First Citizens Community Bank recently added Zerick Cook to its team as the new Chief Credit Officer, responsible for the credit quality of its business loans.

Cook joined First Citizens after the bank’s current Chief Credit Officer, Terry Osborne, announced his plans to retire after 45 years. Osborne plans to officially retire on Jan. 31.

Cook began his career in banking as a Credit Analyst Intern for Somerset Trust Company. Throughout his career, he has held a number of positions with multiple organizations, including Director of Corporate and Industrial Lending, Senior Vice President of Business Services, and Regional Executive in the State College, PA, market. These roles focused primarily on business lending and leading business lender teams.

At First Citizens, Cook will be responsible for the credit quality of the bank’s portfolio of business loans, including commercial, industrial, small business, agricultural and commercial real estate loans. The company’s offerings include business and agriculture loans; business lines of credit; equipment loans; and small business loans

He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and received his MBA from Penn State University. Cook is a former member of the Risk Management Association (RMA) and The Association of Corporate Growth (ACG).

“Zerick’s extensive experience in business lending will help ensure customers are not impacted by the retirement of Terry Osborne,” stated Randall E. Black, CEO and President. “Although it’s never easy to replace the knowledge, experience and loyalty of someone who has spent 45 years serving our customers, we believe Zerick will be a strong Chief Credit Officer who brings tremendous talent to the position.”

First Citizens Community Bank is headquartered in Mansfield, PA. It operates 28 offices throughout Tioga, Bradford, Potter, Clinton, Centre, Union, Lebanon, Lancaster, Schuylkill and Berks counties in Pennsylvania and Allegany County New York.