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 Harleysville Bank, a community bank operating branches across Montgomery County. Chartered in 1915, Harleysville Bank continues to serve their community with trust, fairness, teamwork, customer service, honesty and integrity. Harleysville Bank’s mission is to create value for their customers, team members, stockholders and community by consistently providing an exceptional community banking experience.
Jean Wieder
Vice President, Business Services
How did you get into community banking?
Jean: I entered into community banking at the suggestion of my mother-in-law who was a customer of a local community bank. She had heard they were hiring and suggested I apply. I had gone to college for a different career, but was led to apply at the bank. I started as a teller with this community bank, working my way through the branch system, then to the Cash Management Department over the 20 years I was there. That community bank was sold, but prior to that, I received a call from a former colleague who moved his career to Harleysville Savings Bank. I wasn’t really looking for a new position, but applied anyway. The interview went great and it felt like ‘home’. I have now been with Harleysville Bank for over 11 years. There is a vast difference between a community bank and a regional bank. I truly enjoy working with our community businesses. I believe that if we help our community businesses succeed, we will succeed as a result. It’s not ‘just a bank for community businesses’, but a relationship and partnership with our community businesses for the benefit of all involved.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Jean: I love helping others. As a Business Service Specialist, I help businesses transition to their ‘last bank’. Finding the right financial products they need to help them run their business easier and saving them time is what I love doing. We live in a community with such vast businesses – retail, manufacturing, services, etc. I love learning what businesses do and how they do it. Adding value to business relationships we have also brings satisfaction for a job well done. We add value to our businesses through education of the owners and their employees. We have an “Ask a Banker” program to educate the community with financial literacy. There are several financial topics they can choose from for their team; whether it be first time home buyers or raising financially smart kids or how to save for the future. For some topics we partner with some of our outside resources for their expertise on the subject. It’s all about being the ‘go-to’ banker for our community.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Jean: Many times, people look at the numbers (asset size) or how many branches you have to determine if it is a community bank. I feel a true community bank has the community in the forefront to serve and be there for. Our Mission Statement is on the back of all our business cards and shares the heart of Harleysville Bank. “To create value for our customers, team members, stock holders and community by consistently providing an exceptional community banking experience.” Our Board of Directors, all local business owners, run all their decisions through our mission statement before moving ahead with anything. Being a community bank is about being a servant leader, serving the communities in which we are located. Ask our customers. They will tell you that they experience an ‘exceptional community bank service’ every time they step foot in a branch or see us out in the community.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Jean: Hmmm…That is a loaded question.
I love living life and have a varied family/social life. My husband and I have been avid motorcycle riders since our children were teenagers. We have traveled to Florida several times and out west on the bike. We try to have at least one vacation each year on the motorcycle. Our children are grown and we are now grandparents as of September 2018, enjoying every minute! Our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter live in New Hampshire, so we have been making many trips.
For the past year and a half, we have been fostering an 11-year-old boy. It was quite a challenge and change from being an empty nester. There are so many children out there needing a safe, loving home to live in. It’s another way to serve our community and meet the needs of those who need it most. We have a wonderful church family who is so supportive with our fostering, offering prayers, encouragement and counseling.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Jean: When I looked at my camera roll and saw the picture, I was thrilled to be able to share it! It is a picture of our granddaughter sitting on Santa’s lap. Funny, my son also works at a community bank in New Hampshire. They had Santa visit before Christmas and she did great sitting on his lap for the first time!
Derek Moyer
Assistant Controller
How did you get into community banking?
Derek: Growing up, I can’t say that working in community banking, or the banking industry as a whole, was at the top of my list of jobs I wanted to do when I was older. Like many other boys, those spots were held by things like becoming a professional football or baseball player. Although my dreams of becoming a professional athlete didn’t pan out, I found a career path where I excelled. I had been told that I was a “numbers guy” and always enjoyed problem solving so I changed gears and pursued a degree in Accounting from DeSales University. Once I graduated and stepped out into the professional world, I thought what better place to begin my career than the local bank down the street? I knew I wanted to work for an organization that was well-established, respected and present in the community and Harleysville Bank was that place for me.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Derek: The most rewarding aspect of working in community banking is that I get to serve my neighbors, family and friends. I come to work each day knowing that completing my job to the best of my ability puts the bank in a better position to serve and meet the community’s needs. It is very satisfying to see not only a local organization, but the company I work for, so involved in giving back. Having grown up, and currently living, in Harleysville, I have truly seen the positive effects that a bank can have on its community.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Derek: To quote the vision statement of Harleysville Bank, “To be Your Trusted Financial Partner.” I believe this is a great definition of what a community bank is. The bank and community are teams that work together. People are counting on us to do our part and support them with a quality service they need.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Derek: I enjoy fishing at the Jersey shore, skiing in the Rockies and learning to play guitar in my spare time. I can’t actually read sheet music or play very many songs, but my 9-month-old son loves when I play! My wife, however, has a different opinion on my guitar strumming.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Derek: The picture is of myself, my wife Samantha, and our 9-month-old son, Jack. This fall we did a little family photo shoot, turns out Jack loves the camera!
Dean Shollenberger
Vice President, Commercial Lending
How did you get into community banking?
Dean: I started my lending career with Farm Credit loaning money to farmers. As the suburban sprawl encroached on our community, the number of farmers dwindled to the point where the Farm Credit office eventually closed. My options were to move out of the community or to join the commercial lending department of a community bank. I chose the community bank where I lived and raised a family.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Dean: Financing young entrepreneurs to become very successful business people.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Dean: It is a bank that makes its decisions based on the four equal stakeholders of the bank: Customers, Employees, Shareholders, and Community.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Dean: I have an Agricultural Degree from Penn State. My hobby for the past 29 years has been raising beef cattle.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Dean: I have been involved in the Montgomery County 4-H program for over 35 years. The 5th photo in my camera roll is a photo of tents set up for a 4-H fundraiser. Harleysville Bank is a supporter of the 4-H program and donated a tent for the event.
