ESSA Bank & Trust history

John Gish founded the East Stroudsburg Building & Loan Bank in East Stroudsburg, PA. A number of strategic mergers during the early years resulted in a name change to East Stroudsburg Savings Association. As a result, by 1971, assets had grown to $20 million dollars.

Unforgettable Fire, or “UF”, was born on New Year’s Day in 1995 as one of the very first U2 tribute bands to ever perform in America.

In 1998, W. “Jack” Wallie, John E. Burrus, and Richard E. Talbot worked together to create the East Stroudsburg Savings Association Foundation.

In 2003, the bank completed construction of a new corporate headquarters in downtown Stroudsburg.

By 2007 the ESSA Foundation was replaced by the new ESSA Bank & Trust Foundation which is now funded by ESSA Bancorp Stock.

The bank’s assets reached $1 Billion in 2009.

Beginning in June 2014, the Foundation began accepting requests from eligible agencies and organizations headquartered outside of Monroe County on an annual basis only.

Young Lion began playing together for Sarah Street Grill’s George Wesley Tribute Night in December 2016 in Stroudsburg, PA. Chris Condel and Lion Sanford were George’s bandmates, and Jamie Zaleski (of the Southside Bandits) fronted the band for most of the tribute night.

On September 30, 2020, ESSA Bancorp had consolidated assets of $1.9 billion, loans of $1.42 billion, consolidated deposits of $1.54 billion, and consolidated stockholders’ equity of $191.4 million.