All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Area underwriters merge

WASHINGTON, Pa. — CB Financial Services, the holding company of Community Bank and Exchange Underwriters, a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary of Community Bank, recently announced the merger of Exchange Underwriters and Beynon Insurance, effective August 1, 2018.

This merger brings together two long-standing Southwestern Pennsylvania independent Insurance Agencies, both built upon the premise of serving their customers. Beynon Insurance was established in 1912 and Exchange Underwriters was established in 1952. Both Exchange Underwriters and Beynon Insurance are locally owned and operated independent insurance agencies built upon the same values and culture. On a combined basis, Exchange Underwriters will become one of the largest insurance agencies in the Pittsburgh Region based on annual revenue.

Richard Boyer, President of Exchange Underwriters, said “We are excited to bring the Beynon Insurance employees into the Exchange Underwriters family. We are both independent insurance agencies that offer stability, knowledge, experience, personalized service and a consultative insurance approach to our customers.”

Patrick G. O’Brien, CB’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said “Beynon Insurance is a well-known Pittsburgh-based agency. This combination is consistent with our increasing focus on the greater Pittsburgh market. Additionally, when you combine this transaction with our recently completed merger with First West Virginia/Progressive Bank, a Wheeling and Ohio Valley Bank, we are truly excited about our expanded footprint into new markets and expanded product offering.”

Richard Beynon, President and owner of Beynon Real Estate and Insurance Agency, said “The merger of our insurance agency with Exchange Underwriters is a great fit for our employees and customers. I have always been impressed by Community Bank’s and Exchange Underwriters’ commitment to its employees, customers and communities.”

William Cunningham will join Exchange Underwriters management team as the Chief Operating Officer and Richard Beynon will join Exchange Underwriters as a consultant and a director, allowing Mr. Beynon to continue his involvement in the insurance business going forward. Beynon Real Estate division will continue to be owned and operated by the Beynon family with Richard Beynon as President and Robert Beynon as Chairman of the Board for Beynon & Company Real Estate.

Beynon Insurance clients will continue to work with the same great people that service them now. The current carriers and policies will remain in place. When Beynon Insurance clients renew their policies, the combined company will now be able to offer even more carriers and markets than previously offered. In addition, Exchange Underwriter’s has a dedicated claims department to assist with their claim needs.

For more information visit CB and Community Bank at www.communitybank.tv or Exchange Underwriters at www.exchangeunderwriters.com.

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