Ascendia Bank President Featured in NJBIZ “People to Watch in Finance”

Ascendia Bank is proud to share that John Allen IV, President and Chief Executive Officer, has been recognized by NJBIZ magazine as one of its “People to Watch in Finance” for 2025.

In the feature, NJBIZ highlighted Mr. Allen’s appointment as president and CEO of Ascendia Bank this past August, following the leadership of Ferdinand “Fred” Viaud, who will continue to serve as an advisor until his retirement in 2026.

Prior to joining Ascendia, Allen served as chief financial officer at New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC), where he played a key role in securing more than $50 million in 2024 to fund essential community projects—including affordable housing, charter schools, healthcare facilities, and healthy food initiatives. NJBIZ praised his ability to align financial leadership with community impact—an approach he is now bringing to Ascendia.

At Ascendia Bank, Allen will guide the institution through its next phase of growth, emphasizing expanded commercial lending, ongoing digital transformation, and deeper community engagement across North Jersey.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Ascendia Bank’s president & CEO, and I couldn’t be more delighted to hand the baton to a financial professional as talented, experienced, and thoughtful as [Allen],” said outgoing CEO Fred Viaud.

This recognition underscores Ascendia Bank’s commitment to progressive community banking and leadership excellence, as well as John Allen’s dedication to building a financially strong and socially responsible future for the bank’s customers and communities.

Read the full feature: NJBIZ – People to Watch in Finance (September 2025)