The Dime Bank Promotes Gary Schemel II to Assistant VP The Dime Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Gary Schemel II to the position of Assistant Vice President. In his role, Mr. Schemel is responsible for the oversight of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) / Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and the fraud department. He is instrumental in designing, implementing, and overseeing the BSA/AML compliance program, ensuring the Bank’s adherence to relevant laws and regulations, and investigating potential suspicious activity. Schemel joined The Dime Bank in September 2015, as a fraud specialist. In December 2021, he was promoted to BSA-fraud manager, and most recently, in December 2024, he was elevated to BSA/AML fraud officer. This latest promotion to assistant vice president recognizes his significant contributions and expertise in this critical area. “We are delighted to recognize Gary’s hard work and commitment with this well-deserved promotion,” said Peter Bochnovich, The Dime Bank president and chief executive officer. “Gary has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of BSA/AML regulations and has played a vital role in ensuring the integrity and security of The Dime Bank. His dedication and expertise make him an invaluable asset to our team. Please join me in congratulating Gary and wishing him continued success.” Schemel brings eleven years of banking experience to his new role, including his tenure at The Dime Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from King’s College. He has furthered his professional development by completing the PA Bankers Association’s Banking School in 2018 and is currently enrolled in the PBA Advanced School of Banking. Additionally, Schemel earned his BSA/AML Professional Certification from the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) in 2023. Outside of his professional achievements, Schemel is currently taking an improv class. “At The Dime Bank, teamwork really makes the dream work,” said Gary Schemel II. “I am honored and grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of The Dime Bank in this elevated capacity.”
The Dime Bank and PA Bankers Warn of Uptick in Phishing Scams The Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers) announced today that banks across the commonwealth are seeing an uptick in phishing scams targeting their customers via phone, email and text messages. These phishing scams are communications designed to trick consumers into providing confidential information (like account numbers, passwords or PINS) either online or over the phone to someone impersonating a bank employee. Victims of phishing scams can lose hundreds, even thousands of dollars. The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Phishing attacks can appear very convincing, so it’s crucial to remain vigilant and question any suspicious requests for your information. The Dime Bank will never ask you to click on unfamiliar links or provide sensitive details. Your online security depends on your awareness. The Dime Bank is continually educating our communities and implementing safeguards to protect our customer account information from ever-changing scams.” The association and The Dime Bank urge consumers to remember the following: • Banks will never ask for your personal information via phone, text or email. You may be asked to verify confidential information if you call your bank, but banks will never call you to ask for this information. If you receive an incoming call from someone claiming to be your bank, the safest thing you can do is hang up and call your bank’s publicly listed customer service number. • If you receive a suspicious email or text, do not download any attachments, click on any links or reply to the sender. Report the email or text by forwarding emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org and text messages to SPAM (7726). Finally, report the phishing attack to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. • If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up or end the call and do not respond to the caller’s requests. • If you feel that you have been the victim of a scam and may have provided personal or important financial information, contact The Dime Bank and your other financial institutions immediately via a publicly listed customer service number. Often, this is found on the back of your bank card. Be sure to include any relevant details, such as whether the suspicious caller attempted to impersonate your bank and whether any personal or financial information was provided to the suspicious caller. “PA Bankers and its member banks take consumers’ financial well-being seriously,” said Duncan Campbell, PA Bankers’ president and CEO. “Banks are constantly working hard to protect their customers’ money through a variety of safeguards, but one of the most effective ways to prevent consumers from falling victim to phishing scams is through continued education.” In October, the American Bankers Association (ABA) launched its annual #BanksNeverAskThat campaign, which seeks to turn the table on fraudsters by empowering consumers to spot bogus bank phishing scams by using attention-grabbing humor and other engaging content. Consumers are encouraged to visit banksneveraskthat.com for an interactive game, a quiz and tips to help them learn more about these scams. “The easiest way to spot a phishing scam is to remember that ‘Banks Never Ask That.’ When something looks or sounds suspicious, it likely is,” said Campbell.
The Dime Bank Promotes Maurice Dennis to Director of Lending Maurice (Mick) Dennis to now serve as Director of Lending at The Dime Bank, announced President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich. He will supervise the bank’s commercial, mortgage, and consumer lenders as well as special assets. Additionally, Dennis will continue to assist area businesses attain the financing they need to grow. Dennis brings to this role over 16 years of distinguished experience in the financial sector, a career marked by consistent growth and exceptional performance. Dennis has been helping The Dime Bank business customers since 2019 as vice president commercial loan officer, where he played a crucial role in actively seeking and developing new commercial loan relationships while maintaining strong relationships with existing customers. Prior to The Dime Bank, Dennis honed his expertise through a series of progressive roles. He began his career developing a rigorous foundation in commercial loan underwriting and evaluation. He then excelled as a commercial documentation officer, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of critical loan processes. His proven track record of success led to further advancement, where he effectively expanded business relationships in northeastern PA and the Poconos. Dennis’ banking career began with a strong academic background, including degrees from two well-respected universities. He graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Scranton and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Over the course of his career, he has supplemented his education with professional course certificates attained through the PA Bankers Association. He is also a graduate of Leadership Wayne. President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich stated, “Please join me in congratulating Mick on his promotion to Director of Lending. For the past five years, Mick has demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise, and leadership within our lending department. His deep understanding of the financial landscape, coupled with his commitment to fostering strong customer relationships and community involvement, has been instrumental in his success. Mick’s ability to navigate complex lending scenarios, his innovative approach to problem-solving, and his unwavering focus on responsible lending practices have exceeded expectations. He has proven himself to be an asset, and I am confident that in this new role he will continue to drive growth and excellence in our lending operations.” Dennis is the proud founder of Wayne Highlands Little League and continues to serve on the board of directors as treasurer. He is also a board member of Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance Business Financial Corporation.
The Dime Bank Supports Pocono Environmental Education Center The Dime Bank is proud to announce a $9,000.00 donation to the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit to support their hands-on environmental education programs for local school students. “The Dime Bank is committed to supporting initiatives that promote environmental education and sustainability,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich. “We believe that investing in the future of our planet is essential, and PEEC’s programs are a valuable resource for our community’s young people.” PEEC’s mission is to inspire, educate, and empower people to care for the natural world. Through their innovative programs, students have the opportunity to explore the wonders of nature, learn about environmental issues, and develop a deeper appreciation for the planet. Director of Development Amanda Subjin stated, “We are so thankful for the support of The Dime Bank through the EITC program. The majority of the funding we receive through these donations is dedicated towards providing hands-on environmental education programming to local school students either by visiting their classroom or when they come to PEEC for a field trip. How exciting for students to connect with their local national recreation area!”
Dime Bank Parent Company Dimeco, Inc. Names New Director The Board of Directors of Dimeco, Inc, (OTCQX: DIMC), the parent holding company of The Dime Bank, announced that Mike Peifer has joined the board of directors’ team. Mike Peifer is a senior advisor with Novak Strategic Advisors, where he provides wide-ranging, strategic solutions to everyday business needs. Additionally, Peifer has represented the 139th district, encompassing parts of Pike and Wayne counties, in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for eight terms. Mike Peifer stated, “It is exciting to continue to serve our community as a member of Dimeco’s board of directors. The Dime Bank has a long history and deep roots in our region, and it is an honor to be joining the team. Together, we will strive to uphold the values and traditions that have made The Dime Bank a cornerstone in our region, while also embracing innovation and new opportunities to better serve our customers and shareholders.” Known for his deep understanding of the state’s intricate fiscal matters, Peifer played a significant role in the Commonwealth budget process and tax code revisions as a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the House Finance Committee. Peifer’s public service extends to local government, having previously held the position of Pike County Treasurer. Before entering politics, he practiced as a certified public accountant and served as a senior tax consultant at Price Waterhouse. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Mike’s background in the private financial sector and as a small business owner, combined with his current advisory role and extensive understanding of state government, provide him with knowledge of various matters and a distinctive viewpoint to augment the breadth of board of directors. Mike’s leadership abilities and talent for consensus-building will fit in nicely with our existing members. We are pleased he has joined our team as we continue to grow while serving our customers and shareholders.”
The Dime Bank Contributes to the Wayne County Public Library The Dime Bank recently contributed $30,000.00 to the Wayne County Public Library (WCPL) through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. The libraries are approved for two Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) programs. Learning @ the Library which supports in-house and outreach programs aimed at K- 12 students. The second is Teen Tech @ the Library which provides specialized teen programs in STEAM, robotics, computers, and online resources. The library’s outreach coordinator, Scarlett Davidson, works with the three school districts in the library’s service area (Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack, and Western Wayne) to provide a wide variety of training, Storytimes, STEM, and other innovative literacy/learning programs. Scarlett helps students, teachers, and their families understand not only what the library has to offer, but how to access resources from home such as Tutor.com, LearningExpress Library, Teen Health and Wellness, Core Concepts: Biology, Chemistry, Periodic Table, and PowerKnowledge: Earth and Space, Life, and Physical Sciences. “The Dime Bank’s Investment in the seven Libraries of Wayne County via the EITC program is an investment in the future of Wayne County,” said Library Director Tracy Schwarz. “Funding for quality programming is difficult to come by. We simply could not do what we do for the community without this level of support. We can’t thank The Dime Bank enough for supporting the future of our community by supporting the library’s approved EIO programs. Thank you for allowing us to create connections, memories, and learning that will last a lifetime!”
Dime Bank Employees Graduate from School of Banking Several Dime Bank employees recently completed coursework offered by the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers), the state’s leading banking trade association offering extensive continuing education programs. Viktoria L. Beiter, Lake Region branch universal banker III, and Riley P. Terysen, Indian Orchard branch manager, graduated from PA Bankers Advanced School of Banking on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the Penn Stater Conference Center, State College. PA Bankers’ Advanced School of Banking is a three-year program that teaches financial services knowledge and skills and paves the road for participants to become leaders at any level within their organization. The curriculum provides a greater understanding of the multiple banking disciplines and how those disciplines work together within the bank. It is analogous to 200-, 300- and 400-level college course study. Beiter received the prestigious Dr. Philip O. Benham, Jr. Achievement Award. Only one or two students each year qualify to receive the Dr. Philip O. Benham, Jr. Achievement Award, as they must achieve the highest academic achievements throughout the three-year school. The award honors the late Dr. Philip O. Benham, Jr., a longtime PA Bankers’ Advanced School of Banking faculty member and curriculum coordinator from Hollidaysburg, PA. Benham, Jr. taught leadership skills and management development, authored several novels, and was nationally recognized as an expert judge on publication of leadership articles in leading educational journals. Nicholas Pomroy, assistant vice president network administrator, Elisabeth McConnell, commercial lending administration specialist, and Brandon Stanton, Accountant II, graduated from PA Bankers School of Banking. The PA Bankers School of Banking provides students with a broad base of knowledge of the financial services industry, which can be applied in a practical manner. Topics taught at this 100-level school cover the banking system, understanding bank financial statements, marketing to customers, compliance, lending, motivation, and supervision. President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich stated, “As a community bank, we are driven to provide opportunities for our employees to enhance their education and we are proud of this year’s graduates who made a big commitment to expand their knowledge of the banking industry and thus enrich their abilities to service our customers and grow with The Dime Bank.”
The Dime Bank Announces Four Officer Promotions The Dime Bank recently promoted four key team members to continue strengthening and developing their management team. Brian Haun to Vice President; Victoria L. Agazzi to Assistant Vice President; Nicholas Pomroy to Assistant Vice President; and Marcris A. Rueger to Assistant Vice President. Brian Haun joined The Dime Bank seventeen years ago in September of 2006 as a member of The Dime Bank’s Wealth Management department. He then went through The Dime Bank management trainee program. Haun was promoted through various positions including mortgage collection advisor and loan officer. In 2019, Haun was promoted to Assistant Vice President. His current position as Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer affords him an opportunity to assist business customers. Victoria L. Agazzi joined The Dime Bank in April of 2022 as The Dime Bank’s Greentown Branch Manager. Agazzi has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager, managing the overall operations of the Greentown branch to meet the financial service needs of The Dime Bank’s customers. She works with management in the strategic planning for the branch market area to assist with overall goals of The Dime Bank and her staff’s development. Agazzi is involved in the Greentown area and supports various initiatives throughout the community. Agazzi has been in banking for the last 14 years; starting as a teller right out of college and working her way up through various roles. She has been a branch manager for the last seven years. Agazzi states, “All the years of my banking career have been spent working for community banks and I believe supporting our communities is vital to our success. I have a true passion for helping people achieve their financial goals and providing excellent service.” Nicholas Pomroy joined The Dime Bank team in September 2020 with several years of experience in information technology, specifically as an information security support specialist. As Assistant Vice President, Network Administrator, Pomroy is responsible for planning, coordination, design, installation, and connectivity of computer and network systems to ensure the stable operation of The Dime Bank’s information technology network and infrastructure assets. This includes developing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing all new and existing network hardware, software, and communication protocols. Marcris A. Rueger joined The Dime Bank’s Damascus team as branch manager in 2022. Rueger brought many years of banking experience to The Dime Bank including branch administration and training. With this promotion to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager, Rueger will continue to manage the Damascus branch, assisting customers to attain their financial goals. She will also take on increased project management roles for the overall bank. Rueger states, “The role of the Damascus manager is a wonderful experience. I have a certificate in accounting, and I enjoy learning new tasks. I am always up for challenging situations, and I believe each day is an opportunity to learn.” President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Please join me in congratulating this group of employees and wishing them the best going forward. At The Dime Bank, our journey is directed toward growth and prosperity. We are dedicated to creating authentic relationships with our customers, giving back to our communities, and enhancing our shareholders’ investment. To realize these initiatives, we need an advancing management team whose abilities and efforts will help us attain our goals, and whose enthusiasm and leadership will carry us into our future.”
The Honesdale National Bank and Local Banks Showcase Strength of Community Banking The FDIC’s seizure of two larger financial institutions once again shapes the current and future landscape of the financial industry. Fortunately, local businesses and families remain ever supported by the strength and stability of three banks through which this corner of Northeastern Pennsylvania was built. The stability of a community can often be defined by the strength of the partnerships that comprise it. For Honesdale and the greater Wayne County area, the individual and collective business practices of The Honesdale National Bank, The Dime Bank, and Wayne Bank continue to fasten the region’s seams. While the institutions are unique, since their foundings they have shared a common goal — supporting the residents and businesses across the widening breadth of the communities they serve. Diversifying their loan concentrations and oftentimes sharing the risk burden in the name of business development has paved a landscape that is symbolic of community banking. No financial institution is completely immune to the impact of economic, political or industry-driven events. These Banks’ conservative business models have helped decrease exposure and effectively manage the market’s highs and lows. Their healthy capital and investment strategies have shepherded expansion in markets and resources to stabilize external pressures and foster growth opportunities. Healthy competition and collaboration are what set these community banks apart and continue to provide strong, dynamic financial resources for the local population. The leadership of Wayne Bank, The Honesdale National Bank, and The Dime Bank continue to monitor the markets closely and are prepared to respond to changes as necessary. The local teams at each of their office locations are also available to support questions regarding FDIC insurance and individual financial needs.
