POTOMAC BANK ANNOUNCES CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MOUNTAIN STATE APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL (MSAHF)
MWN-AI** Summary
Potomac Bank has officially renewed its partnership with the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival (MSAHF), marking a significant continuation of support for this community tradition. Established as the presenting sponsor since 2019, Potomac Bank's commitment has been instrumental in promoting the region’s agricultural heritage, specifically its apple orchards. During the announcement in Charles Town, festival board president Mary Beth Blair highlighted the synergy between the bank and the festival, noting that both organizations share deep roots in the community—Potomac Bank's history dates back to 1871.
Alice Frazier, President and CEO of Potomac Bank, emphasized their dedication to the festival and its community, celebrating the festival as a pivotal event in the Eastern Panhandle. She mentioned that the bank has provided substantial support over the years, including a team of volunteers that contributes to the festival's success. This year, the MSAHF will celebrate its 47th anniversary from October 15-18, with a theme that resonates with both the festival's legacy and the nation's 250th birthday: "From our orchards to your family - An all-American Celebration."
The partnership has proven beneficial not just for Potomac Bank but also for the festival, which relies on the backing of various local businesses and sponsors. Blair expressed gratitude for this support, reinforcing the festival's status as a cornerstone of community pride and spirit. The renewed sponsorship will span an additional three years, ensuring that Potomac Bank remains a key player in fostering the region's cultural festivities and agricultural heritage.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Potomac Bank's recent announcement regarding its continued partnership with the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival (MSAHF) signifies not only its commitment to community engagement but also an effective strategic positioning within the region. As the festival celebrates its 47th year, the bank's role as the Presenting Sponsor underscores its investment in local culture, which can translate into brand loyalty and enhanced visibility among potential customers.
From a market perspective, this collaboration is valuable for several reasons. Firstly, Potomac Bank's brand alignment with a well-respected community tradition generates goodwill and fosters a strong emotional connection with local residents. As consumer preferences increasingly favor brands that contribute positively to their communities, this partnership reinforces Potomac's image as a community-centric financial institution, likely attracting new clients who prioritize community engagement in their banking choices.
Moreover, as the festival draws attendees from across the Eastern Panhandle and beyond, Potomac Bank can capitalize on an increased customer base. This presents opportunities for cross-selling banking products and services to new clients, especially within the regions served by their nine-branch network. The anticipated increase in festival attendance, exacerbated by the event's celebration of national heritage, may also encourage local businesses to collaborate with the bank for their financial needs.
Investors should closely monitor Potomac Bank's performance in the upcoming months, as successful community engagement can lead to higher customer acquisition rates and retention. Additionally, the bank’s continued recognition through awards and accolades, such as being named a "Top 200 Community Bank," could further enhance investor confidence.
In summary, while financial metrics remain vital, the strength of community bonds, illustrated through initiatives like the MSAHF partnership, positions Potomac Bank for potential long-term growth and profitability in an increasingly competitive banking landscape.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- (OTCID:PTBS) – Potomac Bank is pleased to join with the Board of Directors of the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival today for a special announcement that will continue to provide a major boost to this annual community tradition.
"Today marks an unprecedented occasion in the history of the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival as Potomac Bank continues their partnership with the Festival," according to festival board president Mary Beth Blair. "In 2019, for the first time ever, we had a business step up to provide a major financial boost to our festival with their commitment to join our organization in promoting our rich agricultural history by becoming our presenting sponsor. That was Potomac Bank. Uniquely, our roots are both tied to orchardists in the eastern panhandle - with the bank's reaching as far back as 1871. The Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival celebrates the role that apple orchards play in our past, present, and future of our region. Combining these two powerful organizations whose origins are similar has resulted in great success!"
According to Potomac Bank President & CEO Alice Frazier, a few short years after the end of the Civil War, a group comprised of 38 far-sighted Jefferson County, West Virginia farmers, orchardists, and business leaders saw the need for a bank to serve as a principal stabilizing influence on Jefferson County. They pooled their resources and founded Bank of Charles Town. Potomac Bank recently adopted its new name after 154 years as Bank of Charles Town.
Frazier said, "Our recent renaming from Bank of Charles Town to Potomac Bank reflects our strategic growth over the past 155 years, plus our commitment to all the communities we serve in the Eastern Panhandle and throughout the Potomac River region. We are the same community bank with a new name that represents our branch network more accurately."
Blair then announced the renewed partnership by saying, "because of the bank's unwavering commitment over the past 7 years of both financial and human resources, providing up to 50 volunteers each year at festival events, The Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival is honored to name them once again as the overall Presenting Sponsor of our 4-day festival, and we are very happy they will partner with us another 3 years."
Frazier added that she and the bank's Board of Directors have been pleased with this partnership and the opportunity to increase the bank's involvement in an event with such a rich heritage and that celebrates the very heart of their organization.
"The Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival is the premier community event in the Eastern Panhandle, and we are proud to renew our partnership as the Presenting Sponsor," stated Frazier. "Our employees enjoy volunteering at the Festival because of the family-friendly atmosphere and community spirit. The Festival is lots of fun and inspires a sense of community pride that is rare these days. We invite all our friends and neighbors to make plans to visit the in October."
Blair said that the festival is blessed to not only have Potomac Bank continue as the Presenting Sponsor for the next three years, but also gave credit to the many other businesses and individuals in the community who have been Major Event Sponsors for the festival weekend. "Without all of these faithful businesses and individuals' continued support, the festival would not have been able to provide this long-standing tradition in our community all of these years. The board looks forward to celebrating the 47th anniversary of the festival this fall and many more in the future."
Syrah George, Queen Pomona XLVI of Martinsburg, was on hand for the presentation of the new logo for the festival. Board members of both BCT and the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival were also in attendance for the announcement.
This year, the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival will be celebrating its 47th festival, October 15-18, with events and activities throughout the Eastern Panhandle. The theme for this year's festival not only aligns with the 250th birthday of our nation, but also with the shared origins of the bank and the festival - "From our orchards to your family - An all-American Celebration". Blair shared with all those in attendance that they are gearing up for another great festival in 2026, with some new features and possible new activities during the weekend. First up for the festival is the selection of the 47th Queen Pomona and her Court, which takes place in April.
About Potomac Bank
Potomac Bank was founded in 1871 as Bank of Charles Town and renamed Potomac Bank on November 3, 2025. The Bank conducts operations through its nine-branch network and one loan production office serving the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, Washington County, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The Bank offers comprehensive financial solutions through its consumer and commercial banking divisions, Trust, Wealth, and BCT Investments divisions, and its Residential Lending mortgage division. The Bank is also proud to serve its communities as a Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender. Over the past several years, the Bank has received many awards and recognitions, including American Banker's "Top 200 Community Banks" and "Best Banks to Work For", the Martinsburg Journal-News "Best of the Best" award, and the LoudounNow "Loudoun's Favorite" award.
The Company's shares are quoted on the OTCID marketplace under the symbol "PTBS." For more information about Potomac Bank, visit www.potomac.bank.
About MSAHF
The Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival celebrates the apple industry- a valued part of the heritage of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Held every third weekend in October, it has become a treasured homecoming with festivities spanning over multiple days.
In the fall of 1979, business and community leaders in the Eastern Panhandle came together with the intention of creating a "signature event" to include all five counties of the broader area, which would become a staple of the Mountain State's culture.
From this initial idea, the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival board set about organizing contests, entertainment and craft shows that showcase the apple orchard heritage of the area.
Our Queen Pomona who serves as the ambassador of our festival was chosen for the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival Queen because Pomona was the uniquely Roman goddess of fruit trees and orchards. Pomona watches over and protects fruit trees and cares for the cultivation, and Pomona comes from the Latin word pomum, "fruit" specifically orchard fruit.
SOURCE Potomac Bank
FAQ**
How does Potomac Bancshares Inc. PTBS plan to leverage its continued partnership with the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival to enhance brand visibility and community relations over the next three years?
What specific financial contributions and volunteer commitments can Potomac Bancshares Inc. PTBS provide to support the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival's new activities and features planned for 2026?
How does Potomac Bancshares Inc. PTBS view the historical connection between the bank and local orchardists in relation to its marketing strategies during the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival?
In what ways does Potomac Bancshares Inc. PTBS assess the impact of its sponsorship on both its business growth and the cultural significance of the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival within the community?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Potomac Bancshares Inc. (OTC: PTBS).
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