OAKHURST—Premier Valley Bank prides itself on its small-town feel and approach to doing business. Many of its customers have banked there since its inception as Yosemite Bank back in 1977.
A misconception seems to circulate among some local residents that when Yosemite Bank changed its branding to Premier Valley Bank, ownership had changed. This is not true. Ownership, local leadership and the great same team of employees remained constant at all banking centers and are now unified under the Premier Valley Bank name for consistency.
The exceptional crew of the Premier Valley Bank Oakhurst branch, led by John Hernandez, third from left. Photo by Judi Hussain
Dedicated to Relationship with Local Customer Base
According to Lo B. Nestman, President & CEO, Premier Valley Bank is dedicated to maintaining a close relationship with its local customer base, as it has from the beginning. All banking decisions come directly from the customer’s branch. “We have a small bank touch with a big bank punch,” he says. “Being backed by our parent company, HTLF, enables us to deliver both the resources and tools of a large company combined with local decision making, personalized customer service, and an in-depth understanding of our customer’s needs. This is community banking with the scale to compete at any level.”
When clients walk in the door in Oakhurst or any other Premier Valley Bank location, they are often greeted by name by employees who have served the bank for many years. For example, Sabrina Ostrowski, Consumer Lending Officer at the Oakhurst branch, has been with the bank for over twenty years. A newcomer to the Oakhurst branch but a 15-year veteran at the bank, Sales Area Manager John Hernandez, is an enthusiastic supporter of local engagement and has enjoyed his recent transition to the Oakhurst community.
Dedicated to Community
As further examples of Premier Valley Bank’s commitment to community, Premier Valley Bank offers
- Paid-time-off to employees to volunteer at an organization of their choice
- Sponsorships with local non-profit organizations, including a sponsorship of the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fall Festival, going into its 29th year
- Made a $100,000 donation to various organizations during the COVID-19 shutdown
As one of the country’s top-ranked banks, Premier Valley Bank offers expanded resources, best-in-class technology, and deep expertise to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. In 2022, its parent company HTLF jumped from 52nd to 28th on Forbes Best Banks annual ranking. The list ranks top 100 banks in the USA on credit quality, growth and profitability. They are excited to continue to deliver exceptional service, impactful local expertise and competitive financial solutions in your community.
