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Univest Financial Center Opens at AF Bornot Dye Works Building in Fairmount


Univest Bank and Trust Co. kicked off its expansion into the Philadelphia market on the 1st of June as they held a ribbon cutting ceremony to signify the opening of their new financial center at 1642 Fairmount Ave.

The event was open for the public to come see the facility and speak to Univest representatives about what the financial center will offer. Reverend Dr. Herbert H. Lusk of Greater Exodus Baptist Church gave a dedication prayer for the new branch following a speech by Jeff Schweitzer, CEO of Univest Corporation.

Univest Financial Center

Inside Univest’s new Financial Center in Fairmount./Patrick Clark

Schweitzer explained the branch’s goals and Univest’s approach to banking.“It’s exciting for us to be a part of something that’s growing. We’re trying to help the community thrive. We truly can’t be successful unless the community is successful,” he explained. Schweitzer also proudly stated that Univest donated over a million and a half dollars to local non-profits and employees volunteered more than 7,600 hours of their own time in the past year. “It’s really part of our culture.”

Univest Financial Center

Jeff Schweitzer, President and CEO of Univest.

Univest acquired Valley Green Bank in January 2015 and through that acquisition, now control three branches in Philadelphia. The former Valley Green branches are located in Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill, and South Philadelphia. The new Fairmount location will be Univest’s first bank in the city that they saw through the entirety of it’s development. Univest is also currently pursuing another possible location in University City.

In addition to Schweitzer, other Univest executives attended the event to show their commitment to community-first banking. Louis Spinelli, president of consumer banking, greeted people as they entered. “We thought this was a great community for us to get involved in,” he explained. “Univest is a very community focused organization and we’re excited about bringing that focus into the Philadelphia market.”Univest Financial Center

An important distinction to note about the new Univest location is that it is being labeled a “financial center” as opposed to being simply called a bank. Schweitzer explains that they call it a financial center because in addition to checking accounts and loans, the Fairmount location will also handle mortgages, insurance, and investments. Univest’s goal is to create a one-stop shop banking experience.

These additional services will be handled by employees that Univest labels “personal bankers.” These personal bankers will perform the duties of multiple positions. Spinelli explains, “They are trained to handle any request that a customer might have. So we don’t have different positions like tellers and SSRs who serve different functions. They’re able to do anything that a customer needs. So when you walk in and you need information on a mortgage or you want to open an account or save for retirement, they’ll be able to help you.”

Univest Financial Center

Left to right: Mike Keim, president, Univest Bank and Trust Co.; Reverend Dr. Herbert H. Lusk; Mia Kirksey, Fairmount Financial Center manager; Louis Spinelli, president, Consumer Banking, Univest Bank and Trust Co.; Jeff Schweitzer, president and CEO, Univest Corporation.

The success of the financial center will ride on whether or not local customers will be willing to move their business to Univest from larger banks, but it is clear that Univest is committed to the area and fostering connections. “We want people to see us as a community partner,” Spinelli explained. “That’s how we do business.”

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