Garden State banking industry veteran Ryan Peene joined Unity Bank as senior vice president and chief depository officer.

In the new role, Peene is tasked with leading development and executing the Clinton-based financial services organization’s retail banking operations, according to an Oct. 20 announcement, in addition to being responsible for growth and retention of municipal deposit relations.

Peene most recently served as senior vice president and director of market growth and development for Elmwood Park-based Spencer Savings Bank. Previously, he was senior vice president of government banking and corporate development at SB One Bank.

“We are excited to welcome Ryan to the Unity Bank family,” Unity Bank President and CEO James Hughes said in a statement. “He is an accomplished finance executive with expertise in community, commercial and government banking. Ryan has been successful developing and cultivating strong relationships throughout the state and we look forward to his continued success with Unity.”

Peene also has experience serving as a consultant with MBI Public Affairs.

Outside of the office, Unity Bank highlighted his work as a commissioner of the City of Hoboken’s Planning Board, where he served as vice chairman from 2017-2019. He is a current member and treasurer of the board of directors of Greater Bergen Community Action and a board member of the Waterfront Project in Jersey City, which offers free legal services to people in need.

The 2019 NJBIZ Forty Under 40 honoree is a member of the NJBankers Government Relations committee; an honorary member of the Hudson County Chiefs of Police Association; former member of the New Jersey Council on Local Mandates; and served as a trustee on the board of Bergen Catholic High School from 2012-2015, Unity Bank said.

Earlier this year, Unity Bank, whose parent company was added as a member of the U.S. small-cap Russell 2000 Index over the summer, brought on a new chief lending officer, Jim Donovan.