Signature appoints Ivanka Trump of The Trump Org. to serve on its board of directors

Signature Bank has appointed Ivanka Trump to its board of directors. Trump is executive vice president of development and acquisitions at The Trump Org., where, in conjunction with her father and two brothers, she directs all areas of the company's real estate and hotel management platforms. In addition to her work at The Trump Org., Trump is a principal of Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, her own jewelry line and retail business, and is involved in several other fashion-related ventures, including: Ivanka Trump Footwear, a license with Marc Fisher; Ivanka Trump Handbags, a license with Mondani; and Ivanka Trump Coats, a license with FleetStreet Ltd. Additionally, she announced an apparel collection with her brand in partnership with HMX, set to launch in spring of 2012. Trump fills the board seat vacated by Frank Selvaggi, senior partner at Altman, Greenfield & Selvaggi, LLP. He joined the board two years ago and resigned due to time constraints in his schedule. "The entire Signature Bank board welcomes Ivanka and also thanks Frank for his two years of committed service and guidance. With Signature Bank focused on serving entrepreneurs and privately owned businesses, we are dedicated to ensuring our distinctive character and high level of personal service is recognized by today's up and coming entrepreneurs. Ivanka is a perfect fit in that her creativity, capabilities and track record in today's digital-based marketplace reflect an important segment of our clientele -- the next generation of business leaders. We believe Ivanka will bring insight as well as business acumen and savvy to our Board and the Bank," said Signature Bank's chairman of the board Scott Shay. Shay also said that the Signature Bank board is at its full complement with nine directors, six of whom are independent. Signature Bank president and CEO Joseph DePaolo, said, "Since our inception, we have targeted our services toward privately owned businesses, many of which are headed by flourishing entrepreneurs. Ivanka, being one of those entrepreneurs, epitomizes the type of clients our private client banking teams serve. Her vision and expertise will prove beneficial to our board, clients and shareholders as we continue to further strengthen our leadership position as one of the very few full-service, mid-size commercial banks remaining in the New York metro area. We are excited about the contributions Ivanka will make to our board." Trump said, "I am very pleased and honored to join the Signature Bank board. In just 10 years, Signature Bank has significantly and consistently grown deposits by building a hugely successful enterprise that has captured the attention of many private businesses and entrepreneurs across the New York area. Its dedicated, single-point-of-contact service approach is exactly what these types of demanding business owners need. I know firsthand how important it is to rely on the relationships we forge with banking professionals and greatly appreciate highly personalized attention. It is an imperative component to operating any thriving business. I hope that my perspective will complement the talents and visions of Signature Bank's distinguished board, and I look forward to this opportunity to serve." Trump graduated Cum Laude from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in economics. Before joining The Trump Org. in 2005, she was a real estate project manager for Bruce Ratner at Forest City Enterprises. She is a founding partner of the U.N. Foundation's Girl Up initiative, a campaign to recruit young women to support U.N. programs for girls in developing countries. Partnering with social activists such as Elizabeth Gore and Queen Rania of Jordan, the program hopes to bring awareness and career skills to young women around the world. Trump is also involved with several other charitable organizations, including the Eric Trump Foundation and the New York City Police Foundation.