By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – David Crumhorn doesn’t think it’s a stretch to compare Heritage Bank to the residents of the United States and their determination to get through the challenges of the ages.
“Heritage Bank is a story of survival, much like the people lived through the Depression and World War II,” the president and CEO of Heritage Bank said. “So much has changed in our country over past decades, but this bank has always been here for our communities.”
Heritage Bank, which changed its name several months ago from St. Tammany Homestead, is joining with its bank employees and St. Tammany residents in celebrating the 90th birthday of the bank this month.
They are hosting various special events throughout October, once again showing their commitment to be a part of the communities on both the east and west sides of St. Tammany Parish.
This past week the bank held something simple and fun with a birthday cake that was shared with customers coming into the Covington and Slidell bank locations.
With the longtime and recently renovated branch in Covington, located at 205 N. Columbia St., joining with Slidell’s 200 Gause Blvd. location, Crumhorn zipped from one end of the parish to the other to cut cakes at both places.
Crumhorn, who has a lifetime of banking experience, was hired as president and CEO at Heritage Bank in 1994 and said the longevity of the institution says a lot about their commitment to St. Tammany Parish.
“So much in the business world disappears through the years, but this bank has adapted and survived so it can remain valid for the communities,” he said. “There were many other banks when we started in 1924, but they aren’t here and we are. I think it says a lot about the way we are community focused.”
Heritage Bank is, in fact, owned by its depositors, giving it a very different perspective on the way it operates. It is guided by a Board of Directors that has made sound financial decisions to keep the money safe for those who utilize the services there.
For that matter, it is the change in services that led the board in 2007 to consider changing the name, since the old “Homestead” name was no longer accurate to what the bank does. It took a few years to happen, but Heritage Bank is now heading for its next decade, taking it to 100 years, as a full-service bank.
During the month of October, the bank has also planned a food drive, a blood drive and free concert at the Landing.