Stacey A. Sickler, SVP/Director of Mortgage Services, has been appointed as a member of the Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) Advisory Council, representing C&N’s membership institution, FHLBank Pittsburgh.

The MPF program provides funding through the FHLBank Pittsburgh for conforming mortgage loans, enabling Sickler and her team to offer reasonably priced, 30-year fixed rate mortgages serviced by C&N.

As part of the MPF Advisory Council, Stacey will share her unique perspective and industry expertise to help enhance the products and services the MPF program offers. The advisory council, which meets in Chicago, comprises members from various banks, each of whom who may serve a term of up to three years.

Earning her Bachelor’s in Finance from Susquehanna University, Sickler first joined C&N in 2001 as a mortgage lender with a passion for real estate and a client-focused approach. She said, “I love the feeling of helping people achieve the American dream of owning their own home. Seeing the excitement on the faces of first-time homebuyers feels very rewarding.”

Sickler comes from a family of financiers, following in the footsteps of her grandfather and father, both of whom enjoyed life-long careers in local banking. “I guess you could say [banking] was ‘in our blood,’” she said.

She recounts that when she began at C&N, conforming mortgages were not yet on the table. “The bank was looking for someone with experience in [conforming mortgages] and a willingness to travel, network, and build a strong network. I worked to help the branch managers and lenders, who at the time did portfolio mortgages only.”

As a participant in the MPF program for over 22 years, C&N has been able to expand its offerings of competitive mortgage rates and terms for countless homebuyers.

Sickler’s determined efforts to develop C&N’s mortgage business have paid off over the years: The team now consists of 11 mortgage originators, three support specialists, and an extensive loan operations team.

“[C&N] has always been a fantastic place to work. I’ve seen a ton of changes in my career here and I’m thankful for the opportunities to grow and lead others. I’m humbled to be on such a great team that would do anything for each other and our clients,” she said.

In addition to her role on the MPF advisory council, Sickler also served on the Athens Spalding Memorial Library board until recently and is currently the acting chairperson of the Banker’s Settlement Service board of directors, C&N’s title insurance affiliate in the Altoona area.

Hal Hoose, C&N’s EVP/Chief Revenue Officer, said, “We appreciate how well Stacey represents C&N in our industry. I’m looking forward to seeing how she will use her skills and expertise as an advisory council member to enhance the MPF program for C&N and our customers.”