Peoples Focus

One key ingredient to our success as a community bank is our people. The employees of Peoples Bank truly care about our customers. That’s why we have decided to put the focus where it needs to be, on our hardest working asset, our people. If you have personally experienced great service, a caring attitude, or really insightful advice from one of our employees, we’d love to hear about it. The next time you visit this site you just may see them profiled – and they’d have you to thank.

PLANNING AHEAD MADE EASY WITH PEOPLES BANK

Shortly after exchanging marriage vows in 2004, Chad and Heidi Reed of Lancaster, Ohio, set their sights on significant goals like eliminating debt. Within a few years, the couple had successfully paid off all of their debt with the exception of their home loan.

“Responsibly managing our money is a value that both Heidi and I have always shared,” said Chad, who works in the Department of Recycling and Litter Prevention for Lancaster – Fairfield Community Action Agency. “When we were down to just our home loan, we started to research ways in which we could shorten that loan’s life-cycle. It’s then when we seriously considered refinancing our home.”

When Heidi, the Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator at Fairfield Medical Center, mentioned to some fellow Baltimore Chamber of Commerce members that she was considering refinancing, Peoples Bank was recommended.

“It was wonderful to work with Peoples,” Heidi said. “They certainly lived up to their impressive reputation by providing wonderful service. Best of all, we were able to refinance to a 15-year mortgage and reduce our monthly payments.”

The timing of the refinance is perfect considering that the Reeds are preparing to adopt their first child this spring. “I’m thrilled that we were able to work with Peoples Bank during this amazingly important time in our lives,” Heidi said. “The details involved in a decision as big as refinancing a home could have been overwhelming, but Peoples handled the tough stuff. Now we get to focus on our family’s future.”

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BEYOND METALS, ROCKS, DOLLARS AND CENTS

Eight years ago, Tony Baldwin, owner of A.A. Baldwin’s Jewelry by Design, took out a small business loan with Peoples Bank to pursue a long-time desire. Baldwin, who conducted his personal and business banking with Peoples since 1989, wanted to open a jewelry store that did not mimic traditional shops.

“I had a dream of creating jewelry that would really mean something to someone and went beyond metals and rocks,” said Baldwin, who specializes in taking a piece of jewelry with significant sentimental value and turning it into an entirely new design.

As his business grew, Baldwin kept dreaming. In time, he wanted to remodel his jewelry store, so he came back to Peoples to take out another loan. After sitting down with Mike Iaderosa, Vice President, Business Development Officer, Baldwin learned that the type of business model created with his store was similar in style to the way Peoples associates interact with their clients. Fostering genuine relationships with clients is one factor that separates Peoples from other financial institutions. Iaderosa’s enthusiasm for helping his clients resonated with Baldwin.

“Mike really listened to me as I told him what I had in mind. He listened and he got it,” Baldwin said. “He didn’t try to intimidate me or shove his own ideas on me. Instead, he created a plan that enabled me to grow my business the way I wanted.”

The reopening of A.A. Baldwin’s Jewelry by Design was a special occasion not only for Baldwin, but for Iaderosa who has known Baldwin since he owned a wholesale jewelry business.

“It is a joy to see Tony doing what he loves to do. He is truly an artist who crafts quality designs that are special to his clients. I’m honored to have played a role in helping him grow his business,” Iaderosa said.

Like Iaderosa, Baldwin takes pleasure in helping his clients make their dreams a reality. For him, seeing clients express joy when receiving a piece of jewelry that was made from a family heirloom or other nostalgic item reinforces that he is in the right line of work.

“I came into Mike’s office knowing what I wanted and needed, and Mike was able to make that happen,” said Baldwin. “He helped me make my dreams come true, which enables me to do the same for my clients.”

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AT HOME WITH PEOPLES BANK

A certain century old home — with its hardwood floors, original woodwork, four bedrooms and walk-in attic— makes Earl Tidd III smile.

Assistant Vice President/Home Loan Specialist Cathy Ogle can testify to that fact, having seen it firsthand when Tidd closed on the house this past spring with the help of a 30-year mortgage from Peoples Bank.

“It was very satisfying to see Earl walk out of here with keys in his hand and a smile on his face,” said Ogle, who has never tired of such sights in her 28 years as a loan officer with Peoples. “It’s something we do everyday, and I wish I could do 10 of them a day.”

For Tidd, one closing is plenty for now. He has a home he loves, and he was able to secure a mortgage with a local bank, just as he’d hoped.

Tidd hadn’t banked with Peoples previously. But when he shopped around for a competitive interest rate, Peoples came out on top. And Ogle’s can-do attitude sealed the deal.

“She really worked with me,” Tidd said. “She made sure I understood everything that was involved in the process. If I needed anything, all I had to do was call Cathy.”

These days, Tidd’s to-do list includes enlarging his home’s kitchen and painting the exterior. There’s a good chance he’ll keep smiling despite the chores.

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CROSS-FUNCTIONAL PEOPLES TEAM PUTS FOCUS ON SECURITY CAMERA COMPANY

Owners Ted and Una Gifert run Athens Technical Specialists, Inc.(ATSI), located in Athens, Ohio. Their company manufactures test equipment for traffic signals and wireless outdoor security cameras used by the U.S. Border Patrol, construction firms, cattle ranches, and golf courses. Their cameras are also popular with hunters and photographers for monitoring wildlife. Ted and Una have grown their company into a multi-million dollar worldwide business. And with growth comes additional employee responsibilities.

Tina Rees, Manager of Peoples Bank’s office in The Plains, Ohio, introduced Workplace Checking, a checking account with perks for the employees of ATSI, at a recent company meeting. Not only was the presentation a success in terms of employee interest, it also showed Tina, Ted and Una that there was a need to bring in other product area specialists.

Business Service Specialist, Sandy DeLong, came in to assist with ATSI’s cash management needs and provided the company with processes to become more efficient in their financial operations. “Through various one-on-one conversations with Ted and Una we came to a better understanding of their goals and this translated into Peoples Bank providing loan funds for future growth,” stated Sandy.

Market Team members David Mitchem, Annette White, and Jeff Starcher, all agents with Barengo Insurance Agency, a division of Peoples Insurance Agency, came into the picture to analyze ATSI’s coverage needs. Through this period of discovery, a plan was crafted to offer the company more comprehensive protection. The insurance team also developed life, health and dental insurance plans for ATSI’s employees.

Through a concerted effort, various Peoples lines of business converged to focus on the needs of ATSI. By providing advice, strategies, processes and products, the Peoples team was able to help Ted and Una Gilfert improve their business and employee relations while allowing them to return to focusing on what they do best – growing their business.

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