FDIC
Serving our community since 1915.
Big Enough to Serve You, Small Enough to Care.

Archive:

Author Archives: admin

  1. Slovenian Spotlight: Marlene Kotch

    Comments Off on Slovenian Spotlight: Marlene Kotch

    Marlene Kotch is celebrating 42 years at Slovenian Savings & Loan this August! Hired as a graduate of Conemaugh Valley High School with a talent for math, she began her career as a teller. After nine years in that position, she was promoted to accounting clerk.

    “In that role, I’m responsible for making sure all the totals match at the end of the day, along with account balancing, computer and bookkeeping tasks,” she explains. “I’ve always loved working with numbers, and for me, it’s like working a puzzle.”

    At the time Marlene was hired, Slovenian only had one branch – the original office in Conemaugh. Although she has been with the bank through the opening of four additional branches, she continues to work from the Conemaugh location. She has enjoyed the challenges presented by Slovenian’s growth, and by the changes in banking technology.

    “When that first new branch opened in Moxham back in 1986, it was a really big deal,” she says. “Adding ATMs, mobile banking, and internet banking were also major milestones.”

    Marlene and her husband, Kevin, belong to St. Gregory & Barnabas Catholic Parish, where she has served as the organist since high school. She also enjoys crocheting and creating almost any kind of crafts, but enjoys spending time with family most of all. Family is important to Marlene, who has two adult children, Renee Kruise and son, James Dallas III, wife Samantha, and two young grandchildren, Paige Elizabeth and James Dean IV.

    “I love my job, and I love the people at Slovenian – both customers and my co-workers,” she explains. “Slovenian values family, like I do. It’s a great place to be.”

  2. New features coming to Slovenian’s online bill pay system

    Comments Off on New features coming to Slovenian’s online bill pay system

    New features are coming to our online bill pay system! We expect these to roll out in mid-June, but wanted to give you a quick preview. Changes include:

    • New look and functionality to payments, including the ability to add comments, set recurring payments, and set reminders
    • The ability to pay an individual person
    • The ability to gift pay (as pictured above), and even send a card for a nominal fee
    • A bill pay calendar, enabling you to see all your payments at a glance

    The overall system will have a more intuitive look and feel, too.

    The changes will be automatically appear — users will not need to re-sign up for online bill pay. You can browse through an interactive demo account at the link below!

    See the demo

  3. Slovenian sponsors cornhole tournament to benefit Women’s Help Center

    Comments Off on Slovenian sponsors cornhole tournament to benefit Women’s Help Center

    Slovenian Savings & Loan is a proud sponsor of Toss Out Domestic Violence, an indoor cornhole tournament to benefit the Women’s Help Center! The tournament will be held at noon on Saturday, April 27 at the Turfside Indoor Sports Complex (429 Verla Drive, Windber).

    Registration will begin at noon, and the cornhole tournament will begin at 1:00 pm. The cornhole tournament will be limited to 40 teams of two.

    Early-bird entry fee: $40/team before April 15.
    Entry fee: $45/team after April 15.
    Entry fee for non-participant – $10

    NO ADMISSION UNDER 21. (ID will be checked at the door.)

    To register in advance, contact dpenrod@lhrklaw.com. Registrations will also be taken at the door.

  4. Proudly serving Conemaugh since 1915!

    Comments Off on Proudly serving Conemaugh since 1915!

    Slovenian Savings & Loan was founded in 1915, in Conemaugh. That same office, as seen in the vintage photo above, is located at 361 First Street and is still in use today! This location remains the main office of Slovenian Savings & Loan, just as it has been for more than 100 years.

    Slovenian went on to open new branch offices in Moxham (1986), Richland (1995), Windber (1997), and West Hills (2006). As a true sign of the Association’s local roots, most Slovenian employees reside in the same communities that they work in.

    The Conemaugh location offers:

    • Safe deposit boxes
    • 24-hour ATM
    • Lobby service from 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday through Thursday
    • Extended lobby service of 9:00 am-6:00 pm on Fridays
    • Deposit accounts including checking, savings, Certificate of Deposit (CD) and IRAs
    • A variety of loan products to meet your needs, including mortgages, construction mortgages, home equities, home equity lines of credit (HELOC), personal loans, auto and motorcycle loans, and more
    • Convenience banking – including phone, online, mobile and remote deposit
    • The personal service you’ve come to expect from Slovenian Savings & Loan

    We are Conemaugh’s community bank, and we welcome new customers! Stop into Slovenian Savings & Loan today.

  5. Slovenian Spotlight: Pam Roxby

    Comments Off on Slovenian Spotlight: Pam Roxby

    Pam Roxby first came to Slovenian Savings & Loan in August 1998, working in the Windber branch as a part-time teller.

    “I had been at home with my kids, and then worked in retail management as they got older and the economy changed,” Pam says. “I banked at Slovenian before I worked here, and inquired several times about the possibility of working for Slovenian – and was so excited when the opportunity finally came.”

    Pam enjoys getting to know her customers, and that Slovenian Savings & Loan has what she calls “that personal touch.”

    Over the years, she has seen many changes in banking technology, from online banking to mobile check deposit, and is proud of the bank’s commitment to staying up-to-date. Even with all these changes, she is careful to point out that the bank’s emphasis on personal service remains the same.

    “Nine times out of ten we know our customers’ names when they come in,” she explains. “We really work together to accommodate people any way we can.”

    Pam, a native of Windber, has been married to her husband, Colin, for 41 years. The couple’s two sons and their wives live nearby. When asked what her hobbies are, Pam laughs and says, “anything with my five grandchildren,” who range in age from kindergarten to the first year in college. In addition, the Roxbys own a camper and enjoy summertime camping trips.

    “On my days off I enjoy watching my grandchildren, and we also go to a lot of their games – in fact, right now it’s basketball season,” she says. “My career at Slovenian has allowed me to be a big part of their lives while they grow up, and I’m so grateful for that.”

  6. Santa to visit our Richland branch on Dec. 21

    Comments Off on Santa to visit our Richland branch on Dec. 21

    Once again this year, Santa is taking time out from his busy holiday schedule to stop by our Richland branch for a visit! We invite you to join us for this free event on Friday, Dec. 21 from 3:00-5:00 pm. Ho ho ho!

  7. Let Slovenian Savings & Loan help you with debt reduction strategies

    Comments Off on Let Slovenian Savings & Loan help you with debt reduction strategies

    Financial advisors sometimes talk about “good” debt and “bad” debt. Good debt is defined as an investment that will either increase in value, or create long-term rewards – such as a mortgage, or even student loans. Bad debt is debt that’s incurred to buy something that doesn’t create long-term value, and generally carries a much higher interest rate than good debt.

    There are various reasons why people may incur bad debt, typically on credit cards. But once you’re in debt, paying down the principal can be challenging – and monthly interest charges will continue to increase the amount owed if you can’t make more than the minimum payment.

    If you find yourself in debt and are a homeowner, you may qualify for a home equity loan that can help you get out of bad debt. The idea is simple – you take out a low-interest loan using your home as collateral.

    A closed end home equity loan provides you with one lump sum of money, which will enable you to pay off multiple high-interest debts (such as credit cards) immediately. Then, you pay back the loan over a period of one to 15 years in monthly payments, having consolidated your debts into a single loan. This is why these loans are sometimes called “debt consolidation” loans. You won’t owe less money, but you may have lowered the interest rate considerably, helping you save money over time.

    Home equity loans are low-interest and fixed rate, and sometimes provide a tax advantage in that the loan may be tax deductible. You may even improve your credit rating by consolidating your debts. The disadvantage, of course, is that you can lose your home if you’re unable to pay it back. But for homeowners who are trying to reduce their high-interest debt load, a home equity loan is often a smart financial decision.

    At Slovenian Savings & Loan, applying for a home equity loan is easy, and the approval process is quick. What’s more, you don’t have to have your mortgage with us to qualify. If you’d like to discuss our great rate home equity loans, contact us today. Our friendly loan officers will go over your options and help you determine if a home equity loan is right for you.

  8. Slovenian had a great time at Hat Trick or Treat!

    Comments Off on Slovenian had a great time at Hat Trick or Treat!

    On Sat., Oct. 27, Slovenian Savings & Loan was at the Johnstown Tomahawks Hat Trick or Treat presented by Forever Media! The piggy banks we distributed were a big hit with the kids, and everyone had a great time.

    Slovenian wishes all our customers and friends a safe and happy Halloween!

  9. Slovenian Spotlight: Debbie Castiglione

    Comments Off on Slovenian Spotlight: Debbie Castiglione

    Born in Bon Air, Deborah Castiglione graduated from Conemaugh Valley High School in 1974, and was soon hired by Slovenian Savings & Loan.

    “The chairman of the Slovenian board was one of my high school teachers, and he recommended I interview for an open teller position at the Conemaugh location,” she recalls. “They hired me on the spot.”

    At the time, the Conemaugh location was Slovenian’s only branch office.

    “The Moxham office was Slovenian’s first new branch, opening in 1986. That was an exciting time for the board, management and employees. When the board offered me the branch manager position I was hesitant at first,” Debbie recalls. “I have really enjoyed being part of the leadership here, and being part of the association’s growth.”

    She notes that her career has spanned many changes in the banking world, from banking laws and regulations to technology – “from carbon paper to computers,” she laughs, noting that she still keeps a few sheets of carbon paper as a reminder.

    When Debbie started her career with Slovenian, there was one location and six employees – today, there are five locations and 37 employees. But throughout the years of growth and change, some things have remained the same.

    “Slovenian has always treated everyone so well,” she says. “I think that’s why people – both employees and customers – tend to stay with us for a long time. The managers of our branches do a great job making Slovenian a great place for employees and customers, while our front-line staff treat our customers well – and that’s where it all starts.”

    In addition to her duties as manager for the Moxham location, Debbie has served as the secretary of the association’s board of directors since 1988.

    Debbie currently resides in the Cover Hill neighborhood of Conemaugh Township.

    “I love it when children of customers who I used to help as a teller come back to Slovenian as adults,” she says. “Back then, I’d give them a lollipop – it’s amazing to be in a position to help them finance the purchase of their first home.”

  10. Slovenian Spotlight: Cindy Krassnoski

    Comments Off on Slovenian Spotlight: Cindy Krassnoski

    Cindy Krassnoski, who has been a part-time teller at the Richland branch of Slovenian Savings & Loan since 2004, plans to retire on August 29 of this year.

    “I have loved working at Slovenian – the company treats employees so well, and our customers are such friendly, nice people,” Cindy says. “We really emphasize customer service here and try to find ways to help, which I think is the best part of all.”

    Throughout her career with Slovenian, she has mainly worked the drive-through window, becoming a familiar face to our Richland customers. And for Cindy, who worked at a variety of financial institutions in the area before coming to Slovenian, the bank is almost literally in her backyard.

    “I walk to work every day – I’ve been really lucky to be able to do that, although some days I need a really good pair of snow boots,” she laughs. “But I’d rather walk through the snow than drive in it.”

    Cindy grew up in Vinco, but has lived in Richland with her husband, Richard, for many years. The Krassnoskis have two grown children – Eric, who now lives in Dallas, and Emily, who is married and raising a family in Hollsopple. The Krassnoskis plan to relocate to Hollsopple to be near them, and to spend more time with their grandchildren, Louis (6), and Avery (4). Cindy also expects to have more time for her hobbies of reading and crafting.

    “We’re building a new house to downsize a little bit, and I’m looking forward to moving and to being with my grandchildren,” Cindy says. “But it’s bittersweet, because I have such good friends here and really enjoy my customers.”

    Slovenian Savings & Loan thanks her for her many years of service, and wishes her all the best in retirement.