Courtesy photo
JOHNSTOWN — As 1st Summit Bank marks its 100th year in business, the Johnstown-based bank is looking forward to a future of continued growth and expansion.
The bank was founded as Salix State Bank in Dublio in 1924. It became known as Summit Bank in 1982 before becoming 1st Summit Bank in 1996.
The actual anniversary date is May 29, but the bank will mark the anniversary over the weekend of May 24.
“I think it is great when you think about being here for 100 years, being in business that long is becoming more rare. You think about all of the events that have happened over the last 100 years, the bank has weathered all of those storms so well,” said President/CEO J. Eric Renner.
Renner said the bank’s commitment to its customers and its consistency have made a big difference for many families and businesses across the region. In his opinion, those traits point to continued “growth and success” for many years to come.
1st Summit Bank has been a longtime supporter and member of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association and the group has benefited from the bank’s knowledge and experience over the years, according to the association’s president and CEO Duncan Campbell.
“Much has changed over the last 100 years, but 1st Summit’s commitment to their customers, community and the industry has not. We are honored to have them as members and be a small part of their story,” said Campbell.
Today, 1st Summit Bank provides retail and commercial banking, financial and investment services through 19 full-service community offices and a loan production office within Cambria, Westmoreland, Blair, Somerset and Indiana counties.
1st Summit is best known for its personalized service.
“We have customers who trust our employees who are very engaged with the customers.
We are pretty flexible on both the consumer and business slides. We have good convenient locations, our digital platform is top notch,” Renner said. “If you are a customer, you are not a number — we know you by your name.”
Renner said business loans are a big part of 1st Summit’s offerings and the bank is looking to expand in the business sector over the coming years. Renner said the new offices in Altoona and Greensburg will be “extremely important” to that growth.
1st Summit is owned by 650 shareholders — most of whom are customers of the bank. The bank has assets of
$1.3 billion, Renner said.
Something that Renner feels is an asset to the region is the bank’s heavy community involvement, saying 1st Summit spent $480,000 in sponsorships and donations to about 375 organizations and charities. The bank’s employees also volunteer with various organizations and causes in their communities.
In recognition of the work the bank does outside of its walls, 1st Summit won the Cambria Regional Chamber’s Community Service Award in 2023.
“They are really good community stewards. They encourage their staff to be involved in the community, they sit on a lot of boards and participate in events that help the community. Financially, they are very generous in their support of the community. They are great partners and have done a lot for the community,” said chamber President/CEO Amy Bradley.
1st Summit first came to Altoona in 2005 when it opened an office inside the Altoona Walmart store, which has grown into the bank’s fifth largest office, Renner said.
1st Summit opened a second Altoona location in December in Eldorado.
“Our deposit share in Blair County is growing. As we look to more involvement when expanding, we see good things happening in Blair County,” Renner said.
However, Renner said 1st Summit has to be cautious where it expands.
“I can see another branch on the horizon. We have no specific time frame, we want to find a place that is the right community pattern that is convenient,” Renner said.
The theme of the anniversary year — For the Community. For Brighter Tomorrows — honors the bank’s unique ability to engage with each community it serves and the bank’s role in helping families and businesses reach their wide-ranging goals and dreams.
“We are excited to involve our customers in this historic moment for 1st Summit Bank,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Karen Mento. “Our celebration is not only about the past — it is a glimpse into the next hundred years, in which we will continue to forge into the future of banking and positively impact the lives of our customers and our communities.”
Renner is optimistic about the future of the bank.
“Our two newest offices are growing nicely in only a few short months. We have to be sure the opportunities we have are strategically placed and not on top of one another. We need to focus on financial security and safeguard our customers. That is important in this day and age,” Renner said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.