Rooted in Relationships
How This Leading Bank Strengthens Communities Through People, Purpose, and Personalized Banking
For more than a century and a half, Tioga State Bank has played an integral role in the economic and social fabric of upstate New York. Headquartered in Tioga County and serving Tioga, Broome, Chemung, and Tompkins counties—along with portions of northern Pennsylvania—the institution has remained steadfast in its commitment to community banking since its founding in 1864.
Today, under the leadership of President and CEO Robert (Bob) Fisher, Tioga State Bank continues to differentiate itself through a relationship-driven model that places people before transactions. While the financial services landscape grows increasingly digitized and consolidated, the bank has stayed true to a philosophy that values personal connection, local decision-making, and long-term community investment.
A Community Bank with Broad Reach and Focused Purpose
At its core, Tioga State Bank specializes in one-to-four family residential lending and small business financing—two areas that are foundational to local economic vitality. According to Fisher, the bank takes particular pride in its ability to work beyond rigid lending templates, offering non-conforming loan solutions that reflect the real-world circumstances of its customers.
“Within the regulatory framework we operate in, we try to be as creative and flexible as possible,” Fisher explains. “Our goal is always to find a way to help customers succeed, rather than defaulting to a ‘no.’”
That mindset is especially valuable for self-employed individuals, contractors, and small business owners whose financial profiles may not fit neatly into standardized underwriting models. By taking the time to understand each customer’s situation, Tioga State Bank has built lasting relationships that extend well beyond individual transactions.
Giving Back as a Core Responsibility
Community investment is not an afterthought at Tioga State Bank—it is embedded in the institution’s operating philosophy. Several years ago, the bank formalized that commitment through the creation of the TSB Foundation, to which five percent of annual net income is donated each year. Those funds are reinvested directly into local nonprofits and initiatives designed to improve quality of life across the bank’s service area.
Beyond financial contributions, the bank actively encourages hands-on involvement. Employees are provided with Volunteer Time Off (VTO), enabling them to support local causes during work hours. From breast cancer awareness campaigns and prostate cancer fundraisers to Salvation Army bell-ringing competitions and community builds, Tioga State Bank’s presence is felt well beyond its branch walls.
Importantly, much of the money raised through these initiatives stays local, supporting nearby healthcare organizations and community programs—ensuring that the impact is both meaningful and measurable.
Building Financial Confidence from an Early Age
Another pillar of Tioga State Bank’s community engagement is financial literacy. Community Office Manager Raven Pompa-Beeman plays an active role in outreach to local school districts, working directly with students to demystify personal finance concepts that are often overlooked in traditional curricula.
From classroom presentations and after-school programs to a unique student-run branch in Johnson City, the bank helps young people learn about budgeting, credit, and responsible banking in practical, accessible ways. These efforts are especially impactful for students who may not have access to financial guidance at home, offering them tools that can shape lifelong habits.
“Financial confidence should start early,” Pompa-Beeman notes. “We want students to understand how their decisions today affect their opportunities tomorrow.”
Culture as a Competitive Advantage
In an industry facing increasing competition for talent, Tioga State Bank has made employee culture a strategic priority. The results speak for themselves: the bank has been recognized by American Banker as one of the Best Banks to Work For for eight consecutive years.
That culture is intentionally cultivated through regular recognition, quarterly celebrations, and bank-wide events that bring together employees from different departments and locations. Vice President of Marketing Sarah Rayle explains that these gatherings foster camaraderie, reinforce core values, and ensure that employees feel both appreciated and connected.
At a time when employee retention is a growing challenge across the financial sector, Tioga State Bank’s emphasis on engagement, recognition, and shared purpose has become one of its strongest assets.
Technology That Enhances, Not Replaces, Relationships
While relationships remain central, Tioga State Bank has also embraced technology where it adds value. The bank was an early adopter of tools like DocuSign and has partnered with fintech firms through initiatives associated with the Independent Community Bankers of America to enhance efficiency and security.
One notable innovation is the implementation of Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), which blend digital convenience with personalized service. Customers can complete transactions from their vehicles while still speaking directly with a live service representative—offering a hybrid experience that reflects evolving customer preferences.
“Not everyone wants to walk into a branch, and not everyone wants to do everything online,” Fisher says. “Our job is to offer every access channel and let customers choose what works best for them.”
Addressing Modern Challenges Head-On
As fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, Tioga State Bank has intensified its focus on prevention and education. Through seminars, social media outreach, in-branch messaging, and one-on-one customer support, the bank works proactively to protect its most vulnerable customers.
This hands-on approach requires time, patience, and expertise from frontline staff—but it also reinforces trust. Customers know they can rely on their bank not only to safeguard their finances, but to guide them through complex and stressful situations.
Looking Ahead
Strategic planning at Tioga State Bank is firmly anchored in continuity rather than disruption. Over the next 18 to 24 months, the bank plans to continue growing its residential and non-conforming lending portfolios, deepen relationships with small businesses, and invest further in its people, facilities, and digital marketing capabilities.
For Tioga State Bank, success is not measured solely by balance sheets or branch counts. It is reflected in long-standing customer relationships, empowered employees, and communities that are stronger because the bank is part of them.
In an era of rapid change, Tioga State Bank stands as a reminder that community banking—when done with intention—remains both relevant and resilient.
AT A GLANCE
Who: Tioga State Bank
What: A community bank rooted deeply in the region and putting its customers at the center of its business model
Where: Spencer, Tioga County, New York
Website: www.tiogabank.com
PREFERRED VENDORS/PARTNERS
Riger Marketing: www.riger.com
Riger Marketing has been Tioga State Bank’s agency for more than 12 years. We are proud of our partnership with this leading independent community bank. Riger strategizes, researches, writes, designs, produces, media-buys, and optimizes marketing that keeps minds moving toward your brand, your people, and your products.
