Community members and local officials gather at the grand opening of Ascendia Bank's new Oradell branch.
Oradell, New Jersey, September 12, 2025
Ascendia Bank, formerly Glen Rock Savings Bank, completed a formal rebrand and announced senior leadership additions to strengthen commercial lending and cybersecurity. The bank appointed a new CEO earlier in the year and added veteran leaders to lead commercial lending and information security. Ascendia opened a new 3,300-square-foot branch in Oradell with drive-up windows and a 24/7 walk-up ATM, and held a community grand opening. The bank also rolled out limited-time deposit and checking promotions and upgraded its mobile platform to enhance account opening, deposits, bill pay and mortgage applications.
Ascendia Bank, the century-old Glen Rock institution, completed a formal rebrand effective Oct. 25 and announced senior hires to strengthen commercial lending and information security while opening a new branch in Oradell. The changes come as the bank prepares for its 100-year anniversary and follow a string of recent upgrades to its headquarters and digital services.
The rebrand from the bank’s long-standing local name took effect in late October and does not reflect any change in ownership. The institution also named John D. Allen IV as president and chief executive officer earlier in the year, added Jonathan Jacobs as vice president and commercial lending manager, and appointed Paul Skinner as senior vice president and chief information security officer. A new branch at 550 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell opened with a grand opening event on Nov. 4.
The new commercial lending manager will oversee all commercial lending operations, including underwriting and evaluating commercial real estate applications, preparing loan approval memoranda, and managing construction loans. He will lead a team of commercial loan administrators, credit analysts and loan processors, and brings more than two decades of commercial lending and credit analysis experience, including prior portfolio management responsibilities for loan books in excess of $90 million.
The new senior vice president and chief information security officer will manage the bank’s information systems, technology infrastructure and data processing operations. Responsibilities include development and implementation of IT and IS policies, system design and programming, network and database management, cybersecurity measures, and disaster recovery planning. The new hire brings more than 40 years of banking IT and operations leadership, including experience leading core system conversions, infrastructure upgrades, digital platform launches, complex integrations and strengthened cybersecurity protocols.
John D. Allen IV assumed the roles of president and chief executive officer in late August. His prior experience includes serving as chief financial officer for a statewide community capital organization, where he led capital raising efforts and secured significant investment for community projects such as affordable housing and health care facilities. He also spent nearly a decade at a regional bank in senior treasury roles and has earlier experience with federal and private financial institutions. He holds accounting degrees, is a licensed CPA and completed advanced banking and leadership programs.
Longtime bank leader Ferdinand R. Viaud is scheduled to continue as an advisor through January 2026 and will remain on the board after his retirement from executive duties, providing continuity during the transition.
The new Oradell location is the bank’s fifth branch and its second in Bergen County. The 3,300-square-foot facility includes two drive-up windows and a 24/7 walk-in ATM. The grand opening drew strong local participation, featured a ribbon-cutting with municipal officials and community turnout, and included an Instant Cash Giveaway along with branded tote bags and practical giveaways. The bank launched several limited-time promotional products tied to the opening — including a special nine-month welcome CD, multi-tiered welcome money market and statement savings offerings, and Kasasa checking and savings products — and plans to continue those offers given strong customer interest at the event.
The rebrand follows recent investments in a new headquarters space that includes a dedicated mortgage lending center and enhancements to mobile banking. The bank’s mobile app now supports opening new accounts, mobile check deposits, bill payments, account monitoring and a streamlined mortgage application process, combining neighborhood banking services with conveniences often associated with larger institutions. The newly appointed technology executive will be tasked with further strengthening cybersecurity, improving operational efficiency and ensuring systems comply with industry standards.
The institution traces its founding to 1922, originally established as the Building and Loan Association of Ridgewood to provide fair returns on savings and secure home mortgages. The name changed in 1937 to reflect its local setting and community identity. The recent brand change is positioned as a modernization step taken ahead of the bank’s 100th anniversary and is not linked to acquisitions or ownership transfers. The bank’s new website address is AscendiaBank.com.
Taken together, the rebrand, executive appointments, branch expansion and technology upgrades represent a coordinated effort to expand commercial lending capacity, harden IT and cybersecurity functions, and grow retail presence while maintaining local service. The sequence of developments signals an emphasis on both community-facing branch services and backend digital capabilities designed to meet varied customer needs across northern New Jersey.
The bank now operates under the name Ascendia Bank, with the rebrand effective in late October.
No, the rebrand is not associated with a change in ownership or an acquisition.
John D. Allen IV is the president and chief executive officer and began in the role earlier in the year. The previous chief executive will remain involved as an advisor through January 2026 and will continue as a board member thereafter.
Two senior hires were announced: a vice president/commercial lending manager to lead commercial lending, underwriting and construction loan management; and a senior vice president/chief information security officer to lead IT, systems, cybersecurity and disaster recovery planning.
The new branch is located at 550 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell. It is approximately 3,300 square feet, includes two drive-up windows and a 24/7 walk-up ATM, and offers in-branch promotions tied to the opening.
Updated mobile banking features allow customers to open accounts, deposit checks, pay bills, monitor activity and apply for mortgages using a smartphone app.
Customers can visit the bank’s website at AscendiaBank.com for branch locations, product details and digital service instructions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New name | Ascendia Bank (rebrand effective Oct. 25) |
| Leadership | John D. Allen IV named president and CEO; senior hires for commercial lending and CISO roles |
| New branch | Oradell branch at 550 Kinderkamack Road; 3,300 sq ft; two drive-ups; 24/7 walk-up ATM |
| Founded | 1922 (originally the Building and Loan Association of Ridgewood) |
| Website | AscendiaBank.com |
| Digital upgrades | Mobile app supports account opening, mobile deposits, bill pay, monitoring and mortgage applications |
| Promotions | Limited-time welcome CD, multi-tiered money market and savings, Kasasa checking and savings offerings |
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