Communities across Pennsylvania are growing and thriving because their community banks care. The service and commitment demonstrated by community bank employees keeps customers faithful, and their sincerity keeps others hopeful. It is because of these employees that communities across the Commonwealth are thriving and becoming better places to live and work.
When it comes to community banking in Pennsylvania, the uniqueness, talent and attributes of the 14,000 individual community bank employees combine to make the entire industry greater than the sum of its parts.
As we travel across Pennsylvania, we meet community bank employees from many different backgrounds. Some are new to the industry, others have worked their entire careers in it. No matter how long these employees have been involved in community banking, they all share a common thread – a love for their community. They truly are the ones responsible for #KeepingTheLightsOn in their hometown.
As part of an ongoing series, each month we will be featuring brief interviews with these community bank employees, these “Hometown Champions.” Through these interviews, we hope to gain some insight into what makes the community banking industry great in Pennsylvania.
This month, we chat with the hometown champions from Altoona First Savings Bank. With branches located in Blair and Bedford Counties, Altoona First is a local mutual bank who’s operating philosophy is to benefit their customers and community with better rates and enhanced services. They are proud of the way they approach banking, and pride themselves on being “a REAL community bank making a REAL difference.” Altoona First has been serving the needs of Central Pennsylvania since 1927, and they look forward to doing so for future generations as well.
Allen Harr
Assistant VP–Small Business Partner
How did you get into community banking?
Allen: My banking career began 28 years ago with a small bank that consisted of 4-community offices in the Bedford County market area. That particular bank was later purchased by a much larger corporate managed bank from the eastern part of the state. I knew the big bank atmosphere was not where I wanted to direct my career path. After several years and many stressful & sleepless nights, I had the opportunity to interview with Altoona First Savings Bank. Altoona First Savings Bank met the criteria of what a true community bank was all about and I wanted to be part of it. I have been with Altoona First Savings Bank for the past 12 years and have truly enjoyed the family atmosphere and the direct customer & community support.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Allen: I personally like having direct contact with the customers to helping them meet their goals to startup their dream business or look to restructure their existing debt, possibly to enhance their cash flow to help grow their business. I feel that being part of the solution and helping my customers is what I like most about my position here at Altoona First Savings Bank.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Allen: To me a community bank is dedicated to the community in which it serves. The employees are often associated with the organizations that help make their community a better place. Community bankers take great pride in the communities in which they serve and strive to help their local businesses to grow or to possibly help the newly married families meet their goal of purchasing their first home.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Allen: I served in the United States Air Force and stationed in Dover, Delaware. The training and structure made me the person/leader I am today.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Allen: The fifth picture in my camera roll is a photo from the local newspaper announcing the Executive leadership change here at Altoona First Savings Bank. I feel very proud of being part of such a highly respected lending institution in our community. Having Troy Campbell step into the position of President, CEO will defiantly take our institution to the next level. Good things to happen in the future!
Kristen Rago
Loan Processor
How did you get into community banking?
Kristen: I was working as a hairdresser & decided I wanted to find more stable employment. I started at Altoona First as a teller in 2011, and moved into my current position as a loan processor in 2013.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Kristen: Overall, the most rewarding aspect would be that we are helping local people that we meet & get to know achieve their financial goals. Within the workplace, the most rewarding aspect would be the willingness of others to help & train to make sure we are doing our jobs accurately.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Kristen: A community bank is one that focus’ on helping customers in its community achieve their financial goals by taking the time to get to know them & recommending them for the products that are right for them.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Kristen: Since my start in banking in 2011, I have found that I really have an interest in different aspects of the financial industry. Something I may not have realized I was interested in without the opportunities Altoona First has given me. This has pushed me to attempt betterment of myself by returning to school for a degree in accounting.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Kristen: We have family dinner at both my in-law’s & my parents’ house every Sunday… This is a picture of my kids being silly while playing together after dinner.
Douglas Ickes
Director of Technology
How did you get into community banking?
Doug: In 2007, I was working at a local hospital in charge of their IT Data Center. Altoona First Savings Bank (AFSB) was looking for a Network Administrator to handle all of their IT related issues. I was already familiar with AFSB. After my enlistment in the US Air Force ended, I began a career maintaining banking networks and AFSB was one of my customers. I applied and was subsequently offered the position. The idea of working for a smaller community based organization really appealed to me considering I worked for some very large organizations prior to my employment with AFSB. The “family” atmosphere was a real breath of fresh air for me. I recently transitioned into the role of Director of Information Technology and working at AFSB has never been more satisfying. My job is Technology and with my help, the bank is able to provide customers with the latest up to date access to their information that is also highly secure.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Doug: I feel with the way we treat our customers and community especially in how we give back through generous donations and support. The way we treat people is a reflection of all of the employees and the atmosphere at AFSB. Even though I don’t interact with customers on a day to day basis, I do hear from people from time to time telling me that everyone they meet here at AFSB seems really nice.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Doug: The first thing I think of is Family. Being a member of a community bank allows us to treat everyone the way they would want to be treated, like family. The second thing is we are a part of the neighborhood, a business that places the customer’s needs over the “Big Business” attitude of some banks.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Doug: When I entered the Air Force in 1985, I really wanted to be a pilot. Since you had to have almost perfect eyesight without corrective lenses at that time which eliminated me from that job.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Doug: This is a picture of my wife, Anita, and I on our trip to Maui several years ago on our wedding anniversary. We took a sunset cruise and this was the picture that was taken before we left on the cruise.
Jessica Altman
Assistant VP–Mortgage Loan Originator
How did you get into community banking?
Jessica: I started working in the banking industry as a residential mortgage loan originator and held that position with a much larger banker for almost 10 years. As the time went on in those years, I felt as if the bank was getting bigger and bigger by acquiring more banks in buyouts and I had the feeling we were losing our personal touch as loan decisions were not being made locally. I was given the opportunity to join Altoona First Savings Bank almost 2 years ago and what drew me to this position was that we are a mutual bank so we are looking to benefit our customers and communities in which we serve. We are able to offer competitive rates and quick turn-around times with loan decisions which are all being made locally. All loans are not cut and dry, there are certain circumstances that are unique and here at Altoona First, we are willing to look at each customer that walks thru the door on a case-by-case basis.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Jessica: I get a great sense of satisfaction with working with my customers on a one-on-one basis to help them through whatever need they may have should it bet purchasing their first home, new construction, debt consolidation, etc. With us being a community bank, we are able to tailor certain loan products to meet their needs.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Jessica: My definition of a community bank is a local based bank that looks out for the needs of our existing and or future customers and communities in which we are located. Our employees are very involved in local organizations which, in return I feel, helps us gain trust and new customers.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Jessica: My husband and myself put out an approximate 750 square foot garden every year. We spend most of our spring, summer and fall harvesting anything and everything that we can get to grow. This past summer we put in 22 tomato plants which grew to be taller than myself which is 63 inches. We do can some of the vegetables that we grow but we both get enjoyment out of giving the items away to friends and family that also like to can and freeze.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Jessica: I have always been an animal lover. Right out of high school, I got a dachshund puppy and as he (Reuben) got older, my husband thought it would be a good idea to maybe introduce another dog into our family so that when Reuben was no longer with us, I would have another 4-legged child to help me thru it. That’s when we rescued Greta, as pictured. This picture is of Miss Greta on one of the first days we brought her home.
