Peoples Security Bank & Trust Announces Participation in EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company (PSBT) today announced that it is sponsoring the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee, taking place April 5-19, 2024. The EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee is a nationwide financial literacy challenge for students in grades 8-12. With 85 percent of Americans feeling stressed about the state of their finances according to a 2021 survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education, the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee provides an opportunity for students to learn the critical importance of saving and budgeting for short-term and long-term financial goals. The virtual challenge, created by Impact-as-a-ServiceTM education innovator EVERFI, and supported by leading financial institutions nationwide, features four short digital lessons followed by a capstone essay contest in which students share a short-term or long-term savings goal and outline their plan to achieve that goal. Three winners of the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee will receive a $500, $250, or $100 prize to jumpstart their savings goals. By competing in the challenge, participating students will gain new skills to create a personalized financial decision-making framework that they can apply to their lives now and in the future. Topics include how to save, set financial goals, budget, and invest. In addition to supporting the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee, PSBT’s partnership with EverFi allows local school districts the opportunity to provide an important educational supplement and gives children the best possible chance to achieve financial wellness. To learn more about the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee, visit https://peoples-security-bank.everfi-next.net/welcome/financial-bee-2024 and psbt.com.
Peoples Security Bank Promotes Staff Member Peoples Security Bank & Trust (PSBT) recently announced that Shane Ely (Scranton) has been promoted to Assistant Branch Manager of the Minooka Office. With this new position, Ely will take on a more active role in establishing a team-based culture and developing positive sales growth. A graduate of the North Pocono School District with certifications in NMLS, Ely has eight years of banking experience with Peoples Security Bank. Ely will be responsible for ensuring area customers receive the best in banking services, offering personal financial guidance, and developing relationships with area businesses. “My number one priority is to serve this community that I care so much about and to build a team environment at the Minooka Office that will deliver exceptional financial services. Creating a strong foothold in our community gives customers the security of better community banking,” says Ely.
Peoples Security Bank Announces Two Recent Promotions Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company (PSBT) recently announced the promotions of Amanda Friday (Scranton) to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager of the Minooka Office and Elvira Davies (Jessup) to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager of the Abington Office. Friday and Davies will be responsible for ensuring area customers receive the best in banking services, mentoring their branch staff, and developing relationships with area businesses. Amanda Friday has nine years of banking experience with Peoples Security Bank. “Some of my job responsibilities include coaching the branch and ensuring that all customer services are being met, customer problems are resolved, sales objectives are met, and standard operating procedures are followed,” said Friday. Friday is currently attending Keystone College and majoring in Business Administration. She is on track to graduate at the end of 2023. Elvira Davies has been with Peoples Security Bank for over 16 years and has a Master’s Degree in Financial Law. Starting as a part time teller at the Green Ridge Office, Davies has become a staple in the community. She has volunteered for NeighborWorks and is planning to become a member of the Rotary Club of the Abingtons. “With encouragement and support of my supervisors, I worked myself up to AVP, Branch Manager. I love what I do, and I’m proud to be a part of the PSBT team!” said Davies.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company Promotes Jeffrey Drobins Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company today announced the promotion of Jeffrey Drobins to Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of the Bank. Drobins previously was Senior Vice President and Market President for Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company’s Lehigh Valley and New Jersey markets, which consist of three locations in Lehigh and Northampton Counties and one location in Middlesex County. He joined the Bank in 2014. “Jeff has consistently achieved strong results for Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company, most recently in his position as Market President for the Bank’s Lehigh Valley and New Jersey market,” said Neal Koplin, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer. “Additionally, Jeff has helped lead the expansion of the Bank into the New Jersey market and has played an instrumental role helping guide the Bank through the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited to welcome Jeff into his new role and we look forward to his continued leadership.” As Chief Lending Officer, Drobins is responsible for profitable growth in commercial, consumer and mortgage lending and for ensuring that borrowers receive an exceptional banking experience. He will also be responsible for leading the origination, portfolio management and credit quality across all lending products. A resident of Schnecksville, PA, Drobins serves on the board of directors of the Greater Easton Development Partnership and the board of directors of the Lehigh Valley Zoo. He is past treasurer and board of directors for the Lehigh Valley Academy and past board of directors for the Lehigh Valley Chamber’s Young Professionals Council. Drobins is a member of Leadership Lehigh Valley Class of 2012, is a recipient of the Lehigh Valley Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 award, and a recipient of the Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal’s Forty Under 40 Spotlight. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Pennsylvania State University.
Johnson College Receives Contribution From Peoples Security Bank & Trust Johnson College recently received a $12,000 contribution from Peoples Security Bank & Trust to support the College’s Industry Fast Track/Dual Enrollment Program. Peoples Security Bank & Trust’s contribution to Johnson College is part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program offers businesses a tax credit for supporting state-approved educational improvement programs. Johnson College is approved to accept EITC contributions in support of its STEM outreach programs and Industry Fast Track program. Johnson College’s Industry Fast Track program offers high school students from participating area school districts an opportunity to enroll simultaneously in secondary and post-secondary coursework at Johnson College. The course meets state requirements for high school graduation while providing college-level courses. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes at Johnson College.
Johnson College Receives Pledge Peoples Security Bank & Trust has pledged $150,000 to Johnson College in support of its $5 million comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, Innovation at Work. Peoples Security Bank & Trust has provided continued support for student programs and scholarships at Johnson College through its monetary contributions. “Peoples Security Bank & Trust is inspired by Johnson College’s vision to be an innovative, experiential, and multi-disciplinary technical hub for the next generation of trailblazing leaders across all industry sectors,” said J. Patrick Dietz, Johnson College Board Chair and Senior Vice President of Peoples Security Bank and Trust. “The college has an extensive history of both nurturing and advancing the career paths of some of the brightest young minds, and the Bank is pleased to bestow a gift that will help to unlock the full potential of the Innovation at Work capital campaign, broadening access to valuable resources and programming for all students.” The Innovation at Work campaign consists of four components that will create an environment for continued growth and success: the construction of Ideal Saldi Hall, a new gateway building that will become the official entrance to the campus and include new lab and classroom spaces; the expansion of Woolworth Hall, which houses on-campus lab space for programs including Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Electrical Construction Technology; the creation of a Transportation Education Center; and support of the College’s Annual Fund and student scholarships. For more details about the Innovation at Work campaign, visit johnson.edu/innovationatwork.
Peoples Financial Services Corp. Announces New Board Member Peoples Financial Services Corp., the holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elisa (Lisa) Zúñiga Ramirez to its Board of Directors. As a result of Ms. Ramirez’s appointment, the Board of Directors was increased from seven members to eight members. Ms. Ramirez brings more than 30 years of executive-level experience in institutional investing and capital markets with a proven track record of value creation. Until her retirement in 2020, she was Senior Portfolio Manager and Principal at Segal Bryant and Hamill, an employee-owned money manager with more than $25 billion in assets under management. Prior to this, she was Senior Portfolio Manager and Partner at Denver Investments LLC, which was acquired by Segal Bryant and Hamill in 2018. Currently, Ms. Ramirez is the President of Éxito Consulting, LLC, which advises boards, companies and individuals on corporate strategy, ESG and financial matters. Lisa is currently a corporate director for Bow River Capital, a $1.6 billion private equity firm and the Denver Employees Retirement Plan, a $2.7 billion public retirement system serving the city of Denver employees and retirees. She is also a director on these non-profits: National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Colorado Chapter; The Denver Foundation; Vuela for Health; and Latinas First Foundation, a scholarship and mentorship program supportive of Colorado Latinas. Ms. Ramirez earned her BSBA from the University of Colorado at Denver and an MBA from Regis University, Denver, CO. She’s a 2021 graduate of Boardbound by Women’s Leadership Foundation, a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds the SASB FSA credential. She’s also an avid supporter of organizations that empower women and stimulate equality and representation in the workplace, as well as foster professional leadership development, including: The Athena Alliance; Latino Corporate Directors Association; Women Corporate Directors; NACD; and Extraordinary Women on Boards (EWOB). Ms. Ramirez commented, “I am excited to be joining the board of such a strong and well-run bank, and look forward to bringing a unique outside perspective to drive stakeholder value. I’m impressed by our bank, our leadership and I feel there is an incredible story to tell. I look forward to bringing my 30 years of investment experience to the table and collaborating with our other impressive and experienced board members.” Regarding Ms. Ramirez’s appointment, William Aubrey, Chairman of Peoples Financial Services Corp.’s board stated, “We are excited to have a person of Lisa’s qualifications and experience join our board. Her capital market experience in analyzing hundreds of small cap companies allows her to bring a long history of value creation to our board. I look forward to working with her to improve shareholder’s value.” Lisa resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Ron, and their twin boys, Román and Mason.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust Announces New Executive Hires John PaganoThomas Guinan Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company (“PSBT”) is pleased to announce the following executive level appointments to its first business center in the state of New Jersey, which is slated for a public grand opening in October 2021. John J. Pagano, Senior Vice President, New Jersey Market Manager Pagano joins the team with over 27 years of banking experience specifically within the commercial real estate market, including the multifamily sector, MHPs, grocer-anchored retail, credit-anchored retail, self storage, industrial and medical office assets. Along with his proficient management capabilities in leading high-performing teams, Pagano holds designated concentrated experience in portfolio management and client retention. Within his management role, Pagano will be instrumental in cultivating the brand’s outward visible presence in the market. As the designated primary leader, his position will also entail proactively building long-term relationships with business owners and clients throughout the region. Prior to his hiring at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Pagano served as Vice President/Relationship Manager at Lakeland Bank in Waldwick, NJ, in which he was responsible for originating, structuring, and negotiating commercial real estate loans throughout South Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware. Previously, he was appointed as Vice President at Oritani Bank in Cherry Hill, NJ, where during his tenure he structured and negotiated commercial real estate loans within the same geographic territory. Prior to that, as Vice President of Columbia Bank in Voorhees, NJ, Pagano was tasked with developing commercial real estate and construction loans while simultaneously establishing and overseeing relationships in South Jersey, as well as the Philadelphia Metro region. Pagano also held senior positions related to commercial lending activities at Amboy National Bank in Old Bridge, NJ, as well as the former United Jersey Bank (Summit Bank) in Princeton, NJ. Pagano earned an Associate of Science degree in Law Enforcement from Mercer County Community College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Rider University. He also received a Certificate in Banking from the American Institute of Banking. A dedicated civic leader and passionate community volunteer, Pagano is a good standing member of the Mortgage Bankers Association. Vice Chairman & Class IV Member of the Florence Township Planning Board, he also holds active memberships with the Florence Township Environmental Commission and Florence Township Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing. He is involved as a subcommittee member for the Former Roebling Steel Site Rezoning Committee, an assistant cubmaster and den leader for Roebling/Florence Pack 3, an assistant scoutmaster for Roebling/Florence Troop 3, and a fundraising chair for the Roebling Pack 3 Committee. Additionally, he is also a BSA-certified Merit Badge Counselor for the Garden State Council. Pagano is a resident of Florence, NJ. Thomas G. Guinan Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Lender Guinan joins the team with over three decades of experience in managing complex portfolios within the commercial mortgage space, construction sector, and residential loan arena. Throughout the duration of his career, Guinan has excelled in creating precise financial solutions to stimulate substantial portfolio management growth to a wide variety of clientele throughout the Tri-State area, as well as Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. In his new executive management role, Guinan will be responsible for developing new commercial business activity in the form of lending, advisory, and treasury services for the regional market. Prior to his recruitment to Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Guinan was most recently named as Vice President, Relationship Manager at Lakeland Bank in Waldwick, NJ. Previously, he was a Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Office at ConnectOneBank in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. His work experience has also included serving as Executive President, Chief Lending Officer at Oritani Bank in the Township of Washington, NJ, and Senior Vice President – Commercial Lending Officer at Columbia Bank in Fair Lawn, NJ. Guinan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In his spare time, he enjoys serving as a Public Member of the Bergen County Bar Ethics Committee, a Trustee of the Bergen County Bar Foundation, and a Trustee of the Hackensack Golf Club. Guinan is a resident of Wyckoff, NJ. “The extraordinary talent and experience of these two professionals will provide depth and added value to our new and existing customers of Peoples Security Bank & Trust in the New Jersey market,” remarked Neal Koplin, Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Banking Officer. “With the support of a strong leadership team in John and Tom, we look forward to welcoming new customers and providing enhanced services to existing customers across this region in the near future.” For customers wishing to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting with either Mr. Pagano or Mr. Guinan before the business center opens in October 2021, they may email: john.pagano@psbt.com or thomas.guinan@psbt.com.
Scranton Bank Orders Lunch for Geisinger Frontline Workers Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. of Scranton ordered lunch from DaVinci Pizza for 125 employees at Geisinger Community Medical Center last week to honor frontline workers. Throughout the month of March, Peoples Security Bank donated more than 1,600 meals from area restaurants to 13 hospitals across the state and in New York. Up to 125 frontline providers from each hospital received a lunch or dinner, along with a special message of encouragement and appreciation for their selflessness and commitment to their patients. “Over the past year, most of us have spent all of our waking hours thinking about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and what it means for us and our families,” said Alicen Backus, marketing representative for Peoples Security Bank. “People who live in our communities have all faced hardships in one way or another, and no one has experienced the impact more than our health care workers, who have been working on the frontline, day in and day out, through it all.“ To honor their continued service and sacrifices, Peoples Security Bank pledged more than $80,000 in the past year to support health care workers and regional food banks within the bank’s Pennsylvania-based footprint grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “On behalf of everyone at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, thank you to everyone at Geisinger for all that you do for our community,” Backus said.
