Lakeland Bank Named to Sandler O’Neill Sm-All Stars


OAK RIDGE, N.J., Oct. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI) (the “Company”), the parent company of Lakeland Bank (“Lakeland”), announced that the Company has been named to the Sandler O’Neill  Sm-All Stars Class of 2017. This is the first year Lakeland has received this prestigious recognition.

“To be included on this list of only 29 institutions in the nation is a tremendous honor,” said Thomas J. Shara, President and CEO of Lakeland Bank. “And, it is a reflection of our strong team-based culture, our approach to relationship-based banking and our long-standing tradition of conducting business clearly and honestly.”

Sandler O’Neill, an independent, full-service investment banking firm, evaluated 404 publicly traded banks and thrifts with a market cap below $2.5 billion. Their evaluation examined growth, profitability, credit quality and capital strength and eliminated 375 institutions, or 93% of banks and thrifts that trade on a major exchange. Sandler O'Neill's report stated:  "The performance metrics of the remaining 29 institutions are outstanding, with the Class of 2017 delivering bottom line results that are markedly better that the industry as a whole."

About Lakeland Bank
Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which has $5.4 billion in total assets. The Bank operates 53 branch offices throughout Bergen, Essex, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties in New Jersey including one branch in Highland Mills, New York; six New Jersey regional commercial lending centers in Bernardsville, Jackson, Montville, Newton, Teaneck and Waldwick; and one in New York to serve the Hudson Valley region. Lakeland also has a commercial loan production office serving Middlesex and Monmouth counties in New Jersey.  Lakeland Bank offers an extensive suite of financial products and services for businesses and consumers. Visit LakelandBank.com for more information.

Thomas J. Shara
President & CEO

Thomas F. Splaine
EVP & CFO
973-697-2000