There is a lot fear of the unknown and chaos surrounding the world impacted by Covid-19. Essex Bank has been working hard to provide the critical banking services to you our customers. I wanted to take a moment to salute all the associates of Essex Bank. Over the course of the last two weeks they have taken, approved, and processed over 380 Paycheck Protection Program loan applications for our customers and assisted in other forms of help.
It was accomplished by numerous groups from within: retail, loan officers from all four lines of business, loan assistants and the credit operations group all pulling together. It was a bank wide effort, a community bank focused on delivering for our communities. You may have read about some of the difficulties larger banks faced; but the story that I want to focus on is the dedication and spirit displayed by the Essex Bank team.
Our Customer Service Center's call volume has doubled with all the inquiries regarding stimulus checks and new customers utilizing our digital offerings. Information technology, deposit operations, branch support, audit, compliance, digital banking, marketing and human resources have been diligently working to keeping us running as close to “business as usual” in these certainly "not business as usual" times.
So please join me and say thank you to all these hard working associates, who are working hard for you and our communities. Finally, if you’re not satisfied with your “big” bank – and you want to support your local communities – come bank with us and see what the Essex Experience is all about.
Rex L. Smith III, President and CEO of Essex Bank
