Wayne Savings awarded Board of Directors Award by Chamber
Wayne Savings was awarded the Board of Directors Award at the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2017. Wayne Savings also received recognition by the State of Ohio for this award. The story below is reprinted from The Daily Record. Story by Bobby Warren, Staff Writer; photo by Mike Schenk. Published January 18, 2017.
Wayne Savings, Chamber, “a natural partnership”
One of the city's and county's oldest institutions, Wayne Savings Community Bank, is this year's recipient of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Award.
In choosing candidates, the Chamber recognizes businesses that demonstrate a willingness to actively support its community, as well as events, projects and nonprofit organizations.
"Wayne Savings has proudly served the financial needs of the Wooster community for 118 years, and expects to remain a strong community partner for the next century and beyond," said Peggy Schmitz, an attorney with Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston and chairwoman of the bank's board of directors. "Our affiliation with the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce is a natural partnership, as both Wayne Savings and the Chamber share the goal of fostering a strong, vibrant community through the collaborative efforts of the individuals and businesses that live, work and do business here."
"Wayne Savings Community Bank has long been a community partner that gives back to countless events, initiatives and community causes throughout the year," Chamber President Justin Starlin said. "Their leadership and board of directors have distilled the importance of community participation in their business model, and Wooster and Wayne County have benefited from their continued support and participation."
The bank's employees have helped out at WoosterFest and supported the Window Wonderland downtown. The bank has been a supporter of the annual Chamber dinner and the Wayne Economic Forum.
The bank was recognized as Business of the Year by the Chamber in 2008.
When The Daily Record reported about the bank's 100th anniversary in 1999, then-chief executive officer and President Charles Finn, who died in November 2005, said the bank's longevity was due to the dedication of the employees, the conservative banking practices embraced by the directors and the support from the community.
The commitment to the community is reflected in the bank's current marketing campaign: Other banks have branches, we have roots.
"Community engagement is an integral part of the bank's mission, vision and values, and is exemplified every day by our dedicated staff through a wide variety of community projects and sponsorships," Schmitz said. "It is both humbling and thrilling to see team's efforts recognized by the Chamber."
Reporter Bobby Warren can be reached at 330-287-1639 or bwarren@the-daily-record.com. He is @BobbyWarrenTDR on Twitter.
Members of the Wayne Savings Community Bank administration, Joel Beckler, senior vice president, senior loan officer; David Lehman, president/CEO; Jennifer Winter, vice president, manager of human resources and training; and Matthew Hartzler, vice president and chief risk officer, are pleased that the financial instution has been presented with the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Award. (Mike Schenk photo/www.buydrphotos.com)
Founded in 1899, Wayne Savings Community Bank is based in Wooster and has 11 branch offices serving seven communities in northeastern Ohio. The bank offers a full range of products and services for consumer, small business, and commercial customers. For more information, please visit waynesavings.com. Member of the FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.