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Regular diners – and it has quite a loyal following – consider Zyka: The Taste an Atlanta institution, valued for its authentic, quality, consistent food. The original flagship location, on Scott Blvd. in Decatur, opened in 1997, featuring Hyderabadi and Pakistani-style Halal cuisine.

Dedicated owner and chef Nooruddin “Noor” Fazal first came to know Asif Mujtaba, Hyperion Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending, at a prior bank, following Asif to Hyperion when it was time to finance a second Zyka location (3800 Brookside Pkwy in Alpharetta), which opened in 2020.

“Asif’s availability and willingness to be part of the process with us has been very important and impressive,” Fazal says. “He tends to customer needs, no matter the day or time, which is critical for a busy, hands-on business owner.”

One example Fazal shares is how Asif helped him untangle from construction-related issues (resulting from a contractor’s mismanagement) that would have delayed a loan. “He knew that had to happen to keep us moving forward and Asif worked with me and guided us and was very hands-on,” Fazal says. “He knows we are busy, focused on the business.”

Indeed, part of the magic of Zyka is its deeply rooted family-first philosophy, including a hands-on approach and long days. Fazal originally launched the business with his brother, a physician and a diplomat, who now focuses his time doing medical mission work in Kyrgyzstan. And when Zoya, Fazal’s daughter is home from school in another state, she’s in the restaurant, helping her Dad and, in fact, happily sitting in on this interview.

“It’s an honor to work with Noor and support Zyka’s continued growth,” Asif says. “He has built something special through his dedication to authentic food, consistency and family. My family and I love dining at Zyka, and I’m proud to support a business that means so much to its customers and community.”

With the kitchen being the heart of the business – and the restaurant having the familial feel almost of a community gathering spot as much as an eatery – Fazal insists on quality control, training, consistency and that every batch of any dish face at least three taste tests before it is customer-ready. And the recipes, consistency and innovation begin even before the Zyka kitchen, with Fazal and his staff making annual trips to India to research, practice and train in legendary culinary institutions there.

Diners will be glad Fazal redirected from his original intention of being an engineer, instead attending hospitality management, then catering college in Mumbai, eventually working at a French restaurant in New York before moving to Georgia to open Zyka. His greatest compliments come when someone says, for instance, that Zyka’s Khubani ka Meetha (a traditional Indian dessert of apricots and custard) tasted more authentic than when they had recently eaten the dish closer to its origins.

Some of the most frequently ordered dishes on the menu include Chicken 65, Mutton (or chicken) Biryani, Nehari, Vegetable Samosas, Bihari (or Seekh) Kabab and Butter Chicken. A popular recent addition to the menu is Masala Chai, which Fazal did not want to add until it was just right. Be sure to order delicious saffron rice and naan with your meal.

Zyka’s no-frills approach lends itself to ordering at the counter, then dining in, as well as to the steady stream of takeout/pick up orders (including to-go family packs), with a rolling lunch crowd across a few hours and open all day until 9:30 most days. In addition to authenticity and consistency, regular diners note Zyka’s bold flavors and tendency toward traditional heat, though the dedicated staff are happy to accommodate spice and heat requests.

In keeping with its role central to the communities it serves, both Zyka locations include banquet facilities. The Decatur banquet hall has a guest capacity from 135-450 guests for large weddings, receptions, corporate events and grand galas, and the Alpharetta banquet hall accommodates up to 75 guests for intimate celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries and small business gatherings. Make a deposit and secure a date!

Follow Zyka on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and make a plan to order out or dine in soon. Shown, above, from left, Zyka’s Noor Fazal, his daughter Zoya, and Hyperion’s Asif Mujtaba.

From Jan. 1 through the end of August, Hyperion’s Amy Ellis and her daughters have put in 48 hours of volunteer service, doing everything from serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, Special Pops tennis, sitting kids at the Children’s Development Academy (preschool for families with limited incomes), dinner and trivia night with residents of Champions Place (independent living facility for young adults with physical disabilities), plus cooking and freezing meals for the residents, packing and delivering donated bagels for North Fulton Community Charities, and more.

The three’s volunteerism is part of their active membership of the Roswell Alpharetta Chapter of the National Charity League, a mother-daughter service organization in which moms and teenage daughters volunteer together in their communities while developing leadership skills and strengthening their relationship. Now in their fifth year of working with NCL, the trio has worked over 200 volunteer hours!

A highlight was serving dinner at Ronald McDonald House on the Saturday of last year’s GA-TN game. “We had so much fun with this little guy and his mom that we stayed to watch the entire game, and he had the best time teasing (one of Amy’s daughters) the whole time because Georgia is not his team, but it is ours,” Amy says. “He and his family had been at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for months, so it felt good to give them a fun distraction, if just for a night.”❤️

Hyperion Bank Chair & CEO Charlie Crawford was recently asked to be part of an Executive MBA entrepreneurship class at Georgia State University - J. Mack Robinson College of Business, with the topic, “How entrepreneurs can harness AI without losing what matters most.” He also spent time with each of the teams the class is divided into as they work with real-world entrepreneurs; so, Charlie did some hands-on coaching as an entrepreneur too.

He wrote this article, “Entrepreneurial Judgment in the Age of AI,” about that experience. See what “Professor” Crawford has to say…. Demond Crump, an entrepreneur who Charlie name-checks in his article, is shown speaking to one of Charlie’s classes at GSU two years ago.🎓

Meet Melissa Pineda, Universal Banker

For Universal Banker Melissa Pineda, one of the most rewarding parts of her work at Hyperion Bank is helping customers gain something that can make a real difference in their lives: greater financial confidence.

“Melissa is a true team player who is always willing to help wherever needed,” says Joel Higdon, Vice President & Chief Retail Officer. “She brings a great mix of professionalism, positivity and attention to detail to everything she does. She is dependable, knowledgeable and well respected by both customers and coworkers.”

Outside of banking, Melissa is a proud mom to her son and pet mom to a German Shepherd and cat. She loves spending time with family and being outdoors, especially hiking and going to the beach. And when she’s closer to home, you might find her exploring local spots in search of good coffee. Welcome, Melissa!

Recognition, new title: Lexus Whyte

We’re proud to share that Lexus Whyte has been promoted to Senior Universal Banker at Hyperion. Lexus is based out of our Atlanta banking office.

“Lexus has earned this recognition through her dedication to delivering outstanding customer experiences, building strong client relationships and supporting the success of our Atlanta team,” says Joel Higdon, Vice President & Chief Retail Officer. “Her commitment to excellence and community-focused banking exemplifies the values of Hyperion Bank, and we are excited to see her continue to grow in her new role.”

Congratulations, Lexus – we’re grateful for your continued impact on our customers, teammates & communities!

Congratulations! Hyperion Bank was ranked #15 on Banks - Fastest-Growing Commercial Lenders List in the July 26 issue of the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Thanks to Frank Sullivan, Hyperion’s EVP of Commercial Lending and all of our experienced, enthusiastic lenders. Of course, we’re thankful to our customers, business partners and communities for their confidence & referrals. (Information on the Journal’s list was obtained from the FDIC and is ranked by year-over-year percentage change.)

Let Team Hyperion know how we can help YOU with your lending needs, including consumer loans.🏦

Histories, cultures, contributions

Hispanic Heritage Month runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. We’re proud to partner with the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce the whole year through. During this month, you’ll see many ways to celebrate “the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America." (Thanks www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov!) This month encompasses the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua…and the independence days of Mexico and Chile.🎉

A new season, a fresh perspective

Tues., Sept. 22, marks the autumnal equinox and the official beginning of Fall. As the days grow shorter and the season changes, it’s a welcome reminder to appreciate the people, places and connections that make our communities feel like home. At Hyperion Bank, we’re grateful for the neighbors, businesses and families we have the privilege of serving through every season. Here’s to a beautiful autumn and all the possibilities ahead. Happy Fall! 🍂

Patriot Day: We remember

Patriot Day (Sept. 11) remembers the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and honors the courage of first responders and all who came together in the face of tragedy. We join our community in remembrance and reflection, with gratitude for the compassion and resilience that unite us.

Industry, area, state, nationally...

We previously shared that Hyperion is proud to be named to Inc. Magazine's 2026 Inc. 5000 for the THIRD consecutive year. Hyperion climbed to No. 2,693 on the list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Drilling down, Inc. tells us that puts us at #78 in Pennsylvania, #218 in Financial Services nationally & #77 in Philadephia! Inc.: “Your achievement runs deep. During prolonged trying times for global business, Hyperion Bank not only joined the elite ranks of the Inc. 5000 (again!) – you earned standout status in your state, industry & local area.” As always, we are thankful to YOU for making this milestone possible.

VERIFY first, trust second!

Fraudulent emails, letters & other communications can sometimes appear to come from legitimate financial institutions (like ours!) or use the names of real bank employees.

If you receive an unexpected request involving money, account information, a proof-of-funds letter or other financial documentation, take a moment to verify it before responding, sending funds or sharing personal information.

The easiest way to do that: contact the bank directly using a phone number or contact information that you obtain independently from the bank’s official website - not a phone number, email address or link contained in the communication you received.

Hyperion Bank is always happy to help clarify whether a communication or document claiming to come from us is legitimate. A few minutes spent verifying can prevent a costly mistake, and Hyperion is always happy to help you do that.🔎

Hyperion’s Philadelphia & Atlanta banking offices participated in Take Your Child to Work Day July 23, with 12+ kids and grandkids participating. They went on bank tours, played games and, of course, enjoyed treats and bank swag. Take a look at these smiles! (You can see more photos of this happy day by visiting Hyperion’s social Facebook or LinkedIn pages.) Nationwide, more than 37 million parents and children participate in Take a Child to Work Day and Beyond at more than 3.5 million workplaces. Hyperion President & COO Lou DeCesare is shown with our junior VIPS. 🧒

© 2026 Hyperion Bank. All rights reserved. Offer of credit is subject to credit approval. NMLS 631177

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