United Bank recently announced the winners for its annual branch and employee awards including Branch of the Year, Employee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Spirit of United Bank Award. United Bank’s Jay Branch was named Branch of the Year. Michelle Wetzel, Supervisor Deposit Operations and First Impressions, was named Employee of the Year. Anna Weaver, Vice President-Mortgage Loan Originator, was named Volunteer of the Year. Michael Kircharr, Maintenance Technician, was the recipient of the Spirit of United Bank Award. In addition, the bank’s Audit Department was named Division of the Year. Recipients are selected based on 2016 financial performance and staff nominations as well as community impact.
“Community banks respect the communities they serve,” said Bob Jones, President and CEO of United Bank. “These awards give us an opportunity to celebrate the civic contributions of community banks and the role employees and locations play in strengthening local economies while providing excellent personalized service to our banking customers. I am proud of the recognition of these individuals and their staff.”
As Branch of the Year, the Jay Branch saw its loans grow by $3.4 million and deposits grow by $3.5 million. Throughout the year, they maintained outstanding performance placing them in the top three of UB’s 18 locations.
As Employee of the Year, Michelle Wetzel plays a critical role in supervising the daily processes of both Deposit Operations and First Impressions, UB customer service solutions center. Applying her more than 14 years banking experience, Wetzel works diligently with several vital divisions including management, training, marketing and compliance to ensure operations run effortlessly and efficiently.
Humbled by the honor, Wetzel said “I feel there are others who could have been chosen as Employee of the Year. I am thankful and appreciative to be nominated.”
Answering her calling of a true servant’s heart, she said “I enjoy helping others when possible and I am grateful to be a part of United Bank.”
Anna Weaver, who began her career with United Bank in August of 2013, is the recipient of the bank’s Volunteer of the Year Award. The award was organized by United Bank’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) team and is designed to recognize individual efforts that have a direct impact on community development and improvement.
“United Bank not only encourages employees to be active in our communities but rewards it.” said Weaver. “As a community banker, serving my local community is second nature. I take pride in my contribution in making it stronger through my service projects.”
Michael Kircharr, who began his career with United Bank in September of 2014, is the recipient of the Spirit of United Bank Award. This award is unique in recognizing the spirit of helpfulness, willingness and cheerfulness. Kircharr’s work ethic, calm demeanor and dedication to a task well done are a few of the reasons that the United Bank team benefits from his membership. He assists anyone while inspiring others through his acts of generosity. Kircharr does good for others with no other motive but kindness. In many instances, he faces rapidly changing work demands, a wide array of job types, and last minute requests with a smile and without complaint.
United Bank’s Audit Department was chosen as Division of the Year for its contributions to the bank’s efficiency as well as their standards. The Audit Department is vital to the bank as a means of systematic checks of records, assessing procedures, policies and financial records, while establishing accuracy and effectiveness. Audit performs processes with integrity through their reporting, meeting deadlines on or ahead of time. In addition to daily priorities, the department embraces several additional obligations while retaining the same number of support staff.