In addition to helping shape and advocate the organization's national policy positions and programs, James Hughes does grassroots work in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to promote pro-community bank policies and serves as a liaison between community banks and Independent Community Bankers of America staff and leadership in Washington, D.C.

A recent Marijuana Banking Update from FinCEN, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the United States Department of the Treasury, found that 515 banks and 169 credit unions nationwide serve cannabis-related businesses. Out of the approximately 5,000 banks nationwide, that’s a relatively small number to handle the estimated $18.3 billion in legal cannabis sales in 2020.

The Fort Lee-based bank will work in conjunction with the financial health startup to provide affordable financial products that encourage and help individuals in underserved communities build credit, increase savings and access money when necessary.

The Wall Street rating agency cited "the legacy of decades of structural budget mismatches and escalating liabilities that had only partly been addressed by the time the coronavirus pandemic unfolded with the state as an initial epicenter.”

From the institution's office in Fairfield, Mike Mangione will guide the bank’s locations in Morris, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties to better understand client needs and preferences, and to strengthen client relationships.

The development with the world's largest cryptocurrency app - with 10 million users - will now allow the Jersey City fintech to make markets in additional tokens and asset pairs.

The Taft Communications CEO talks about the firm's approach, rise of environmental, social and corporate governance -- or ESG -- investing and how corporate behavior can affect recruiting efforts.

In March, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill requiring New Jersey school districts to incorporate instruction on diversity and inclusion. Some business leaders wish he’d do the same thing for entrepreneurs. It’s not as though the state has ignored minority business owners, they say. It’s just that the process is so convoluted — at the federal level too — that many small business owners get discouraged.

The U.S. in general, and New Jersey in particular, face some significant challenges when it comes to concerns like crumbling infrastructure and educational racial equality. Experts and activists who have called for government solutions to these issues have been cheered by President Joe Biden’s moves since he’s been in the White House. But is the country prepared to foot the bill? These kinds of issues have a sizeable local impact.

During a recent NJBIZ virtual panel discussion on Positioning Your Company in a Post-COVID Environment, one takeaway was that companies should be prepared for significant, long-term workplace changes. That observation was reinforced in conversations with executives from one high-touch industry — accounting — who confirmed that their traditional business model appears to be undergoing a shakeup.

George Celentano will be responsible for the performance of the Elmwood Park financial institution's retail business and for leading the retail team. In his new role, he leads nearly 200 employees.

Performing arts organizations that experienced a 25% loss or more due to the pandemic can apply for funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Museums and movie theaters are also eligible.