Peyton Patterson

With more than 30 years of banking and financial services experience, Peyton Patterson is a recognized industry leader and pioneer. Ranked as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by U.S. Banker Magazine, and Community Banker of the Year by American Banker, Peyton’s experience spans the industry.

She has been CEO of two publicly-listed community banks, Bankwell Financial Group and NewAlliance Bancshares, as well as Executive Vice President of Dime Bank Corporation (currently J.P. Morgan Chase), where she oversaw the retail and small business bank for New York’s largest thrift. Peyton spent her early career with Chemical Bank and CoreStates Financial (now part of Wells Fargo).

Distinctively, Peyton has led organizations through two successful IPOs and eight acquisitions, effectively managing the capital, personnel and branding elements of these transformative events. Her in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape in banking and financial services is driven by the array of her background in money-center banking as well as thrift and regional community banking.

Peyton holds an A.B. from Kenyon College and an M.B.A. from George Washington University. She is past chairman of the CT Council for Education Reform, a former Trustee of Yale New Haven Hospital and an active member and advisor to a variety of non-profit organizations. Peyton has been a frequent guest on Bloomberg TV and CNBC and a sought after speaker on the topics of banking, leadership and women in business.