As the employees’ new t-shirts say, Bank of Anguilla has been essential since 1904. Being the only bank in Sharkey and Issaquena counties, Bank of Anguilla certainly is essential to the lives of Sharkey/Issaquena residents and businesses.
We have interviewed local businesses regarding the Covid 19 threat, and almost all of them have mentioned their appreciation for Bank of Anguilla regarding the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans. These loans are a part of the CARES Act aimed at providing financial relief for small businesses and institutions that were affected by Covid 19. As soon as they were announced, the Bank of Anguillla began contacting qualified businesses and nonprofits in Sharkey and Issaquena counties. The fact that we have a community bank that contacted its customers rather than waiting for customers to contact them, says a lot about this bank and its dedication to our community.
Bank of Anguilla has always been involved in the S-I Community, and that hasn’t stopped with the Coronavirus. No branches of the bank have closed, although the lobby doors in Rolling Fork and Anguilla have been locked and only drive through service is allowed. In order to accommodate this increased demand, the bank extended its hours Monday -Thursday until 3 pm, and on Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, without closing from 2-3 pm as in the past. Anyone needing to meet with a banker may do so by appointment. At this time the bank is unsure when it will reopen the lobbies to customers although a written plan is in place.
In addition to closing its lobbies, the bank has stringent rules for employees that are necessary to keep them healthy, safe, and to keep our bank functioning. With all these new regulations and the daily cloud of Corona we’re living under, the bank has worked hard to keep employee morale up. They’ve had assorted dress up days, an Easter Egg hunt, chalk art competition, meals brought in from local restaurants, a “guess who” baby picture contest, and we’re sure there is more to come in the weeks ahead.
The bank has remained active helping the community during Covid 19 by providing masks for local businesses, donating water for the hospital fruit and water drive, and at Easter, eggs filled with candy (and a few money eggs) were handed out. Especially popular was the home school photo contest that provided cash awards to the winners for opening a savings account. They also gave a $500 scholarship to a senior at both South Delta High School and Sharkey Issaquena Academy. These awards were announced at graduation.
Not only is Bank of Anguilla a great steward of our community, but it encourages employees to be active in the community as well. We are blessed to have Bank of Anguilla, and LDP is grateful for all it does.
