WSFS Bank Announces Bernard Shields as Executive Vice President, Pennsylvania Market President

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WSFS Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: WSFS), the parent company of WSFS Bank, announced today that Bernard (Bernie) Shields will join the organization as Executive Vice President, Pennsylvania Market President. In this role, Shields will report to Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Banking Officer, Jim Wechsler, and be responsible for influencing growth and sales strategies across the company’s markets, enhancing and optimizing relationships with current and prospective clients, and engaging in the local communities where WSFS Associates live and work. Shields’ role is part of WSFS’ ongoing succession planning, assuming Patrick (Pat) Ward’s role. Ward will transition into a new role as Executive Vice President, Senior Advisor, focused on business development, relationship management, and supporting various nonprofit organizations across the company’s footprint.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bernie to the WSFS team. His reputation as a leader in the Greater Delaware Valley’s business community is exceptional, and his deep expertise in commercial banking will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business,” said Wechsler. “Bernie’s client-centric approach and proven ability to build and expand relationships make him the ideal person to step into this strategic role.”

Wechsler added, “We’d also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Pat for his many years of dedicated service in the role of Pennsylvania Market President and his significant contributions to WSFS. He has been instrumental in our success, and we’re fortunate to have his continued guidance in his new role.”

Shields is a highly respected banking executive with nearly 30 years of experience in the industry. He joins WSFS after more than 23 years at M&T Bank, where he most recently served as Regional President for the Philadelphia and South Jersey markets. Shields earned his bachelor’s degree at Saint Joseph’s University and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Temple University. He also sits on the board of various local nonprofit and civic institutions.

About WSFS Financial Corporation
WSFS Financial Corporation is a multibillion-dollar financial services company. Its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and largest locally headquartered bank and wealth management franchise in the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region. As of June 30, 2025, WSFS Financial Corporation had $20.8 billion in assets on its balance sheet and $92.4 billion in assets under management and administration. WSFS operates from 115 offices, 88 of which are banking offices, located in Pennsylvania (58), Delaware (39), New Jersey (14), Florida (2), Nevada (1) and Virginia (1) and provides comprehensive financial services including commercial banking, consumer banking, treasury management, and trust and wealth management. Other subsidiaries or divisions include Arrow Land Transfer, Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, LLC, Bryn Mawr Trust^®, The Bryn Mawr Trust Company of Delaware, Cash Connect^®, NewLane Finance^®, WSFS Wealth Management, LLC, WSFS Institutional Services^®, and WSFS Mortgage^®. Serving the Greater Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is one of the ten oldest banks in the United States continuously operating under the same name. For more information, please visit www.wsfsbank.com.