Co-Founder of $6.6 Billion Third Federal Dies At Age 87.Business Editors CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2001 Gerome R. Stefanski, co-founder of Third Federal Savings and Loan Association Federal Savings and Loan Association An institution chartered by the federal government whose primary function is to collect savings deposits and to provide mortgage loans. , died yesterday at the age of 87. Third Federal, the nation's largest mutual savings and loan savings and loan n. a banking and lending institution, chartered either by a state or the Federal government. Savings and loans only make loans secured by real property from deposits, upon which they pay interest slightly higher than that paid by most banks. , has $6.6 billion in assets and 52 offices throughout Ohio and Florida. Mrs. Stefanski co-founded Third Federal in 1938 in Cleveland with her husband, Ben S. Stefanski. Mrs. Stefanski grew up in the Slavic neighborhood of Cleveland and was a graduate of East High School. She received an undergraduate degree “First degree” redirects here. For the BBC television series, see First Degree. An undergraduate degree (sometimes called a first degree or simply a degree from Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio is a Catholic coeducational career-focused liberal arts college. and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Catholic University, at a time when it was highly unusual for women to receive advanced degrees. Mrs. Stefanski married Ben S. Stefanski in 1937 and together on their honeymoon they traveled to Washington, D.C. to apply for a federal savings and loan charter. They opened Third Federal in 1938 with $50,000 in capital. Mrs. Stefanski handled all advertising and communications for the company for more than 50 years and was a pioneer in business and especially in the financial services sector that had few women. She was an advocate for promoting women in business. Mrs. Stefanski was elected to Third Federal's Board of Directors in 1977 and was President of the Board until her appointment as Director Emeritus in 1999. Ben S. Stefanski died in 1991 at the age of 89 and his son, Marc, succeeded him as Chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. in 1988. In addition to Marc, the Stefanskis were the parents of Ben II, Hermine Cech, Floyd and Abigail and were the grandparents grandparents npl → abuelos mpl grandparents grand npl → grands-parents mpl grandparents grand npl of 12 grandchildren. Third Federal Savings and Loan Association, named consecutively in the last two years to the Fortune list of "100 Best Companies to Work For," is a leading provider of savings and mortgage products. Founded in 1938 by Ben and Gerome Stefanski, Third Federal is dedicated to serving consumers with competitive rates and outstanding customer service. Third Federal, an equal housing lender The terms Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Lender are synonymous and refer to all FDIC insured banks in the United States. Such banks are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status. , serves customers in Ohio from 30 branches and eight lending offices and from 14 branches in Florida. As of December 31, 2000, Third Federal had total assets of $6.6 billion. |
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