A long-time tri-state banker with Wells Fargo is jumping ship to head up First Niagara Financial Group’s New England territory.
First Niagara, which is waiting for final regulatory approval of its acquisition of NewAlliance Bank, has tapped David V. Ring as its New England Regional President. Ring will lead the company’s New-Haven based team of bankers across Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Ring joins First Niagara from Wells Fargo, formerly Wachovia Bank, where he spent 15 years, including  most recently as senior vice president responsible for commercial banking across Connecticut and Upstate New York. Â
A native of the New Haven area, Ring started his banking career there with People’s United Bank where he held a series of relationship management roles.
“I’m proud to be responsible for leading an outstanding team that will be serving our customers and communities,” Ring said. “I’m excited by the opportunity to help make a real difference for consumers and businesses in these markets, as my team will not only have the authority to make credit decisions based on local needs, but the responsibility for increasing lending across Connecticut and Massachusetts. I’m inspired by First Niagara’s terrific track record and our plans for growth in this region and beyond.”
In addition to his New England leadership role, Ring will serve as First Niagara’s enterprise banking leader, and co-chair its senior loan committee, with corporate-wide responsibility in all markets where the bank operates for managing and directing all commercial business lending activities.Â
Ring and his team will be based in the NewAlliance Bank Building on 195 Church Street in New Haven, which will become First Niagara’s New England Regional Market Center.Â
