Management Team

Philip A. Guarnieri

Chief Executive Officer

Philip Guarnieri is the Chief Executive Officer of ES Bancshares, Inc., and Citrusinterbk. In 2004, he was instrumental in the organization and the chartering of Citrusinterbk, a bank providing commercial banking products and services to the communities in the Tri-State area. Through Phil’s oversight and strategic planning, this start-up bank has grown to over $535 million in assets and has become a banking leader in the small business community.

With more than 40 years of banking experience, Phil’s distinguished banking career began at Hamilton Federal Savings FA as a customer service representative and as a teller. Phil’s dedication and professionalism quickly earned him promotions; he went on to hold positions such as Assistant Branch Manager, Assistant Vice President/Mortgage Officer, Vice President, and Branch Administrator during his 21-year tenure. After leaving Hamilton Federal Savings, Phil went on to serve as Vice President /Loan Origination at Home Federal Savings Bank and as Senior Vice President/Chief Lending Officer with The Yonkers SLA, FA. From 2002-2004, Phil then served as President /COO of Atlantic States Mortgage Corp. and was responsible for all facets of mortgage banking.

As an active member of the community, Phil is currently a director of the Citrusinterbk Foundation, an Executive Director and Treasurer of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, Director of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Director of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member and Treasurer of the Asian Real Estate Association of America Brooklyn Chapter, Director of the Chance of Life, Director of the New Dorp BID, Director of the Victory Boulevard Merchants Association, Vice Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of Patterns for Progress, and the Financial Advisory Board Member of the Dominican Sisters of Hope. He received his B.A. in Banking and Finance from Hunter College before completing a continuing education program on Real Estate and Commercial Bank Lending at New York University.

Thomas P. Sperzel

President and Chief Operating Officer

Thomas has been engaged in the community banking industry for more than 20 years. Prior to being a community banker he spent years with a Big Five audit firm operating in the financial services space. As a community banker he has been successful in executing sound banking management as well as fostering and maintaining strong customer relationships while providing value to shareholders.

He served as Chief Financial Officer at Citrusinterbk since 2009 and as Chief Operating Officer since 2013.

Mr. Sperzel holds a Certified Public Accountant license in the State of New York and an MBA in Bank Management. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum and has been involved in various community service endeavors over the years.

He resides in northern New Jersey with his wife and two children.

Ralph Branca

Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer

Mr. Branca has more than 35 years of experience in community banking, with particular expertise in risk management, investments, strategic planning, matters of financial accounting, and the maintenance of a control environment assuring accuracy in financial reporting. Mr. Branca has spent his entire professional career focused on the business and regulatory
environment in which banks must operate successfully in order to survive.

Mr. Branca is responsible for leading the Bank’s lending department, which focuses on serving small to mid-sized businesses, business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals. He will lead the Bank’s lending efforts and oversee the management and development of all commercial real estate, commercial, multifamily investor and SBA lending. Mr. Branca is also responsible for the overall management of the Bank’s Lending Department, including the underwriting and loan review analysis process, loan servicing, loan administration, credit information, loan policies, credit risk management, credit functions of commercial loan production and assist in secondary market sales, and procedures and processes to ensure the overall quality of the Bank’s lending portfolio and adherence to the Bank’s Credit Policy.

Mr. Branca holds a Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Investments from Bernard M. Baruch College as well as his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the City College of New York (CCNY). He is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma, an international finance honor society. In addition to his strong background in corporate banking, Mr. Branca is an active member of the community. Mr. Branca’s extensive community involvement includes, among other activities, serving as the Chairman of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, Vice Chair of the Friends of Seamen’s Society, Executive Board Member of the Staten Island Boy Scout Council, the past Chairman of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the past Chairman on the Seamen’s Society for Children and Families, the past Chairman of the Staten Island Museum, past President of the Staten Island Boy Scout Council, and a past director of the Building Industry Association of New York City.