Neil D. Bassi, president and CEO of Charleroi Federal Savings Bank, is adamant about the cliché that “trust is built through relationships.”

Throughout its history, Charleroi Federal has strengthened banking relationships in the communities it serves by assisting customers whether making people’s lives more convenient with innovations like ATMs, debit cards, online banking, financing first time home buyers or helping a business expand.

Bassi reported the bank is “extremely pleased with 2011 year end results where assets increased to $568 million, and capital of $67 million is at the highest level ever.”

Bassi added that “Charleroi Federal continues to meet the communities’ financial needs where branches are located in the areas of residential and commercial loans.

“We feel the role of the bank is to really assist the family’s home and businesses in our community to fulfill their needs and assist their business models.”

Bassi declared a continuing commitment to Southwestern Pennsylvania.

He said, “We have gone from a hand posting labor intensive operation to a completely modern database bank that has the most up-to-date technology including online banking, mobile banking and every service that could possibly be offered to the public.

“Everywhere we have opened a branch we have met success in our owner-builder, commercial, and other lending areas such as home equity, and home equity lines of credit. Charleroi Federal Savings Bank is the likely choice of the public’s need for the delivery of efficient financing for small business.”

He acknowledged that one of the most attractive features of dealing with Charleroi Federal is that it is still a mutual independent bank. Bassi said, “Our charter grants the flexibility to help communities grow and profits are based on customers rather than stockholders.

“Being a mutual bank is, without a doubt, hometown banking at its best. From our board of directors, to our officers and employees, we know our customers. They are our neighbors, our families, and our friends.

“Notwithstanding the need to be competitive and profitable, we are free to demonstrate responsiveness to the communities that goes beyond profits and strives to improve the quality of life for those in the communities we willingly serve.”

Charleroi Federal Savings Bank enters 2012 “well capitalized,” the highest rating a bank can achieve with its capital position.

Charleroi Federal wants to thank all who supported the bank’s yearlong 75th anniversary in 2011. Benefactors of the bank’s success ranged from libraries and fire departments to police departments and community events and most all of the communities it serves by assisting in economic growth.

Charleroi Federal’s main office is in Charleroi with branches in Connellsville, Bentleyville, Rostraver, Monongahela, Hempfield, Seven Fields, Peters Township and Washington.