SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
LOCAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
date our tournament has raised $242,577.31.” — REBECCA GWALTNEY,
MARKETING MANAGER AT WESTERLY COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION,
WESTERLYCCU.COM
How has COVID-19 affected your institution?
“We are as strong as ever. In addition to our ongoing community
support, BankNewport has been working around the clock to
fulfill loan requests for small businesses through the Paycheck
Protection Program, as well as an emergency micro loan program
in partnership with Rhode Island Commerce, the Rhode Island
Hospitality Association and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation.
Through these programs, to date, BankNewport has
awarded a total of $131 million in loans to approximately 2,000
small businesses in Rhode Island, including restaurants, retailers
and sole proprietors. Meanwhile, to limit person-to-person interaction,
we shifted branch operations to appointment banking only,
complemented by the availability of Personal Teller Machines
(PTM), which offer the personal touch of a real-life banker,
combined with the convenience of an ATM. Then, to ease the
burden many customers are facing during the COVID-19 crisis,
BankNewport waived a variety of fees as part of its customer
assistance program.” — WENDY KAGAN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
/ DIRECTOR OF EMPLOYEE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT
BANKNEWPORT, BANKNEWPORT.COM
lobbies open, we are still encouraging customers to be smart
about deciding when they need to visit. We have also instituted
measures in all of our buildings to keep employees and customers
safe and, thanks to the cooperation of both groups, it has been
a very smooth transition. Aside from how we conduct our business,
though, we have been able to maintain all of our scheduled
initiatives, including our expansion plans, and will continue to
move forward with confidence and determination through the
remainder of the year.” — HAROLD M. HORVAT, PRESIDENT, CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AT CENTREVILLE
BANK, CENTREVILLEBANK.COM
“While we at Wave Federal Credit Union definitely feel an impact
from COVID-19, we are more concerned with how our members
are doing. We are working diligently to contact our members to
see how they are doing and if they may need some assistance.
We have deferred many loans for members to help them get back
on their feet with one less bill to worry about.” — ERIKA KEMP OF
WAVE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, WAVEFCU.ORG
“Washington Trust has been affected like so many others by this
terrible virus. Some 65 percent of our workforce has been working
remotely, a new phenomenon, well-enabled by our latest technology
investments. We have been deeply involved in the SBA
PPP program, assisting both existing and new customers, and
have proactively worked with existing customers to provide
relief as they work through the realities of social distancing,
closures and employment challenges. We have supported local
healthcare providers, celebrated and thanked first responders
“As with any institution, we at Centreville Bank have had to adjust
the way we operate, but have been able to provide uninterrupted
service to our customers, which is our priority. Our investments
in technology have allowed customers the freedom to bank in a
safe and socially distanced manner, and even with our branch Continued on page 97
94 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l AUGUST 2020