2024

‘Mutual Interest’ explores the Power of Authentic Partnerships and provides timely business insights

PERKASIE, Pa. (April 2024) – Penn Community Bank, the largest independent mutual bank in eastern Pennsylvania, is proud to announce the release of the second issue of its business magazine: Mutual Interest. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, this issue focuses on the theme of “The Power of Authentic Partnerships” and offers timely economic updates, actionable content from thought leaders, and inspiring customer spotlights.

In this issue, the organization highlights The Martin, an apartment complex in Doylestown financed by Penn Community Bank in partnership with Arcadia Land Company and the HOW Group. This project exemplifies the bank’s commitment to fostering community development through strategic collaborations.

Other key articles in this issue include:

• Preparing businesses for economic uncertainty
• Results from last issue’s business leader survey
• How to protect your business against spoofing
• The benefits of community banks when it comes to credit

“We’re excited to continue providing thought leadership and developing meaningful relationships that drive economic growth in our communities,” said Bernard Tynes, Chief Experience & Impact Officer at Penn Community Bank. “By sharing insights on authentic partnerships and providing practical advice on navigating economic challenges, we aim to empower our business community to thrive in any environment.”

To read the latest edition of Mutual Interest and subscribe for future issues, visit PennCommunityBank.com/Magazine.

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About Penn Community Bank: Penn Community Bank holds more than $2.9 billion in assets, employs more than 300 people, and offers banking and lending services at financial centers throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. As an independent, mutual financial institution, Penn Community Bank is not publicly traded and operates with its long-term mission in mind: to help businesses grow and prosper, to provide financial resources to individuals and families throughout their lifetimes, to strengthen the local economy, and to partner with local organizations to act as a catalyst for positive growth in every market it serves.

Penn Community Bank President & CEO recognized Most Powerful Women to Watch™ for second consecutive year

NEW YORK CITY (September 2024) – Penn Community Bank, the largest independent mutual bank in eastern Pennsylvania, is proud to announce president and CEO Jeane M. Vidoni has once again been named one of the Most Powerful Women to Watch™ by leading financial services magazine American Banker.

Now in its 22nd year, American Banker‘s The Most Powerful Women initiative recognizes individuals and teams for demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, strong business performance and a commitment to driving real outcomes for diversity, equity and inclusion in financial services. As part of that program, The Most Powerful Women to Watch rankings feature influential leaders at the top of banks and financial institutions who are on the upswing in a big way.

“Keep your eyes on these women in the years ahead,” said Chana Schoenberger, Editor-in-Chief of American Banker. “They exemplify modern leadership, with significant contributions to both their businesses and the industry at large. It hasn’t been an easy year for banks and financial institutions, but progress continues — not by chance, but through the determined efforts of these women.”

“Receiving this recognition from American Banker for the second consecutive year is a true honor – especially considering the inspiring female leaders in our industry,” said Vidoni. “The caliber of honorees emphasizes the impact women are making in finance, from local banks to some of the biggest institutions in the world. I’m thrilled to once again have the platform to champion Penn Community Bank’s mission of driving positive change in the communities we serve through relationship- and values-driven financial services.”

This year’s honorees will be recognized at The Most Powerful Women in Banking Gala, held in New York City in next month. The gala is part of a week-long celebration which includes The Most Powerful Women in Banking Conference.

As president and CEO of $2.9B Penn Community Bank, Vidoni leads and inspires its more than 300 team members in serving neighborhoods across Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, and Northampton counties, as well as Philadelphia.

Over the course of nearly 40 years in banking, Vidoni served in various executive roles at financial institutions of all sizes throughout the Philadelphia region, gaining insight into the workings of community, regional and corporate banks. As an active leader in the Pennsylvania business and financial community, she donates her time and leadership talents to several industry groups, as chair of the PA Bankers Federal Policy Committee and Pennsylvania Member Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Pittsburgh, which supports homeownership programs throughout Delaware, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Previously, she served as chair of the Federal Reserve of Philadelphia’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC) and was appointed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to serve as president of the national CDIAC and offer her insight on banking and lending conditions that affect the economy. Vidoni is committed to living out Penn Community Bank’s values-driven mission by serving her community in various personal and professional capacities, including as a director of the Bucks County Herald Foundation. For her efforts, she has been recognized by media outlets, industry groups, and nonprofit organizations.

A graduate of Muhlenberg College, Jeane holds an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University. She lives in Doylestown, PA.

About American Banker: American Banker empowers banking professionals with unique analysis and insight into the ideas transforming their business and industry. Across its journalism, events, research and benchmarking, it helps drive the way forward through the complexity of business innovation, retail and commercial disruption, technology, regulation, and reform. With a banking community 850K strong, American Banker’s transformative content connects leaders online, in person and in print every day.

About Penn Community Bank: Penn Community Bank holds more than $2.9 billion in assets, employs more than 300 people, and offers banking, lending and investments at 20+ bank locations throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania. As an independent, mutual financial institution, Penn Community Bank is not publicly traded and operates with its long-term mission in mind: to help businesses grow and prosper, to provide financial resources to individuals and families throughout their lifetimes, to strengthen the local economy, and to partner with local organizations to act as a catalyst for positive growth in every market it serves.

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Gift Empowers Students Through Scholarships, Technology Access

(L-R: Joe Fiochetta, DelVal Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs; Dr. Gloria Oikelome, DelVal Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Benjamin Rusiloski, DelVal President; Kelly Boyle, Penn Community Bank Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility & Government Affairs; Bernard Tynes, Penn Community Bank Chief Experience & Impact Officer; Ann Mossing, DelVal Director of Major Gifts) 

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (September 2024) – Penn Community Bank, the largest independent mutual bank in eastern Pennsylvania, has announced a $35,000 commitment to Delaware Valley University, aimed at supporting student success and addressing technology needs. The majority of the funds ($25,000) will provide scholarships to low- to moderate-income students across all majors, helping to alleviate financial barriers to higher education, with a second gift ($10,000) supporting the purchase and maintenance of laptops that will be available for students with unmet technology needs to rent free of charge. Additionally, Penn Community Bank team members will provide in-kind volunteer hours on the topic of financial education.

“At Penn Community Bank, we believe in investing in the future of our community. By supporting Delaware Valley University students, we’re not just helping individuals; we’re strengthening the foundation of our entire region,” said Bernard Tynes, Chief Experience & Impact Officer at Penn Community Bank. “We’re proud to play a role in empowering the next generation of leaders and professionals.”

“We are deeply appreciative of Penn Community Bank’s generous contribution,” said Joe Fiochetta, Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs at DelVal. “This funding will make a significant impact on our students’ lives, providing both financial assistance and essential technology resources. It’s partnerships like these that help us ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.”

Community impact is at the heart of Penn Community Bank’s mission and its THRIVE Community Development Plan. Through authentic corporate social responsibility initiatives like this partnership with Delaware Valley University, the bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to building thriving communities. By addressing critical needs in education and technology access, Penn Community Bank is helping to create a more equitable and prosperous future for all members of the community.

About Penn Community Bank: Penn Community Bank holds more than $2.9 billion in assets, employs more than 300 people, and offers banking and lending services at financial centers throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. As an independent, mutual financial institution, Penn Community Bank is not publicly traded and operates with its long-term mission in mind: to help businesses grow and prosper, to provide financial resources to individuals and families throughout their lifetimes, to strengthen the local economy, and to partner with local organizations to act as a catalyst for positive growth in every market it serves.

About Delaware Valley University: Delaware Valley University is a private, comprehensive, nonprofit university educating students with a curriculum that emphasizes and requires experiential learning. Located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, the University offers more than 25 undergraduate majors in business, arts and sciences, and agricultural and environmental sciences; 12 master’s degrees; and a doctorate in education. Founded in 1896, DelVal has been cited by the National Society for Experiential Education as having the country’s top experiential learning program, by Princeton Review as one of the best colleges in the Northeast, and by College Factual as having one of the top 20 animal science programs in the country.

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Zac Collins brings 30 years of industry experience to leading community bank in eastern PA

PERKASIE, Pa. (July 2024) – Penn Community Bank, the largest mutual bank in eastern Pennsylvania, is pleased to announce the hiring of Zac Collins, SVP – Commercial Banking Team Leader. In his new role, Zac will lead a team focused on Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Banking in the Bucks and Montgomery counties, as well as Lehigh Valley.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zac to Penn Community Bank’s growing Commercial and Industrial banking team,” said Lewis Cyr, Penn Community Bank Chief Lending Officer. “Zac’s three decades of experience and commitment to fostering long-term relationships highlight our organization’s dedication to building impactful partnerships with the region’s manufacturing, distribution, and business services sectors.”

Zac is a graduate of the College of Charleston and earned his MBA from the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University. Originally from Charlotte, NC, he lives in Wayne, PA.

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WARMINSTER, Pa (June 2024) – Penn Community Bank, the largest mutual bank in eastern Pennsylvania, has partnered with the Bucks County Housing Group (BCHG) to help provide critically needed items to area food pantries. The $5,000 contribution will support the ability to purchase both fresh and non-perishable food for the organization’s Food Program, including two community food pantries and two mobile markets that bring the food pantry experience to locations lacking regular pantry access.

“At Penn Community Bank, we are deeply committed to supporting the communities we serve,” said Jeane M. Vidoni, president and CEO of Penn Community Bank. “We are proud to partner with the Bucks County Housing Group to help address food insecurity in our region. This contribution will help stock food pantries and mobile markets with nutritious options for those in need and ensure we’re helping everyone in our community thrive.”

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Over 300 team members contribute 1,000 hours of service, $110,000 to area nonprofits as part of third annual event

PERKASIE, Pa (June 2024) – Penn Community Bank, the largest mutual bank in eastern Pennsylvania, hosted its third-annual Day of Service on Wednesday, June 5. The organization-wide event partnered bank team members with 12 nonprofit organizations from Philadelphia to the Lehigh Valley to donate over 1,000 hours of volunteer service and $110,000 in charitable contributions.

“Penn Community Bank’s Day of Service reaffirms our deep commitment to strengthening the communities we serve,” said Jeane M. Vidoni, president and CEO of Penn Community Bank. “We are proud to have hundreds of our dedicated employees volunteering their time and talents to make a positive impact across our region – from Philadelphia to the Lehigh Valley, and everywhere in between. This day truly expresses our core values of service and giving back.”

“What started as just an idea three years ago has blossomed into this annual Day of Service – a core piece of who we are as an organization,” said Bernard Tynes, Penn Community Bank Chief Experience & Impact Officer. “Seeing this program grow from just a concept into a highly-anticipated annual tradition for our team members and area nonprofit is something our organization takes great pride in and motivates us to continue expanding how we can serve as a true community partner.”

Day of Service 2023 nonprofit partners included:

• One Home at a Time (OHATT) – Huntington Valley, PA: OHAAT’s mission is to help families who are currently lacking resources to establish (or reestablish) a self-sufficient life by providing them with the necessities of a functional home environment.  In support of this effort, Penn Community Bank team members helped pack bedtime bags for children, which included new pillow, sheets, blankets, toothbrush, a book bundle and more.
• United Way Bucks County/Bucks County Opportunity Council HELP Center – Bristol, PA: The United Way’s and Bucks County Opportunity Council’s joint efforts at the HELP (Healthy Eating and Living Partnership) Center support local families in need by providing essentials like cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and home goods – completely free of charge – through a dignified personal shopping experience. Penn Community Bank team members sorted donations and helped prepare items for distribution
• Rolling Harvest Food Rescue – Buckingham, PA: Rolling Harvest’s goal is to increase access to donated fresh produce and other healthy foods to area hunger-relief sites that serve the at-risk, food-insecure population by providing local farmers and food producers with free, effective delivery and distribution of their surplus. In partnership with None Such Farm, Penn Community Bank team members picked and prepared fresh produce for local food pantries.
• Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Doylestown, PA: Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participates in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Penn Community Bank, in partnership with Doylestown Township, worked on Bocce courts for Special Olympics as well as other beautification efforts at Central Park.
• Share Food Program – Philadelphia, PA: Share Food Program leads the fight against food insecurity in the Philadelphia region, by serving an expansive, quality partner network of community-based organizations and school districts engaged in food distribution, education and advocacy. In support of the organization’s efforts, Penn Community Bank team members helped package food boxes for those in need.
• Share Food Program – Perkasie, PA: Share Food Program leads the fight against food insecurity in the Philadelphia region, by serving an expansive, quality partner network of community-based organizations and school districts engaged in food distribution, education and advocacy. Working from the bank’s Perkasie Administrative Building, team members wrote notes to individuals who receive food boxes from the Share Food Program as well worked to assemble emergency kits that the organization provides to the unhoused.

• Ripple Community – Allentown, PA: Ripple Community nurtures community and connection in Allentown by fostering a sense of community among neighbors who have traditionally been marginalized and by cultivating connections across social boundaries. Penn Community Bank team members worked on various site beautification efforts at the organization’s current and future locations.
• Greater Easton Development Partnership – Easton, PA: The Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) is a volunteer driven, non-profit entity that collaborates to nurture Easton’s economic well-being and cultural vibrancy. Working at the Lower Hackett Community Garden, Penn Community Bank team members mulched beds, picked and planted produce, and groomed surrounding flower beds.
• Keystone Opportunity Center – Souderton, PA: The mission of Keystone Opportunity Center is to help community members in need by offering a comprehensive array of social services that educate, encourage and empower them to become self-sufficient. In support of the organization, Penn Community Bank team members assembled and planted garden beds, as well as supported other facility clean up efforts.
• Heritage Conservancy – Solebury, PA: Heritage Conservancy’s mission is to protect and care for the lands of our region; to engage with and share the history that unfolded on these lands; and to connect people with both. Penn Community Bank team members assisted in seeding a pollinating meadow along with planting numerous trees.
• Free Fall Action Park – Quakertown, PA: Free Fall provides athletes and fans a positive, encouraging environment where they can belong and also serves as a distribution point for St. Luke’s Summer Meals Program. Penn Community Bank team members completed a number of projects, including site clean up and beautification, serving meals, and more.
• Woods Services – Langhorne, PA: Woods Services is a non-profit multi-service population health management and advocacy organization that provides innovative, comprehensive and integrated health, education, housing, workforce, behavioral health and case management services to more than 4,000 children and adults in the intellectual and developmental disability, child welfare, behavioral and brain trauma public health sectors who have complex and intensive medical and behavioral healthcare needs. In support, Penn Community Bank team members set up and staffed a carnival for residents.

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