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 Tioga-Franklin Savings Bank. Core principles of the bank include conservative investing, offering competitive rates to both depositors and borrowers, responding quickly and courteously to customer concerns, and keeping fees to a minimum. Their employees have a simple goal; extraordinary customer service. They accomplish this by observing a common set of values. There are no shortcuts; they believe that their goals are accomplished only with real commitment from each one of their employees. It is the employees that continually strive to make Tioga-Franklin Savings Bank “the little bank with the big difference.”
Charles “Chip” O’Connell, III
Controller
How did you get into community banking?
Chip: Community banking for me was defined before I started in banking, when I was a check-casher in the Feltonville section of Philadelphia. The vibrant, gritty, and fast pace of the community fulfilling its needs was present every week in that little store. Bill payments, tax preparation, money orders, MoneyGram wires, and check cashing happened quite often and in rushes. Families supported each other, and people found their financial needs completed directly in front of their eyes. Individuals found self-sufficiency of lifestyle, and others just wanted prompt service. That experience gave me an understanding of community banking, the services the customers seek daily, and the ever-changing needs of the people who define our communities.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Chip: The most rewarding aspect of what we do at TFSB is to be a part of our surrounding community, donating to events, and responding to the financial needs of those whom we consider our neighbors and friends. Having the community succeed is rewarding for me as a part of TFSB.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Chip: I define community banking by the word community. TFSB works for and participates with the people of our community every day. We are the people who know your name, what we can do to meet your banking needs, how to find a way to help you get that home, or guide you to those who might be able to help you if it’s beyond the banks’ capability.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Chip: I’m a Pennsylvania Free Mason. As such, we participate in the local community where our lodge is located in the Tacony section of Philadelphia. Free Masonry promotes fellowship, personal growth through community events, and youth groups.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Chip: The fifth picture in my camera roll is me working the griddle with friends for my lodge’s annual Pancake Breakfast, where we have the community in for a filling breakfast of unlimited pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee and juice. The event brings people in from around the community, allows us the opportunity to connect with our neighbors and friends and develop new members for our youth groups. This year, the Rainbow Youth organization reached out to Dietz and Watson; their efforts resulted in a donation of a significant amount of bacon that we couldn’t cook fast enough for our hungry customers.
Hoan Thai
Commercial Lender, AVP
How did you get into community banking?
Hoan: By pure accident! I was a client of the bank for many years, and I saw an opportunity where I would be a good fit for the bank. I’ve been able to market the bank’s products to highly qualified borrowers that I knew from my real estate investor school. The bank got to gain new clients, and my students got to work with me as their lender. Win-Win!
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Hoan: The most rewarding aspect, for sure, has been the ability to improve the financial future of my borrowers. By giving them a loan, they are now able to continue to grow their business, employ more people, support their families, and do everything else that comes with a healthy and thriving business.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Hoan: A bank that is willing to listen to their clients and provide the appropriate product for their client’s unique situation. Borrowers may not always know what to ask for, so the lenders must listen for what the client needs even if the client asks for something completely different we should always recommend a product that, we know, serves their best interest. That is how you generate a lifelong client. When you do what’s right, everything else takes care of itself.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Hoan: I hate condiments! All my food must be condiment-free. Almost every meal I order, when I go out, is a custom order since most items come with some sauce or condiment. Hold the sauce, please.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Hoan: The fifth picture in my camera roll is of me at the high school that I graduated from, Central High School in Philadelphia. I went back for their career fair, and I got to share with the students the importance of acquiring assets for their portfolio. I focused mainly on real estate as the asset of choice since that is my specialty. If these young people purchased rental properties at the age of 18, leveraged 25-year mortgages, and paid their debt service as scheduled, they would reach the ripe old age of 43 with fully paid off properties. Imagine if they had 10 paid-off properties that each appreciated to $500,000 over 25 years. That’s $5 million in equity on top of any other savings they may have generated over the years. That’s setting up our future generations correctly.
Joseph Mesi
Director of Residential Lending
How did you get into community banking?
Joseph: I was hired as a teller with PSFS back in 1984 as a referral through a high school classmate.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in community banking?
Joseph: Being in the mortgage industry, the most rewarding part is when I complete the purchase of a new home for a borrower. It’s very satisfying to see someone’s dreams come true.
People always want a definition of “community bank,” what’s yours?
Joseph: A community bank is your friend and neighbor. The people who work there know your name when you walk in the door.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
Joseph: I have been in the banking industry and mortgage in particular for 35 years and have had my own mortgage company for 13 years.
What is the 5th picture in your camera roll on your phone, and can you please share the story behind it?
Joseph: I set up the table every year for Thanksgiving. Coming from an Italian family, my wife and I cook dinner every Thanksgiving. My one brother hosts Christmas, and we eat Easter over at my brother-in-law’s house. Since my wife is always busy cooking, especially the night before, I took it upon myself to set up the table. I do it every year.
