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

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.

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.

BB&T Corp. shareholders approve a merger of BB&T and Georgia-based SunTrust Banks Inc. valued at $66 billion, putting both companies a step closer to officially becoming Truist Financial Corp., the new name of the combined company. Additionally, about 40,000 employees at both companies will each receive $1,500 bonuses.

Santander will close one branch location in Bethlehem to consolidate its services with a Santander branch one mile away at 924 Eaton Ave. in Bethlehem.

ESSA Bank & Trust, a subsidiary of the holding company ESSA Bancorp Inc., said Tuesday that it had closed its Nazareth office at 14 South Main St. and relocated to 76 South Main St.

Forbes Magazine has named First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union of Bethlehem has the No. 1 in-state credit union in Pennsylvania.

First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union held a grand opening last week to launch its newest branch location.