Latest news with #internalAudit
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
A. Michael Smith Joins Peapack Private Bank & Trust as SVP, Chief Audit Executive
BEDMINSTER, NJ - June 5, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: PGC) and Peapack Private Bank & Trust are pleased to announce the appointment of A. Michael Smith as Senior Vice President, Chief Audit Executive. In this role, he will lead the Bank's internal audit function and develop strategic initiatives to support its continued growth. A. Michael has over 30 years of experience in auditing, risk management, and technology, with a proven track record of driving innovation and excellence in financial services. Most recently, Smith served as Chief Audit Executive at Nasdaq, where he built a world-class internal audit function and leveraged advanced technologies to manage high-volume transactions across global markets. Prior to that, he was a Partner at PwC, where he led internal audit transformation initiatives through emerging technologies and innovation. His extensive career also includes senior leadership roles at several large financial institutions, and he was also a partner at Deloitte & Touche. Throughout his career, Smith has demonstrated a commitment to elevating internal audit functions to best-in-class standards. A. Michael is the author of Internal Audit of the Future: The Impact of Technology Innovation, a book that explores how technology is reshaping the audit landscape. He also holds a U.S. patent for a novel approach to auditing crypto assets. He is a graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). About the Company Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a New Jersey bank holding company with total assets of $7.1 billion and assets under management and/or administration of $11.8 billion as of March 31, 2025. Founded in 1921, Peapack Private Bank & Trust is a commercial bank that offers a client-centric approach to banking, providing high-quality products along with customized and innovative wealth management, investment banking, commercial and personal banking solutions. The Bank's wealth management division offers comprehensive financial, tax, fiduciary and investment advice and solutions to individuals, families, privately held businesses, family offices and not-for-profit organizations, which help them to establish, maintain and expand their legacy. Peapack Private Bank & Trust offers an unparalleled commitment to client service. Visit for more information. Contact: Denise Pace-Sanders, Peapack Private Bank & Trust, SVP Managing Principal, Brand and Marketing Director, 500 Hills Drive, Suite 300, Bedminster, NJ 07921, [email protected], (908) 470-3322 View the original release on
Finextra
27-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Starling strengthens leadership team with four new appointments
Starling Group today named four new members of its Executive Committee, further strengthening its leadership in the legal, compliance, and people functions. 0 The appointments comprise an internal promotion and three external hires, reflecting Starling's internal talent pool and its ability to attract top talent. Group CEO Raman Bhatia has now added eight senior appointments since he joined in June 2024. Catarina Abrantes-Steinberg has been appointed Group Chief People Officer, subject to regulatory approval. She succeeds Susanna Yallop, who left Starling at the end of April after five years in the role. Catarina has spent the past three years as Chief People Officer at Dojo Paymentsense, where she played a pivotal role in guiding the company through a period of hypergrowth. Prior to her time at Dojo, she held leadership positions at Russell Reynolds Associates and Expedia Inc. Catarina began her career in management consulting with McKinsey & Company. Ian Cox joins as Starling's new Group Head of Internal Audit, also subject to regulatory approval. With over 25 years in the financial services industry managing audit, risk, and governance, Ian will lead the internal audit function across the Group, supporting Starling's continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and strong risk management. Reporting to the Board Audit Committee, he will work closely with teams across the business to ensure Starling Group continues to meet the highest standards of assurance and compliance. Most recently, Ian was Group Chief Internal Auditor at Network International, based in Dubai. Monica Risam has been appointed Group General Counsel, succeeding Matt Newman. Monica is a dual-qualified US and UK lawyer with extensive experience in the financial services sector. She joins Starling from the Lombard International Group, where she held the position of Group General Counsel & Company Secretary. Monica has also held senior legal roles at Aviva and GE Capital, and began her career at the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Bernadette Smith has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer from her current role as Deputy Chief Risk Officer. In her new position, Bernadette will oversee all aspects of compliance for the bank. Bernadette joined Starling in 2022 and has held various leadership positions within Risk and Compliance, where she has played a critical role in growing and maturing the bank's Second Line of Defence. Raman Bhatia, Starling Group CEO, said: 'I'm thrilled to welcome Catarina, Ian, Monica and Bernadette to Starling's executive team. These appointments reflect our unwavering commitment to building a world-class leadership team with deep expertise. Their combined experience will be instrumental as we prepare for the next phase of growth at Starling.' Bernadette's promotion is effective immediately, while Catarina, Ian and Monica are expected to formally join Starling in the early summer.
Finextra
23-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Starling makes senior hires
Starling Group today named four new members of its Executive Committee, further strengthening its leadership in the legal, compliance, and people functions. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. The appointments comprise an internal promotion and three external hires, reflecting Starling's internal talent pool and its ability to attract top talent. Group CEO Raman Bhatia has now added eight senior appointments since he joined in June 2024. Catarina Abrantes-Steinberg has been appointed Group Chief People Officer, subject to regulatory approval. She succeeds Susanna Yallop, who left Starling at the end of April after five years in the role. Catarina has spent the past three years as Chief People Officer at Dojo Paymentsense, where she played a pivotal role in guiding the company through a period of hypergrowth. Prior to her time at Dojo, she held leadership positions at Russell Reynolds Associates and Expedia Inc. Catarina began her career in management consulting with McKinsey & Company. Ian Cox joins as Starling's new Group Head of Internal Audit, also subject to regulatory approval. With over 25 years in the financial services industry managing audit, risk, and governance, Ian will lead the internal audit function across the Group, supporting Starling's continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and strong risk management. Reporting to the Board Audit Committee, he will work closely with teams across the business to ensure Starling Group continues to meet the highest standards of assurance and compliance. Most recently, Ian was Group Chief Internal Auditor at Network International, based in Dubai. Monica Risam has been appointed Group General Counsel, succeeding Matt Newman. Monica is a dual-qualified US and UK lawyer with extensive experience in the financial services sector. She joins Starling from the Lombard International Group, where she held the position of Group General Counsel & Company Secretary. Monica has also held senior legal roles at Aviva and GE Capital, and began her career at the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Bernadette Smith has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer from her current role as Deputy Chief Risk Officer. In her new position, Bernadette will oversee all aspects of compliance for the bank. Bernadette joined Starling in 2022 and has held various leadership positions within Risk and Compliance, where she has played a critical role in growing and maturing the bank's Second Line of Defence. Raman Bhatia, Starling Group CEO, said: 'I'm thrilled to welcome Catarina, Ian, Monica and Bernadette to Starling's executive team. These appointments reflect our unwavering commitment to building a world-class leadership team with deep expertise. Their combined experience will be instrumental as we prepare for the next phase of growth at Starling.' Bernadette's promotion is effective immediately, while Catarina, Ian and Monica are expected to formally join Starling in the early summer.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
McKeesport Area School District launches investigation into missing money
An internal audit uncovered missing funds within the McKeesport Area School District, prompting an investigation that has led to two people being relieved of their duties, the superintendent confirmed.
BreakingNews.ie
15-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Leinster House bike shed had no value for money assessment before work began, report finds
An internal audit on the €336,000 Leinster House bike shelter project found that no value for money assessment was ever conducted in advance of the works. It said the costs of the OPW project had never been communicated to the Houses of the Oireachtas and that there was a lack of clear guidelines for oversight of projects worth less than €500,000. Advertisement The report, which was carried out by Deloitte, made three high priority findings and said there was an 'absence of some fundamental good practices' for projects like the controversial bike shed. It said a value for money assessment should have been conducted as part of a 'robust options appraisal process.' The internal audit said this would have included looking more closely at 'lower cost alternatives' as well as the possibility of 'doing nothing.' It said: 'Approval to proceed with the project should only have been formalised when these evaluations were complete.' Advertisement The audit also found there was no proper governance structure in place for projects that had a value of less than half a million euro. It said: 'The OPW cannot demonstrate how value for money was considered across all aspects of the decision to proceed with the delivery of the covered bike shelter project.' The report found as well that management at Leinster House had not been given any information on how much the project would cost until it was completed. The audit said: 'The June 2021 decision to proceed with the Bike Shelter project was made without presentation or discussion of project costs. Advertisement 'The HOC [Houses of the Oireachtas Commission] did not request cost information, and the OPW did not present cost information.' The auditors said when this happened there was a higher risk of poor value for money and 'an increased risk of mismatch in expectations on delivery versus cost of delivery.' The OPW said these findings had been accepted and that costs for works at Leinster House were now being communicated on a regular basis. The audit also found that while the Office of Public Works had a programme management plan in place, it was 'not necessarily easy to navigate', especially for smaller projects like the bicycle shelter. Advertisement It said: 'Where there is a lack of oversight of projects, there is a risk that these projects may not represent value for money or may not deliver to exact requirements in an efficient and effective manner.' There was a finding made as well that some of the paperwork for the project had not been signed or dated properly. In its findings, the internal auditors said there should be 'sample-based spot checks' made to ensure compliance. The report found more generally that the OPW's internal auditors were not always provided timely updates or information by colleagues. Advertisement It said: 'Where the [head of internal audit] is not at an equivalent level to the senior management team, there is a risk of lack of engagement from management. '[There is also] a risk that the ARC [Audit and Risk Committee] is not receiving the appropriate assurance as to the effectiveness of the control environment within the OPW.' The report was released by the OPW following an appeal made under Freedom of Information laws. In an information note, they said: 'The internal audit report will provide a focus for continuing to strengthen ways of working across the OPW. 'This report will provide a platform from which control improvements can be made for capital projects into the future. 'The OPW has accepted and is actively implementing all of the recommendations within the report.'
