Sterling Bancorp named Christina M. Favilla chief operating officer, reporting to Jack Kopnisky, president and CEO.

Favilla will be responsible for evolving the company’s operating infrastructure as Sterling grows to an anticipated $30 billion greater New York Metro regional bank following the completion of its pending merger with Astoria Financial.

Her scope of responsibilities at Sterling will include bank operations, loan operations, information technology, digital channels, product management, marketing, corporate communications, data management and governance, and facilities.

Favilla joined from GE Capital Americas, where she served as chief operating officer, leading a diverse team of 2,500 people across 33 locations in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Prior to GE Capital, she served as president of Discover Bank and Bank of New Castle, a part of Discover Financial Services, where she developed the funding strategy that was an integral component of the successful launch of Discover Financial Services as an independent public company.

“Chris is a dynamic, sophisticated and experienced leader who understands the critical importance of people and process against the backdrop of a rapidly-changing but highly regulated industry,” said Kopnisky. “I am confident in her ability to drive industry-leading operational practices to further develop our already successful, high-performing company. Chris’s experience as COO of GE Capital Americas is highly complementary to the task of transforming Sterling from a bank with approximately $15 billion in total assets to an anticipated $30 billion combined entity that will be the sixth largest regional bank in the New York City area in terms of deposits.”