Weltman and CBAO Congratulate First Place Bank
Sara M. Donnersbach, a partner with Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A. (Weltman) presented Mr. Steven Lewis, President & Chief Executive Officer of First Place Bank in Warren, Ohio with the annual 2011 Weltman Outstanding Community Partner Award at the Community Bankers Association of Ohio (CBAO) annual convention and trade show held at the Hyatt Regency Columbus on Friday, August 19, 2011. First Place Bank operates 42 retail locations in Ohio and Michigan and has a long heritage of contributing time, money and leadership to their local communities. First Place Bank promotes a culture of community involvement and encourages everyone to invest time, money and leadership whenever possible. Through initiatives such as the Race to First Place Bank Giveaway, Soldiers Mail Call Program, Community Dugout Program and National Denim Day for Breast Cancer Research, as well as through a variety of community events and sponsorships, First Place Bank believes they are only as strong as the communities they serve.
Sponsored by Weltman in partnership with CBAO, the Weltman Outstanding Community Partner Award was created to honor those community banks in Ohio that actively partner with their local communities to provide educational, community outreach and/or community service programs, and celebrates those that are investing time and resources into their communities and inspiring others through their work. Nominations were to demonstrate social vision and clearly communicate how employee volunteerism is the key to their community involvement. Along with a crystal trophy, First Place Bank also received a check in the amount of $2,000 which they will be matching with an additional $2,000 to make a $4,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank.
All nominees demonstrated a company-wide commitment to community service and were recognized for their participation. Other nominees included First National Bank (Pandora), Van Wert Federal Savings Bank (Van Wert), and Pataskala Banking Company (Pataskala).
Sara M. Donnersbach is a partner in the Cleveland office of Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A. where she handles complex consumer and commercial collections.
First Place Bank
First Place Financial Corp. is a $3.1 billion financial services holding company based in Warren, Ohio. Operating 42 retail and ATM locations, 2 business financial service
Community Bankers Association of Ohio
Community Bankers Association of Ohio (CBAO) is Ohio’s oldest statewide financial trade association representing independent community bank and thrift institutions. CBAO has the influence to effectively serve, protect and promote the interests of its members through legislative and regulatory representation, an annual convention and trade show and other special events, a partner program, insurance and financial services, education and training, communications and publications, and other valued services. CBAO exclusively represents community bank and thrift institutions in Ohio who serve their communities through 1,325 locations and over 16,4000 employees, with more than $64 billion in assets, $52 billion in insured deposits, and $45 billion in net loans.
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA, celebrating over 80 years of experience, provides comprehensive bankruptcy, consumer and commercial collections, litigation and real estate default services to creditors throughout the United States, including major banks & financial institutions, mortgage lenders & servicers, commercial creditors, government entities, insurance companies, manufacturers, credit unions, service organizations, medical and utility companies. Recognized as the largest creditors’ rights law firm in the nation, as ranked by Collections & Credit Risk magazine, Weltman’s practice areas include bankruptcy, collection services, corporate & financial services, legal action recovery, litigation & defense, probate, real estate default (foreclosure, eviction, title & REO) and subrogation. The firm has five Ohio offices in Brooklyn Heights, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Grove City, along with offices in Detroit, MI, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Chicago, IL and Ft. Lauderdale, FL.