Valley National in N.J. names consumer banking chief

Valley National Bancorp in Wayne, N.J., has promoted Dianne Grenz to become its chief consumer banking officer.

The move makes Grenz the first female senior executive in the company's 90-year history, a spokesman said.

Grenz, who joined Valley National in 1995 and became an executive vice president at the $22 billion-asset company in 2014, has taken on more responsibility since. Her new title was created to reflect her growing leadership, the spokesman said.

Grenz in January 2016 was promoted to director of retail operations – leading sales, retail banking, customer service, public relations, shareholder relations and wealth management – and took on the added role of marketing director. Before that she was director of sales.

Grenz's promotion is the third in a series of executive announcements. In the last week the company has announced a new president and the planned retirement of its chief operating officer.