RIDGEWOOD, NJ, December 3, 2004 — Citizens Community Bank in Ridgewood, New Jersey, has just opened its doors, and there to greet customers is its first president, Richard C. Lanza. This appointment is considered the pinnacle of a long and successful career in banking, and Mr. Lanza will also serve as Chief Executive Officer and sit on the Board of Directors.

"It's a tremendous honor to be named the first President of the bank," he remarked. "It's a position I've aspired to for quite some time, and I look forward to the challenges and the rewards that will soon follow. We have a terrific community bank, and I am especially pleased to be part of the Ridgewood community."

Richard Lanza started his career in banking with the National Bank of Westchester after graduating from the University of Bridgeport with a B.A. in Business (Marketing and Economics). Initially a credit analyst, he moved up to loan review supervisor and then head of the credit department for the commercial loan division of the bank. Soon after, he became a commercial loan officer in the bank's northern region.

For the next 17 years of his career, Mr. Lanza was with the Broadway Bank and Trust Company, eventually becoming Executive Vice President. He supervised the commercial loan and mortgage lending departments as well as the branch system and the human resources division. He served on the strategic planning and asset allocation committees in addition to various other senior management committees.

More recently, he has forged ahead with his own finance consultancy, specializing in small and medium commercial businesses. "With my experience, I was able to assist these firms in the management of their banking and financing issues," Mr. Lanza stated, "and although that work was quite rewarding, I could not pass up the opportunity to lead Citizens Community Bank. We have great people and Ridgewood is about to discover banking the way it used to be—personal, direct, and involved in the community."

Mr. Lanza has been married to his wife Joanne for 34 years, and they have two sons, Michael and Ricky.

About Citizens Community Bank: The newest community-based bank in Ridgewood, New Jersey, CCB combines today's technology with the friendly, personal service of yesteryear. The bank is committed to Ridgewood, and senior management are all hands-on, approachable, and present during the hours the bank is open, thus restoring the concept of banking based on personal service, personally delivered.