12 MARCH / APRIL 2021 ing, purchased gift cards from business customers to give away to new checking account customers, made donations and sent handwritten thank you cards to each local nonprofit that entrusted the bank to process their Paycheck Protection Program loans, and hosted a drive-thru community shred day. First Bank Richmond provided COVID-19 relief resources to customers, including: curbside service for transactions such as loan closings, change orders and opening new accounts; advanced technology with the addition of ATMs that accept cash/check deposits and provide higher withdrawal limits and detailed receipts; fee waivers on NSF and overdrafts between March and September 2020, as well as some ATM fee waivers; deferred payments for several loan customers and high approval rate for borrowers requesting assistance; social media contests to promote local agencies and eateries, along with donations and gift card purchases; support of local restaurants by purchasing lunches for employees; and signage at all locations in support of health care and first responders. First Federal Savings Bank, Evansville, adopted a valet banking service that allows customers to enjoy face-to-face banking experiences from the safety and convenience of their driver’s seats. Rather than having to set appointments, the customer simply drives to the bank, parks and calls the phone number on the sign to be greeted outside by a banking representative. Signs display a #BFF hashtag, incorporating part of the bank logo with a Banking Friend Forever theme. Additionally, during the holiday season, bank staff helped spread cheer by hand-delivering greeting cards and baked goods to customers and local businesses. First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington, engaged with clients in several ways including: sending more than 200 boxes of homemade candies from a local small business to customers for the holidays; providing employees with weekly lunches from restaurant clients; and hosting a “swipe to win” contest in January to give one individual and one commercial customer an opportunity to receive $500. Additionally, in 2020 the bank funded 360 applications for Paycheck Protection Program loans, totaling over $40.5 million. First Federal continues to support community initiatives, such as donating $10,000 to the Scholarship Granting Organization of Northeast Indiana to provide grants to children within the private education system in Huntington, as well as contributing $50,000 to Huntington, Allen and Kosciusko counties to provide aid for community-based organizations facing challenges because of COVID-19. First Financial Bank, Cincinnati, created a mortgage coach program to address social distancing challenges with the residential real estate market. Since the market has been active, buyers need to act quickly to get into the homes they want to purchase, making it important that their financing be ready to go. Social distancing has added an extra wrinkle to the traditional mortgage application process. To help buyers stay on track, First Financial Bank launched a digital coaching program, using software to help clients select a mortgage product to meet their financial needs. Instead of coming into a bank branch with printed documents in hand, homebuyers can submit documentation via a secure app, keeping the homebuying experience moving forward while maintaining social distancing. First Savings Bank, Jeffersonville, has remained committed to a customer relationship focus throughout the pandemic. Examples include: hosting summertime outdoor customer appreciation days, with tents set up with social distancing practices, masks, gloves and sanitizer for customers to safely walk through a line to choose a gift, register for a prize drawing (keeping the pen after touching) and grab a to-go lunch and dessert; handing out more than 2,000 hand sanitizers to customers in the drive-thru; providing lunch to 15 children in need during a second-wave shutdown at Undeterred by rain, staff of Community First Bank of Indiana greet customers and community members outdoors for a drive-thru shred event. In support of health care and first responders, First Bank Richmond displayed signage at all locations, plus provided signs to local businesses and customers upon request. Staff of First Federal Savings Bank, Evansville, are ready to provide valet banking services. Shown from left are Brittany Salmon, Mikayla Loveless, Andrea Hill, Mischell Ryder and Angela Russell. Amanda Stroup of First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington, presents a donation check to Orion McCormack of the United Way of Huntington County.
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