16 MARCH / APRIL 2021 The Napoleon State Bank created “hoteling” offices to meet in safe circumstances with customers when in-person meetings were needed. At each bank location, designated offices were set aside for employee meetings with customers. Though some employees were relocated to different spaces to implement the plan, the result was the ability to limit building exposure while focusing intense sanitizing procedures on the hoteling offices. The bank also used the parking lot and drive-thru for loan closings and transformed its annual customer appreciation food event to a customer appreciation giveaway, purchasing and giving away over $8,000 in gift certificates to local business customers. The New Washington State Bank, Charlestown provided community support through various efforts, including: assembling goody bags for local hospital staff to help boost morale; supporting the Borden/ Henryville School Systems with a monetary donation to provide Wi-Fi for students; organizing a canned food drive/contest among branches, collecting more than 5,500 canned goods and nonperishable items for a local food pantry; and gathering hygienic items, snacks and gently used purses from employees to benefit local homeless women. The bank also sponsored a therapy dog for students in the animal science pathway of the Public Service Academy at New Washington Middle/High School. Old National Bank, Evansville, launched a social media #EveryoneTogether campaign last June to recognize and celebrate small business success with Paycheck Protection Program loans. A number of businesses were featured, including two in Indiana: Mental Health America of Vanderburgh County and Edge Mentoring. The #EveryoneTogether hashtag also extended to racial justice messaging, and the series concluded in July with a post highlighting the efforts of Old National team members during the extraordinary year. Each post included a tagline: “Cultivate Good. Always.” Owen County State Bank, Spencer, produced and posted on Facebook a video that served both as a salute to drive-thru tellers and an opportunity to explain to customers how the bank has adapted to keep clients and staff safe throughout the pandemic. Several tellers from different branches were featured in the video, giving guidance regarding social distancing measures to keep customers safe, as well as the benefits of online banking. Peoples Bank, Munster, initiated You First Corner to inform and engage communities with personal finance tips and to support area small businesses. You First Banking Corner focuses on the personal side of banking, including how to maximize short-term growth or how to choose the right retirement account. You First Business Corner underscores the business side of finance and highlights topics addressing the importance of organization, establishing a checklist of necessities, and ways to set up oneself and one’s business for success. The Peoples State Bank, Ellettsville, donated $10,000 to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to benefit the newly created LEARN Fund, which helps ensure Monroe County families have the resources needed for children to learn effectively. The bank also donated $1,000 each to seven food assistance programs in local schools to help struggling assistance programs provide food for children experi- "Harold Cash" the therapy dog was sponsored by The New Washington State Bank for use at a local school. Students may earn certification as handlers to take Harold to visit other schools, nursing homes and health care facilities. Old National Bank ran a social media post about an area chapter of Mental Health America with a statement of appreciation: “Thank you, Mental Health of Vanderburgh County, for working to bring Everyone Together!” Tracy Snodgrass of the Ellettsville location of Owen County State Bank explains to customers how they are being safely served by bank personnel. To view the video, click on the photo in HB Digital or visit facebook.com/owencountystatebank. You First Corner, created by Peoples Bank, is featured biweekly on the bank’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages. To view a sample, click on the photo or visit facebook.comibankpeoples. Shown at the donation of The Peoples State Bank, Ellettsville, to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County are Johnny Lindsey, bank president, and Tina Peterson, foundation president and CEO.
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