Our People

Christopher Martin

Chairman of the Board

Christopher Martin is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Provident Financial Services, Inc. and The Provident Bank, New Jersey’s oldest state-chartered bank. He has been in the banking industry for over 34 years.

Mr. Martin previously served as president and chief executive officer of First Sentinel Bancorp, Inc., which was acquired by Provident Financial Services, Inc. in July 2004. Beginning with First Sentinel in 1984 as controller, Mr. Martin advanced and was appointed president of First Sentinel Bancorp and its subsidiary, First Savings Bank, in 2003. Prior to his banking career, Mr. Martin worked for Johnson & Johnson in inventory control and as a financial analyst.

As one of New Jersey’s most prominent banking executives, Mr. Martin serves on the board of directors for the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and previously served on the board of directors of the New Jersey Bankers Association. Mr. Martin is a member of the advisory board for the Rutgers Center for Real Estate. He also dedicates much of his spare time helping to improve the community. Mr. Martin is a vice president of The 200 Club of Middlesex County, which provides financial assistance and scholarships to families of law enforcement, fire and public safety officials. He serves on the board of trustees of Elon University, and is a past president of the alumni board. He is a member of the Raritan Bay Medical Center Retirement Trust & Investment Committee. Mr. Martin volunteers at local food pantries and Habitat for Humanity build sites. He also spends time teaching financial literacy to high school students at inner city schools. He was formerly a member of the board of trustees of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Monmouth and Middlesex Counties.

Mr. Martin is president of The Provident Bank Foundation, which, since its founding in 2003, has provided more than $19 million in grants for programs focusing on community enrichment, education, and health, youth and families.

Mr. Martin has been honored for his philanthropic endeavors by the National MS Society, the American Jewish Committee, The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club of America, Project Live and Felician College.

Mr. Martin received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from Elon University and holds a MBA from Monmouth University.