NEW CANAAN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:BWFG) has announced that
Christopher Gruseke has joined the Company and its Bank subsidiary as
Chief Strategic Officer. He was a founding investor and Director of
Bankwell Financial Group’s predecessors, BNC Financial Group, Inc., and
The Bank of New Canaan.
Mr. Gruseke brings 30 years of capital markets, operations, sales and
finance experience to his role at the Company. Most recently, he was a
member of the Executive Committee at CRT Capital, a Stamford,
Connecticut-based broker/dealer. He previously served as Co-Chief
Operating Officer and a Member of the Board of Directors of Greenwich
Capital Markets.
In his capacity as Chief Strategic Officer, Mr. Gruseke will report to
the Company’s present Executive Chairman, Blake S. Drexler, and work
with the Management Team to grow the Company profitably in accordance
with its strategic plan.
Mr. Drexler stated, "We are very pleased to have attracted such an
experienced professional from the financial industry, and one who
already knows our Company and our market area well. Chris brings
extensive knowledge, experience and focus that align with the vision we
have as shareholders and Directors of the Company. Chris is a candidate
for the open position of Chief Executive Officer, and we look forward to
working with him as a member of the Management Team.”
Mr. Gruseke is a longtime resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, where he
resides with his wife and three children. He is actively involved in the
community, including St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and has trained as a
Chaplain in the Greenwich Hospital system. He earned a B.A. at Williams
College and an M.S. from the Stern School of Business at New York
University.
About Bankwell Financial Group
Bankwell is a commercial bank that serves the banking and lending needs
of residents and businesses throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties,
CT. For more information about this press release, interested parties
can contact Blake S. Drexler, Executive Chairman or Ernest J. Verrico,
CFO of Bankwell Financial Group at (203) 972-3838. More information can
be found at www.mybankwell.com.
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements
about the Company. Forward-looking statements include statements
regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact
that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They
often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate,"
"estimate," and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will,"
"would," "should," "could," or "may." Forward-looking statements, by
their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Certain factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected
results include increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest
rate environment, general economic conditions or conditions within the
securities markets, and legislative and regulatory changes that could
adversely affect the business in which the Company and its subsidiaries
are engaged.
Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.
Blake S. Drexler, Executive Chairman
Ernest
J. Verrico, CFO
203-972-3838
Source: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.