Bank on it: Fall 2019 - President's Message

With the holiday season just around the corner, I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to all our valued clients, employees and business partners for yet another remarkable and memorable year for The Coop – our 101st.

And while there is much to be optimistic about in 2023, the coming winter and beginning of the New Year won’t be without challenges.

The economy continues to experience uncertainty, and with inflation it will certainly cost more – in some cases, a lot more – to fill grocery carts, heat our homes and keep the lights on in the coming months. But these challenges are nothing that our strong communities and neighbors can’t overcome, especially with a helping hand.

Giving Tuesday, which falls on November 29 this year, is a wonderful opportunity to support the Cape’s incredible nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to address the region’s most critical issues.

I’m proud that The Coop will once again offer financial support to local food pantries on Giving Tuesday, including Cape Cod Military Support Center – Empowerment Center, Falmouth Service Center, Family Table Cooperative, Hands of Hope Community Outreach Center & Food Pantry, Helping Our Women, Lower Cape Outreach Council, Sandwich Food Pantry, SKIP (Soup Kitchen in Provincetown), The Family Pantry of Cape Cod and Yarmouth Food Pantry. Please join us in donating to or volunteering with these amazing organizations that help put food on the tables of our Cape neighbors in need.

The Coop Foundation also continues to play a leading philanthropic role on Cape Cod. For the first three quarters of the bank’s fiscal year, it awarded $128,000 in grants to:

The grants awarded mirror the bank’s corporate giving focus areas for fiscal year 2023 – Social Justice and Racial Equity and Housing Initiatives and Solutions.

Housing To Protect Cape Cod

Earlier this month I participated in Housing Assistance Corporation’s Housing to Protect Cape Cod launch and summit, addressing the nearly 400 people in attendance. What an event. The audience left the half-day conference inspired and ready to advocate for affordable and workforce housing production in towns throughout the Cape. The message we all heard was crystal clear – there needs to be less talk and more action if we are to make swift and significant inroads to alleviate the crisis.

At The Coop, we are experiencing the housing emergency – yes, it’s an emergency. Every day, we hear stories of business owners and organization leaders who are dealing with the housing crisis impacts: a shrinking workforce, less revenue due to shortened operating hours and output, decreased services and support provided to our communities and higher cost to provide housing for the seasonal workforce.

A vibrant economy and healthy, diverse communities are not sustainable under the status quo. Please become involved in Housing to Protect Cape Cod advocacy efforts. Additional information can be at HousingtoProtectCapeCod.org.

Grateful For Our Team

I am also proud to report that The Coop has once again been named a “Best Bank to Work For” by American Banker magazine. The award is based upon an annual survey and awards program dedicated to identifying and recognizing the best employers and providing organizations with valuable employee feedback.Make no mistake, our employees are the most valuable asset we have. Please join me in congratulating the following employees who have recently received promotions at the bank: Jenn Deutsch to Floating Supervisor – Team Leader; Sarah Duffany to Branch Manager – Small Business Manager for the Falmouth branches; Glenn Fitzgerald to Small Business Relationship Manager; Gina Kirksey to Branch Manager – Small Business Specialist for the Yarmouth Port branch; Kim Kvietok to Branch Manager – Small Business Manager for the East Dennis branch; and, Crissy Smith to Assistant Branch Manager for the Falmouth branches.

Housing To Protect Cape Cod

Grateful For Our Team

We’re Here To Help