Beacon Trust Bolsters Team with Four Key Wealth Management Hires

Rhea-AI Summary

Provident Bank (PFS) announced four senior hires for Beacon Trust, its full-service wealth management subsidiary, on March 31, 2026. The additions—three Wealth Management Relationship Managers and one Business Development Officer—are intended to expand advisory capacity, deepen relationships with high-net-worth clients, and accelerate regional growth.

Key Figures

New hires: 4 professionals Relationship managers: 3 hires Share price: $20.80 +1 more

4 metrics

New hires 4 professionals Beacon Trust wealth management team expansion

Relationship managers 3 hires Wealth Management Relationship Managers added to advisory team

Share price $20.80 Pre-news current price for PFS

52-week range $14.335–$23.9789 52-week low and high before this announcement

Market Reality Check

Price: $21.16 Vol: Volume 840,643 is below t...

normal vol

$21.16 Last Close

Volume Volume 840,643 is below the 20-day average of 1,026,113 (relative volume 0.82). normal

Technical Shares at $20.80 are trading above the 200-day MA of $19.70.

Peers on Argus

PFS gained 1.02% while key peers like BOH (-0.9%), BANC (-0.7%), and WAFD (-0.73...

PFS gained 1.02% while key peers like BOH (-0.9%), BANC (-0.7%), and WAFD (-0.73%) were down, indicating a stock-specific move rather than a sector-wide trend.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 24 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 24	IR leadership hire	Positive	+0.9%	Named Michael A. Perito as Head of Investor Relations and strategy lead.
Feb 17	Lending leadership hire	Positive	+0.5%	Appointed Joseph A. Tammaro, Jr. to lead middle market lending business.
Jan 29	Q4 results update	Positive	+0.0%	Reported record Q4 2025 revenue and strong net interest and noninterest income.
Jan 28	Dividend declaration	Positive	+0.0%	Declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per common share with set pay date.
Jan 27	Earnings release	Positive	+6.7%	Announced record Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings and balance-sheet metrics.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive corporate and financial updates have generally seen flat to modestly positive next-day price reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, PFS has highlighted multiple growth-focused developments. Leadership and business-line hires on Feb 17, 2026 and Mar 24, 2026 were followed by small positive moves. Strong Q4 and full-year 2025 results reported on Jan 27–29, 2026 showed record revenue of $225.7M and net income of $83.4M, with a $0.24 quarterly dividend declared on Jan 28, 2026. Today’s Beacon Trust wealth-management hires extend this theme of investing in talent and advisory capabilities.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Provident’s continued investment in Beacon Trust’s wealth platform, add...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Provident’s continued investment in Beacon Trust’s wealth platform, adding four experienced professionals, including three Wealth Management Relationship Managers, to deepen high-net-worth coverage. In the context of recent strong 2025 results and prior leadership hires, it reinforces a strategy of building advisory and relationship capabilities alongside balance-sheet growth. Investors may watch for future disclosures on wealth-management assets, contribution to noninterest income, and how these hires support broader regional expansion and client retention over time.

Key Terms

fiduciary solutions, certified financial planner, cima, chfc, +1 more

5 terms

fiduciary solutions financial

"deliver personalized investment management, wealth planning, and fiduciary solutions"

Fiduciary solutions are services, agreements and systems that require a person or firm to act in another party’s best financial interest, such as managing portfolios, giving investment advice, or administering trusts and retirement plans. They matter to investors because they align incentives and reduce the chance of conflicts or self-dealing—think of hiring an impartial referee—so they can influence fees, trustworthiness, legal risk and ultimately investment returns.

certified financial planner financial

"Ms. Booth is a Certified Financial Planner and holds several advanced"

A certified financial planner is a professional who has passed a standardized exam, met experience and ethical requirements, and is trained to create comprehensive money plans covering investing, retirement, taxes, insurance and estate matters. Investors benefit because a certified planner acts like a financial coach or navigator, helping set realistic goals, design an investment approach aligned with risk tolerance, and keep decisions on track—reducing costly mistakes and improving long-term outcomes.

cima financial

"designations, including CIMA, ChFC, and CRPC."

CIMA is the financial regulator for the Cayman Islands, the government agency that oversees banks, investment funds, insurers and other financial services operating from that jurisdiction. Investors pay attention because CIMA’s rules, licenses and enforcement actions affect whether companies can legally operate, raise capital or list securities there—similar to how a building inspector’s approvals matter before a business can open and trade in a new location.

chfc financial

"designations, including CIMA, ChFC, and CRPC."

A Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) is a professional credential for financial advisers who complete a series of advanced courses covering investments, tax planning, insurance, retirement and estate strategies. For investors, a ChFC is a signal that an adviser has broad, specialized training and ongoing education—like hiring a surgeon who has completed extra certification—helping you expect more structured, knowledgeable guidance when making financial decisions.

crpc financial

"designations, including CIMA, ChFC, and CRPC."

CRPC (castration-resistant prostate cancer) is an advanced form of prostate cancer that keeps growing even after hormone-lowering treatments that normally slow or stop tumor growth. It matters to investors because this stage is harder to treat and creates demand for new drugs, tests, and care pathways; successful therapies or approvals can substantially change a biotech or pharmaceutical company’s revenue prospects, similar to how a better tool for a persistent problem can increase a maker’s market value.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

New hires support Beacon Trust’s continued growth and expansion of client advisory services

ISELIN, N.J., March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provident Bank, a leading New Jersey-based financial institution, announced today the addition of four experienced professionals to Beacon Trust, its full-service wealth management subsidiary. The appointments reflect Beacon Trust’s continued investment in talent as the firm expands its wealth advisory capabilities and strengthens relationships with high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners across the region.

The new hires include three Wealth Management Relationship Managers who will further strengthen Beacon Trust’s advisory team. In their roles, they will work closely with clients to deliver personalized investment management, wealth planning, and fiduciary solutions while coordinating comprehensive financial strategies tailored to each client’s long-term goals.

Jason Apuzzio joins Beacon Trust as Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Relationship Manager. Mr. Apuzzio brings more than two decades of experience advising high-net-worth individuals and families. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Truist Wealth Management, where he advised C-suite executives, business owners, and retirees on investment management, trust and estate planning, and fiduciary strategies. Earlier in his career, he held senior advisory roles at PNC Private Bank and BlackRock, where he focused on developing strategic client relationships and delivering sophisticated investment solutions across private wealth and institutional channels.

Samantha Booth joins as Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Relationship Manager. Ms. Booth brings significant experience in portfolio management and wealth advisory services. Prior to joining Beacon Trust, she served as Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Orange Investment Advisors (formerly Hudson Valley Investment Advisors), where she managed relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families and oversaw portfolio construction across multiple asset classes with a strong focus on tax efficiency and estate planning considerations. Earlier in her career, she held investment management roles at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Ms. Booth is a Certified Financial Planner and holds several advanced industry designations, including CIMA, ChFC, and CRPC.

Marc Oceanak joins Beacon Trust as Wealth Management Relationship Manager. He most recently served as a Financial Advisor at Scafa Financial Services, where he developed customized financial plans and investment strategies for individuals and families with complex financial needs. Earlier in his career, he held advisory roles at Barnum Financial and Ameriprise Financial, helping clients implement long-term investment and retirement planning strategies. Mr. Oceanak is a Certified Financial Planner.

The firm also appointed Louis Russo as Wealth Management Business Development Officer. In this role, Mr. Russo will focus on expanding Beacon Trust’s network of prospective clients and professional referral partners while increasing market awareness of the firm’s comprehensive wealth management solutions. He brings extensive experience working with high-net-worth clients and building strategic relationships across the private banking and wealth management landscape. Most recently, Mr. Russo served as Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Truist Wealth, where he managed high-net-worth client portfolios and delivered integrated wealth management and credit solutions. Prior to that, he was a Vice President and Senior Banking Advisor with PNC Wealth Management where he worked with a team of specialist to acquire new relationships through retail banking network, commercial bank and Financial Advisors throughout PNC’s footprint.

“We are pleased to welcome Jason, Samantha, Marc, and Louis to Beacon Trust,” said Annamaria Vitelli, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, Beacon Trust. “Each of them brings deep experience advising high-net-worth clients and developing trusted relationships with families, business owners, and professional partners. Their expertise strengthens our ability to deliver thoughtful, customized wealth strategies while continuing to expand Beacon Trust’s presence and build meaningful, long-term client relationships across the markets we serve.”

“These additions reflect our continued commitment to investing in talented professionals who share our client-first philosophy and our focus on delivering exceptional advice and service,” Vitelli added.

The appointments underscore Beacon Trust’s commitment to providing high-quality wealth management services while continuing to scale its client base and deepen relationships with existing clients and referral partners.

About Beacon Trust
Based in Morristown, New Jersey, Beacon Trust is a full-service wealth management firm, which together with Beacon Investment Advisory Services, Inc., has approximately $4 billion in assets under administration and decades of proven success, superior solutions and exceptional client service. The firm focuses on helping its clients attain, preserve and expand their assets through customized wealth management planning. Beacon Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Bank. To learn more about the team and services offered visit www.beacontrust.com

About Provident Bank
Founded in Jersey City in 1839, Provident Bank is the oldest community-focused financial institution based in New Jersey and is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS). With assets of $24.98 billion as of December 31, 2025, Provident Bank offers a wide range of customized financial solutions for businesses and consumers with an exceptional customer experience delivered through its convenient network of more than 140 branches across New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania, via mobile and online banking, and from its customer contact center. The bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company, and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus, Inc. To learn more about Provident Bank, go to www.provident.bank or call our customer contact center at 800.448.7768.

Media Contact:
Keith Buscio - Keith.Buscio@provident.bank

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
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FAQ

Who did Provident Bank (PFS) hire for Beacon Trust on March 31, 2026?

Provident Bank hired four senior wealth-management professionals to Beacon Trust to strengthen advisory capacity. According to Provident Bank, hires include Jason Apuzzio (SVP), Samantha Booth (AVP), Marc Oceanak (Relationship Manager), and Louis Russo (Business Development Officer).

What roles will the new Beacon Trust hires at Provident Bank (PFS) perform?

The new hires will serve as relationship managers and a business development officer focused on high-net-worth clients. According to Provident Bank, responsibilities include investment management, wealth planning, fiduciary solutions, and expanding referral networks and market awareness.

How do the Beacon Trust hires affect client advisory services at Provident Bank (PFS)?

The hires are intended to expand Beacon Trust’s client advisory capacity and personalized wealth services. According to Provident Bank, additions aim to deliver tailored investment management, estate and trust planning, and deeper relationships with families and business owners.

What experience do the Beacon Trust hires bring to Provident Bank (PFS)?

Collectively, the hires bring decades of private-wealth and portfolio-management experience from firms like Truist, PNC, BlackRock, and Merrill Lynch. According to Provident Bank, their backgrounds include CFP and advanced industry designations and focus on complex client needs.

Will the Beacon Trust hires at Provident Bank (PFS) change client services or offerings?

The announcement suggests strengthened delivery of personalized wealth and fiduciary services rather than new product lines. According to Provident Bank, the hires are meant to enhance advisory depth and coordination of comprehensive financial strategies for clients.

What is the strategic purpose of Beacon Trust’s new hires for Provident Bank (PFS)?

The strategic purpose is to scale Beacon Trust’s presence and deepen client and referral-partner relationships across the region. According to Provident Bank, the appointments support growth in high-net-worth advisory services and market expansion efforts.