5 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
How a community-focused bank is championing business success in Central Ohio
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In the heart of Central Ohio, small businesses, from franchises to transportation companies to light manufacturers, were searching for a banking partner as invested in their success as they were. Enter First Commonwealth Bank's Central Ohio market team, a team that is quietly, steadily building a reputation as the Best Bank for Local Businesses.
A Visionary Leadership Team
In November 2024, First Commonwealth welcomed Steve Bennett as the new Regional President for Central Ohio, anchoring 11 branch offices across the region. Bennett, with over 20 years of Central Ohio banking experience and hands-on leadership in corporate banking, business banking, treasury, and public finance, returned with a mission: to deepen First Commonwealth's local roots and amplify its support for businesses.
Under Bennett's leadership, the bank brought aboard Jeff Powell, a seasoned Central Ohio banker, who was named Middle Market Team Leader in the region. With a background steeped in all aspects of investment banking, and family-business lending, Powell added strategic firepower tailored to entrepreneurs and established businesses.
The team with Adam Hansberry, Ben Forquer, Todd Rozens - a complete middle market team - provide First Commonwealth with a plethora of experience and customer-centric focus to be the best bank for business in the Greater Columbus area.
The Business Banking Team of Tiffany Wade and Brian Mayer with Foster Nye leading our SBA solutions compliment First Commonwealth's corporate banking team and have the expertise to serve this segment of the business.
Investing in the Community
First Commonwealth opened its 11th Central Ohio branch in November 2024, situated on Parsons Avenue in Columbus's near east side, a former restaurant and live-music venue reborn as a banking hub. The move showcased the bank's commitment to community revitalization and convenient accessibility for local businesses.
Additionally, Stephanie Aguila joined as Regional Community Reinvestment Officer for Ohio, bringing nearly 30 years of experience. She became a central figure in engaging with nonprofits, developers, churches, schools, and government entities through lending, investment, and service. Her stewardship boosted the bank's community reinvestment efforts and placed First Commonwealth at the center of local economic development.
Award-Winning Small Business Service
In early 2024, First Commonwealth received the 2023 Greenwich Excellence Award for Small Business Banking, recognized nationally for superior customer satisfaction, digital tools, and business impact support. Of over 500 banks evaluated, only 39 earned the honor.
That national recognition reinforced what local businesses had long sensed - First Commonwealth wasn't just a community bank—it was engineered to support them.
SBA Lending: Designed for Growth
First Commonwealth has become a top-five SBA lender in Ohio, ranking―#4 total dollars and #6 total loans. Its SBA lending presence significantly benefits Central Ohio business owners seeking expansion capital, new hires, or infrastructure financing, all backed by the bank's willingness to deeply underwrite small business loans.
A Narrative of Community Trust
The bank has been recognized for eight consecutive years as one of Forbes Magazine's 'Best Banks in America' and also Standard & Poor's Global Market Intelligence's 'Top 50 Public Banks under $10B'.
First Commonwealth Bank is focused on being the best bank for Central Ohio's businesses, with strategic initiatives, experienced bankers delivering customer-focused service for the entire region.
'We have the business expertise and product solutions to properly serve our banking customers at all levels,' said Bennett. 'We work each day to get better to be the best bank for business. But as a community bank, we remain committed to our mission of improving the financial lives of our neighbors and their businesses.'
For all your banking needs, contact Jeff Powell (jpowell@ at First Commonwealth Bank, your Best Bank for Business.
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF), headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is a community bank committed to its mission of improving the financial lives of its neighbors and their businesses. First Commonwealth operates 127 branches throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio and also has business banking centers in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Cleveland, Canton, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. First Commonwealth, through subsidiaries First Commonwealth Bank and First Commonwealth Insurance Agency, provides a full range of commercial and retail banking services, including mortgage, wealth management and insurance solutions, along with equipment financing and SBA and indirect lending. For more information about First Commonwealth or to open an account today, please visit .
