Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the founder of Firstrust Bank in 1934, Mathew Hein joined the financial institution to make a greater impact on his hometown after 15 years of experience in larger, super-regional banks.
After four consecutive years of successful double-digit growth, Hein was promoted from the marketing department of the business banking division to the managing director of commercial banking, and ultimately assumed the role of chief banking officer after navigating a global pandemic and a tumultuous market during a US banking crisis.
Firstrust is Philadelphia’s hometown bank and a full-service financial institution. Since its beginning 90 years ago, Firstrust has been committed to serving the financial needs of the greater Philadelphia region and beyond with a mission to cultivate prosperity for its customers, employees and the communities served.
As a career banker, Hein is tasked with leading the teams that manage, support, and develop long-term relationships with individuals and business customers. Passionate about helping his colleagues find success while supporting a dynamic local business community and economy, Hein oversees the small business, SBA and business lending divisions at Firstrust along with the community banking, call center, treasury management and commercial deposit divisions.
Under his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when big banks were turning their customers away, Hein and his team ensured every customer had access to PPP through innovative delivery, and the bank was a model for fraud protection and service during PPP lending. During this time, the firm processed over 1,700 PPP loans for over $400 million and protected 40,000 jobs.
Hein describes his career path as one that was about taking risks. “I’ve jumped across the lattice rather than just keep climbing the ladder, taking on roles that didn’t always look like the next step of the ladder,” he said. “I saw them as opportunities to be a more well-rounded leader and I learned how to build teams around my experience gaps, process information faster and understand more about the business of banking.”
Regardless of role, position or rank, anyone can be a leader, said Hein. “It starts with a demonstration of the ideals, morals, values and mission of your organization or team.”
A successful leader lifts their team, said Hein. “Leaders need to be caring and empathetic, communicative and clear, accountable and focused, and of course, be willing to make the tough decisions,” he said. “I’m a focused leader and I’m determined, courageous, persistent, and connected to the team and goal.”
