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Pillars of the Community

The Pillars of the Community Awards honor financial institutions for outstanding work that creates housing for lower-income families and that promotes community stability and revitalization throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The awards are presented annually at the FHLBank Pittsburgh's Regional Conferences.

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

2011 Pillars of the Community Awards

Peoples Neighborhood Bank
Hallstead, PA

Peoples Neighborhood Bank was honored for its affordable housing and small business lending activities in 2010. PNB channeled funding from the Affordable Housing Program to Station House Apartments, a mixed-use project that rehabbed an aging building in Susquehanna, PA. PNB used the Banking On Business program in 2010 to help finance six growing enterprises, including a start-up machine shop in Carbondale, a home health care company in Olyphant and a pasta manufacturer in Jessup.

PNB was also honored for its mortgage closing cost assistance program, which provides up to $2,000 in grants to qualifying homebuyers. Additionally, PNB employees and directors are involved in a number of nonprofit organizations, and PNB makes charitable contributions to a host of other nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity in four counties.

S&T Bank
Indiana, PA

S&T Bank was cited for its affordable housing and financial literacy efforts last year. S&T committed more than $4 million in funding through the Community Lending Program to renovate a 72-unit senior high-rise in Turtle Creek, plus $5.5 million more of such funding to develop a 40-unit townhouse project for low-income families in Indiana, PA.

S&T was also honored for its participation in the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, contributing more than $1.4 million over the past ten years. Additionally, S&T advocates strongly for financial literacy among young people, especially through the “Teach Children to Save” and “Get Smart About Credit” initiatives in which bank volunteers help students develop sound money management skills and savings habits. S&T also participates in an array of fundraising and charitable contribution efforts.  

2011 Council’s Award

Each year, FHLBank’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council, which serves the Bank and its Board of Directors, selects an individual who demonstrates a lifelong commitment to affordable housing and whose career leadership has achieved important and lasting results in the community.

Donna Sellers
Vice President and Community Reinvestment Officer
United Bank
Charleston, WV and Washington, D.C.

A 35-year employee of United Bank, Donna Sellers was specifically cited for her work in submitting 38 applications for Affordable Housing Program grants, 33 applications for lower-income first-time homebuyer grants, and additional FHLBank funding applications to spur small business and community development. She has also been an active participant in a pilot homeownership rehabilitation program, flood relief activities, and the Blueprint Communities neighborhood revitalization initiative.

Donna was also recognized for her volunteer and board of directors work outside the office, including commitments to the United Way Agency Review Team, Southern Appalachian Labor School, Family Intervention Crisis Center, Fairmont/Morgantown Housing Authority, Roark-Sullivan Homeless Shelter for Veterans, Habitat for Humanity and Jubilee Housing.

2010 Pillars of the Community Awards

CNB Bank
Clearfield, PA

CNB Bank was honored for channeling more than $600,000 in funding from the Community Lending Program (CLP) to two new construction projects that will create much-needed affordable housing. Meanwhile, ERIEBANK, a division of CNB, was one of three members to participate in a portion of the 2009 restructuring of $80 million in outstanding revenue bonds for Erie Water Works. The bonds were partially refinanced with the help of FHLBank Pittsburgh’s newest Letter of Credit product – the first such use in our district of authority recently granted by Congress.

CNB Bank also maintains a high standard of direct community involvement. CNB sponsors two financial literacy programs, teaching both elementary and high school students important lessons in finance. In addition, CNB makes many charitable donations and sponsors numerous community organizations and events. CNB board members and employees contribute considerable energy to serving on boards and volunteering time to a number of worthy nonprofit and civic organizations.

PNC Bank
Pittsburgh, PA

PNC Bank was cited for its impressive use of FHLBank programs, including the 2009 completion of five affordable housing projects that received nearly $1.3 million in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) funding. Over the past 20 years, PNC has sponsored 150 other projects with nearly $38 million in AHP funding. PNC has also used FHLBank’s First Front Door Program to great advantage and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Blueprint Communities revitalization effort.

PNC Bank has a history of working with customers and residents of all ages to help them improve their financial health, touching the lives of more than 23,000 people in 2009. PNC makes this possible through a variety of bank services, financial education classes, and support for non-profit community organizations that have adopted financial education as part of their mission. Partnerships with community-based organizations, charitable contributions and volunteer activities allow PNC to further strengthen communities for the people who live and work there.

2010 Council’s Award

Each year, FHLBank’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council, which serves the Bank and its Board of Directors, selects an individual who demonstrates a lifelong commitment to affordable housing and whose career leadership has achieved important and lasting results in the community.

Michael D. Skipper
Vice President and Community Development Manager
WSFS Bank
Wilmington, DE

Mike Skipper has had a long and distinguished career as a community banker, working tirelessly to create productive financing options for his customers, especially those with small businesses. He has used the Bank’s Community Lending and Affordable Housing programs extensively. Mike recently participated in a strategic review of FHLBank’s Banking On Business program, while also providing ongoing planning support on the Blueprint Communities advisory committee.

A passionate advocate, Mike has volunteered his time to support several initiatives critical to the future of community development in Delaware. He has taken active roles on a number of committees and teams working with various levels of government to set policy and optimize funding for affordable housing and community development. Clearly, Mike has translated his commitment and passion into progressive action.