We work closely with entrepreneurs and other borrowers, no matter their SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) knowledge level or stage of the process, and genuinely enjoy being on the front lines helping small business owners obtain the loans they need to reach their goals.”*

Susan F. Battle, SVP, Director of SBA Lending, Hyperion

* Offer of credit subject to approval. Click for more information.

Customer focus: Specialized lending with service

Hyperion is a small bank and they care about you like it is their own business they are tending to. They listened to me, were warm and nice, and learned what my needs were exactly, so special thanks to Hyperion, Jennifer (Gardella) and Irini Lulu*.

Bassam Bitar

Restaurant D’Peru (opening late Oct./early Nov.)

Naples, FL

* Real estate broker Irini Lulu (prev. featured in Hyperion’s newsletter), who introduced Bassam and his wife & business partner Dania to the bank.

Hyperion Bank among Best Places to Work

Hyperion Bank is among 20 finalists in the small company category for the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2024 Best Places to Work. Although the bank was not among the three highest companies when winners were revealed at a July 25 gala event, Team Hyperion is proud.

“I am most proud of the fact that this was genuinely an employee-led effort, with Nicole Leitz initiating the process and other team members enthusiastically completing the steps in the BPTW nomination process,” says Hyperion President & COO Lou DeCesare.

Among the Hyperion employee comments the Business Journal shared from nomination forms: “This is my home. The people here are amazing. We are a family and that’s important. Your voice is heard. We work hard and are rewarded for it. They care about their employees and customers. Plus, we have a work/life balance like no other.”

DeCesare chuckles that the song Hyperion team members chose to describe their company culture was “Takin’ Care of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive. The Business Journal even put together a playlist of all finalists’ song choices.

“We’re proud to be a finalist among so many top workplaces in the region,” Lou says. “Maybe best, I get to work with this terrific team day in and day out. Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists!”

Q2 2024: Revenue, income up + CFO transition

Retiring CFO Paul Rutkowski

New CFO Eric Golden

In its Second Quarter 2024 Report to Shareholders, Hyperion Bancshares, Inc., Hyperion Bank’s holding company, noted more moderate balance sheet growth in loans and deposits, as well as growth in revenues and net income.

“Revenues have increased 26% and our net income is up 38% over the same period last year,” says Charlie Crawford, CEO & Chairman of the Philadelphia-based community bank, which also has a banking office and mortgage joint venture in Atlanta. “And the credit quality of our loan portfolio continues to be very good.”

Shareholders also learned that Paul Rutkowski, Hyperion CFO, has announced his retirement, first working concurrently with the bank’s new SVP, CFO & Treasurer, Eric Golden, to ensure continuity. Golden previously served in CFO & Controller roles with Iron Workers Bank, Susquehanna Bancshares and Abington Bank, as well as being a Senior Auditor with Deloitte.

Wishing our CFO well...

Paul Rutkowski, Hyperion CFO (+ EVP & Treasurer) through a period of significant growth for the bank, has announced his retirement. Paul joined Team Hyperion in 2017.

“Paul's financial leadership over the last seven years has seen Hyperion Bank go from assets of $89 million to $420 million,” Charlie says, in a Q2 letter to shareholders. 

“Capital grew from $6 million to $41 million, and net income has increased by a multiple of 13. We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Paul during such a pivotal time for the bank.” Crawford also notes that, during Paul’s tenure, “we created Hyperion Mortgage and Hyperion Bancshares (holding company) and conducted a 10-for-1 exchange for bank investors to become shareholders of Hyperion Bancshares.” And, in 2017 and 2018, Hyperion conducted a $3.5 million Rights Offering and a $14.7 million common stock offering to recapitalize the bank. Then in 2022, it issued $16 million in subordinated debt. All under Paul’s watch.

“We interviewed a lot for Paul’s position and just couldn’t find the right fit,” recalls Lou DeCesare, the bank’s President & COO, “but when we interviewed Paul, we knew right away. Paul has done a great job for us. He’s very dedicated and cares a lot about the bank.”

To wit, Lou notes that, since Paul announced his retirement, he has been tireless, ensuring a smooth transition, even helping interview candidates for his role. “It’s nice when you must give up a very good person…to get a really good person to take on the role going forward, and to have them do a meticulous handoff,” Lou says.

THANK YOU for your service, Paul!

Community bank in the community…

The 2nd Street Festival – one of the largest street festivals in PHL – was a great success! Despite the heat, humidity & even some rain Aug. 4, the Festival crowded from Girard Ave to Spring Garden Street!

Hyperion Branch Manager Ka’Rin Smith represented us, along with Brian McNulty & Nicole Leitz. (Nicole, Brian & Ka’Rin are pictured, left to right, under the Hyperion tent.) Customer “Bob” (pictured in green shirt) posed for a photo, asking to be included in the Hyperion newsletter he faithfully reads each month (here you are, Bob!). Bob is a big fan of Hyperion Banker Megan Fantini, and even chatted up other festival goers about Hyperion’s great service. Thanks, Bob!

People loved that we are a community bank…loved HyperFree checking…up to $25 a month back on domestic ATM charges.* Our time at the 2nd Street Festival even led to invitations to other community events. Count us in!

* Offer of credit subject to approval. See website for further info.

Last weekend the bank’s Charlie Crawford participated in the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia’s Magnolia Run & Walk, an annual 5k fundraiser. Charlie is shown with Aly Clift, Executive Director of the Georgia Epilepsy Foundation. He also is shown on the podium, being recognized for finishing first in his age category. (His fete is nearly Olympic, isn’t it?) Hyperion Board Member Jim McAlpin – a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner – previously chaired the Georgia board of the Epilepsy Foundation & now serves on the National board.

Community bank in the community…

News late last month that Fulton Bank (which took on Republic Bank assets & customers after federal regulators closed it this Spring) is continuing to consolidate prompts us to offer: For anyone seeking a new personal and/or business banking home as a result of Republic/Fulton changes or otherwise, please let us know if we can be of assistance.

Republic alums Nicole Leitz & Ka’Rin Smith are key Hyperion team members, and can provide tailored, personal assistance, making switching banks easier. Our Switch Kit also smooths the process (https://www.hyperionbank.com/Switch-Kit).

You may recall that last year when Silicon Valley Bank and another regional bank experienced difficulties, we were able to provide a new (and/or additional) banking home to some of their customers. Let us know if we can do the same for you.

As we enter another travel season, remember to check out the card functionality of your Hyperion mobile app. Log in, navigate to “cards” and set a travel plan (like using your card outside the U.S.), report a lost or stolen card, activate/de-activate your card and more. See our mobile banking, mobile deposit and card management online tutorials.

If you forget to change card settings and need to call while away, this number – 866-960-2547 – is your go-to; it will work after hours & across time zones, 24/7/365. Save to your phone as Hyperion Card Help. 

Of course, always feel free to visit our banking offices, call (215-423-2959 or 404-381-2110) or contact your fave Hyperion banker for an assist.

Active check & mail fraud continues to be an issue, so we are again sharing these anti-fraud reminders:

• Take outgoing mail inside a post office; do not put mail in a blue postal drop box.
• Likewise, do not place outgoing mail in your home mailbox.
• Stolen checks can be “washed,” literally changing amount & other information.
• Examine bank statements & consider doing a daily check of online bank accounts.
• Do not automatically cash, deposit or accept a check or online payment from an unfamiliar person or organization?.
• Never give a caller your SS# or other account info.
• Nobody legitimate will ask you to log into online banking or make a transfer to fix a problem.
• Be wary of any request to make a wire transfer or large cash withdrawal.
• If a potential recipient asks you to conceal any part of a transaction from your bank…refuse.
• Businesses can take advantage of ACH origination instead of mailing payments and business & consumer accounts have access to Bill Pay, which sends some payments electronically + mailed checks through bill pay are more secure.

Use caution and be alert. If you suspect you’ve become a victim of a scam, please call or visit Hyperion ASAP. The quicker you contact us, the faster we can try to limit fraud. 

We'll be closed Mon., Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day. We’ll re-open at 9a Tuesday.

Enjoy #communitybanking online in the meantime. Here at the unofficial end of Summer, we remember that Labor Day is indeed a time to honor the labor movement and the contributions of American workers everywhere. 🙏