Dime Bancorp, New York, has recruited a First Union Corp. executive as chief financial officer.
Anthony R. Burriesci was CFO of First Union's northern region, created last year when the North Carolina bank bought New Jersey-based First Fidelity Bancorp. The region includes operations in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Mr. Burriesci, 50, will be executive vice president and chief financial officer of $18.5 billion-asset Dime and its Dime Savings Bank of New York. He is to start July 1.
He will oversee accounting and financial reporting, treasury, external affairs, investor relations, and strategic planning and will report to Dime's chief executive officer, Lawrence Toal.
Mr. Burriesci is to succeed David Sparks, 53, who resigned in March after eight months on the job.
Dime is trying to transform itself from a traditional thrift to a consumer and business banking company. Bringing in an experienced executive like Mr. Burriesci should further that effort, said Eric Grubelich, an analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc.
"Everyone thinks Dime is a takeover candidate, but they want to run this thing themselves, and they want to have a good CFO on hand," said Mr. Grubelich. "That's why they hired this guy from First Union. He looks like he has some good experience."
Mr. Burriesci had been First Fidelity's corporate controller. His banking career began at Irving Trust Co., New York, where he eventually became general controller.
First Union spokeswoman Marnie Lamberson said the company would not disclose who, if anyone, might succeed him.
