Robert Granata now heads First County Bank

Robert J. Granata has been named president and chief operating officer at Stamford-based First County Bank, effective immediately. He replaced Katherine A. Harris, who retired Monday after 29 years with the bank.

The First County Bank board of directors approved the move.

As president and COO, Granata will “direct, control and coordinate” the bank”™s daily operations. He will participate in short and long-term planning, ensure compliance with regulations and participate in establishing the overall direction and mission of the bank.

First County maintains 15 branches in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport, employing 220 and with assets in excess of $1.3 billion. It is 160 years old.

“We”™re very proud to have Bob Granata as our president and chief operating officer of First County Bank,” said Rey Giallongo, the bank’s chairman and CEO, in a press release. “He brings a wealth of banking experience to the position and has proved to be a strong strategic leader who will position the bank for the future.”

Granata, who joined First County in 2007 and has 27 years of financial services experience, said in the press release, “I am honored to become First County Bank”™s president and COO. My challenge is to build upon our 160 plus years of banking and position ourselves as the ”˜premiere bank of choice”™ for those in the lower Fairfield County area. I am excited to help to guide the bank to further its success in the communities it serves.”

Granata was recently selected as one of Connecticut Bankers Association”™s New Leaders in Banking for 2014. He serves as a board member of the Children”™s Learning Center, a nonprofit  in Stamford. Granata lives in Trumbull with his wife and four sons.