NewtekOne Appoints Thomas Cestare as Director and Audit Committee Member

Cestare brings over 35 years of banking and financial services experience to the board.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:47pm

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NewtekOne, Inc. has increased the size of its board of directors from seven to eight members and elected Thomas Cestare to serve as a Class I director. Cestare currently serves on the board of directors of NewtekOne's subsidiary Newtek Bank, N.A. and is a partner and chief operating officer of Patriot Financial Partners. He has over 35 years of experience in the banking industry, previously serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Beneficial Bancorp and executive vice president and chief accounting officer of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

Why it matters

The addition of Cestare to NewtekOne's board brings extensive financial services and banking expertise that will be valuable as the company continues to grow its operations and subsidiary bank. His experience in corporate finance, accounting, risk management, and other key areas will provide important oversight and guidance.

The details

Cestare will serve a term on the NewtekOne board that will expire at the company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2027. In addition to his board seat, he has been appointed to serve on the company's Audit Committee.

  • On January 27, 2026, the NewtekOne board increased the number of directors from seven to eight.
  • Cestare's term will expire at NewtekOne's Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2027.

The players

NewtekOne, Inc.

A financial technology company that provides business and personal loans, payment processing, and other services to small and medium-sized businesses.

Thomas Cestare

A partner and chief operating officer of Patriot Financial Partners with over 35 years of experience in the banking industry. He previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Beneficial Bancorp and executive vice president and chief accounting officer of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

Newtek Bank, N.A.

A subsidiary bank of NewtekOne that provides banking and lending services to small businesses.

Patriot Financial Partners

A private equity firm that invests in community banks and other financial services companies.

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What’s next

Cestare will begin serving on the NewtekOne board and Audit Committee immediately, providing oversight and guidance to the company's leadership team.

The takeaway

The addition of Thomas Cestare to the NewtekOne board demonstrates the company's commitment to strengthening its financial services and banking capabilities as it continues to expand its offerings to small and medium-sized businesses.