Brooklyn's Progress
September 2002

On Thursday, August 8th, North Fork Branch opened it’s doors and welcomed over 100 guests for the grand opening of their branch in Downtown, Brooklyn. The event was exciting and brought out guests that reads like the Who’s Who of the borough. Denise Arbesu, VP of Private Banking and Martin Stahl, Branch Manager welcomed their guests along with the staff of the branch. Also present from North Fork Bank was John Kanas, President and CEO, Vice Chairman John Bohlsen, and Executive Vice President of Retail Operations, Carolyn Drexel. Among the well-wishers were Borough President Marty Markowitz, Kenneth Adams, President of the Chamber, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik. Some of the others welcoming North Fork to the neighborhood included Paul Michels, Cullen and Dykman, Dr. Victor Ayala, Dean of the New York City College of Technology, Jean Lutfy, BAM LDC, Eddie Lightsey, Urban Resource Institute, Dr. Pamela Straker from the Brooklyn Psychiatric Center. North Fork Bank was officially welcomed as a Chamber Champion in April of this year. To date there are 10 branches in Brooklyn, with this branch being the only one with a Private Banking Division. Ms. Arbesu, a long time Chamber friend and Board member, has a background in Commercial Lending, and lending to not-for-profits.