First Hope Bank prepares to open its doors in Andover

ANDOVER-First Hope Bank has named a team of associates who will assist the public at the bank's new full-service location at 161 Newton-Sparta Road in Andover Township. The new office will open this month and the management team is in already in place. Pat Hendershot, regional manager of the bank's Sussex County offices, said that Amy Burke will be manager of the Andover office. Burke, who has been with the bank for the past four years, said she is excited about managing the new office. "Having worked for another bank before joining First Hope," Burke said, "I didn't realize that not all banks are the same when it comes to serving their customers. I am proud to work for First Hope where our associates are committed to provide quality products and services while maintaining the highest standards of service to our customers and community. I am looking forward to serving the communities of Andover, Newton, Byram and Lafayette." Hendershot also named Denise Frisco to be assistant manager of the new Andover office and Debra Machacek teller supervisor. Additionally, Toni Fioretti will work out of the Andover Office as a Home Loan Solution Specialist handling mortgage originations and Home Equity Loan coordination in the branch. First Hope's Home Loan Solution Center will be an innovative "one-stop" shop within the Andover office for all types of home loans. In the past, a customer would have dealt with one person for a mortgage, another for a home equity loan and yet another person for refinancing. Now, that customer will just deal with one person. Donald D. Somma, the bank's senior vice president for retail banking, said that Charles Luszcz, vice president for commercial loans, will work from the new Andover office and will oversee the bank's commercial lending function. "The Andover-Newton business community is a thriving one which we look forward to serving with our full line of business products," Somma said. "Aside from our full range of commercial loan products, we also offer free business checking." The Andover office will also house representatives from the bank's Investment and Trust Services Division: Vice President and Senior Trust and Investment Officer Edward F. Walker Jr. and Cecilia M. Metzgar, assistant vice president and trust officer. Walker noted that his department offers a comprehensive array of progressive investment products and services, as well as traditional Trust services. First Hope Bank, established in 1911, is a full-service financial institution with locations in Blairstown, Great Meadows, Hackettstown, Hope and Sparta and now Andover. The bank offers estate planning and investment services through its Investment and Trust Services Division. Visit First Hope Bank's Web site at firsthope.com, or email the bank at info@firsthope.com.