A Conversation With: Neal Koplin senior executive vice president and chief banking officer for Peoples Security Bank & Trust

Peoples Security Bank and Trust, founded in 1905, is headquartered in Scranton Pennsylvania. The Bank is the product of a merger completed in 2013 between Peoples Neighborhood Bank and Penn Security Bank. The Bank has  expanded its footprint  into several new  markets, including Lehigh Valley, and has  assets in excess of $2.4 billion. Its presence in Lehigh Valley includes three locations with over $500 million in assets.

LVB:  How do you see Peoples’ role in the Greater Lehigh Valley?

Koplin: Our team works hard to be one of the leading community banks in the Lehigh Valley, and we actively participate in new area projects, including commercial real estate projects in Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown, and are currently managing more than 30 construction projects in the area.

In addition, we are an important resource for area businesses and residents, providing cash management services, business loans, residential mortgages, home equity line of credit products and personal deposit products.

To promote our growth, we have a strong team of banking professionals who are focused on serving our customers and the community. Many of our team members are very active in area not-for-profit organizations.  We have been a partner for the area’s top financial initiatives, including the tax credit NPP program (West Ward of Easton) and Vision 2020 (south Bethlehem).

LVB:  Describe the environment for banks of your size in the current banking market?

Koplin: Today’s marketplace is highly competitive. Interest rates are low, which has fueled loan activity. In 2019, we originated more Lehigh Valley loans than any prior year. Our deposit customers expect a favorable interest rate, so we endeavor to offer competitive products.

LVB:  What are the challenges in the current banking market?

Koplin: Economic uncertainty and interest rate pressures are our greatest challenges. Both impact decision making for businesses, as well as their borrowing requests.

Today’s political climate  can also create marketplace uncertainty, though this is commonplace during an election year.

LVB:  What’s next for Peoples? Are you looking to expand, grow your territory or concentrate on your current footprint?

Koplin: Yes, to all of those. We continue to expand, most recently to the Greater Delaware Valley.  Just last year, through our  expansion into Bucks County as part of the GDV initiative, we opened a business center in Lebanon to serve Central Pa.

As part of our growth strategy, we’re continually looking to add banking professionals to our team.

And as for Lehigh Valley, we’re committed to being a leading community bank for the area, actively taking steps to assist consumers and local businesses however we can.

-By Stacy Wescoe