SJBiz_WhosWho in Banking_1221FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 12 / 10 / 21 2 : 19 PM Page 3 dorianSMITH SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT , BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT , AMERICAN HERITAGE CREDIT UNION In his role at American Heritage Credit Union , Smith is responsible G for workplace partnership relation - brettLAWRENCE N ships , community events and finan - VICE PRESIDENT , COMMERCIAL LENDING , FIRST IBANK cial wellness programs for a compa - Lawrence has filled a variety of roles K ny with more than 35 branches and in credit and lending capacities 800 workplace partners across the N throughout his nearly two - decade region . He also serves as executive career . As vice president of commer - A director of the Kids - N - Hope Founda - cial lending , he helps to expand tion , a nonprofit organization Bstarted First Bank’s commercial loan and by the credit union that supports pe - deposit relationships in the South diatric music therapy programs at nlo - Jersey region . He believes a imajor cal hospitals and has helped thousands of children adapt to or lesson from the pandemic is that as even overcome their illnesses . important as digital banking contin - o ues to be , meaningful bonds with What is one of the biggest issues facing the industry right clients are even more hcrucial . now ? Lawrence , who earned his master’s of business administration “ The industry is faced with changing expectations on how pay - from Philadelphia University , is involved with several Wnonprof - ments , transfers and budget tools are delivered . [ Customers ] its and civic organizations in the area . also expect rapid financing decisions and fulfillment . We con - s tinue to adapt to these trends to ensure that we remain a ’ pre - What is the most rewarding aspect of the job ? ferred financial provider in the Delaware Valley . Our community “ First Bank was on the front lines in supporting their customers o expects and deserves equal access to financial services . We through the crisis [ of the pandemic ] . The bank played a pivotal constantly strive to provide financial inclusion to underserved h role [ in ] transmitting government stimulus measures , offering communities , and embrace diversity , equity and inclusion in forbearanceand emergency funding to clients , along with do - everything from the associates we hire to the financial solutions W nating to relief efforts . It’s easy to have a relationship when we provide . ” business is going well and there are no economic headwinds , but adversity shows the true character of that connection . ” MiCHaeLVALLE vinCentTUCCI SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND TEAM LEADER , SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR RELATIONSHIP UNIVEST BANK MANAGER , BANK OF AMERICA A resident of Philadelphia , Valle has A native of Philadelphia , Tucci been involved in the financial servic - graduated from La Salle University es industry for nearly 40 years . In his with a finance degree and earned current role as commercial banking his MBA at Temple . He began his senior vice president and team career at CoreStates Bank and leader for Univest Bank , he finds brought more than two decades of great reward in “ meeting new busi - experience as a client relationship ness owners every day , learning manager and regional vice presi - their story and sharing ours with dent to Bank of America when he them . ” joined the company in 2009 . In his current role overseeing the South How has the banking industry Jersey market , he leads a team of changed for the better during the pandemic ? specialists focused on understanding each client’s unique “ It gave true relationship bankers an opportunity to stay closer needs to deliver strategic financial guidance and solutions . to their clients in a time of need and enhance our relationships with them . It also enabled local banks , like Univest , to stand What is the most rewarding aspect of the job ? out as we were able to continue to serve their needs seam - “ Every day as a Bank of America employee , my team and I lessly . Clients learned firsthand they could call on us to navi - work to help our local economy grow while strengthening gate a challenging time . The banking world became virtual for the communities we serve . We are able to support local busi - the most part during the pandemic and it showed that both ness owners in Southern New Jersey with the necessary re - bankers and business owners can still have a successful part - sources they need to sustain and grow . The last few months nership and work together to fulfill all needs through digital have been rewarding as business owners ’ confidence has tools and communication . ” risen and expectations have bounced back as they began their journey to full recovery . ” 34 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 11 ISSUE 12 | SouthJerseyBiz.net