BROOKLYN, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:DCOM) (the "Company"), parent company of The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh ("Dime"), today announced that Dime has hired Daniel J. Harris into the new position of Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer.
Mr. Harris' new role will focus on improving the quality of Dime's existing loan products and customer services, as well as enhancing the level of loan products offered by Dime, all within the parameters of the Company's general business objectives of improving profitability without assuming undue risk. Mr. Harris will have general oversight over the operations of Dime's commercial lending and loan servicing departments.
Vincent F. Palagiano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and Dime, commented on the hiring by saying, "Dan Harris' skills and diversified experience make him uniquely qualified to manage our existing loan efforts and develop ways for us to be more productive in our chosen markets as well as to consider the expansion of our product offerings."
Mr. Harris most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Hudson Valley Bank. Prior to that role, Mr. Harris held senior positions at Credit Re Mortgage Capital, The Greater New York Savings Bank and Dollar Dry Dock Bank. Mr. Harris earned a Juris Doctor from St. John's University and has practiced law, with a specialty in real estate, as an employee of Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. as well as two New York law firms.
ABOUT DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES
The Company (Nasdaq:DCOM) had $3.50 billion in consolidated assets as of December 31, 2007, and is the parent company of the Bank. The Bank was founded in 1864, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, and currently has twenty-one branches located throughout Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Nassau County, New York. More information on the Company and Bank can be found on the Bank's Internet website at www.dimewill.com.
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