Dime Community Bancshares (NASDAQ:DCOM) shareholders approved all proposals presented at the company’s 2026 annual meeting, including the election of 11 directors, ratification of the company’s auditor, an advisory vote on executive compensation and an amendment to change the company’s name to Dime Commercial Bancshares Inc.
Chairman Kenneth J. Mahon presided over the meeting and said the purpose was to vote on the matters outlined in the proxy statement and provide a brief review of company activity. The company reported that 43,886,835 shares were outstanding as of the March 31, 2026 record date, and that a quorum was present.
Shareholders Approve Name Change
During his presentation, CEO and Director Stuart Lubow said the rebrand is part of a multi-year strategic transformation. “Dime Community Bank will rebrand as Dime Commercial Bank to align with the bank’s business model and strategic plan moving forward,” Lubow said.
Lubow also noted that Dime transitioned to the New York Stock Exchange in April 2026, describing the exchange as “home to many of the world’s leading banks.”
Board, Auditor and Compensation Votes Pass
Shareholders elected all 11 director nominees recommended by the board. The nominees were Kenneth J. Mahon, Paul M. Aguggia, Rosemarie Chen, Judith H. Germano, Matthew A. Lindenbaum, Stuart H. Lubow, Albert E. McCoy Jr., Raymond A. Nielsen, Joseph J. Perry, Kevin Stein and Dennis A. Suskind.
The proposal to ratify Crowe LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending Dec. 31, 2026, received 99.34% support from shares voted. The non-binding advisory proposal on named executive officer compensation received 75.08% support.
The company said final official voting results will be filed on SEC Form 8-K within four business days of the meeting.
CEO Highlights Deposit Growth and Commercial Strategy
Lubow characterized 2025 as “an extremely successful, productive year” for Dime, saying the company’s investments in business lines and talent are paying off. He said the bank’s total assets stood at $15 billion when comparing March 2025 to March 2026.
Lubow said Dime achieved significant growth in core deposit funding, supporting customer lending needs while improving net interest margin and profitability. He said core deposits increased by $2.8 billion since the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a 13% cumulative annual growth rate.
He also pointed to Dime’s deposit mix, saying the bank maintained a profile of 31% interest-free demand deposit accounts. Lubow said Dime remains the No. 1 commercial bank on Greater Long Island by market share, a position he said the company has maintained since 2021.
Business loan growth remained a major focus. Lubow said Dime grew business loans by more than $900 million since the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a 19% cumulative annual growth rate. He said the company expects additional organic growth through new customer acquisitions and market share gains as it expands commercial banking capabilities.
Expansion and Hiring Remain Key Themes
Lubow said Dime has been focused on diversifying its loan portfolio and expanding lending capabilities. He cited the hiring of Thomas Geisel, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, who has overseen the onboarding of several specialty commercial banking verticals.
Lubow said Dime launched an equipment and franchise finance group in May 2026. He also said the company opened two new branches over the past year in Locust Valley and Manhattan, and is expanding into New Jersey with a branch opening in Lakewood later this month.
The CEO also said Dime has benefited from hiring teams from the former Signature Bank, which contributed to growth in core deposits. He said Dime has strengthened its position on both sides of the balance sheet by becoming “the employer of choice for talented bankers.”
Capital, Liquidity and Community Focus
Lubow said Dime has proactively increased its capital ratios and is positioned for “strong and responsible growth.” He said the company has approximately $2 billion of cash, providing flexibility to pursue lending opportunities.
He also highlighted the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act rating, saying Dime’s CRA rating is “outstanding” and that all individual components of the rating are also outstanding. Lubow said the rating reflects the company’s culture of community involvement, employee volunteerism and nonprofit lending opportunities.
In closing remarks, Lubow thanked employees and shareholders for their support and said the company looks forward to “a terrific year in 2026.” Mahon then adjourned the annual meeting.
About Dime Community Bancshares (NASDAQ:DCOM)
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc is the bank holding company for Dime Community Bank, headquartered in Hauppauge, New York. Through its subsidiary, the company offers a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services to both individual and commercial customers. With a network of branches spanning the New York metropolitan area and South Florida, Dime Community Bancshares emphasizes relationship banking and local decision-making.
The company’s core lending activities include commercial and multifamily real estate loans, construction and land development financing, and one-to-four-family residential mortgage lending.
