Press Releases

MANSFIELD, PA (July 2020) Banks play a vital role in our lives. Whether you’re buying your first home, growing your business, or planning for retirement, developing a relationship with the right bank is key. According to one local bank, it’s the people who make the difference. Jeff Carr, SVP and Chief Retail Banking Officer at First Citizens Community Bank (FCCB), says with similar products across banks, it has to be the service that stands out. “Our employees work hard to do what’s right for our customers,” commented Carr. “We’ve been voted the number one Bank in PA for satisfaction and trust two years in a row in a Forbes Nationwide customer survey. That doesn’t happen without good people.”

The Bank recently restructured their team in the Sayre market to ensure service quality remains their competitive advantage. Serving the Sayre business community and surrounding markets is Steven Hickey, the region's primary Business Development Officer. Steven, who has over 17 years’ experience in banking, previously provided leadership to the Bank’s two Sayre locations as the branch manager. He’ll now turn his attention to helping businesses grow their operations. Hickey graduated from The University of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

Hickey’s move to focus on the business community provided an opportunity to add new leadership to the branches. Joy Wandell-Darrow, who has 11 years of managerial and financial services experience, will manage the Lockhart Street and Elmira Street locations. In her role as branch manager, she is responsible for overall branch growth, service quality, staff development, and coaching. She will also provide consumer and home equity loans to local residents. Wandell-Darrow graduated from Baptist Bible College, Clarks Summit, with her Bachelor’s Degree.

Rounding out the management team are two key lenders who have been dedicated to the success of First Citizens in Sayre for many years. Cathy Pientka, the Bradford County Mortgage Manager, has been in banking for over 30 years. During that time, she has helped thousands of local families realize their dream of becoming homeowners. Prior to taking her Mortgage expertise to the position of Bradford County Mortgage Manager in 2016, Pientka was the Branch Manager of the Sayre offices. And Debbie Casey, who works at the Bank’s Elmira Street office, started her banking career in 1979 and has been lending to residents in Sayre for over 20 years.

“This banking team has over 75 years of experience between them,” noted Carr. “They’re well-known and well-respected in the region. They understand the market and the people who live there, which is essential for our growth.”

First Citizens Community Bank (FCCB) offers a strong line of mortgage and real estate loans, high-interest rewards checking, trust and investment services, and cash management services that help businesses save time and money. They are headquartered in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and currently operate 31 offices throughout Tioga, Bradford, Potter, Clinton, Centre, Union, Lebanon, Lancaster, Schuylkill, Berks, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, Allegany County, New York, and New Castle and Kent Counties in Delaware. For more information about First Citizens, visit www.myfccb.com or find them on Facebook and LinkedIn.