Douglas C. Manditch, chairman and CEO of Islandia-based Empire Bancorp.

Douglas C. Manditch, chairman and CEO of Islandia-based Empire Bancorp. Credit: Jeffrey Basinger

Islandia-based Empire Bancorp on Wednesday said its stock has started trading on the OTCQX Best Market, under the ticker symbol EMPK.

The shift to the over-the-counter financial market gives the bank more visibility, said Douglas C. Manditch, the bank's chairman and chief executive officer.

"It's a more established market than where we had been," Manditch said. "We expect that the added visibility will help us gain more institutional and retail investors."

Empire had been trading on the OTCQB Venture Market. 

Empire Bancorp, the bank holding company for Empire National Bank, closed the fourth quarter of 2017 with about $900 million in assets. The bank has branches in Islandia, Shirley, Port Jefferson Station and Mineola. It also has a private banking office in Manhattan.

The bank's shares were priced at $15 in midday trading Tuesday, up 10 cents from their Monday close.

From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker; Newsday / A.J. Singh

Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.

From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker; Newsday / A.J. Singh

Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.

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