BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FNFG) announced today it has named John Kenefick, a 25-year financial services veteran, as Senior Vice President, Central Underwriting Credit Manager.
In this role, Kenefick will oversee the approval and ongoing monitoring of small business loans across the bank's four-state footprint. He joins First Niagara from HSBC Bank USA, where he was the Senior Vice President of Business Lending, and led the transformation of a credit underwriting and operations function into an efficient and automated operating model in support of a multi-billion commercial loan portfolio.
"John is a seasoned banking professional with extensive knowledge and skill in credit management and commercial loan operations and administration," said Nancy Cinfio, Senior Director of Credit Risk and Approval at First Niagara. "His long track record of exceptional financial management and operational acumen makes him a perfect fit for First Niagara."
Kenefick earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University, and a master's of Science degree in Banking and Financial Services Management from the Boston University School of Management. He lives in East Amherst with his wife Mary and will be based in Buffalo.
About First Niagara
First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG), through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 420 branches, $37 billion in assets, $27 billion in deposits, and approximately 6,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.firstniagara.com.