Lisa Oliver, SVP, Chief Residential Lending Officer
Winter is a special time on Cape Cod. It is an opportunity to unwind a bit, enjoy our beautiful coastal environment and take in the scenery. I hope everyone has fared well through the Blizzard of 2022.
Here at The Coop, we are dedicated to anticipating the banking and financial service needs — digital and traditional — of our consumer and business clients in every season. So far, we like what we see in the new year as the promise of a post-pandemic world and economic recovery seems closer than ever.
I am delighted to report that we experienced a banner month for business lending in December, another encouraging sign that local businesses are gearing up for a busy and successful year. Although we are anticipating interest rates to rise in 2022, many individuals and business owners are still taking advantage of low rates to buy and remodel homes, purchase business properties, expand their product lines, and purchase inventory.
To meet the growing demand and evolving financial service needs of the community, The Coop continues to bolster its staff with accomplished financial professionals devoted to providing the highest level of service. Our “Big on Small Business” program has proved to be successful, and we have onboarded a dedicated team to support small businesses, the linchpin of our regional economy, with customized programs and one-on-one service.
Lisa Driscoll, Branch Manager-Small Business Specialist
We also welcome Lisa Driscoll to The Coop. Lisa recently joined the Bank as Branch Manager – Small Business Specialist of the Hyannis branch and is an experienced retail banking executive with proven leadership skills, strong customer service focus and commitment to small business development.
We’ll be launching a video series of questions and answers pertinent to the unique aspects of Cape Cod’s economy, with insight on how local businesses and non-profit organizations operate. Allyson Brainson, Small Business Relationship Manager for The Coop, will co-host and welcome guests to local experts in the business community. These videos will be available on our website, social media, and our YouTube channel in the coming weeks.
As we reflect on February as Black History Month, we want to remember to celebrate Black history throughout the year. There are many ways we can support the Black community, and this month is a great time to explore some of them. One way to celebrate is to support our many local BIPOC-owned businesses. A great listing of these has been compiled by Amplify POC Cape Cod and can be found at www.amplifypoccapecod.com. We are a proud supporter of Amplify and invite you to join us!
I appreciate each and every one of The Coop’s employees and their dedication to deliver an outstanding banking experience to our clients. In turn, we strive to provide our employees a rewarding work environment and opportunities for career advancement. That is why I am so proud that The Coop has recently been named one of the “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker magazine for the second consecutive year. I cannot tell you how much this recognition means to us.
To all of our clients who supported The Coop’s charitable giving programs during the holiday season, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Through your generosity, we were able to provide much-needed resources to Independence House, Katelynn’s Closet, Adopt-a-Family through ME Small Elementary, and local food pantries across Cape Cod.
Thank you to everyone who helped with our Stuff A Stocking Clothing Drive! We’re overwhelmed by your generosity to help keep children warm this winter at Katelynn’s Closet.
I look forward to keeping you updated on exciting Coop news and developments throughout 2022.
We would greatly appreciate a few moments of your time to complete the following brief survey. Your valuable feedback is important to us as we enhance products and services to deliver an optimal customer banking experience.
Best Regards,
Lisa Oliver
Chair, President & CEO