BankNewport Names George D. Duarte, Jr. Senior Vice President, Director of Business Banking

NEWPORT, R.I. (October 24, 2023) – BankNewport is pleased to announce that George D. Duarte, Jr. has been named Senior Vice President, Director of Business Banking. Duarte collaborates closely with commercial lenders, branch managers, and residential mortgage originators to drive substantial growth, while upholding stringent credit quality standards and safeguarding the Bank’s profitability margins.

Duarte is responsible for spearheading business banking initiatives, managing a team of eight Business and Commercial Lending Officers, overseeing commercial loan production, initiating cross-sales opportunities, and fostering collaborative efforts across teams within the Bank. Over the past few years, under his astute leadership, Duarte has expanded and diversified the Business Banking team while implementing a role restructuring that includes portfolio management responsibilities.

Prior to joining BankNewport, Duarte served as Vice President, SBA Lending Officer for New England and New York Regions at Santander Bank. Duarte has over 20 years of experience in the banking sector with various positions and responsibilities to include Small Business Development, Wealth Management and Business and Commercial Lending.

Duarte holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Rhode Island College. Outside of his professional pursuits, he has contributed to the community by serving as a youth baseball, football and soccer coach. He was affiliated with East Bay Chamber of Commerce while serving as an Ambassador, past member of the Downtown Merchants Association and treasure for the Bristol Substance abuse task force. He is a lifelong resident of Bristol, Rhode Island, where he resides with his wife Kerri and son Christopher.