News

04/03/24 - Ferdinand Feola Appointed to ICBA Cyber and Data Security Committee

03/27/24 - The Dime Bank Supports Lacawac Sanctuary

03/08/24 - The Dime Bank Donates to the Wayne County YMCA Project

02/29/24 - The Dime Bank donated $25,000.00 to Scranton Lackawanna Resources Development Corp 

02/09/24 - Stacy Gager Promoted at The Dime Bank

01/19/24 - Valerie O’Hare Promoted at The Dime Bank

01/10/24 - The Dime Bank Contributes to the Wayne County Public Library

12/19/23 - The Dime Bank Donates to Dessin Animal Shelter

11/14/23 - The Dime Bank Contributed to the Geisinger Health Foundation

10/30/23 - The Dime Bank and Honesdale High School Held a Reality Fair

10/25/23 - The Dime Bank Celebrates Employee Milestones 

08/17/23 - The Dime Bank Employees Graduate from PA Bankers' School of Banking

08/09/23 - The Dime Bank Awards Scholarships to Six Students

07/17/23 - The Dime Bank Announces Four Officer Promotions

06/20/23 - The Dime Bank Supports Lacawac Sanctuary

06/05/23 - The Dime Bank Contributes to the Wayne County Public Library

05/23/23 - The Dime Bank Brings Personal Finance Education to Local Students

05/16/23 - The Dime Bank Supports Delaware Valley School District Students

05/09/23 - The Dime Bank Celebrates Their Indian Orchard Branch, Support Center, and Entrepreneurial Center 

04/07/23 - The Dime Bank donated $10,000.00 to NeighborWorks NEPA

03/16/23 - Local Banks Remain Pillars of Strength and Stability

02/10/23 - The Dime Bank Donates to the Women’s Resource Center

01/17/23 - The Dime Bank Opportunity Account Receives National Certification by Banking Advocates as Safe, Affordable Account

Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) announced that Senior Vice President Chief Technology Officer Ferdinand Feola of The Dime Bank, was elected to serve on ICBA’s Cyber and Data Security Committee.

“What an honor to represent The Dime Bank and all community banks as part of the ICBA Cyber and Data Security Committee. I look forward to helping to create an environment where community banks, and the communities we serve, continue to flourish. Community banks, as relationship lenders, prioritize the needs of their customers and serve as trusted stewards of their financial future,” said Feola. “I’m proud to be a community banker and honored to be called upon to help ICBA safeguard our industry by underscoring the vital role community banks serve in our nation's economy and working to ensure a strong, diversified financial sector that benefits every American.”

In addition to helping shape and promote ICBA’s national policy positions and programs, Feola’s duties include engaging in grassroots activities in Pennsylvania to advocate pro-community bank policies and serving as a liaison between community banks and ICBA leadership in Washington, D.C.

“Ferd is an esteemed civic leader and dedicated community banker, generously contributing his time to champion and advance the crucial role of community banks within our financial system,” said ICBA Chairman Lucas White, president of the Fountain Trust Co. in Covington, Ind. “We are honored to leverage Ferd’s talents and resources in support of ICBA’s efforts, and we extend our sincere gratitude for his unwavering commitment to securing a vibrant future for community banking.”

About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation. As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.

The Dime Bank donated $13,500.00 to Lacawac Sanctuary to support their hands-on academic enrichment and innovative educational programs. The Lacawac Sanctuary is a non-profit conservation, research, and education center providing the community with a host of quality environmental, historical, and cultural programs.

$7,500.00 was donated through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to support Lacawac Sanctuary’s mission to educate students with important ecological and environmental science lessons, strengthening academic achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. On-site visits to Lacawac, off-site teachings at schools, educational workshops, and curriculum for afterschool sessions are just some of Lacawac’s innovative and educational offerings.

“The Dime Bank believes in supporting many different programs to elevate the quality of life in our region. Lacawac’s programs are multidisciplinary and geared towards a wide audience. We are happy to support efforts to preserve and protect this sanctuary for future generations and to foster a deep appreciation for the environment and all its inhabitants,” stated The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich.

Additionally, The Dime Bank has pledged $20,000.00 to Lacawac’s Environmental Education Center over the course of four years, with $5,000.00 being paid this year. The Dime Bank also donated $1,000.00 as a corporate sponsor to help with the Sanctuary’s mission to help promote environmental understanding through education and conservation.

Lacawac Sanctuary President Craig Lukatch stated, “Lacawac Sanctuary is very grateful to The Dime Bank for their support of our mission of Research, Education and Preservation. Their commitment to our work in the community allows us to serve and educate thousands of individuals each year and help us maintain and preserve the natural world for all to enjoy.”

The Dime Bank donates $125,000.00 to the Wayne County YMCA Project through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development under the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit Program (NAP).

The Wayne County YMCA Project qualifies for the NAP grant under a Special Programs Priorities as this project is considered a rural initiative which encourages nonprofit organizations to develop projects that have a positive community and economic impact in rural areas. This is a multi-phase project to build a new state-of-the-art facility.

Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Roche stated, “At The Dime Bank, community involvement is not just a value - it's a way of life. We understand the importance of supporting and nurturing the areas we serve. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our customers and neighbors. At the YMCA, strengthening community is their cause, and we are happy to help them accomplish that goal.”

“A community project of this size and scope would not be possible without the support of The Dime Bank. This donation will enable us to complete phase II of this project that includes the completion of final engineering / design which will position the Project for the construction phase. Thank you to The Dime Bank for their commitment and participation in this critical community project,” stated Paul Edwards, Co-Chairperson Wayne County YMCA Board of Trustees.

The Dime Bank recently donated $25,000.00 to Scranton Lackawanna Resources Development Corp (SLRDC) via the Neighborhood Assistance Program.

The SLRDC is a non-profit arm of the Agency for Community Empowerment (ACE) of NEPA that is focusing on providing quality affordable housing to low-to-moderate income families. Through the collaborative efforts of SLRDC and their community partners, these homes serve as a beacon of support and a symbol of unity within the neighborhood.

“Families deserve a safe and comfortable place to call home. The dedication and passion poured into these projects create not only physical shelters but also a sense of belonging and empowerment for those who will inhabit them. Being a community bank, The Dime Bank takes pride in collaborating with the SLRDC and supporting their initiatives to rejuvenate neighborhoods and foster community bonds,” stated William Boyle, The Dime Bank Senior Vice President Chief Lending Officer.

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich announced the promotion of Stacy Gager to Vice President, Deposit Operations Manager at The Dime Bank.

Stacy Gager joined The Dime Bank in 2006. During her 18-year career at The Dime Bank, she advanced through the deposit operations department. She began her career as a customer information file clerk and progressed to deposit operations specialist and then to the supervisor of the department. In 2019, Gager was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Deposit Operations Supervisor. With this latest promotion to Vice President, Gager is responsible for managing the deposit operations department.

Stacy Gager is a current board member of the Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale. Throughout her career, Gager has continued her education graduating with several banking diplomas and certificates in her field.

Peter Bochnovich stated, “Please join me in congratulating Stacy on being promoted to Vice President of Deposit Operations. Stacy was a member of the first Emerging Leaders program here at The Dime Bank and is an honors graduate of the Pennsylvania Bankers’ School of Banking. She is known for her intelligence, dedication, and valuable contributions to The Dime Bank's management team. As she takes on her new role, we are certain that we will see nothing but achievements and positive contributions to the bank in the days ahead.”

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich announced the promotion of Valerie O’Hare to Assistant Vice President, Training Manager at The Dime Bank.

Valerie O’Hare joined The Dime Bank in 2013 as an assistant branch manager. In 2015 she was appointed to the position of trainer. In 2022, O’Hare was promoted to training manager. With 26 years of banking experience, O’Hare oversees the training program for approximately 170 employees including new hire, compliance, and universal banker training. She provides operational and procedural support to the staff, writes standard operating procedures, manages the training budget, and provides additional training for staff as needed. O’Hare also visits the local schools to provide financial literacy to students and serves on multiple committees within the bank.

O’Hare is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PBA) School of Banking and Advanced School of Banking. O’Hare was recognized as the 2017 Emerging Leader. In 2020, O’Hare was presented with the PA Bankers H.Y.P.E. (Highlighting Young Professionals’ Excellence) “Developer” award. O’Hare recently committed her time as a volunteer for the United Way of Lackawanna/Wayne/ Pike.

The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Please join me in congratulating Val on her well-deserved promotion. Val is a dedicated professional who has consistently displayed a passion for the banking industry and a commitment to delivering exceptional training resources to our staff. I am confident that Val’s extensive banking knowledge, expertise, and leadership skills will be instrumental in driving growth and success to The Dime Bank. As Val takes on her new role, we look forward to seeing her achievements and contributions to the bank in the years to come.”

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!”

The Dime Bank recently pledged $10,000.00 to the Olga and Dorothea Dessin Animal Society (Dessin), a non-profit private organization that facilitates the placement of countless animals into caring homes each year.

Dessin's fundraising efforts and facility maintenance were hindered by COVID. The Dime Bank funds will assist with crucial renovations, such as upgrading the septic system, HVAC, electrical systems, and restoring the kennels.

The Dime Bank Chief Operating Officer Lisa Cavage stated, “Being a community bank, The Dime Bank understands the significance of Dessin Animal Shelter's unwavering dedication to providing animal rescue, medical care, animal housing, and adoption services. We extend our gratitude to Dessin's staff and volunteers for their hard work, and we hope that our pledge will aid in upgrading their facilities.”

If you would like to assist Dessin with a donation, would like to volunteer, or adopt a pet, visit www.dessinshelters.com.

REACH-HEI is a specialized out-of-school program that aims to identify and support students who are most in need of encouragement, including those from low-income backgrounds and those who are first-generation-to-college students. The program is designed to help these students reach their full potential in health-related professions. With the help of medical and graduate students, they provide high school students with academic enrichment opportunities, while also inspiring and guiding them towards health-related professions, particularly in medicine. Their experiential learning opportunities foster a sense of curiosity, deepen their knowledge of life sciences, and improve college readiness.

The Dime Bank Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Roche stated, “At The Dime Bank, we are committed to supporting education in our region. We were very impressed during our visit to GCMC to tour the REACH-HEI program. The students were engaged, and the hands-on experience was fascinating. Supporting this curriculum helps develop the medical innovators of tomorrow, who will create a healthier future for our communities.”

About Geisinger College of Health Sciences
Geisinger College of Health Sciences is the research and education arm of the Geisinger family. Geisinger is committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes ten hospital campuses, a health plan with more than half a million members, and the College. The College houses a Research Institute, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Geisinger School of Nursing, and the School of Graduate Education, in addition to Geisinger graduate medical education programs and its Academy of Educators. The College is committed to non-discrimination in all employment and educational opportunities. Visit geisinger.edu/education. Geisinger College’s REACH-HEI has provided health and medical pathway programs to students in middle school through medical school since 2010. REACH-HEI currently provides nine pathway programs that provide an evidenced-based curriculum in structured, year-long programs that support students in overcoming the academic, social, and personal challenges they face while preparing for their future higher education and career goals.

President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich stated, “The reality fair was a fun way for students to build financial knowledge and skills. The fair helped students experience what it is like to have a checking account, decide how to use their money, obtain a loan, manage expenses, and more. At The Dime Bank, we believe that financial education is a crucial part of personal development, and we are incredibly grateful to all who collaborated with us to make this program a success.”

The Dime Bank believes employee anniversary celebrations are an important part of recognizing and appreciating the hard work and dedication of their employees. It's a time to celebrate their achievements, milestones, and loyalty to The Dime Bank.

President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We are grateful for our employees, who make The Dime Bank one-of-a-kind. Their positivity, commitment, and devotion provide our customers with the best possible experience. Each employee is valued and is an integral part of The Dime Bank’s success and we thank them for their hard work and commitment.”

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.”

Jacob Ulmer from Carbondale Area who will be attending King’s College majoring in Accounting; Abigail Kirsten from Wallenpaupack Area who will be attending University of Pittsburgh majoring in Marketing; Caroline Klinkiewicz from Wayne Highlands who will be attending University of Delaware majoring in International Relations/Business; and Lindsay Tunis from West Scranton who will be attending Penn State University majoring in Advertising/Marketing; Kathryn Matthews from Delaware Valley who will be attending University of Scranton majoring in Business; Quinn Moran from Scranton who will be attending University of Delaware majoring in Business Management.

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 Dime Bank donated $9,750.00 to Lacawac Sanctuary to support their hands-on academic enrichment and innovative educational programs. The Lacawac Sanctuary is a non-profit conservation, research, and education center providing the community with a host of quality environmental, historical, and cultural programs.

$7,500.00 was donated through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to support Lacawac Sanctuary’s mission to educate students with important ecological and environmental science lessons, strengthening academic achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. On-site visits to Lacawac, off-site teachings at schools, educational workshops, and curriculum for afterschool sessions are just some of Lacawac’s innovative and educational offerings.

$1,000.00 was donated as a corporate sponsorship, $1,000.00 was donated as an epicurean sponsorship of the 8th Annual Farm to Plate Dinner event, and $250.00 was donated to the Cocktails for Conservation fundraiser. All three help with the Sanctuary’s mission to help promote environmental understanding through education and conservation.

“Many schools have insufficient funding to create their own programs that allow students to explore our diverse lake and forest habitats. Lacawac’s programs are multidisciplinary and geared towards a wide audience. We are happy to support this vital sanctuary that is available not only to our students but to people of all ages,” stated The Dime Bank Vice President Marketing Deb Unflat.

The Dime Bank recently contributed $30,000.00 to the Wayne County Public Library (WCPL) through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. The Dime Bank also recently donated $1,000.00 to support the WCPL Family Fun Fair.

The Dime Bank’s contribution assists with funding an outreach coordinator to go into the surrounding three school districts to teach programs and explain how library resources can be used by the students and their families to support their learning. This ensures students get the help they need to improve their grades, increase their confidence, and encourage them to expand their educational explorations.

The WCPL system offers electronic resources like Tutor.com, Learning Express Library, Teen Health and Wellness, Core Concepts (Chemistry, Biology and Periodic Chart) and Power Knowledge (Earth, Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science).

Tracy L. Schwarz, System Administrator Wayne Library Authority & Library Director Wayne County Public Library stated, “The seven libraries of Wayne County depend on vital funding from The Dime Bank through their EITC funding. Our status as an Educational Improvement Organization allows the library to support creative K-12 programs in art, STEM, and, of course, reading at the library. These electronic resources are all free with your library card because of this funding! Without donations like The Dime Bank's, we simply could not offer the amount and level of programming we currently provide to the community. Thank you, Dime Bank, for investing in our community's most valuable resource for the future, the next generation. Our kids!”

Stop in at any of the seven Wayne County Libraries to sign up for a library card to access the wide variety of free e-resources available through their website www.waynelibraries.org.

The Dime Bank contributed $9,000.00 to the nonprofit Brighter Financial Futures doing business as the Pennsylvania Council on Financial Literacy. This donation, which was made through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, supports students in the Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack, and Delaware Valley school districts and Canaan Christian Academy through the Personal Finance Education Program.

The Personal Finance Program hosts three programs in one: a personal financial curriculum teaching personal finance and business; a stock market challenge simulation that teaches students how to invest in the stock market; and a personal budgeting game simulation where students learn about credit, budgeting, net worth, and financial balance for quality of life.

The first-place winners of the Stock Market Challenge were Wayne Highlands Middle School student Claire Goldstein and Delaware Valley High School student Ritesh Patel. Each student received a Chromebook, a $100.00 gift card, and The Dime Bank gift basket.

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich commented, “Personal finance skills provide a solid foundation for future success, and we feel this program is very worthwhile for our future leaders to gain a greater understanding of the world of finance.”

About Pennsylvania Council on Financial Literacy
The nonprofit organization is passionate about teaching young people solid financial management skills. For additional information, contact Carolyn Shirk at CShirk@PennCFL.org.

In partnership with the Delaware Valley School District (DVSD), the American Readers Theatre (ART) and the Greater Pike Community Foundation (GPCF) used donation money from The Dime Bank to enrich DV students’ lives. The Dime Bank donated $15,000.00 cumulatively to the two organizations through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.

The ART program brought the historical understanding of the Holocaust through "The Diary of Anne Frank" to DVSD middle school students with an interactive format including professional actors performing a dramatic reading, music exploration, and journal writing.

Jackie Weston, DVSD English Department Chairperson enthused “Thank you so much for supporting this project and our DVSD children. We are so appreciative of this great opportunity.”

The GPCF program focused on STEM literacy for DVSD middle school students to prepare for high school. The MakerSpace lab and Lego Coding Club were expanded, and two new programs were introduced: Drone Certification and an Aquaponics Lab for elementary school students.

The Dime Bank celebrated their Indian Orchard branch at 1055 Texas Palmyra Highway, Honesdale, PA, its newest addition to the community bank’s branch network, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 27, 2023. This new branch brings personal banking with universal bankers and high-tech solutions to the community. The Dime Bank universal bankers are cross-trained to take care of all customer needs in one place. They act as a dedicated personal financial assistant, helping to simplify the financial complexities of life. The branch offers an iPad kiosk for customers to log into their online accounts as well as a drive-up ATM, which brings 24/7 high-tech convenient access to funds.

Additionally, The Dime Bank is committed to enhancing our communities by supporting our aspiring entrepreneurs and business customers with an Entrepreneurial Center located at this new facility. The Dime Bank Entrepreneurial Center offers customers a comfortable and secure environment with a variety of technological resources.

Moreover, The Dime Bank’s Customer Care Center (CCC) is in this building. The CCC offers customers telephone assistance with a live, knowledgeable, local care team. Telephone assistance is available after branches are closed and on weekends, for the hours and phone number, visit: www.thedimebank.com/ways-to-bank. This location also hosts The Dime Bank’s Support Center with back-office departments including information technology, digital banking, retail support, fraud, bank security, deposit operations, loans, human resources, marketing, compliance, training, and facilities management.

The Dime Bank staff were available at the celebration to give tours of this state-of-the-art banking facility and answer questions. County officials and many customers of The Dime Bank were present to show their support. The community is invited to visit The Dime Bank Indian Orchard branch to meet the staff and discuss how The Dime Bank can help you meet your financial goals. The Indian Orchard branch offers customers access to trusted, dependable professionals who bring financial solutions to the community during these hours:

Lobby Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Drive Up Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – Noon

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich expressed, “Branches are core to The Dime Bank’s business. In addition to catering to individuals with bank accounts and home loans, our branches also support businesses and non-profit organizations in the community. We’re excited that this new facility is not only a branch, but it offers an Entrepreneurial Center to expand the scope of solutions we offer to our customers. Our expert staff are available to provide the ultimate customer experience. Our mission to serve the financial needs of all continues to hold true as we strive to build strong partnerships for years to come. We thank you for your continued support and hope everyone will be able to take full advantage of this new advanced banking facility and all that we offer as a community bank. The Dime Bank’s commitment to provide quality financial solutions for our customers and our communities remains unchanged since 1905.”

Earlier this year, The Dime Bank donated $10,000.00 to NeighborWorks Northeastern PA via the Neighborhood Assistance Program. NeighborWorks rejuvenates neighborhoods and creates opportunities for individuals and families to improve their lives through quality housing and financial guidance.

This donation will support the 2023 Scranton Beautiful Blocks Program. The program provides matching grants of up to $1,000.00 to each member of a group of at least five Scranton residents to help them make exterior improvements to their homes. Grants are awarded annually through a competitive application process.

“We want to sincerely thank The Dime Bank for their generous contribution towards this year’s Beautiful Blocks Program in Scranton,” said Jesse Ergott, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania President & CEO. “We are grateful for their commitment to making a positive impact in our community and beyond.”

“As a community bank, The Dime Bank is proud to partner with NeighborWorks and contribute to their efforts of revitalizing neighborhoods and building community connections. We are excited to be part of their Beautiful Blocks Program that encourages teamwork among neighbors and invests in property improvement,” stated William Boyle, The Dime Bank Senior Vice President Chief Lending Officer.

About NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania
NeighborWorks is a nonprofit organization that has worked for more than 40 years to increase the financial stability of families and individuals by providing programs and services that create and preserve responsible homeownership and affordable housing throughout the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. With programs including homeownership coaching and education, aging in place, home renovation services, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives, NeighborWorks is deeply ingrained in the community. More information about NeighborWorks can be found at www.nwnepa.org.

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 founding 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.

The Dime Bank is proud to support The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) with a $4,500.00 donation through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

The WRC is committed to preventing dating and sexual violence in Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties. Using Safe Dates, an evidence-based dating abuse prevention curriculum, WRC helps middle school and high school students learn about healthy relationships, communication, calming techniques, red flags, and how to help friends. Programs are interactive, age-appropriate, and designed to raise awareness, build skills, change attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, and empower young people to form healthy relationships with friends, peers, and current or future dating partners.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and The Dime Bank’s Carbondale and Steamtown branches are displaying student artwork throughout the month. All in the community are invited to visit the branches to view the artwork. “We are so grateful for The Dime Bank’s support of our Safe Dates Program and letting us display the artwork for Teen Domestic Violence Awareness Month” said Amy E. Everetts, WRC Director of Development. For more information on WRC, visit www.wrcnepa.org.

The Dime Bank announced that its Opportunity Account was officially certified by the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund - cfefund.org) as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards joinbankon.org (2023 - 2024). The national safe account Standards, co-created by consumer advocates, leading national nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and other financial institutions, designate both core and strongly recommended features that ensure low cost, high functionality, and consumer safety. 

Key features of The Opportunity Account include a monthly cost of only $5.00, no overdraft or nonsufficient fund fees, the ability to pay bills and make purchases, and federal deposit insurance. The Opportunity Account is available at The Dime Bank‘s nine (9) branches located in Wayne, Pike, and Lackawanna Counties, Pennsylvania.

“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access safe and affordable banking through a trusted financial institution like The Dime Bank. Our staff are here to assist customers along the way to improved financial wellness,” stated Peter Bochnovich, The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to offer this certified account to help our customers learn responsible financial habits with confidence at low cost and low fees.”

“The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund is delighted to award its national Bank On account certification to The Dime Bank’s Opportunity Account,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “The Opportunity Account offers Wayne, Pike, and Lackawanna County residents who are looking to improve their finances a safe, affordable, and truly useful mainstream banking product to access and manage their money. The Dime Bank’s offering of this terrific account brings them into the forefront of national banking access efforts, and we thank them.”

The goal of Bank On is to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable financial products and services. The Bank On National Account Standards identify critical product features for appropriate bank or credit union accounts, making it easier for local coalitions across the country to connect consumers to accounts that meet their needs.

The Dime Bank Opportunity Account is available at nine (9) branches in Pennsylvania. With the addition of the Opportunity Account, accounts that meet Bank On National Account Standards are now available at over 46,000 branches in all 50 states and Washington, DC; financial institutions with Bank On certified accounts already comprise over 56% of the national deposit market share. In addition to The Dime Bank’s Opportunity Account, there are over 300 other Bank On certified accounts available at financial institutions across the country. Data collected by the CFE Fund in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis through Bank On’s national reporting platform stlouisfed.org/community-development/bank-on-national-data-hub shows that these accounts are meeting consumers’ needs; since their offering, millions of consumers have opened Bank On certified accounts, with approximately 80% of them opened by consumers new to the financial institutions.

“I would like to congratulate The Dime Bank for attaining Bank On certification for its Opportunity Account. PA Bankers Association has been working with its member banks statewide since mid-2021 to increase the number of banks offering Bank On accounts in PA, and The Dime Bank becomes the 40th financial institution to offer a Bank On account in the state. We are grateful to The Dime Bank for its commitment to making sure all Pennsylvanians have access to safe and affordable banking products and services to improve their financial capability, health, and independence,” said Duncan Campbell, President & CEO, PA Bankers Association.

The CFE Fund leads the national Bank On movement, supporting almost 100 local coalitions working to connect individuals and families to the financial mainstream through partnerships between governments, financial institutions, and community organizations. Learn more about Bank On and the National Account Standards by visiting their website at joinbankon.org, or follow the conversation on Twitter @CFEfund #BankOn.

About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund)
The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund is currently working in over 100 cities and counties and has disbursed over $59 million to local governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFEFund.

About Bank On
Bank On coalitions are locally-led partnerships between local public officials; city, state, and federal government agencies; financial institutions; and community organizations that work together to help improve the financial stability of unbanked and underbanked individuals and families in their communities. The Bank On national initiative builds on a grassroots movement of over 90 coalitions in cities across the country, offering national account standards, capacity grant support, pilot funding, and a learning community. In addition to connecting unbanked individuals to accounts, Bank On programs raise public awareness, target outreach to the unbanked, and expand access to financial education. Visit www.cfefund.org/bankon for more information or follow the conversation on Twitter @CFEFund #BankOn.

The Dime Bank and Kasasa, an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider, announced the winner of the local “These Are My People” contest. Beth McElroy of Carbondale won $1,000.00 to help support human connection with her favorite people.

Kasasa’s “These Are My People” contest took place from November 7th through December 7th and provided entrants with the opportunity to share personal stories and how the prize money would help them connect with their loved ones.

Inspirational stories flooded in from entrants across the local area on how winning would impact their lives this holiday season. The Dime Bank’s local contest was part of a nationwide contest that included more than 150 community financial institutions across the country, with some offering cash prizes to their local community members. Additionally, Kasasa is awarding one grand prize winner with $25,000 and two runner ups with $10,000. In total, Kasasa and participating community banks and credit unions awarded over $150,000 in cash prizes.

“The holiday season is about love and sharing it with those we call our people,” said Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa. “This contest celebrated the incredible, loving individuals that create the fabric of their community. It’s this same network that our community financial institution partners across the country play such a vital part in - helping people stand strong in their financial world so they can stand strong for those they love the most.”

“It has been a long road this year and we are so excited that we will be getting my granddaughter and my daughter back home for Christmas, which is our Christmas miracle. Being chosen as the winner is such a blessing to my family and such a huge help. Thank you so much again,” said Beth McElroy.

President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich stated, “Beth’s granddaughter is recovering from grade 4 medulloblastoma and their family’s story of strength and courage serves as an inspiration to many. The Dime Bank is happy to be part of helping to bring this family closer together this holiday season.”

Kasasa partners exclusively with community financial institutions - the only place consumers can find their innovative banking solutions. Kasasa serves hundreds of community financial institutions nationwide, representing over 3 million consumer bank accounts across 3,400+ branches in all 50 states. Since 2003, Kasasa financial institutions have given back nearly $3 billion in rewards to Kasasa account holders.

About Kasasa
Based in Austin, Texas, Kasasa® promotes community banks and credit unions and inspires people to bank locally, so they can be proud of their money and do more good. An award-winning fintech and marketing services company, Kasasa provides reward checking accounts people love, the first-ever loan with Take-Backs™, relationship-powered referral programs, and ongoing expert consulting services to community financial institutions. For more information, visit www.kasasa.com.

The Dime Bank donates $124,250.00 to the YMCA Project through the Department of Community and Economic Development under the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit Program.

The Wayne County YMCA has outgrown the current historical building and needs a new facility as the current facility is becoming too costly to operate.

The Dime Bank believes in supporting our community by partnering with many non-profits. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Roche stated, “The Dime Bank aspires to be an integral part of the neighborhoods that we service and where our customers and employees work, raise their families, and live. We are proud to help create a modern, state-of-the-art facility for everyone to enjoy.”

“A community project of this size and scope would not be possible without the support of The Dime Bank. Their donation of $124,250.00 will enable us to complete phase 1 of this project which includes the development and completion of engineering/design work, site development plans, sewage design, and various permits. We thank The Dime Bank for their commitment and participation in this critical community project,” stated YMCA Board President Jennifer DeYoung.

The Dime Bank and Kasasa, an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider, announce a national and local contest offering the chance to win cash prizes to help people connect this holiday season. Local contestants can win $1,000.00 from The Dime Bank and can also submit their entry to the national contest where one grand prize winner will receive $25,000.00 and two runners-up will receive $10,000.00.

Kasasa is partnering with local community banks and credit unions across the country as an extension of their “These Are My People” contest. To enter The Dime Bank’s local contest, people can submit a photo or video with a short explanation of why they want to win. Just by entering, local contestants can win $100.00 gift cards. They can also share their post on social channels using the hashtags #TheseAreMyPeople, #thedimebank, #contest, and #Kasasa to encourage friends to enter to win.

Kasasa’s “These Are My People” contest provides community members the opportunity to share their story and how the prize money will help them connect with their loved ones, from buying flights to visit hometown friends not seen since the pandemic started, to helping a local small business that is struggling with rising costs, or to make a final mortgage payment ahead of retirement for grandparents.

“We believe your money should do more for you and your community. This holiday season, we’re putting our money where our mouth is and giving back to help people spend time with their loved ones and strengthen their connections,” said Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa. “We’re helping community banks and credit unions do what they do best, give back to their communities.”

The contest runs from November 7 – December 7. Local winners will be announced on December 10 and receive the $1,000.00 cash prize sponsored by The Dime Bank. Local contestants can also visit kasasacontest.com to submit their entry to win the national contest, sponsored by Kasasa and in partnership with NBCUniversal, which will award one winner with $25,000.00 and two winners with $10,000.00. National winners will be selected by a Kasasa panel of judges and be announced on December 19.

“The Dime Bank believes in creating amazing customer experiences,” said Deborah Unflat, VP Marketing at The Dime Bank. “Our focus is on customer needs and the community. We think this is a fun opportunity for everyone to take a step back and appreciate the ones we love by sharing our stories. It is an opportunity to create amazing experiences with those we love. As a community bank, we want to make this a better place to live and work for all, and what better time to do that than during the holiday season.”

Kasasa partners exclusively with community financial institutions — the only place consumers can find their innovative banking solutions. Kasasa serves hundreds of community financial institutions nationwide, representing over 3 million consumer bank accounts across 3,400+ branches in all 50 states. Since 2003, Kasasa financial institutions have given back nearly $3 billion in rewards to Kasasa account holders.

National Contest Disclaimer: No purchase is necessary to enter or win. A purchase or transaction does not increase the chances of winning. Entry in this contest constitutes entrant’s acceptance of the contest’s national official rules. Void where prohibited by law. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. who are 18 years old or older. The National Contest begins on November 7, 2022 at 12:00 A.M. CST and ends on December 7, 2022 at 11:59 P.M. CST. Limit 1 entry per person. Sponsors: Kasasa LTD and NBCUniversal Media, LLC.

About Kasasa
Based in Austin, Texas, Kasasa® promotes community banks and credit unions and inspires people to bank locally, so they can be proud of their money and do more good. An award-winning fintech and marketing services company, Kasasa provides reward checking accounts people love, the first-ever loan with Take-Backs™, relationship-powered referral programs, and ongoing expert consulting services to community financial institutions. For more information, visit www.kasasa.com.

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich announced the promotion of Jennifer Tagle to Assistant Vice President, Application Services Manager at The Dime Bank.

Jennifer Tagle joined The Dime Bank in 2003 as a computer operator. She was promoted in 2011 to IT specialist, taking care of both application and network operations. After several years, Tagle moved into an applications-based role as IT applications specialist, concentrating on all facets of the applications The Dime Bank support. Tagle was then promoted to IT applications analyst and then IT application services supervisor. In her new role as assistant vice president application services manager, Tagle oversees The Dime Bank’s software systems, setup of applications, and user interfaces that support all business units within The Dime Bank. She assists with configuration of the applications and systems and creates documents to support the end users. Tagle also supervises the IT applications analyst and performs data analysis and reporting as requested.

Tagle graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems from Mansfield University. Jenn Tagle said, “I’ve enjoyed my time here and have been fortunate to work with many different and knowledgeable people over the years here who have helped me along the way.”

The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Jenn has advanced her IT knowledge, expertise, and leadership skills throughout her career at The Dime Bank and is a great asset to our team and well deserving of this promotion. Please join me in congratulating Jenn and wish her continued success.”

Earlier this year, The Dime Bank donated $10,000.00 to NeighborWorks Northeastern PA via the Neighborhood Assistance Program.

NeighborWorks rejuvenates neighborhoods and creates opportunities for individuals and families to improve their lives through quality housing and financial guidance. This donation supports the 2022 Carbondale Beautiful Blocks Program. The program provides matching grants of up to $1,000.00 per property to groups of five residents or more to help them make exterior home improvements.

“We are excited to partner with NeighborWorks to not only improve the appearance of neighborhoods but to build community connections between neighbors as they work together through this program” stated The Dime Bank Vice President of Marketing Deborah Unflat. “Being a community bank, The Dime Bank is honored to give back and help make our region a better place to live and work.”

“We are extremely grateful for The Dime Bank’s generous support of the Carbondale Beautiful Blocks Program” said Shane Powers, Chief Operations Officer at NeighborWorks. “Their investment highlights the bank’s strong commitment to investing in our community in a tangible way that empowers our neighbors and brightens up our neighborhoods.”

About NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania
NeighborWorks is a nonprofit organization that has worked for more than 40 years to increase the financial stability of families and individuals by providing programs and services that create and preserve responsible homeownership and affordable housing throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. With programs including homeownership coaching and education, aging in place assistance, home renovation services, and community development initiatives, NeighborWorks is deeply ingrained in the community. More information about NeighborWorks can be found at www.nwnepa.org.

The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich announced the promotion of Michael D. Borick to Vice President, Controller.

Michael Borick joined The Dime Bank in 2015 as a mortgage loan processor. He was promoted in 2016 to Accounting Supervisor. Prior to joining The Dime Bank, Borick worked as an assistant controller at a manufacturing company. Within his new role as controller, Borick will manage the finance department in accounting and regulatory functions including overseeing the bank’s daily accounting operations, providing insight to investment alternatives considering liquidity needs, yield, and conformance to asset and liability requirements and guidelines, producing all regulatory reports, and other related activities.

Borick recently won the honor of the PA Bankers Future Under 40 Award and is currently enrolled in the PA Bankers Leadership Institute. Borick also holds a dual master’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Scranton.

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “We are excited to promote Michael to this elevated role. His wealth of knowledge, capabilities, and dedication, coupled with his attitude to go above and beyond, make him a key contributor to the finance department. Please join me in congratulating Michael and wishing him continued success in his new role.”

Each year The Dime Bank holds a dinner celebration to acknowledge and honor their employees who are celebrating five-year incremental career anniversaries with The Dime Bank. This year, thirteen employees were honored: Cynthia Burdick with 45 years of service; Ruth Daniels with 35 years; Cindy Galloway with 30 years; Irene Selvaggi with 25 years; Ekaterina Pereyra with 15 years; Kim Metz, Donna DiChiaranti, and Laura Novak each with 10 years of service; and Jeffrey Roche, Cassandra Dean, Jared Newbon, Katelyn Donat, Brianna Connelly with 5 years of service each. Thirty-seven 2020 and 2021 honorees were also invited to this year’s dinner to celebrate with their teammates since dinners weren’t held due to COVID and instead The Dime Bank donated the value of the dinner to area food banks.

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Our employees are what makes The Dime Bank so unique. Their positive attitude, dedication, and loyalty bring the ultimate experience to our customers. We appreciate each person’s contribution to our team as we celebrate their commitment to The Dime Bank, to our customers, and to our communities.”

Michael D. Borick, Assistant Vice President - Accounting Supervisor, of The Dime Bank, was announced as a winner of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s (PA Bankers) Future Under 40 Awards.

The Future Under 40 Awards honor banking industry leaders, aged 40 and younger, who have made a tremendous impact in their institution, the community, and the industry.

As accounting supervisor, Michael is responsible for assisting in managing the finance department in accounting, regulatory and other related activities at The Dime Bank. Michael is involved in local charities and volunteers at numerous bank sponsored events including local parades, United Way Day of Caring, Wayne County Christmas Bureau, among others. Michael is currently enrolled in the PA Bankers Leadership Institute. Michael has been with The Dime Bank since 2015.

“Michael’s commitment to excellence, willingness to give his all and positive attitude is what sets him up for success.” said CFO, Jeffrey Roche. “Michael is an ultimate team player and a key member of our officer group.”

About PA Bankers:

PA Bankers has been bringing banks and bankers together for more than 125 years to learn, grow, serve, and engage with their peers, communities, and lawmakers. The association has built a strong reputation as a leading advocate for pro-banking policies at the state and federal levels, as well as the delivery of quality education, products, and services for banks of all sizes and their employees.

On August 25, 2022, The Dime Bank celebrated its newest addition to the community bank’s branch network with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 300 Lackawanna Avenue, at the Marketplace at Steamtown. This branch brings high-tech, concierge banking to the community. With concierge banking, customers have high-tech, personal customer service with cross-trained staff to take care of their needs by one person in one place. With an iPad in the branch for customer’s convenient access to their accounts online and an ATM in the bank’s vestibule bringing 24/7 access to funds, customers have high-tech convenient access to finances. Spanish speaking staff are also available to assist customers as needed. The community is invited to visit The Dime Bank Steamtown branch to tour the facility, meet the staff, and to enter a drawing to win one of 20 gift certificates to local merchants. Winners are being drawn and contacted the week of October 31, 2022. The Steamtown branch offers customers access to trusted, dependable financial professionals who bring financial solutions to the community Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich thanked the attendees and the participants who worked so diligently to make this new state-of-the-art banking facility a huge success. Bochnovich stated, “We’re elated to be in Scranton and look forward to servicing the needs of all in the community by providing an ultimate customer experience. We’re very excited about the development going on in Scranton and the ongoing repurposing of the Marketplace at Steamtown. The Dime Bank is very fortunate to have been involved in several revitalization projects in the greater Scranton downtown area, and this location is a perfect fit for us to assist with the expanding financial needs in the community. We are firmly committed to our existing customers and look forward to cultivating new relationships in the Lackawanna County area. To further enrich the quality of life for all in the region, The Dime Bank will continue to support the community and nonprofit programs, as we have done since 1905. Our mission to serve the financial needs of all, continues to hold true as we strive to build strong partnerships for years to come.”

The Dime Bank donated $9,750.00 to Lacawac Sanctuary to support the nature preserve, environmental education center, and biological field station. The Lacawac Sanctuary is a non-profit conservation, research, and education center providing the community with a host of quality environmental, historical, and cultural programs.

$7,500.00 was donated through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to support Lacawac Sanctuary’s mission to educate the next generation of environmental stewards and scientists and strengthen academic achievement by providing hands-on, STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education programs for Preschool to 12th grade students. $1,000.00 was donated as a corporate sponsorship to help with the Sanctuary’s mission to promote environmental understanding through education and conservation. $1,000 was donated as an epicurean sponsorship of the 7th Annual Farm to Plate Dinner event to benefit Lacawac mission and work to preserve the environment and shape the next generation of Earth stewards and scientists. $250 was donated to the Cocktails for Conservation fundraising event that raised funds for Lacawac preservation and education mission.

A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house was held on July 7, 2022 at The Dime Bank’s relocated Greentown branch at 1566 Route 507, Greentown. Chief Executive Officer and President Peter Bochnovich thanked the attendees and all the participants who worked so diligently to make the new relocated branch such a huge success. The Dime Bank directors and staff were available to give tours of this state-of-the-art banking facility and answer questions. County officials and many customers of The Dime Bank were present to show their support. All in the community have been invited to visit the new branch since the reopening in March to enter a drawing to win one of 18 gift certificates to local merchants. Winners are being drawn and contacted the week of July 11, 2022.

Pete Bochnovich said, “Our relocation demonstrates The Dime Bank’s firm commitment to Greentown and the surrounding area’s future and our unwavering pledge to the community through our investment in this new facility. It also means that in today’s economy you can rest assured that your money is safe and your community bank is stable and doing well. All of us at The Dime Bank look forward to continuing to serve our existing customers and to foster new relationships. As we have done for the past 115 plus years, The Dime Bank will continue its philanthropic support of community and nonprofit programs to further enrich the quality of life for all in the region. We look forward to serving the financial needs of all and building a strong partnership for years to come.”

The Greentown branch offers customers access to trusted, dependable financial professionals who bring financial solutions to the community during these hours:

Lobby Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Drive Up Hours:
Mon - Wed: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thurs: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat: 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Participating in the ribbon cutting at the Greentown branch: Greene Township Supervisor Justin Wittenbrader, Pike County Treasurer John Gilpin, Pike County Commissioners Matt Osterberg & Tony Waldron; Representing The Dime Bank: Board Member Tom Peifer, Chairman of the Board John Kiesendahl, Vice Chairman of the Board Todd Stephens, President & Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich.

The Dime Bank donated $50,000.00 to the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

Through the WCCF, The Dime Bank’s donation provides significant funding for the Wayne Highlands, Western Wayne, Wallenpaupack, and Forest City Regional school districts for STEM programming, nutrition education, math/language arts summer and after school programs, and dual enrollment scholarships for college courses at Johnson College.

WCCF Executive Director Ryanne Jennings stated, “This year the schools have some innovative stuff happening including Wallenpaupack’s aviation program. We really appreciate businesses' support, like The Dime Bank, of the EITC program through the WCCF. This program allows our school districts to provide additional and innovative STEM programming in the district. The Foundation also benefits from the administrative fee for managing the EITC program and is able to provide capacity building, grant making, and fundraising technical assistance to nonprofits in our community year-round.”

Wallenpaupack Area High School BCIT Department Chair, WASA Founder/Director Eric Greenberger stated, “The Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation program prepares young people in our community for specific careers in the aviation industry. Students can pursue academic pathways that include professional pilot, aviation management, air traffic control, and aviation maintenance. Students that successfully complete the program may continue their studies at local universities and or flight schools while attaining credentials necessary for employment at local, regional, and other airport facilities. EITC funding is used to support instructional equipment, tools, supplies, professional consultation, and other essential building blocks of the program. This unique academic opportunity is a testament to the consistent efforts of The Dime Bank to invest in local community, education, and infrastructure. A strong investment in our young people today, will yield great returns for all of us in the future.”

The Dime Bank is proud to have once again sponsored the Stock Market Challenge. This year’s first place winner in the competition was Wayne Highlands School District student Jaydan Beisner in teacher Don Burchell’s seventh grade class. Jaydan won a Chromebook along with a $100 gift certificate for her studious efforts.

The Dime Bank President and CEO stated Peter Bochnovich, “The Dime Bank is a firm advocate of financial literacy for all, but especially for our youth. We believe that educating our students provides a strong foundation for financial success throughout their lives.”

The Pennsylvania Council on Financial Literacy (PennCFL), through Brighter Financial Futures, uses The Dime Bank’s sponsorship to offer all students in grades 3-12 full access to the Personal Finance Lab, free of charge. This, web-based stock simulation platform and curriculum includes the Personal Budgeting Game, Online Learning with certifications in Personal Finance and Investing 101, plus the Stock Market Challenge. This cutting-edge, real-time stock market game is derived from Stock-Trak's University Platform, which is used in over 80% of the top business schools in the United States.

About PennCFL
The mission is to provide K-12 students with economics, personal finance, and entrepreneurship skills that elevate their standard of living, quality of life, and professional success. For additional information, please contact Alan Dakey, ADakey@PennCFL.org or Carolyn Shirk, CShirk@PennCFL.org, call 570-975-5149 or visit PennCFL.org.

The Dime Bank donated $31,000.00 through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program to various educational institutions for scholarship opportunities: $18,000.00 was donated to Penngift Foundation of which $9,500.00 was allocated for St. Dominic’s Academy for their pre-k through 8th grade programs, $6,000.00 was allocated to Canaan Christian Academy for their elementary and secondary Christian education program scholarships, and $2,500.00 was allocated to Grace Ridge School to be used for their programs’ tuition assistance; $7,500.00 was donated to the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties to be used for pre-kindergarten program scholarships; $2,000.00 was donated to Yeshiva Beth Moshe for Scranton Hebrew Day school scholarships for Jewish and secular education; $2,000.00 was donated to Diocese of Scranton for their Catholic schools tuition assistance program; $1,500.00 was donated to the Greater Pike Community Foundation to be used for pre-k scholarship opportunities at Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD) or Green Trees Early Learning Center in Milford, PA.

St. Dominic’s Academy Board Member Jen Suhosky said, “St. Dominic’s Academy in Honesdale, PA is celebrating our 10-year anniversary. We are so grateful to The Dime Bank for helping us achieve this goal by generously donating to the EITC program every year. Many of our students and their families benefit greatly from this program.”

The Dime Bank donated $10,000.00 to the Greater Pike County Community Foundation (GPCF) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

Through the GPCF, The Dime Bank’s donation provides significant funding for innovative educational programming enhancements in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) at Delaware Valley School District (DVSD). The funding supports programs that prepare students for a technology centric future.

“On behalf of the Delaware Valley School District, especially our students and staff from our STEM program, thank you for your generous contribution to the grant presented to us by the Greater Pike Community Foundation. We are very grateful for the support The Dime Bank has given our students,” stated Jayson Pope, Supervisor of Academic Services.

“Technology has taken on a more crucial role with the need for remote learning during a pandemic. Greater Pike is pleased to partner with The Dime Bank, Delaware Valley School District, and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development for this important contribution to the future success of students,” said Greater Pike Executive Director Jenni Hamill.