Growing Up With Penn Community Bank

From a childhood savings account to a mortgage for his second family home, Rory McMullen has relied upon the team at Penn Community Bank for banking and lending solutions throughout the various stages of his life.

Rory was about 13 years old when he opened his first account at Penn Community Bank, a savings account to hold the proceeds of his first job. Over the years, he grew close to the team at his local branch in Riegelsville, establishing checking accounts and, when the time came, working with them to obtain his first mortgage to buy his first house. In the fall of 2021, he again relied upon the team at his hometown bank as he and his wife sold their first home and bought a new home that better suited their growing family.

The McMullens keep coming back to Penn Community Bank throughout the changing stages of their lives because they value the relationships they have built with the bank and its people.

“I’ve stayed with Penn Community since I’ve been a young kid,” Rory said. “I knew most of the tellers as a child growing up either because they were family friends or because they were a teller at the bank. I really like the feel of that relationship and that you can get to know people on that level. You don’t feel like you’re just a person passing through.”

Rory relied on established relationships when navigating the stresses of a competitive housing market. He reached out to Penn Community Bank at the start of the home-buying process because of his positive experience working with Riegelsville branch manager Sue Matthias when he bought his first home in 2006. He became connected with mortgage officer Melissa Thornton, who worked closely with him to find a home that was right for his family. Over a period of almost three years, Melissa was in constant communication with Rory about various home-buying considerations.

“We talked about timing, budgeting, everything that comes along with relocating,” Melissa said. “If a property came up that he was interested in, we would evaluate how it would impact his family. I know we talked about everything from what playground they would go to, his backyard, location, the size of the house.”

Rory knew there were a variety of important factors to consider. His first home went through extensive renovations when he got married and started a family. Now that his children were getting older, he was looking for a potential “forever home.”

“This was going to be the home where my first daughter would be starting school as a kindergartner,” said Rory. “And we wanted it to be a home that we would be comfortable enough in to know that we would want to spend 20 or 25 years there. This is where we are literally setting up roots and hopefully our family will only continue to grow and mature in this home.”

Throughout the family’s home-buying journey, Melissa was there every step of the way. Rory relied on his established relationship with Penn Community Bank, as well as the realtor who had helped him buy his first home, often checking in once or twice a week.

“We really got in-depth,” Melissa said. “He would communicate with his realtor and get feedback from me to make sure that all aspects of his move were for the best benefit for his family. It was just great communication, and I loved working with them.”

At the end of the process, Rory had relocated his family to a house that was well-suited to all their needs, as well as nurtured a relationship going back three generations.

“I keep going back to Penn Community Bank because I think there is value in personal relationships. We’ve established trust,” said Rory, noting that he would work with the bank for future home-buying needs.

Melissa also counts the experience as a success and looks forward to working with the McMullen family for years to come.

“It took them almost three years to get the perfect house, but when it worked out, it was just so awesome,” said Melissa. “It’s three generations that have been banking with us, and now we are working with additional family members. My favorite part of the job is getting to know people, learning about their experiences and their priorities. I love working with folks and getting them into their house.”