Submitted by Unity Bank.
Unity Bank President and CEO James A. Hughes has been elected to the Federal Delegate Board of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), which represents nearly 6,000 community banks nationally.
“I am honored to be elected the New Jersey delegate to ICBA,” Hughes said. “It gives me a chance to work for community banks across the country that practice trusted, relationship-based lending and offer hands-on personal service and invaluable financial expertise to local consumers and small businesses. I look forward to bringing the New Jersey perspective to Washington on important banking issues affecting our customers.”
In addition to helping shape and advocate ICBA’s national policy positions and programs, Hughes’ duties include being a liaison between independent community bankers in New Jersey, ICBA staff and leadership in Washington, D.C. He will also work to recruit new members to ICBA.
ICBA is the only national trade association dedicated exclusively to promoting the interests of locally operated community banks and savings institutions. With trusted financial expertise and high-quality customer service as their hallmarks, community banks offer the best financial services option for millions of consumers, small businesses, farms and ranches.
“Jim is a dedicated community banker who is respected by his industry peers,” said ICBA Chairman Scott Heitkamp. “We are delighted Jim will be generously offering his time and valuable professional talents to the service of the community banking industry.”
Hughes began his career at Unity Bank in December 2000 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and in 2003 was appointed to his current position. He was a Senior Vice President of Finance at Summit Bancorp, Princeton, having worked his way up through various positions beginning in August 1989.
Hughes graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College with a B.S. in Accounting/Finance; received his M.B.A. in Finance from Seton Hall University. He became a Certified Public Accountant and has been an active member of the Financial Executives Institute. In addition, he was a part-time accounting professor at the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers University. Hughes has served as an active member of the Community Bankers Association of New Jersey in various officer positions and is a Board Trustee of the Center for Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of Scotch Plains.