Valley National Bank, a New Jersey-based regional bank with $63 billion in assets, has hired Pantelis Klonaris as its Business Banking Director. Klonaris will lead business banking efforts in South Florida, overseen by Florida East Chief Banking Officer Jeff Watts.

In his new role, Klonaris will oversee the South Florida business banking sales team covering Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. He takes over the position from Alyshia Bennett who has recently been elevated to Regional Manager to lead Valley’s small business banking across Florida and Alabama. As an organization, Valley continues to scale its commercial and industrial portfolio across its national footprint, and Klonaris will aim to triple the size of the regional team over the next two years.

“As Valley looks to expand its business banking division throughout South Florida, Pantelis’ addition will provide the leadership and strategic guidance needed for continued success,” said Jeff Watts, Chief Banking Officer for Valley Bank’s East Florida region. “His years of business banking experience in the market make him an exceptional fit for the role."

Klonaris joins Valley Bank with more than two decades of banking experience, most recently at JPMorgan Chase Bank, where he served as business banking area manager in South Florida managing a team of 12 bankers with a significant book of business. Prior to JPMorgan Chase, he held senior relationship manager roles at Wachovia Bank in South Florida.

“South Florida is abundant with opportunities for growing businesses that require dynamic financial solutions and strong partners,” said Klonaris. “I look forward to expanding Valley Bank’s footprint in the region through their relationship-focused approach and deep range of banking services that are poised to meet the market need.”

Klonaris graduated from Florida State University with his finance degree and obtained his MBA from Saint Thomas University. He currently serves on the board at Optimist Club of Cooper City and is actively involved with Kids in Distress and Junior Achievement of South Florida.