Two First Commonwealth Leaders Receive PA Bankers Association Recognition

INDIANA, PA (September 23, 2026) ― Two members of the First Commonwealth Bank team were named recipients of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s (PBA) 2026 Future Under 40 Awards.

Ashley Phillips (Cranberry, PA), Senior Vice President and Branch Operations Leader, and Katie Whysong (Bedford, PA), Middle Market Relationship Manager, were selected for the PBA’s Future Under 40 Award, which honors banking industry leaders, aged 40 years and younger, who have made a tremendous impact on their institution, the community and the industry.

They were two of six banking professionals from PBA member banks honored for the Future Under 40 Awards at the PBA’s Young Professional Conference, Sept. 21-22 at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center, in Hershey, PA.

“We are proud of Ashley and Katie’s recognition for this impressive PA Bankers’ award,” said Jeff Rosen, Chief Retail and Business Banking Officer for First Commonwealth Bank.  “Both are very deserving of the award, not only because of their substantial contributions here at First Commonwealth and commitment to improving the financial lives of our neighbors and their businesses, but also their significant and meaningful service to our communities.”

During her more than 17 years in banking, Phillips has progressed through roles of increasing responsibility, beginning as a teller and advancing through banker, assistant branch manager, Financial Solutions Center Manager, Project Specialist, and ultimately into senior leadership.

Throughout her career, Phillips has been committed to strengthening operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. In Phillips’ current role, she collaborates with business partners across the organization to support strategic initiatives, enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen risk management practices, and ensure branches are prepared to meet the evolving needs of our customers and communities.

Most recently, Phillips was appointed by the Board of Directors as the Bank Security Officer to provide oversight and guidance for the bank's security program, helping ensure the safety of employees and customers while maintaining compliance with regulatory expectations. 

In the community, she is actively involved with the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Society of Pittsburgh, serving as an organizer and advocate for responsible dog ownership and helping the group's participation in community events, including Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day Parade and local Irish festivals. Additionally, she volunteers as a foster through the S'Wheat Rescues and Adoptions program, providing temporary care and support for dogs in need while they await permanent homes.

Phillips earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from The Ohio State University. She also completed both the Pennsylvania Bankers Association Commercial Lending School in 2018 and the Advanced School of Banking in 2022.

Whysong is a commercial and corporate banking professional with more than 18 years of experience helping businesses throughout Central and Western Pennsylvania achieve their financial and strategic goals. Throughout her career, Whysong has developed a reputation for combining strong financial and credit expertise with a relationship-focused, consultative approach to banking.

Since joining First Commonwealth in 2024, she has focused primarily on middle-market commercial and industrial relationships throughout the bank’s Community Pennsylvania footprint. Her role allows her to work closely with business owners and executives to understand their organizations, identify opportunities and challenges, and structure financial solutions that support both immediate needs and long-term growth.

Whysong was named a Pennsylvania Business Central “Foremost Under 40” honoree in 2023 and 2024 and was named one of Banking CIO Outlook’s Top 10 Corporate Banking Leaders of 2026.

In the community, Whysong serves as treasurer for Friends of Shawnee & Blue Knob State Parks and the Chestnut Ridge Baseball League. She also is a mentor for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) and is involved in the Healing Patch and Blair County Youth organizations.

A University of Pittsburgh summa cum laude graduate with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Whysong also received accreditations from the Bedford County (2014) and Blair County Leadership (2022) programs.  She also recently received a Stonier diploma and a Wharton Leadership Certificate from ABA’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking, regarded as the industry’s preeminent graduate-level banking program.

About First Commonwealth Financial Corporation

First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF), headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is a community bank committed to its mission of improving the financial lives of its neighbors and their businesses.  First Commonwealth operates 126 branches throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio and also has business banking centers in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Cleveland, Canton, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. First Commonwealth, through subsidiaries First Commonwealth Bank and First Commonwealth Insurance Agency, provides a full range of commercial and retail banking services, including mortgage, wealth management and insurance solutions, along with equipment financing and SBA and indirect lending.  For more information about First Commonwealth, visit www.fcbanking.com.

Media Contact:

Ron Wahl
724-463-6806
RWahl@fcbanking.com