A Lehigh Valley husband and wife have taken their years of experience in the financial-planning industry and combined it to open their own financial-advisory firm.

Quakertown-based QNB Bank said its newest branch recently opened in Allentown's west end and will have a grand opening on Oct. 22.

More than 250 people showed up to the event at DeSales University in Center Valley to pay tribute to the financial executives in the Lehigh Valley who contribute to the success of the region’s economic growth and stability.

The desire to pursue a career in financial services drove Admir Jadaic, a student at Franklin and Marshall College, to work as a janitor for Goldman Sachs and an elevator operator at the Bank of America.

Seeing strong growth in its Wyomissing location, Diamond Credit Union will expand further into Berks County with the announcement of a new branch opening in October in Muhlenberg Township.

Banks are realizing that young professionals entering the workforce are unaware that the finance industry has more to offer than accounting and bank teller positions, and they're adapting with new initiatives to boost interest and expand opportunities.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency issued a request for proposals for new construction or the rehabilitation of mixed-use projects seeking financial support. This year, its focus is on smaller cities such as Bethlehem, Reading and Harrisburg.

With credit unions and financial institutions expanding their reach and footprint into areas previously occupied by traditional banks, some say publicly owned banks create another unequal business climate for an initiative loaded with risks. However, some plans are underway to potentially bring publicly-owned banks to several states and municipalities.

Cedar Crest program matches state-school tuition for qualified students

The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors reported that new listings decreased 10.3 percent in July to 1,074 as compared to July 2018.