Nikki Hoffman Awarded 2025 Rise Above the Rest™ Scholarship by OBA Education Foundation and Pacific Coast Banking School

The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) Education Foundation and Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS) are pleased to announce that Nikki Hoffman, senior vice president and IT director at People's Bank of Commerce in Medford, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Rise Above the Rest™ Scholarship. This prestigious multi-year scholarship is designed to support the education and professional growth of high-potential banking professionals by providing a tuition offset over the three-year PCBS program.

Hoffman's banking career began in high school when she joined People's Bank as a teller in 1998. Over the years, she has taken on various roles, gaining a deep understanding of banking operations. A 2003 graduate of Southern Oregon University, Hoffman holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Beyond her leadership at People's Bank, Hoffman actively contributes to Oregon's banking community. She is a member of the OBA Technology Roundtable and serves on Synergy by Association's Partner Advisory Committee, helping evaluate potential bank vendor partnerships. Outside of banking, she is deeply involved in her community, volunteering as a volleyball coach, 4-H leader, and organizer for the annual Southern Oregon Junior Classic livestock show.

"Nikki is an extremely accomplished and highly capable leader," said Julia Beattie, president and CEO of People's Bank of Commerce. "She is an exceptionally hard worker and a person of the highest integrity. PCBS will further enhance her skill set as she continues to grow in her role with the bank."

Hoffman will begin the three-year PCBS program in August, starting with an intensive two-week resident session at the University of Washington in Seattle. Founded in 1938, PCBS is a premier graduate-level institution offering financial and risk management education alongside advanced leadership training. Graduates earn a graduate-level certificate in the Business of Banking and an Executive Leadership Certificate from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. With more than 12,000 alumni, including many in senior banking leadership roles, PCBS is recognized as a leading institution in the financial sector.