OceanFirst Bank Welcomes Andrew Bregenzer and Eric Howell to Lead Next Phase of Commercial Banking Growth
Key Highlights
- ➤OceanFirst names Andrew Bregenzer President of Commercial Banking
- ➤Eric Howell named President of Premier Banking after building $650 million deposit platform
- ➤Bregenzer will drive growth in loans, core deposits and treasury management services
- ➤OceanFirst Bank reports $23.4 billion in assets across Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets
Expert Statements
Christopher D. Maher, Chief Executive Officer of OceanFirst
“We welcome two of the region’s most respected commercial bankers as we strengthen our commercial banking platform and build on OceanFirst’s momentum”
Christopher D. Maher, Chief Executive Officer of OceanFirst
“Andy brings deep experience expanding commercial banking at scale, while Eric has helped to quickly build the Premier Bank into a strong source of new clients and deposits.”
Christopher D. Maher, Chief Executive Officer of OceanFirst
“Both are proven leaders who build high-performing teams and lasting client relationships that deliver strong business results.”
Christopher D. Maher, Chief Executive Officer of OceanFirst
“Their leadership positions us to build on our success as a $23 billion bank serving the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and to capture the commercial banking opportunities ahead.”
Joseph J. Lebel III, President and Chief Operating Officer of OceanFirst
“Andy and Eric share our belief that great banking starts with the customer.”
Joseph J. Lebel III, President and Chief Operating Officer of OceanFirst
“They build teams that understand their clients’ businesses, act quickly, and provide practical solutions.”
Joseph J. Lebel III, President and Chief Operating Officer of OceanFirst
“That is the kind of bank we are building at OceanFirst, and I look forward to working with them, delivering for the businesses and communities we serve.”
Andrew Bregenzer, President of Commercial Banking at OceanFirst
“I'm thrilled to join OceanFirst at such a critical moment in the organization's evolution”
Andrew Bregenzer, President of Commercial Banking at OceanFirst
“OceanFirst has a 124-year history of serving its communities, a client-centered culture and a clear strategy to deepen relationships and further its market penetration across the most attractive commercial banking markets in the country.”
Andrew Bregenzer, President of Commercial Banking at OceanFirst
“I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with Joe, Chris and the entire OceanFirst team to build on this momentum and take the organization to even greater heights as we fulfill our ambition to be a top regional bank across the markets we serve.”
Eric R. Howell, President of Premier Banking at OceanFirst
“We’re very proud of the strong foundation we have built for the Premier Bank at OceanFirst.”
Eric R. Howell, President of Premier Banking at OceanFirst
“Our clear strategy, a committed leadership team and, following the Flushing Bank merger, a meaningful presence in the New York Metro area have allowed us to capitalize on a unique opportunity in the marketplace.”
Eric R. Howell, President of Premier Banking at OceanFirst
“I have enjoyed working alongside the OceanFirst team over the past two years and am excited to take on this elevated role.”
Eric R. Howell, President of Premier Banking at OceanFirst
“There is a tremendous opportunity to bring a relationship-first banking model to businesses throughout our footprint and I am looking forward to building on the momentum the Premier Bank teams have already created.”
* Bregenzer, former Co-Head of U.S. Commercial Banking at TD Bank, to lead OceanFirst’s Commercial Banking * Howell, former Signature Bank executive, named President of Premier Banking RED BANK, N.J., Nov. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OceanFirst Bank N.A. (“OceanFirst” or the “Bank”), the wholly owned subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: OCFC), today welcomed two experienced commercial banking leaders to advance its strategy and accelerate commercial banking growth across its footprint. Andrew “Andy” Bregenzer has been named President of Commercial Banking and Eric R. Howell joins as President of Premier Banking. Both executives will report to Joseph J. Lebel III, President and Chief Operating Officer, and will join the Bank’s senior leadership team.
“We welcome two of the region’s most respected commercial bankers as we strengthen our commercial banking platform and build on OceanFirst’s momentum,” said Christopher D. Maher, Chief Executive Officer of OceanFirst. “Andy brings deep experience expanding commercial banking at scale, while Eric has helped to quickly build the Premier Bank into a strong source of new clients and deposits. Both are proven leaders who build high-performing teams and lasting client relationships that deliver strong business results. Their leadership positions us to build on our success as a $23 billion bank serving the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and to capture the commercial banking opportunities ahead.”
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