Univest Financial Corporation, based out of Souderton, Pa., officially entered the Western Pennsylvania banking market in early February with a branch location in Cranberry Township.

Due to logistics and weather, the bank held off a ribbon cutting at the 51 Dutilh Road, Suite 130, location until two weeks ago, according to Chris Trombetta, Univest Western Pennsylvania market president. However,the bank has been open for about four months.

"With Cranberry, its name stands on its own,“ Trombetta said. ”It's a growth market and continues to be. The amount of businesses located within the vicinity makes it attractive, the number of households and the access points. From the (Pennsylvania) Turnpike, to Interstate 79 and Route 19, it all makes sense."

The ribbon cutting corresponded with a similar one in Baltimore, a market Univest entered at the same time, but the Cranberry location is not the only one planned in Western Pennsylvania.

"The decision was to enter Western Pennsylvania and Baltimore at the same time,“ Trombetta said. ”I chose the Cranberry location as one of our first sites. We will be opening one in Forrest Hills in about a month to a month and a half.“

Univest enters a contested banking market in Cranberry Township, along the likes of Keybank, Citizens Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, PNC Bank, NexTier Bank and others.

"I think it's our people and our culture,“ Trombetta said. ”I know many banks tend to give that response, but we are unique in that we view ourselves as servants of the community. Our response times I think are a benefit. We have local credit decision makers.

“Also our customer service. I'm hiring the right people. Folks that have been successful, but also a cultural fit."

As a market president, Trombetta is responsible for the day-to-day operations for Western Pennsylvania branches.

The Cranberry location has eight employees right now according to Trombetta, with the hopes of adding more in the near future.

"The banking industry right now is in sort of a flux,“ Trombetta said. ”I like to call ourselves experts in the agricultural lending arena, the municipal deposit arena and we are a full suite retail provider."