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Business Banking – Built for You: Your business deserves more. With Hyperion Bank, you get:

• People! (Accessible, experienced, personalized service)
• A branch you can walk into – or never need to
• Local commercial lending expertise + local decision making

Let’s build something together.

Kristjan Prima is Hyperion’s new Senior Vice President & Director of SBA Lending, bringing deep expertise, personal passion and strategic insight to small business financing.

U.S. Small Business Administration loans are government-backed and offered through financial institutions to help small businesses access financing, from business expansion, debt refinance, working capital and real estate purchases.

“Kristjan brings an incredible work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and real-world experience to our customers,” says Lou DeCesare, Hyperion President & COO. “His leadership is helping us further our best-in-class SBA lending program that’s responsive, thoughtful and deeply rooted in community impact.”

A native of Toms River, New Jersey, Kristjan is a second-generation small business champion. His family’s story is one of tenacious persistence – starting with his grandfather’s immigration from Estonia after surviving living in Nazi Germany after escaping communism at 10 years old in Estonia. His father eventually launched a successful homebuilding business, instilling in Kristjan a firsthand understanding of the grit and determination behind every small business.

“I grew up in a small business household,” Kristjan says. “I saw the sacrifice, the hustle and the drive it takes to build something from the ground up. That’s what motivates me to support other business owners in achieving their dreams.”

When he’s not working with customers or structuring loans, Kristjan enjoys giving back through volunteer work, studying market trends and staying active in the community. He describes himself as “always learning, always building and always fighting for the small business owner.” Welcome, Kristjan!

Ask Kristjan your SBA questions. Email or 267-570-8434, x8434. (On the front lines with your small business: We can quickly help you determine if you are eligible for an SBA loan and guide you through the process, no matter whether you are new to or experienced with SBA lending.)

Award-winning communication: About YOU

At its recent INSPIRE awards gala – the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers’ annual fete – Hyperion’s Charlie Crawford accepted an Excellence in Marketing, Best Digital/Social Media Creative Award, on behalf of the bank. (Charlie had a busy night, given his current role as Chair of PACB’s board.)

The award recognizes Hyperion’s “people-focused” communications. “Given that a community bank is of, for & by the communities we serve, we make every effort to feature people – from customers and business partners to team members and board members – in all our marketing communications,” Charlie says. “Thanks to PACB for recognizing and encouraging the communications efforts of community banks across the Commonwealth!”

If you have an idea for a newsletter feature (we love to feature our customers!), let Charlie, Lou or your other favorite community banker know: CustomerService@HyperionBank.com. Drop “newsletter” in the subject line. 

Please help us welcome Tonya Bailey, a Universal Banker at Hyperion, proudly serving customers from the Atlanta banking office. “Tonya leads with compassion and purpose in everything she does,” says Lou DeCesare, Hyperion President & COO. “With two decades of experience and an unwavering dedication to her community, she brings not only financial know-how, but warmth and sincerity to every customer interaction.”

A native of Atlanta, Tonya began her journey into banking began 20 years ago – not just as a career, but as a calling. “I’ve always believed that banking is about more than numbers,” she says. “It’s about trust, relationships and walking with people through all stages of life.”

Whether she’s guiding a new customer, supporting a small business owner or simply lending a listening ear, Tonya is known for her patient, relationship-first approach. She’s already a steady presence in the lives of her customers.

When she’s not at the bank, Tonya is a proud soul food cook, a lover of uplifting music and someone who finds peace in long, reflective drives. She’s deeply engaged in her church and community, mentoring young people and volunteering her time to causes close to her heart.

Fun fact: Tonya’s banking career was shaped by the values passed down from her parents and grandparents – including her father, a Vietnam veteran. Their resilience continues to inspire her work every day. Welcome, Tonya!

Bankers on the run

On July 4 Hyperion’s Charlie Crawford ran his 34th AJC Peachtree Road Race, along with daughter Kay. The bank’s Julie Ray Clarke – one of our newest team members – also ran the race; she’s shown with her son Robert. This was Julie's 29th Peachtree!

The Atlanta Track Club - which puts on the race and of which Charlie Crawford is the former Board Chair - celebrated its 61st anniversary.

Contractor H.J. Russell & Company recently marked a significant milestone – the “topping out” – of its industrious work on the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia’s (MOCA GA) new 26,000-square-foot facility at the Goat Farm Arts Center in West Midtown Atlanta. Opening in early 2026, this space will be more than a museum – it will be a dynamic gathering place for contemporary art, connection & creativity.

We’re proud to play a small role in the development of the Museum’s first permanent home, by providing one of the sources of lending toward the museum’s new home. Thanks to MOCA-GA Board Chair Philip Babb and Annette Cone-Skelton, artist, curator & MOCA-GA founder. We look forward to seeing you at the opening of the new facility in early 2026!

Learn more about MOCA-GA’s new home & how to help it get there.

(Michael Russell, CEO of H.J. Russell & Co. & a friend of Hyperion, is pictured, center.)

* Offer of credit subject to approval. Deposit placement through CDARS or ICS is subject to the terms, conditions, and disclosures in applicable agreements. Although deposits are placed in increments that do not exceed the FDIC standard maximum deposit insurance amount (“SMDIA”) at any one destination bank, a depositor’s balances at the institution that places deposits may exceed the SMDIA (e.g., before settlement for deposits or after settlement for withdrawals) or be uninsured (if the placing institution is not an insured bank). The depositor must make any necessary arrangements to protect such balances consistent with applicable law and must determine whether placement through CDARS or ICS satisfies any restrictions on its deposits. A list identifying IntraFi network banks appears at https://www.intrafi.com/network-banks. The depositor may exclude banks from eligibility to receive its funds. IntraFi and ICS are registered service marks, and the IntraFi hexagon and IntraFi logo are service marks, of IntraFi Network LLC.

© 2025 Hyperion Bank. All rights reserved. Offer of credit is subject to credit approval. NMLS 631177

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