By Amber Mabe

If someone were to ask you how a banker has made an impact on your life, you may not have an answer right away. However, if you stop and think about it, banking specialists play a vital role in our everyday lives. From your home or business to the car you drive, the boat or camper you take out on weekends, or the savings account that helped you through college, a banker had a hand in helping you achieve your hopes and dreams. With so many of our desires riding on a good banking experience, it only makes sense to go to the best in the business. The Kernersville branch of Piedmont Federal Savings Bank is fortunate to be home to several local banking veterans who are always ready to help you in your next endeavor.

An undeniably familiar face in Triad business and banking is Tammy Coulter: a Kernersville resident, small business owner, and local Branch Manager with over 23 years of banking experience. “I love banking because it gives me the opportunity to meet and assist so many great people in our community,” Tammy says. Specializing in home equity loans, Tammy also handles mortgages, as well as opening and servicing personal and business accounts. Locals may be familiar with Tammy’s two small businesses: the 421 Market and Grill and Gypsy Road Brewing Company. “She understands what being a customer is, both on a business and a personal side, because she is a business owner and she is also a customer,” says Chief Experience Officer Ginger Salt. “That makes her unique and able to meet the needs of people that come into the branch, whether they are small businesses or have retail or personal needs.” Tammy’s community involvement extends beyond her businesses and workplace. She serves on the board for the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Novant Advisory Board.

Prospective homeowners are in good hands with veteran Loan Officer Mark Frazier. With the housing market tightening and more people looking to build their own homes, Piedmont Federal is excited to offer Construction-to-Permanent Financing. With this new financing option, Mark helps future homeowners finance both the construction and mortgage phases of home building with one loan and one closing cost. This simplifies the process of financing a new build immensely, and Mark’s knowledge and experience with these loans help to give customers peace of mind every step along the way. “When Shelly and I initiated the Construction/Perm loan process with Piedmont Federal, we had not had any previous experience with them,” says customer Stan Griffin. “We have been more than completely satisfied with the response and processes that Piedmont Federal and Mark Frazier utilize and the customer service is ‘top notch.’ Mark’s attention to detail kept things on track, while he kept us statused on each step in the process to make everything effortless and stress-free. We highly recommend Piedmont Federal and Mark Frazier when investigating Construction/Perm mortgage providers and would definitely use them in the future.” With over 37 years of banking experience, Mark’s commitment to serving his community over the last four decades has brought clients back to Piedmont Federal time and time again. “Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing the excitement in a person’s face when they are handed the keys to their new home,” Mark says. In addition to the Construction-to-Perm loans, Mark handles traditional mortgages, new home purchases, and home refinancing. He says his goal is to develop long-term relationships with customers not only in their home-buying process, but for all their banking needs.

Senior Business Banker Ken Esposito brings with him 22 years of experience, and a passion for helping small business owners. “I love banking because it offers me a chance to build relationships with other business owners who have an impact in our community as well as our local economy,” Ken says. “We want to consider ourselves a partner with family-owned businesses in our area as they grow their business.” With business lending now available at the Kernersville branch, Ken has more ways than ever to partner with small business owners. From C&I loans to commercial real estate, manufacturing, treasury services and more, Ken’s experience and drive to help others makes him a valuable asset not only to Piedmont Federal, but to the Kernersville community as a whole. Ken’s enthusiasm for helping family-owned businesses extends beyond the four walls of the bank itself as he helps business owners connect with a large local network of CPAs and other banking specialists that he has developed relationships with over the years.

These three local banking veterans, in addition to the great staff at the Kernersville branch, make banking with Piedmont Federal not only a pleasure, but a trustworthy choice for the future. “If you are looking for a bank with personal attention and real human connection, Piedmont Federal can handle all your banking needs, big and small,” says Steve Hemrick, owner of Steve’s Tire and Automotive. “I thought the ‘small town’ kind of attention and care was a thing of the past when it comes to banking, until I found Mark Frazier, Ken Esposito, and the entire team at the Kernersville location of Piedmont Federal Bank. We are so happy with the excellent service we receive for our personal and business banking needs.” Piedmont Federal is a truly local bank – which means all decision-making happens here, and the money stays in the community. A choice to bank with Piedmont Federal is a secure choice not only for your own future, but for the future of the Kernersville community.

For more information, visit the Kernersville branch at 505 Pineview Drive, call 336.993.2156 or browse services online at www.PiedmontFederal.bank.