Mark R. DeFazio Honored at Grand Opening of Boro Park JCC Community Center

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09/19/2025 - 07:05 AM

Metropolitan Commercial Bank’s CEO Front and Center Celebrating Expansion and Community Impact

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mark R. DeFazio, Founder, President & CEO of Metropolitan Commercial Bank (NYSE: MCB), was honored at the grand opening of the new Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC) Community Center in Boro Park, Brooklyn. The event marked a major milestone for the organization and celebrated the unveiling of a new facility that will significantly expand BPJCC’s ability to serve a broad cross-section of the local community.

From left: Thomas P. DiNapoli New York State Comptroller, Simcha Eichenstein New York State Assembly Member, District 48, Representative Dan Goldman U.S. House of Representatives, Kalman Yeger New York State Assembly, District 41, Avi Greenstein Chief Executive Officer Boro Park Jewish Community Council, Mark R. DeFazio Founder, President & CEO Metropolitan Commercial Bank, Ruslan Ilishayev Vice President & Market Sales Manager Metropolitan Commercial Bank and Deputy Chief Richard S. ‘Richie’ Taylor NYPD Community Affairs. Photo credit: © Design Matters Inc! All rights reserved.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank played a pivotal role in bringing the Community Center to life by donating the use of the property to the BPJCC under a 10-year lease—demonstrating the Bank’s deep and ongoing commitment to strengthening grassroots, community-based institutions.

“This partnership reflects our deep respect for the work BPJCC does every day,” said Mr. DeFazio during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Their dedication to serving the most vulnerable members of the community is inspiring. We are proud to support that mission in a meaningful and lasting way.”

The new Community Center will offer expanded services, including workforce development, mental health counseling, legal assistance, food and housing programs, and targeted support for Holocaust survivors, new immigrants, and low-income families.

The celebration drew a distinguished group of civic, faith, and political leaders, including Avi Greenstein, Chief Executive Officer and Isaac Stern, President of the Boro Park Jewish Community Council; Representative Dan Goldman of the U.S. House of Representatives; New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch; New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli; Assemblyman Kalman Yeger (District 41); Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (District 48); Senator Simcha Felder (District 17); and New York City Council Members Susan Zhuang (District 43) and Rita C. Joseph (District 40). Also in attendance were Mark Treyger, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY); Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America; and Deputy Chief Richard S. “Richie” Taylor of NYPD Community Affairs.

In heartfelt remarks, many of these leaders expressed deep admiration for the BPJCC’s unwavering service to the community and commended Metropolitan Commercial Bank for its extraordinary generosity. Together, they underscored how partnerships like this one uplift lives, preserve dignity, and strengthen the fabric of New York City.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank was represented by Laura Capra, Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Banking; Ruslan Ilishayev, Vice President and Market Sales Manager; and Daniel Mashiah, Vice President and Relationship Manager.

About Metropolitan Commercial Bank
Metropolitan Commercial Bank (the “Bank”) is a New York City based full-service commercial bank. The Bank provides a broad range of business, commercial and personal banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, private and public middle-market and corporate enterprises and institutions, municipalities and local government entities.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank provides specialized banking services for the EB-5 and E-2 communities. The Bank combines deep industry expertise with tailored financial products to ensure a smooth, well-managed, and efficient journey from initial investment to project completion.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank was named one of Newsweek’s Best Regional Banks in 2024 and 2025. The Bank was ranked by Independent Community Bankers of America among the top ten successful loan producers for 2024 by loan category and asset size for commercial banks with more than $1 billion in assets. Kroll affirmed a BBB+ (investment grade) deposit rating on January 29, 2025. For the fourth time, MCB has earned a place in the Piper Sandler Bank Sm-All Stars Class of 2024.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank operates banking centers and private client offices in Manhattan and Boro Park, Brooklyn in New York City, and Great Neck on Long Island in New York State.

The Bank is a New York State chartered commercial bank, a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and an equal housing lender. The parent company of Metropolitan Commercial Bank is Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (NYSE: MCB) (the “Company”).

To learn more about the Bank visit: MCBankNY.com

About the Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC)
The Boro Park Jewish Community Council is a trusted pillar of support for the Boro Park community, dedicated to improving lives and uplifting those facing hardship. With a mission grounded in compassion, dignity, and respect, BPJCC serves as a powerful buffer against poverty—delivering comprehensive social services to individuals and families in need.

From benefits enrollment and housing assistance to career guidance and crisis intervention, BPJCC ensures that every person who walks through its doors is treated with care and humanity. The organization also fosters community connection through free public events, including educational programs, holiday celebrations, live music, and guest speakers.

BPJCC is a place where anyone can come in for help—and be helped. It is a resource, a refuge, and a reminder that no one in Boro Park should face life’s challenges alone.

For more information, visit bpjcc.org.