In 1965, Ficalora joined Queens County Savings Bank, now one of four divisions of New York Community Bancorp (the others are Richmond County Savings Bank, Roosevelt Savings Bank, and Roslyn Savings Bank), and has held increasingly responsible positions crossing all lines of operations during his career.

Chairman of the NYHQ Board, George F. Heinrich, M.D., stated, “Joseph Ficalora’s expertise in finance and corporate operations, as well as his commitment for growth and new opportunities in the Queens community, makes him a great addition to our Board.”

President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen S. Mills, said, “One of our most effective strategies for making sure we deliver the right mix of services is by adding leaders who combine a hands-on knowledge of this community with a track record of engagement in it. Joe Ficalora absolutely brings those assets to our board.  He was born and bred in Corona Queens; the financial institution he runs has its roots right here in Queens and he is an active board member for some of the borough’s most successful arts and cultural organizations. He gives back to this community in so many ways.”

New trustee Ficalora said, “New York Hospital Queens has weathered such a challenging economic environment. Despite the financial climate, it has developed a new wing and expanded the access to health care for those people who live and work in the borough. I look forward to supporting the vision and the mission of this growing organization."

Ficalora is an active advocate for advancements in the Queens community. A member of the Board of Directors of the Queens Chamber of Commerce since 1990, he has served on its Executive Committee since April 1992. In addition, he is chairman of the Queens Library Foundation’s board, vice president of the Library’s Board of Trustees, and serves on the boards of directors of the New York Hall of Science, Flushing Cemetery and on the Advisory Council of the Queens Museum of Art. 

A graduate of Pace University with a degree in business and finance, Ficalora provides leadership to several professional banking organizations, including the American Bankers Association, the New York Bankers Association, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, RSI Retirement Trust and Peter B. Cannell & Co., Inc., an investment advisory firm.