Signature Bank, a New York-based firm, has appointed two private client banking teams to serve the Staten Island marketplace, entering this market for the first time.

Joining the bank as private client banking group directors and senior vice presidents are Terry Marks and Frances Tutone. Mr Marks' five-person team and Ms Tutone's four-person team were all previously employed at SI Bank and Trust, a division of Sovereign Bank, where they headed the top-producing commercial branches.

These teams will be based at Signature Bank's new office at 2066 Hylan Blvd, which takes the total number of Signature Bank offices to 22 throughout the metropolitan New York area.

On Mr Marks' team are Deborah Squatrito and Karen Rello, both of whom were named associate group directors and Julie Fernandez and Stella Fantozzi who will serve as senior client associates. Ms Squatrito, with 25 years of banking experience, had worked at many SI Bank & Trust locations, including serving as Assistant Vice President at the New Springville office. Maureen Surette and Terry Tarangelo were named associate group directors and vice presidents on Ms Tutone's team while Lorraine Bova was appointed senior client associate.

Supporting both teams are Michele Acerra who will serve as financial centre manager and Kathleen Cavagnaro and Jeanne Pelucco who will act as client associates.