After welcoming a new chief executive officer over the summer, Ascendia Bank has now named a new CFO.
Len Kulesa will oversee financial performance and operational excellence as chief financial officer, according to a Dec. 1 announcement from the Glen Rock-based financial institution. He will work closely with recently appointed CEO and President John Allen IV.
With five full-service branch locations, the North Jersey organization said Kulesa will play a pivotal role in driving financial health and ensuring continued success for the former Glen Rock Savings Bank.
Previously, Kulesa spent 10 years at Freedom Bank. According to the hiring announcement, he rose through the ranks there to become vice president of finance and interim CFO. Kulesa also previously worked at Kearny Bank in several supervisory roles, Ascendia said.
“Len brings extensive financial oversight experience to Ascendia Bank, including decades of successful, responsible stewardship at other institutions within northern New Jersey,” Allen said. “His exemplary track record, combined with his deep knowledge of the northern New Jersey landscape, make him an ideal fit and valuable asset.”
As CFO, Kulesa will help drive and monitor the bank’s financial performance and manage its broad investment portfolio and short- and long-term liquidity planning. He will oversee the Ascendia Bank accounting department and have responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting, regulatory reporting, regulatory examinations and external audits.
The addition is the latest update at the more than 100-year-old Ascendia Bank, which continues to invest to maintain relevance in a changing market.
As of Sept. 30, 2025, the most-recent information available, Ascendia Bank had total assets of $389.77 million and 38 full-time employees.
