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Sursattie S. Baksh
Hopatcong,NJ
Work Preference
Summary
Branch manager with over 25 years of experience in banking leadership, managing a portfolio of more than $300 million in deposits. Skilled in business development and market expansion through strategic networking and community engagement. Expertise in optimizing operations to enhance efficiency and customer service while driving sales and profitability. Demonstrated success in leading teams and building partnerships to provide customized financial solutions.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Branch Sales & Operations Manager | AVP
Valley National Bank
Succasunna, NJ
11.2007 - 06.2026
- Directed daily branch operations, sales performance, and service delivery for a Tier I branch, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, corporate policies, and risk management standards.
- Drove business development initiatives that expanded the client base, increased deposits, strengthened community partnerships, and enhanced branch profitability.
- Developed and executed strategic sales plans that exceeded performance goals through customer acquisition, relationship expansion, and cross-selling of consumer and business banking products.
- Led, coached, and mentored a high-performing team to achieve sales objectives, improve employee engagement, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
- Increased community engagement through outreach initiatives, strategic partnerships, networking events, and participation in Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) programs.
- Managed branch operations, including account opening, documentation review, consumer and business loan processing, and loan closings while maintaining operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
- Consulted with consumer and business clients to assess financial needs and recommend customized solutions, including deposit products, consumer lending, mortgages, business banking services, and digital banking solutions.
- Oversaw operational risk management, internal controls, audits, and regulatory reporting, ensuring successful completion of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual review cycles.
- Resolved complex customer concerns through effective problem-solving and relationship management, improving customer satisfaction, retention, and long-term loyalty.
- Collaborated with regional leadership and cross-functional business partners to streamline processes, improve operational efficiency, and support enterprise-wide initiatives.
- Analyzed branch performance metrics, market trends, and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities, optimize sales strategies, and maintain a competitive market position.
Financial Relationship Specialist | Annuity Specialist
Sovereign Bank
Morris & Sussex County, NJ
03.2005 - 11.2007
- Delivered comprehensive financial planning and advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and commercial clients, recommending customized banking, lending, investment, and wealth management solutions aligned with clients' financial objectives.
- Consistently exceeded sales and revenue goals through strategic cross-selling of consumer banking, business banking, credit, mortgage, and investment products, contributing significantly to branch growth and profitability.
- Developed and managed a diverse client portfolio, strengthening customer retention, increasing wallet share, and generating new business through referrals, networking, and relationship-building initiatives.
- Identified opportunities to deepen client relationships through proactive financial needs assessments and delivered tailored solutions that improved customer satisfaction and fostered long-term loyalty.
- Collaborated with branch leadership, lending specialists, and wealth management partners to provide comprehensive financial solutions and achieve branch sales objectives.
- Conducted financial education seminars and workshops for business owners and individual investors, increasing awareness of investment products, retirement planning strategies, and non-FDIC insured solutions.
- Earned recognition for exceptional client service and strong sales performance, building trusted relationships that contributed to growth in assets under management and portfolio size.
- Maintained thorough knowledge of banking regulations, investment products, and compliance requirements, ensuring adherence to internal policies and industry standards.
- Leveraged market knowledge and industry trends to identify business development opportunities, expand market penetration, and strengthen the branch's competitive position.
Education
Business Administration And Management
County College of Morris
Randolph Township, NJ06-2026
Skills
Banking Systems & Technology
- Salesforce Lightning CRM (Cloud-Based)
- Terafina Account Origination Platform
- FIS IBS Core Banking System
- TellerInsight
- GFTS Wire Transfer Portal
- TRIPS Banking Platform
- ImageCentre Document Management
- DocuSign (Electronic Signature & Digital Document Management)
- Snapdocs (Digital Mortgage Closing Platform)
- Smartsheet (Project & Workflow Management)
- Microsoft Power BI
- Nintex Workflow Automation
- CRM & Digital Banking Platforms
- Retail Banking Operations Systems
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Microsoft Teams (Messaging, Meetings & Video Conferencing)
- Zoom Video Conferencing
- SAP Concur Expense Management
Core Competencies
- Branch Leadership & Team Development
- Business Development & Community Relationship Management
- Sales Strategy, Revenue & Deposit Growth
- Consumer & Business Banking Solutions
- Financial Products & Advisory Services
- Customer Relationship Management & Client Retention
- Client Acquisition, Cross-Selling & Portfolio Growth
- Branch Operations & Operational Excellence
- Regulatory Compliance (BSA/AML, KYC, CIP, OCC & SEC)
- Risk Management, Audit & Internal Controls
- Loan Documentation & Closing
- Coaching, Mentoring & Performance Management
- Strategic Planning & Market Development
- Customer Needs Assessment & Financial Solutions
- Project & Change Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Executive Communication & Presentation Skills
- Process Improvement & Workflow Optimization
- Data Analysis & Performance Reporting
- Detail-Oriented Decision Making
Certifications & Licenses
Previous Licenses & Certifications
- Notary Public, State of New Jersey — Commission #0050052797 (Expires 01/17/2027)
- New Jersey Real Estate Salesperson (Referral Status) — License #0346058
- Certified Tax Consultant — Licensed in New Jersey & New York | Federal License #2614606
- Medallion Signature Guarantee Officer — Authorized up to $750,000 (Valley Bank)
- Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) — NMLS ID #974393 (Expired)
- Life Insurance Producer License (Expired)
Timeline
Branch Sales & Operations Manager | AVP
Valley National Bank
11.2007 - 06.2026
Financial Relationship Specialist | Annuity Specialist
Sovereign Bank
03.2005 - 11.2007
Business Administration And Management
County College of Morris