Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/1274225
The staff was in awe of the labor of love that they saw, with workers sacrificing their own time in order to help save jobs in their community. "It is an unprecedented time and we did unprecedented things," says Martell. "Helping this many people during a pandemic was something we never anticipated doing and we all found it within ourselves to be able to do it." Employees also give immense credit to South Shore Bank's President and CEO, James Dunphy, and Chief Operating Officer, Pamela O'Leary, for coming up with an immediate action plan. Right away, they made the rule "first in — first out." Unlike some of the larger banks, South Shore Bank did not favor bigger businesses that could potentially lead to greater profits. Whether you were a business with one employee or a thousand employees, whether you were a South Shore Bank client or not, it would take your application. It processed loans from as little as $1000 to as great as $10 million. "Many people who came to us had been rejected by other banks who refused to take an application because they wouldn't have been able to make much money from them," says Mark Pitts, Commercial Credit Manager. "We focused on people instead of the dollar." Dunphy and O'Leary worked around the clock in order to ensure that one of them was always available to their team and their clients. "Jim and Pam are true leaders," says Pitts. "They walk the walk. Even on Easter, they were in the office answering phones and making calls." Members of the Board helped to process loans and volunteered their time. Dunphy says, "Our entire senior team would not leave without reviewing the paperwork of any clients stalled in the process in order to make sure anyone who needed a loan received one. We had a primary goal: helping our community save jobs." Processing clients' loans personally has added a connection that is appreciated on both sides of the table. When Christopher Walker, Credit Analyst at South Shore Bank, called The Children's Museum in Easton's Director of Operations, Karen Frick, to let her know that she received a PPP loan, she became emotional about being able to pay her employees. "She thanked me again and again. It was the best call I've made," says Walker. "The Children's Museum in Easton is a place my children and I love to visit. Karen's reaction shows just how important these funds are to small businesses in the area." Michael Sheskey and his family opened Pour in Norwell in 2017, and its warm atmosphere and delicious food were an instant hit. The Sheskeys then opened two more locations in Cohasset and Hanover. During the coronavirus quarantine, Pour has continued to operate their drive-up windows and it still makes 34 www.southshorebank.com deliveries, including birthday cakes and special heart donuts for first responders. Still, the business has been hard hit and needs assistance. "Five banks rejected me for a Paycheck Protection loan because my business is too small," said Sheskey. "One national bank wouldn't even allow me to apply." He reached out to South Shore Bank and got a call back on a Friday night after dinner. "I couldn't believe they were still working over there. Everyone was so pleasant; any time I had a question, I got a call back within 20 minutes. I have switched all of my bank accounts to South Shore Bank as a result." Nat Boughton of StrategyMD, an analytics and coaching company, was also able to get PPP assistance thanks to South Shore Bank. "At the time, I was banking with a large national bank, so I reached out to them first. I was their own client, yet they would not even take my calls. When I called South Shore Bank, it was a completely different story: I connected personally with the President and CEO, James Dunphy." When Boughton received the PPP paperwork, Dan Picha, Director of Commercial Services and Digital Solutions, and Jill Vail, Cash Management and Specialty Banking Coordinator, walked him through it. "The whole process of filling out the paperwork, scanning it and sending it back to them took less than an hour. What shocked me the most was how seamless it was and how collaborative the organization was." Once Boughton received the loan, Picha called him personally to let him know. "The sincerity and compassion I experienced surprised me. It's beyond anything a big bank would do. My entire family has moved all of our accounts to South Shore Bank." The overall effect of South Shore Bank's actions has been to help clients save their businesses, help employees keep their jobs, and help people stay healthy. Dunphy has received messages of gratitude from clients expressing what it means to have their bank call just to check in. "South Shore Bank truly nurtures relationships," says Boughton. "This type of empathy resonates with a community and makes all of us better." Employees express it has been a source of pride to support the community in which they live and work. "During this time of social distancing, we have become more connected," says O'Leary. "Pulling together during this situation is helping South Shore Bank become a better organization for our employees and for our clients." Nat Boughton of StrategyMD