First Niagara Financial Corp., keen to prove its credibility in New England, has played up the local roots of a new hire: 25-year banking veteran Patricia Gaudreau from Seymour, Conn., who will started work July 5 as senior vice president/senior credit manager.

Buffalo-based First Niagara’s takeover of New Haven, Conn.-based NewAlliance Bank provoked outcry in Connecticut by citizens and officials concerned that the state was losing a major local financial institution. David V. Ring, regional president, praised Gaudreau for her local know-how and New England banking experience, but told Banker & Tradesman that hiring her hadn’t been in reaction to any such concerns – it’s long been First Niagara’s practice in every major regional office.

"We were just reinforcing our model – this is the same model we put in place in every region," said Ring, himself a New Haven-area native hired to his position in April.

Gaudreau will oversee commercial and business banking underwriting activities for all First Niagara’s New England locations – which currently dot Connecticut and include locations in central Massachusetts – but will work out of New Haven, reporting directly to Ring.

Gaudreau began her banking career in 1986, when she began work at Union Trust Co., which became part of Wells Fargo through acquisitions. She said she honed her underwriting experience over years at Wells Fargo, and was already well-acquainted with the New England banking scene, including business owners of all sizes as well as colleagues in the banking industry.

Added Ring, "She’s lived and worked in the market her whole life."

The bank has promised further new hires with New England banking experience, and Ring told Banker & Tradesman that the bank has already seen loan growth and acquired new clients since it officially acquired NewAlliance in April.

The bank looks forward to building its local commercial and business banking teams, he said.

"We’re excited. It’s going to be fun."