Company Name: WesBanco
Employee Name and Role: Amy Hackenberg, Market President & Senior Commercial Banker
When it was announced in 2024 that WesBanco would acquire Premier Bank, Amy Hackenberg, Market President & Senior Commercial Banker, was eager for the opportunity to bring even greater value to the Bank’s customers, teams, communities and shareholders. She knew WesBanco to be a community-focused bank and that the impact Premier created through relationship building and service offerings would only be enhanced.
Amy Hackenberg, Market President & Senior Commercial Banker, WesBanco
“I used to describe Premier as a sweet spot in banking, and now as WesBanco, I feel like it’s even more of a sweet spot because we are small enough that we can still be flexible for the client, yet we’re big enough to offer a more sophisticated product set,” she said. “And generally, with banking it comes down to relationships – knowing your banker or someone who works at the Bank – that community-oriented leadership and those familiar, smiling faces will continue to be central to what we do.”
WesBanco is headquartered in Wheeling, WV, and acquired Premier in February this year. The transition of customer data and branding occurred in mid-May. WesBanco serves customers at approximately 250 locations in nine states including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Similar to Premier, WesBanco executes a market structure for banking, meaning decisions can be made locally. “Considering the Bank’s size since the acquisition, WesBanco is considered a regional bank where we execute community banking services,” Hackenberg added.
As a result of the acquisition, the Bank grew to $27 billion in assets and enhanced scale and capabilities.
Working at a bank that values people and community is the perfect balance for Hackenberg, who started her career in public accounting but found she was drawn to banking because of the relationships, whether working with clients or co-workers. She has worked in the banking industry for 30 years.
Hackenberg has 15 branches located within her area of responsibility in seven counties – Hancock, Allen, Wood, Seneca, Putnam, Marion, and Wyandot. There are three WesBanco branches in Findlay: Downtown: 301 S. Main St.; North: 3900 N. Main St.; and East: 7591 Patriot Dr.
What is produced / created / services offered by the company? What makes you stand out? Number of employees.
WesBanco has been in business for 155 years and employs about 3,200 people company wide, with approximately 150 working in Findlay and the surrounding market.
As a trusted financial institution, WesBanco provides a comprehensive range of services for both individuals and businesses. Consumer banking services offers checking and savings accounts, personal loans, credit cards, mortgage loans and home equity products. Customers can also utilize wealth management and investment services and procure insurance through the Bank. Commercial banking offers competitive lending, real estate financing, and treasury management.
Hackenberg said one standout feature of the acquisition is enhanced commercial lending capabilities with competitive pricing and fees.
In May, WesBanco completed the successful transition of approximately 400,000 consumer and 50,000 business relationships, along with the branding and operations of approximately 70 financial centers, from Premier Financial Corp. to WesBanco. A further illustration of the community bank focus, WesBanco contributed $5,000 to Cancer Patient Services during its ribbon cutting ceremony through the Findlay Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, in June. Historically, in the seven-county market including Findlay, the bank has donated nearly $200,000 annually to local non-profits and employees often volunteer in the community. WesBanco is committed to supporting the communities across their footprint, Hackenberg said.
Amy Hackenberg, Market President & Senior Commercial Banker (right), smiles with representatives from Cancer Patient Services. CPS was awarded a check from WesBanco in support of their mission during the bank’s ribbon cutting ceremony in June.
What are the core values that define your company’s culture?
Mission: To build lasting prosperity through genuine relationships and tailored solutions that empower our customers for success in their unique financial journeys.
Vision: Every community we serve becomes a better place for people and businesses to thrive.
Pledge: We pledge to live these values: Respect, Exceptional Customer Experiences, Soundness and Stability, Accountability and Stewardship.
“WesBanco has a positive, upbeat culture,” Hackenberg said. “At a conference I recently attended, one of the things we talked a lot about was Stewardship – toward your employees, your clients, your community and your responsibility to do the right thing. I appreciate the great energy and excitement around the topic and digging deeper into our Mission, Vision and Pledge every day.”
Why is Findlay a great place to do business?
“In every community, people have a responsibility to show up, whether it’s through community involvement or their professional career,” Hackenberg said. “I think in a smaller community, there is more accountability, and I like that, there is benefit to that.”
Hackenberg cited a low cost of living as beneficial for doing business in Findlay, the city’s thriving industries and manufacturing base, great restaurants, and a positive environment to raise a family and make friends. In her role, she often hosts out-of-town guests for business and enjoys showcasing Findlay’s downtown.
“They love the downtown area,” she said. “They tend to compare us to a lot of other smaller cities and then see that our downtown is very vibrant. I think it’s very unusual, and we may not always realize it, but everyone, when they come into town, they comment on it.”
Have you been involved with the ED office? Do you have a favorite project or initiative you were a part of during your work with us, or were we able to help you with something?
Hackenberg is currently serving her second term on the FHCED Advisory Board through 2026. During her first term more than 10 years ago, she also served as FHCED liaison to The Alliance Board.
“Chris (Keller, executive director) is really good about asking opinions of board members, so being able to share our thoughts and experiences is important and beneficial. And on the other hand, being able to hear what some of the concerns are for the community, is beneficial for me.”
Hackenberg is also currently serving on the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts Board of Directors, and in the past served on the United Way of Hancock County and American Red Cross boards.
If there were one take-away you would want people to have about your company, what would it be?
“The people. It truly is our people. Our employees are our greatest asset.”
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