JAY SIDHU was named Chairman of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., in April
2002, and has been President and Chief Executive Officer of
Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., and Sovereign Bank since 1989. Prior to
joining Sovereign in 1986 as Vice Chairman and Chief Operating
Officer, he held management positions at Independence Bancorp,
Inc., Bucks County Bank, and Chemical Bank, New Jersey. During
Mr. Sidhu’s leadership at Sovereign, total assets and income have
been up about 25% per year. Today, Sovereign is one of the 25
largest banking institutions in the United States. Mr. Sidhu has
been recognized as Financial World’s CEO of the Year and was a
1996 Turnaround Entrepreneur of the Year, Berks Chamber of
Commerce Large Business Leader of the Year, and Caron
Foundation’s Citizen of the Year. He has a Master’s degree from
Wilkes University and has completed numerous education
development programs, including the Presidents’ Course at Harvard
Business School. Mr. Sidhu also serves on several corporate,
educational, and community boards and has been a speaker on
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership at several conferences in
the United States and abroad.
