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.
