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Two dynamic business models coming together to form one innovative financial institution - that’s the story of Great Bear Bank.

  • A state of the art community bank focused on one of the fastest growing markets on the East Coast.
  • A national leader in energy efficiency lending through the inclusion and expansion of the EnergyLoan platform of AFC First, an industry leader in energy efficient home improvement lending in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S.

A Different Breed of Bank

The “triangle” formed by the western Lehigh Valley, eastern Berks county and northern Montgomery county is one of the fastest growing regions in the Northeast U.S. Not only is there rapid organic growth in both wealth and population as the area shifts into a high tech, financial and service industry center, but the region is also welcoming a wave of affluent transplants from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

A group of community leaders recognized the need for a locally based bank to service this growing market with the highest level of personal service combined with a commitment to technology that large national banks just weren’t providing. The bank’s executive offices and first branch will be located in Lower Macungie Township in the Lehigh Valley’s western suburbs. A second branch is planned for Route 100 in Macungie in 2008. Great Bear Bank’s name was inspired by the Lenni Lenape meaning for Macungie, the “Feeding Place of the Bears.”

The name Great Bear Bank embodies both the heritage of the community it serves, as well as strength, spirit and innovation.

A National Leader in Energy Efficiency Lending

Rising energy costs and concerns about availability have put energy efficiency on the forefront of the American consciousness. FannieMae estimates that 10% of all homeowners will make some sort of energy related improvement heating, cooling, windows, insulation every year.

AFC First Financial, an Allentown based financial institution founded in 1947, has carved a substantial niche in this fast growing market. It provides financing to consumers in eleven states from Maine to Virginia through a network of over 1,000 approved contractors, utilities and manufacturers. It is one of only three Fannie Mae approved Energy Efficiency Lenders in the nation and the only one based in the Northeast U.S.

In 2006 AFC First was selected by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department and Department of Environmental Protection to be the exclusive lender for the state’s official ENERGY STAR® loan program, Keystone HELP, which has provided financing to over 1,500 Pennsylvania homeowners in its first year. As part of Great Bear Bank, AFC First will immediately provide the Bank with a large and growing base of customers and fee income, be able to geographically expand its EnergyLoan program, and present Great Bear banking, mortgage and other financial services to its thousands of homeowner loan applicants.

The combination of Great Bear Bank and AFC First is subject to approval by federal and state banking regulators. Please read the Offering Circular “Risk Factors” and other information before you invest.

To Obtain an Offering Circular for Great Bear Bank’s
Initial Offering of Common Stock
please click here
or call (610) 433-7486