BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- People's United Bank, a subsidiary of People's United Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: PBCT), announced today that Sara Longobardi, Senior Vice President Customer Relationship Development, and New York retail market leader, will be promoted to Senior Executive Vice President Retail Banking following the retirement on March 31 of Robert D'Amore, Senior Executive Vice President Retail and Business Banking.

Longobardi brings to the role over 20 years of experience at People's United, including nearly 15 years in Retail Banking. She has held a wide range of positions at the company, joining the bank in 1991 as Audit Supervisor. She moved to the retail banking division in 1999 to lead the Hartford North region in Connecticut and has also led the bank's greater New Haven market. Sara moved in 2001 to People's Securities, Inc., a subsidiary of People's United Bank, where she worked to broaden the bank's investment sales program. She was named Senior Vice President, Customer Relationship Development, in the Retail and Business Banking division in 2004, responsible for developing, implementing and managing the expansion and retention of profitable customer relationships. Longobardi took on responsibility for the bank's New York retail market last year.

"Sara has established a strong record of profitable business growth, effective employee development and deep retail banking expertise," said Jack Barnes, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased to have her on our executive management team as we continue to build the bank and deliver shareholder value," he said.

D'Amore is a 33-year veteran of People's United, who began as a management trainee. He advanced through a broad array of roles, including branch management, training and development, mortgages and leadership of the bank's Hartford Region. He was promoted in 2000 to head retail banking. He is known and recognized for his civic engagement as a former board member of The Bushnell performing arts center in Hartford, the Greater Hartford Metro-Alliance, the University of Connecticut Foundation Board and the Foundation of Catholic Schools - Archdiocese of Hartford. He has also served as Chair of the Milford (CT) Police Commission, elected member of the Milford Board of Alderman and member of the Milford Zoning Board of Appeals.

"Bob had been an extremely successful leader in the bank's evolution, working with his team to cultivate a culture focused on our customers, employees and communities," Barnes said. "He also has played a central role in building the bank's brand through relationships with strong and respected partners across our footprint as it has grown. We thank him for his tireless commitment to the bank and wish him all the best in his retirement."

About People's United Bank
People's United Bank is a subsidiary of People's United Financial, Inc., a diversified financial services company with $33 billion in assets. People's United Bank, founded in 1842, is a premier, community-based, regional bank in the Northeast offering commercial and retail banking, as well as wealth management services through a network of 410 retail locations in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Through its subsidiaries, People's United Financial provides equipment financing, brokerage and insurance services. Assets managed and administered, which are not reported as assets of People's United Financial, totaled $16.0 billion at December 31, 2013.

SOURCE People's United Financial