The Oakleaf

On Saturday, August 21, we celebrate National Senior Citizens Day. On this day, we should all take a moment to let the seniors in our lives know how much we appreciate them. They are our parents, grandparents, and mentors, and they have set the foundation for much of the important work we do each and every day. One way we can honor our seniors is to do our part to protect them from scammers. Unfortunately, scammers target our nation’s seniors at alarming rates. We encourage you to talk to the seniors in your lives about telephone and letter scams. These scams are a form of elder abuse, and are all too common.

We recently promoted two staff members to branch manager and welcomed back a manager who was the recipient of a Tompkins VIST Bank sales award. These team members truly personify what is exceptional about our company.

Andy Marker is the new manager of our Blandon Office. With 37 years in banking, he joined us several years ago as assistant manager of the Exeter Branch. Jorge Richards is newer to banking, having started here six years ago, but he has risen to the role of manager of our Hamburg Branch. And Jennifer Woodland, who has been named a “Rising Star” for being a team player and on the path to success, returned recently to again manage our Breezy Corners office.

All three have superior financial knowledge and exemplify our bank’s core values of community support and dedication to customers, says Stefanie Shirk, community banking regional manager. “Andy, Jennifer and Jorge LOVE the communities where they work,” said Stefanie. “They’re always out and about at community events, helping to raise funds and support local organizations,” she said.

Buying a home can be a complicated process. But as community bankers, we can help navigate you through it every step of the way. And what better time to highlight that commitment than American Housing Month.* So here’s a reminder that we can help you realize your dream of homeownership or plan your move to a new home in the current economy.

With interest rates so low, homeownership remains very affordable, which is why people have been buying homes throughout the pandemic. To prepare yourself, the best way to start is by allowing a mortgage lender to educate you about the current housing market. We can help you understand what mortgage programs are best for you and which you can afford, including the amount you’ll need to put down and pay monthly.

Being armed with this knowledge is especially important now with the housing inventory so low and home buying so competitive. In fact, it’s not unusual for many people to make offers on the same house within one or two days. Becoming prequalified can give you an edge in that process.

Education for First-time Homebuyers
We are focused on building relationships, so we enjoy spending time educating our clients to make things as easy and affordable as possible. This is important when it comes to big financial decisions like buying a house. And especially for first-time homebuyers, who often have low-to moderate incomes. Connect with a mortgage originator to review your options.

We also offer virtual seminars on mortgages and homebuying. In fact, one is coming up soon, on Saturday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. To register, please visit http://webinar.vistbank.com/first-time-homebuyer.

Owning a home is only one part of your financial picture – a picture that changes as you and your family grow. Please remember that we want to help with your other needs including banking, insurance, and financial growth and planning. Please give us a call. We’re always ready to help.




*The American Bankers Association and its foundation celebrate June as American Housing Month to highlight banks’ commitment to help customers reach their housing goals. This month and all year round, that commitment includes education on housing, lending as well as options to help people struggling to pay for their home.

As a local banking professional and a mother of young children, I think about financial literacy often. Whether it is through my daily interactions or my own experiences, it is clear that our children benefit immensely from learning about money and saving from an early age.

Many industries have been deemed essential over the last year. But perhaps none has been more crucial to our well-being than farming. Even the heroic medical workers we continue to value couldn’t function without food to sustain them. That’s why we wanted to pay special tribute to agribusiness on National Ag Day, which this year falls on March 23.

February is a time to come together in celebration of the contributions that Black Americans have made throughout American history and a time to pause and reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality and social justice. The theme of Black History Month this year is, The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity. As we take into consideration all that Black History Month represents, I cannot help but think about how timely and appropriate this theme is given all that our country, and specifically our Black neighbors, endured in 2020. While the year has ended, the work for racial justice continues.

History is full of examples of leaders in business, science, and other fields who, through their ability to inspire and guide people, have made the world a better place.  We celebrate our nation’s highest elected office on Presidents’ Day, this year on February 15. With this upcoming celebration, especially in the midst of a challenging environment, we thought it a good opportunity to ask Tompkins VIST Bank President and CEO Scott Gruber for his thoughts on the subject.

To our valued customers,

As we begin a new year, I’d like to start by thanking you for your support in what was the most difficult year most of us have ever experienced. I’d also like to briefly recap how we tried to support you - our customers and communities - in 2020.