FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
New York Cosmos Announce Ion Bank as Front-of-Kit Sponsor and Official Bank Partner
Paterson, NJ — The Cosmos has announced a partnership with Ion Bank, naming the institution as the club’s Official Bank Partner and Front-of-Kit sponsor beginning this season.
As part of the agreement, the Ion Bank logo will appear prominently on the front of the Cosmos match jerseys throughout the 2026 season. The collaboration represents a shared commitment to community investment, long-term growth, and supporting the next chapter of professional soccer in Northern New Jersey.
“Ion Bank is proud to announce its sponsorship with the Cosmos,” said Philip Vaz, New Jersey Regional President at Ion Bank, “reinforcing our commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities for today and for the generations to come. This partnership
reflects Ion Bank’s longstanding dedication to supporting local traditions that unite people of all ages and create meaningful experiences both on and off the field. We are honored to stand behind an organization that brings fans together, strengthens community pride, and enriches the place we are proud to call home.”
As part of the partnership, Ion Bank and the Cosmos will introduce a community ticketing initiative through Ion Bank’s Ion Cares program. Beginning this season, discounted tickets will be available to Paterson residents and students, redeemable at the stadium box office with valid identification. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to expanding access and ensuring that local community members have the opportunity to experience matchday at Hinchliffe Stadium.
“We are proud to welcome Ion Bank as our partner,” said Erik Stover, Chief Executive
Officer of the Cosmos. “Throughout this process it has been clear that we have a shared belief in community, access, and building something meaningful together. We believe in Ion Bank and the Ion Cares program and we’re looking forward to building new initiatives together.”
The agreement runs through the 2028 season and includes category exclusivity in banking, as well as integrated broadcast, digital, and matchday activations at historic Hinchliffe Stadium.
Fans that purchased their jerseys before the partnership between Ion Bank and the
Cosmos was announced can bring their kit to Hinchliffe Stadium on matchdays to have the Ion Bank sponsor professionally pressed onto their jersey. Jerseys are available for purchase at Hinchliffe Stadium and online at shop.nycosmos.com.
The Cosmos return to professional play this spring as part of USL League One, with their home opener set for March 14, 2026, at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey.
For more information, visit nycosmos.com. About Ion Bank
Ion Financial, MHC is the parent company of its subsidiaries Ion Bank, NVE Bank, A
Division of Ion Bank and Ion Investments. Ion Bank has been serving customers throughout Connecticut since 1870.
Locally owned, the bank is committed to helping individual and business customers as well as the community at large. Ion Bank and NVE Bank, A Division of Ion Bank, offer
personal banking, business banking and financial services at its 32 branches in 27 communities in Connecticut and New Jersey as well as two high school branches.
About the Cosmos
The New York Cosmos are one of the most iconic clubs in American soccer history.
Founded in 1970, the Cosmos helped introduce the global game to the United States and have been home to some of the sport’s most legendary figures. In 2026, the club returns to professional play as a member of USL League One, calling historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey home. The Cosmos are committed to being a community-driven club that celebrates culture, history, and the future of soccer in the region.
For Immediate Release
May 23, 2024
Contacts:
Robert Rey, NVE Bank
rrey@nvebank.com
David Rotatori, Ion Bank
drotatori@ionbank.com
NVE Bank and Ion Bank Announce Agreement to Merge
ENGLEWOOD, NJ and NAUGATUCK, CT – Connecticut-based Ion Financial, MHC, parent company of Ion Bank, and New Jersey-based NVE Bancorp, MHC, holding company of NVE Bank, today jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which NVE Bancorp, MHC will be combined with Ion Financial, MHC and NVE Bank will be combined with Ion Bank. NVE Bank will continue to be operated as a division of Ion Bank.
Ion Financial, MHC expects the merger to be accretive to tangible capital and earnings. When finalized, the merger will give Ion Bank approximately $2.7 billion in assets and an additional ten branch locations throughout Bergen County, New Jersey, expanding Ion Bank’s reach within northern New Jersey. This anticipated merger comes after Ion Bank acquired Lincoln 1st Bank in New Jersey in July 2022. Ion Bank’s strategic goal of investing where it can best serve its customers continues with this transaction, and these new communities are part of that strategy. Ion Bank is committed to the success of the communities in which it operates. That commitment will extend to the existing NVE Bank offices and surrounding communities that NVE Bank will continue to serve as a separate division of Ion Bank. As a part of the transaction, a new charitable foundation will be established with an initial contribution of $5.0 million. The foundation will be dedicated to serving the communities served by NVE Bank.
Upon completing the transaction, each of the NVE Bank directors will be offered a position on the Ion Financial, MHC and Ion Bank Boards of Directors. In addition, Robert Rey, President and Chief Executive Officer of NVE Bank, may elect to join Ion Financial, MHC, as President and as CEO of the NVE Division, and John Spencer will join Ion Financial, MHC, as a Senior Vice President and will be named President of the NVE Division. David Rotatori, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ion Bank, will remain Chief Executive Officer of Ion Financial, MHC.
Mr. Rey, President and CEO of NVE Bank said, “NVE Bank has been serving its customers and communities in Bergen County, New Jersey, for the past 137 years. The combination with Ion Bank, another strong mutual financial institution with over 150 years of successful growth in Connecticut and New Jersey, was a great opportunity for us to continue serving our customers with a larger platform, offering more branch locations and a greater suite of products and services.”
“We are excited to add NVE Bank as a division of Ion Bank,” said Mr. Rotatori. “This merger is the latest step in our plan for strategic growth and expands our footprint to reach a larger audience in New Jersey. We feel our full offering of products and services for both businesses and consumers will enhance an already great brand.”
Luse Gorman, PC, serves as legal counsel to NVE Bancorp, MHC, and NVE Bank. Hogan Lovells US LLP serves as legal counsel to Ion Financial, MHC, and Ion Bank. The Kafafian Group serves as financial advisor to NVE Bancorp.
About NVE Bank
NVE Bank is a community mutual bank with 10 branches in Bergen County. The bank was originally founded in 1887 and continues a tradition that started 137 years ago of commitment to helping customers and volunteering in their communities. For the last 48 consecutive quarters or 12 years, leading independent bank rating firm Bauer Financial, Inc. has awarded NVE Bank with its coveted 5-Star Superior rating, indicating that NVE is one of the strongest banks in the nation, and most recently earned an even higher designation as an “Exceptional Performance Bank”.
About Ion Bank
Ion Bank, with more than $2.1 billion in assets, offers financial advisory services and retail banking to consumers as well as comprehensive commercial, corporate, and small business banking services to businesses. Ion Bank was founded in 1870 and has 20 branches in Connecticut and two in New Jersey. For more information about Ion Bank, see ionbank.com. Since its inception in 1998, the Ion Bank Foundation has invested more than $10 million into the community through grants for purposes ranging from improving social services to enhancing the arts.