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 Clarion County Community Bank. The Clarion County Community Bank opened for business on January 8, 2004 and currently operates in four locations; the main office in Clarion and branch offices in New Bethlehem, Rimersburg and Franklin, Pennsylvania. A publicly traded company on the OTC Pink Marketplace, under the symbol CCYY, Clarion Co. Community Bank provides financial services in both Clarion and Venango Counties. The bank provides checking and savings accounts, residential mortgage, commercial real estate, and commercial and consumer loans throughout its service area, providing residents access to equity for any and all of their personal and business needs, proving the truth of their motto: “Clarion County Community Bank, there is a difference!”
Lisa Renfrew
Business Banker
How did you get into community banking?
Lisa: My prior experience included working for the local Department of Agriculture office and at a small community credit union. I welcomed an opportunity to accept a position with Clarion County Community Bank six years ago to further my career as a business banker.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Lisa: I thoroughly enjoy working closely with business customers to structure lending packages that will help them reach their business goals. Along with that, I provide one-on-one customer service to our business customers. That is very rewarding.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Lisa: My definition of a “community bank” is a financial institution whose employees know their customer’s names and truly want to help the customer. They also know their community and help it grow and prosper.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Lisa: My husband and I have owned and operated a local farm for over 30 years. We have a beef and grain operation and farm over 500 acres. I have a deep appreciation for the importance of agriculture in our community and in our nation. Farming is a way of life for us, not just an occupation.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Lisa: The picture is of my rescue donkeys, Little Miss Sassafras, or Sassy, and her friend Chico. I rescued these donkeys from a poor living situation. They keep us laughing with their donkey antics and they love getting attention from visitors on the Renfrew farm. They enjoy a life of leisure.
Lara Bell
Credit Review Director
How did you get into community banking?
Lara: Community banking was introduced tome 27 years ago when I was in college working as a cashier at a local grocery store. TheBranch Manager at the local bank office, who shopped at the store on a regular basis, encouraged me to apply for a teller position in her office. A few years later the office was purchased by a local community bank. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with many talented people both in retail and in loan operation positions. For the past eight years I can proudly say that I have loved being a part of the developing growth with Clarion County Community Bank.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Lara: The most rewarding aspect of working in a community bank developed with my position in the loan department. I appreciate the efforts of local business owners. Their vision to create, expand, improve our industries and to promote economic growth is extremely vital to the future of our region. A bank’s lending ability empowers the visionaries to continue to grow our economy. Knowing that I was able to contribute to economic growth by helping with their lending needs has been so rewarding.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Lara: My definition of a community bank is to be there when the community needs you. It may be to help with a new loan, find the right investment, or volunteer for a local event. Our ability to help our neighbors and friends achieve the success they strive for is why we are here. Our dedicated employees, range of products and exceptional services are what sets us apart from others.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Lara: I love astronomy. Star gazing at a clear, calm night sky is fascinating. Looking for constellations is so relaxing to me. I could spend hours enjoying a peaceful night sky.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Lara: The 5th picture on my camera is a painting I did at a painting class. The painting class was a fundraiser for a local sportsman’s club to fund and promote youth hunting camps.
Cindy Elder
Branch Manager
How did you get into community banking?
Cindy: In December of 1983, I received a call from a friend who was working in a small community bank in my neighborhood. She wanted to know if I thought I would be interested in working for the bank where she was employed because they were looking for a full time teller. I thought about it for just a few minutes. I was at a point in my life where my children were in school and I needed to be involved in life in a different capacity. I went to the bank and filled out an application just to see what would happen. Before I got home, I had received a call for an interview. The rest is history, and I have been working for a community bank ever since. Working for a community bank has afforded me opportunities to work in many areas of banking with many different and diverse people who have years and years of experience. It has been immensely rewarding and highly educational.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Cindy: Community banking can be somewhat like having a family reunion all the time. It is extremely rewarding when people tell you about their dreams, their families, their expectations, and their future plans. They come to you looking for advice and guidance and even education and understanding. As you work through your day-to-day job, you begin to realize how important a bank really is to the people who you live around and beside every day. If you are lucky enough to stay in a position long enough, you actually feel like you have become a part of these families that you serve each day. You get to see firsthand as their lives take shape. The other rewarding aspect of community banking is the education and experiences that you receive from people who basically feel the same way you feel. Th at team effort has accomplished amazing things over the years.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Cindy: For me, it is very difficult to clearly define “community bank.” It means family to me, and family is constantly moving. As a bank family, we grow and expand, we slow down as we grow older, and our role then becomes that of the caretaker. As the family grows, so does our role and our interactions with other family members. Th e one constant factor throughout all aspects is the continual building of our evolving relationships and the ability to meet ever-changing needs.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Cindy: Ever since I was a little girl, and that was a long time ago, I have wanted to have a real live giraffe living in my back yard. I have always been fascinated with the creature. When I look at them I see a gentle giant that seems to have no worries except to look down on everything around them and just observe with no hurry or demand. I wonder what they think about as they watch from their high vantage point.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Cindy: The picture is of my youngest granddaughter Gabby. She was nine years old and she was at the new Keystone Safari facility. The facility was just newly opened and there were not many people there that day. I was not able to attend with her because I was at work, but my daughter sent me the picture as it was happening. If you read the answer to the picture question, you will understand why this is my very favorite picture ever…
