Fieldpoint Private's Strategic Play: Poaching Top Talent for Niche Banking

GREENWICH, Conn. – July 23, 2026 – In a move that signals a sharp strategic focus on high-value, specialized services, Fieldpoint Private today announced it has brought on a new team of banking veterans. The Greenwich-based private commercial bank has hired Roni Gannon and Nelson Kercado, two seasoned experts from major financial institutions, to lead a national practice centered on the complex and lucrative worlds of escrow, loan agency, and captive insurance deposits.

While personnel announcements are common, this is far more than a simple lineup change. It represents a calculated offensive by a boutique player to carve out a defensible and highly profitable niche. By poaching top-tier talent with specific, hard-to-replicate expertise, Fieldpoint is betting that the future of banking isn't just about scale, but about specialized depth and the ability to solve complex problems for sophisticated clients.

A Calculated Move in a Crowded Field

Fieldpoint Private's decision to double down on specialized deposits is a masterclass in strategic differentiation. In a commercial banking landscape crowded with global giants, regional powerhouses, and increasingly, non-bank lenders, smaller institutions must find a way to stand out. For Fieldpoint, that path is clearly through expertise.

The bank is no stranger to ambitious growth, having been named one of the “World’s Best Private Banks” by Global Finance in 2023 after posting 40% growth. However, this expansion isn't just about getting bigger; it's about getting smarter. The addition of this new team follows a pattern of strategic talent acquisition, including the hiring of bankers from the recently disrupted First Republic and Signature Banks, which helped attract tens of millions in new deposits.

This move also comes at a time of increased regulatory focus. Following a 2024 agreement with the Federal Reserve and Connecticut regulators to bolster its liquidity and risk management frameworks, the bank's pivot toward these stable, high-value deposit sources is both a growth strategy and a savvy risk-mitigation tactic. Specialized deposits are often “stickier” and less sensitive to interest rate fluctuations than traditional consumer deposits, providing a stable funding base that regulators favor.

David Bagatelle, Fieldpoint’s Chief Banking Officer, framed the hires as a direct extension of the bank's core philosophy. “Roni and Nelson bring exactly the kind of client-first mindset and deep technical expertise Fieldpoint Private is built around,” he stated. “Their level of experience and knowledge enhances our offering, and they are a welcome addition to the team.” Bagatelle’s comments underscore that this isn't just about adding a new service line, but about reinforcing the firm's identity as a high-touch, consultative partner.

The Power of Proven Expertise

To lead this strategic charge, Fieldpoint has acquired not just employees, but decades of institutional knowledge. The pedigrees of Roni Gannon and Nelson Kercado speak volumes about the bank's ambitions. Gannon, who joins as Senior Managing Director, brings over 24 years of corporate banking experience, most recently serving as the U.S. head of escrow, captive insurance, and securitizations at Barclays. Her career also includes a 13-year tenure at Deutsche Bank, where she rose to lead U.S. and Latin America sales within the global transaction banking group.

Kercado, joining as Managing Director, arrives directly from Citibank, where he was a senior escrow specialist managing complex M&A, private equity, and law firm transactions. His resume is a tour of the financial industry's most respected names, including a role at Wilmington Trust where he managed a loan agency and project finance portfolio exceeding $1 billion, alongside stints at First Republic Bank, Wells Fargo, and HSBC.

“You don’t just hire people like this; you hire their entire network and a playbook built over decades at the highest levels of finance,” noted one industry analyst. “This is an acquisition of intellectual capital that immediately puts Fieldpoint on the map for these specific services nationwide.”

This deep expertise is critical. These are not off-the-shelf products; they are bespoke solutions for intricate financial situations. Having leaders who have navigated countless complex deals gives the bank instant credibility and the ability to execute flawlessly from day one.

The Unseen Engine of Modern Finance

To the casual observer, “specialized deposits” may sound arcane. But for corporate treasurers, law firms, and private equity sponsors, these services are the essential plumbing that makes modern commerce and finance possible. By targeting this niche, Fieldpoint is embedding itself in its clients' most critical operations.

Escrow Deposits: In a world of multi-billion dollar M&A deals and complex litigation, escrow services are the bedrock of trust. A neutral third party holding funds until deal conditions are met is non-negotiable. The demand is constant and driven by the very pulse of the corporate world.

Loan Agency Deposits: As private credit and syndicated lending have exploded, the need for a competent agent to manage payments and communications between borrowers and a syndicate of lenders has become paramount. It's a complex administrative function where mistakes can be costly, making expert service highly valuable.

Captive Insurance Deposits: This is perhaps the most specialized area. As large corporations seek more control over their risk management and insurance costs, they form their own “captive” insurance companies. These entities need a banking partner that understands their unique regulatory and capital requirements. The market is growing as more companies embrace this sophisticated risk-mitigation strategy.

By building a national practice around these three pillars, Fieldpoint is tapping into revenue streams that are less about the spread on a loan and more about fee-based income for indispensable expertise. It’s a move that aligns with the broader industry trend of shifting from product silos to integrated, advisory-led solutions.

A Model for Growth and Resilience

This strategic hire is the latest chapter in Fieldpoint Private's story. Founded by 31 financial leaders in the wake of the 2008 crisis as a boutique alternative to bulge-bracket firms, the bank has consistently punched above its weight. Its growth has been fueled by a clear value proposition: the service and agility of a small firm backed by the capabilities of a larger one.

The addition of Gannon and Kercado's team is a perfect embodiment of this model. The bank is offering a highly specialized service that clients might typically seek from a global money-center bank, but delivering it with the single-point-of-contact, client-first approach that defines the private banking experience. It’s a powerful combination that further solidifies the bank’s relationships with its core clientele of successful families, entrepreneurs, and institutions.

In an era of intense competition for deposits, Fieldpoint Private is not just trying to attract capital; it is building a fortress of deep, resilient client relationships built on irreplaceable expertise. This move demonstrates a clear understanding that in the future of banking, the most valuable asset may not be the money in the vault, but the knowledge in the room.