New Jersey

Santander Bank has hired Siobhan Schroth as market director for corporate and commercial banking in New York and New Jersey.

A Federal Reserve decision is expected soon on M&T's long-delayed application to buy Hudson City Bancorp. M&T would still get strategic benefits it sought, but Hudson City has shrunk and become less profitable since it agreed to sell three years ago, and the cost of the deal has risen.

BCB Bancorp in Bayonne, N.J., has commenced a public offering of $40 million of its common stock.

Stewardship Financial in Midland Park, N.J., has issued $16.6 million in subordinated debt and plans to exit the Small Business Lending Fund program.

OceanFirst Financial in Toms River, N.J., has agreed to buy a branch office in its hometown from Provident Financial Services.

Northfield Bancorp in Woodbridge, N.J., has agreed to buy Hopewell Valley Community Bank in Pennington, N.J.

New Jersey Community Bank's chairman has resigned, less than four months after he quit as chief executive of the Freehold bank.

The recapitalization will allow City National Bank to continue as a certified Community Development Financial Institution, the bank said.

Lakeland Bancorp in Oak Ridge, N.J., has agreed to buy Pascack Bancorp in Waldwick, N.J.

Investors Bancorp in Short Hills, N.J., reported higher second-quarter profit on expanded multifamily, commercial real estate and business lending, as well as lower expenses.