Provident Bank, a subsidiary of Provident New York Bancorp, announced that four commercial banking teams have been established in New York City and named the leaders of those teams. All four teams will operate out of the midtown Manhattan office.

Provident Bank announced that it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire Gotham Bank of New York. These new banking teams will be teamed with legacy Gotham Bank relationship teams to form a strong middle-market focused franchise in New York City once the transaction closes, which is expected in the third calendar quarter of 2012.

Louis J. De Luca was named senior vice president and senior managing director and will lead one of the four commercial lending teams. De Luca’s successful banking career spans over 30 years. He most recently served as executive vice president of the New York Region for TriState Capital Bank. Prior to joining TriState Capital Bank, De Luca was senior vice president and team leader of Middle Market Lending at Amalgamated Bank and Capital One/North Fork Bank.

Nicholas C. Tavantzis was named senior vice president and managing director and is joining DeLuca’s team. Tavantzis, also a seasoned banker for 30 years, most recently served as senior vice president, Business Banking at Capital One/North Fork Bank. Prior to joining Capital One, Tavantzis, held vice president positions at PNC Bank, North Fork Bank, and Washington Mutual Bank during his career.

Jeffery Wall was named senior vice president and managing director, and Thomas Kokinias was also named senior vice president and managing director. Together Wall and Kokinias will lead a commercial banking team. Wall’s successful banking career spans over 20 years. He held the position of senior vice president at Herald National Bank and Builders Bank and first vice president and deputy senior lending officer at The Roslyn Savings Bank during his career. Kokinias also a career banker with over ten years of experience, previously served as vice president and associate managing director at Herald National Bank. Prior to joining Herald National Bank, Kokinias was first vice president and director of Nassau for State Bank of Long Island.

Nicole Bonica was named senior vice president and managing director and will lead a commercial banking team. Bonica has ten years in banking and joined Provident Bank from Capital One/North Fork Bank where she served as senior vice president, Private Banking.

Gabriel Safdie was named senior vice president and managing director and will lead a commercial banking team. Safdie has over 20 years in banking and was previously a senior vice president, Private Banking at Capital One/North Fork Bank.