commercial real estate (CRE) lending. Its primary business segments include Business Banking, Personal Banking, and specialized units focused on private equity banking and asset-based lending. As of July 2026, the bank manages approximately $4.09 billion in total assets and maintains a competitive market position by prioritizing a relationship-driven middle-market model. First Bank distinguishes itself from regional competitors such as Peapack-Gladstone Bank (PGC), Unity Bancorp (UNTY), and Parke Bancorp (PKBK) through superior operational efficiency, consistently maintaining an efficiency ratio below 60% for 28 consecutive quarters. The leadership team is led by President and CEO Patrick L. Ryan, who spearheaded the bank's $20 million recapitalization in 2008 and its subsequent 2013 IPO; he previously held strategic roles at Yardville National Bank and Goldman Sachs. The executive suite includes Andrew L. Hibshman as Executive VP and CFO, Peter J. Cahill as Executive VP and Chief Lending Officer, and Chris Ewing as Executive VP and COO. The Board of Directors is chaired by Leslie E. Goodman, a principal at The Eagle Group of Princeton with over 40 years of banking experience, and includes Patrick M. Ryan, the former CEO of Yardville National Bank. Notable institutional backing for the company includes significant positions held by BlackRock, Vanguard, and Patriot Financial Partners, reflecting strong investor confidence in the bank's strategic evolution into a premier commercial banking franchise.