WSFS names Bernard Shields as Pennsylvania market president

WILMINGTON, Del. - WSFS Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:WSFS), a profitable financial institution with a market capitalization of $3.1 billion and strong financial health score according to InvestingPro, announced Wednesday that Bernard "Bernie" Shields will join the organization as Executive Vice President, Pennsylvania Market President.

Shields will report to Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Banking Officer Jim Wechsler, according to a press release statement. He will be responsible for growth strategies across the company’s markets, client relationship management, and community engagement. The appointment comes as WSFS shows solid performance with a 7.25% total return over the past year.

The appointment is part of WSFS’s succession planning, as Shields takes over from Patrick Ward, who will transition to a new role as Executive Vice President, Senior Advisor. In this position, Ward will focus on business development, relationship management, and supporting nonprofit organizations.

Shields brings nearly 30 years of banking industry experience to WSFS. He previously spent more than 23 years at M&T Bank, most recently serving as Regional President for the Philadelphia and South Jersey markets. Shields holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University and a Juris Doctor from Temple University.

"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 said.

WSFS Financial Corporation is the parent company of WSFS Bank, which operates 115 offices across six states. As of June 30, 2025, the company reported $20.8 billion in assets on its balance sheet and $92.4 billion in assets under management and administration. The company has maintained dividend payments for 28 consecutive years and currently trades near its InvestingPro Fair Value. Discover more insights about WSFS and 1,400+ other stocks with comprehensive Pro Research Reports, available exclusively on InvestingPro.

In other recent news, WSFS Financial Corporation announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, highlighting a solid performance. The company reported core earnings per share of $1.27, showcasing its strong financial health during this period. WSFS Financial experienced significant growth in deposits and its home lending business, which contributed positively to its overall outlook. While specific stock price movements were not detailed, the company noted a modest increase, indicating investor confidence in its strategic direction. These developments reflect WSFS Financial’s operational efficiency and its ability to maintain a robust financial standing.

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