capeandcoastbk, Author at Cape & Coast Bank

Cape & Coast Bank Appoints Janet Kieran as Digital Experience Leader

capeandcoastbk on January 9, 2024

Cape & Coast Bank has appointed Janet Kieran to the position of Digital Experience Leader.

Janet is an accomplished and innovative digital product management professional with more than two decades of experience in the financial services, health care and retail industries. She joins the Bank from Boston-based Reify Health Inc., where she served as Vice President of Digital Growth. She has also held senior digital project management roles at CVS Health, Staples Inc., Fidelity Investments and Fleet Bank.

In her new role, Janet is responsible for managing and implementing the digital strategy and leading the transformation of the Bank’s digital banking services to add value to clients. She will also play a critical role in enhancing the customer experience, coordinating digital transformation and innovation, and ensuring the bank maintains and builds upon its competitive edge in digital financial service offerings.

“Janet’s strong leadership, collaboration and analytical skills, combined with a deep and strategic understanding of digital banking technologies, will serve the Bank and our customers well,” said Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO, Cape & Coast Bank. “We look forward to working with Janet as she accelerates the enhancement of our customer digital experience across our full suite of advanced financial product offerings.”

Janet holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Boston University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University. She is also a dedicated community volunteer who has worked with several health and human services nonprofit organizations in the Greater Boston area.

“I look forward to joining Cape & Coast Bank, which has a unique local ownership model and strong commitment to investing in the community,” said Janet. “The opportunity to pair the Bank’s strong relationship banking model with digital tools and technologies to deliver the stellar, convenient banking experiences that our customers want and expect – whether online, using a mobile app, at a branch, or by phone – is particularly exciting. Pairing the knowledgeable and helpful employees with technology-driven continuous improvements will ensure that our customers can bank when they want, how they want and where they want.”

2023 Holiday Giving

capeandcoastbk on December 6, 2023

Pay It Forward

In 2023, our employees have raised about $26,000 through employee-managed #PayItForward Program to help 26 nonprofit organizations. For the past 13 years, our employees have supported local nonprofit organizations in our community by wearing jeans at work.

Every other Friday, employees donate a minimum of $5, and an organization is designated as the beneficiary. The organizations are nominated by employees and selected by the employee-based Pay It Forward committee. The only criteria for nominations is that the organization be affiliated with Cape Cod and a registered 501(c)3.

This holiday season, our employees worked in teams to use #PayItForward funds for the following holiday community programs:

28th annual Cape Cod Stuff-A-Bus to help the U.S. Marines’ Toys For Tots program.
The Salvation Army’s Dress-a-Live-Doll: Employees shopped for six teenagers.

Stuff A Stocking

A Baby Center is the beneficiary of our annual Stuff A Stocking program. Please consider helping local children and their families this holiday season by bringing donations of baby clothes and diapers, gift cards and feminine hygiene products to any of our branches. The unwrapped items can be dropped into the giant stockings located at each branch through Saturday, December 30th.

Learn More

Holiday Meal Deliveries

The Mashpee Chamber of Commerce is proud to organize and deliver holiday dinners to home-bound and in-need Mashpee residents. This year, our sponsorship helped with the cost of the meals. Our team also joined in to help make the deliveries!

Meals On Wheels

For the past 10 years, the Bank has provided holiday cards to be distributed with the Meals on Wheels deliveries for seniors served by the Barnstable Senior Center. This year, our employees volunteered to be part of a little holiday magic by writing handwritten, personal messages in the cards. Our goal was 250 cards, but we hit 385 cards!

#GivingTuesday

We’re proud to continue our #GivingTuesday tradition of supporting local food pantries by donating $1,000 each to 10 different pantries across the Cape.

2023 Stuff A Stocking: Helping A Baby Center

capeandcoastbk on November 28, 2023

Help local children and their families this holiday season by bringing donations of baby clothes and diapers, gift cards and feminine hygiene products to any of our branches. The unwrapped items can be dropped into the giant stockings located at each branch through Saturday, December 30th.

This year’s Stuff A Stocking will benefit:

A Baby Center fills in the cracks where local or federal assistance is just not enough to provide baby essentials to parents of infants living in poverty on Cape Cod and the Islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Please consider donating any of the following suggested items:

Size 6 diapers
$25 grocery gift cards for families
Feminine hygiene products
Layette items, newborn to 3 months:
- Bodysuits or onesies
- Baby jeggings or joggers
- Pajamas
- Rompers
- Hats
- Socks or booties
- Receiving blankets

Monetary donations also can be made directly to A Baby Center online, as well.

Cape & Coast Bank Launches Debit Card Rewards Program

capeandcoastbk on November 13, 2023

Cape & Coast Bank has unveiled a new program that offers rewards to debit card users.

Through the MyCapeRewards program, cardholders can earn points for using their debit card on purchase transactions made with signature or PIN. Offering points for PIN-based purchases is unique for rewards programs.

“Consumers have discovered the ease and convenience of using debit cards for their daily lifestyle needs,” said Barbara Smith, Chief Banking and Strategy Officer for the Bank. “We’ve found that our program offers great rewards, and our clients are eligible for gifts with as few as 100 points.”

Clients of the Bank will receive an email alerting them that an account has been created for them or that points have been deposited into their account. They can choose to redeem their points right away or accrue their points and accumulate them toward a gift in a higher-point category. Multiple gifts are available in each point category, putting the gift choice directly into account holders’ hands.

MyCapeRewards also offers a platform to shop from favorite retailers to earn cash back on purchases. Clients can also choose to use their rewards for contributions for participating charities.

“Giving back to our customers and the communities we serve is of utmost importance at Cape & Coast Bank,” said Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO. “Through the MyRewards program, our clients can earn points that can be redeemed for everything from small gifts and services to gift cards and vacations. As a true community bank, we are proud to offer this loyalty program to our customers throughout the region.”

For more information on the MyRewards program, click here.

Cape & Coast Bank Charitable Foundation Trust Awards $41,500 in Grants

capeandcoastbk on October 12, 2023

Cape & Coast Bank Charitable Foundation Trust has awarded $41,500 in grants to local nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving the critical needs of the communities it serves.

During the recent quarterly meeting of the Board of Trustees, the following new grants were awarded:

$10,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod to build two new three-bedroom affordable homes in the Town of Brewster. One of the homes will be designated in perpetuity for a qualifying U.S. veteran and their family to purchase. Funds from The Coop Foundation grant will help offset the cost of building materials and licensed contractor labor, which have increased significantly in recent years.
$4,000 to Good Grief Cape Cod, an organization that promotes positive change to how society responds to grief in children and young people by providing community engagement opportunities, sharing information and offering educational workshops with the goal of helping children and families cope with death. The Coop Foundation grant will be used to continue programming in three Barnstable County schools to offer expressive art therapy for children who are grieving a death, loss and/or tragedy.
$2,500 to Friends Food Pantry (Friends of Bourne Council on Aging) to assist individuals and families in the Town of Bourne suffering from economic hardship and food insecurities. The Friends Food Pantry has been providing food and nutritional assistance for more than three decades, becoming a mainstay in the Bourne community as the demand for services has increased, especially during the pandemic and economic downturn.
$2,500 to The Cordial Eye, a community arts organization based on the mid-Cape, to support its Creative Futures Cape Cod (CFCC) program. CFCC is a paid fellowship and educational program for adults aged 18-40 in Hyannis and surrounding areas that have an interest in working within the creative economy. CFCC prioritizes those from historically excluded communities in the region, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled and financially low-resourced individuals who are at greatest risk to enter the criminal justice system on Cape Cod.

In addition, The Coop Foundation issued the latest installments of multi-year grant disbursements of $12,500 to Housing Assistance Corporation for continued support of its THRIVE Program, which offers rental assistance to low- and moderate-income families; and $10,000 to Amplify POC to grow capacity through program development and outreach initiatives designed to eliminate the racial wealth gap on Cape Cod.

“I congratulate the deserving beneficiaries of this quarter’s Coop Foundation grants,” said Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO, Cape & Coast Bank. “These nonprofit organizations and their staff and volunteers are on the front lines of helping our communities deal with the impact of critical issues including housing affordability, food insecurity and systemic racism. Their commitment and dedication make Cape Cod a better place to live and work.”

Business Toolbox: Secure Your Passwords with a Password Manager

capeandcoastbk on October 5, 2023

Do You Find It Difficult to Keep Track of All Your Passwords? Writing passwords down on a piece of paper isn’t the best solution form remembering your passwords. If you have trouble keeping track of all your passwords, don’t worry, you’re not alone. With all the different applications people use today, it’s not easy to keep track of all your passwords, especially when you have a number of different applications and they all use different criteria for the makeup of a password.

A Password Manager, sometimes referred to as a “Vault”, may just be the right decision for you. A Password Manager (or Vault) is a secure software solution, usually in a cloud environment, that you would be able to access from any device with an internet connection. Most of today’s Password Managers even come with a downloadable app for your mobile devices.
With a password Vault, login information (username and password) is stored in a secured database, which is encrypted by the Password Manager to ensure the information is safe. The only password you will need to remember is the password to access your Vault. Most password vaults come with seamless integration to your favorite web-browser so you can launch the application directly from your vault.

What is the Best Password Manager for Me? There are a lot of different Password Managers / Vaults to pick from. It’s up to you to do the research and find what solution will work best for you. To start out, do a search for “Best Password Mangers” and compare the different options. Here are a few things you should think about when selecting the right Password Manager.

Do your research and be very skeptical of any Password Manager that is new or does not have good reviews.
Go with a provider that offers Multifactor Authentication.
YOU should be the only person that has access to the vault AND YOU should be the only person that can re-set your password. If the provider has the ability to re-set your password, that’s not a good sign.
You should be able to access your Vault from any of your devices.
The Password Manager you select should be simple to use and understand.
What kind of support does the provider offer, is it 24 hours a day seven days a week?
How do they offer user support, online chat, email, and/or phone support?
What type of encryption do they use to secure the information in the Vault?
How much does it Cost?

Paul Forni is our Information Security and Red Flag Officer. For more security tips, visit mycapecodbank.com/resources/your-security/.

American Banker names Lisa Oliver as one of 2023’s Most Powerful Women to Watch

capeandcoastbk on October 2, 2023

Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO of Cape & Coast Bank, has been named one of 2023’s The Most Powerful Women to Watch by American Banker magazine.

Now in its 21st year, American Banker’s The Most Powerful Women in Banking™ initiative recognizes individuals and teams for demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, strong business performance and a commitment to driving real outcomes for diversity, equity and inclusion in financial services.

“These women represent so much more than world-class business acumen and inspirational leadership skills,” says Chana Schoenberger, Editor-in-Chief at American Banker. “They symbolize the perseverance it takes to create meaningful change, the commitment needed to build stronger communities, and the creativity that’s essential to drive the industry into a new age.”

In addition to leading Cape & Coast Bank to increases in net income, return on average assets and overall growth, Lisa spearheaded a comprehensive communications campaign in the wake of banking industry turmoil to ensure customers that all deposits at the Bank were safe and secure regardless of balance. She also quickly pivoted the Bank’s marketing and sales strategy from being loan-focused to deposit-focused to better serve its clients. At Lisa’s direction, the Bank’s philanthropic efforts supported three of the region’s most critical issues – housing initiatives and solutions, social justice and racial equity.

“I am proud and beyond humbled to be recognized with this honor from American Banker along with so many other accomplished and talented women who are making an indelible mark on the nation’s banking industry,” said Lisa. “I would not have received this honor without the support, hard work and camaraderie of the entire team at the Bank. The superior service they provide our clients and business customers allow the organization to excel at the highest level as a true community bank for the Cape Cod region.”

This year’s honorees will be recognized at THE MOST POWERFUL WOMEN IN BANKING gala which takes place Oct. 5, 2023, at The Glasshouse in New York City. The gala is part of a week-long celebration which includes THE MOST POWERFUL WOMEN IN BANKING conference, which is open to all, on October 3-4th.

Cape & Coast Bank Appoints Erik Atkinson and Joshua Regan; Sarah Swift Promoted

capeandcoastbk on September 15, 2023

Cape & Coast Bank has appointed Erik Atkinson and Joshua Regan to the position of Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager – Small Business Specialist. Sarah Swift, former manager of the Falmouth and North Falmouth locations, has been promoted to the newly created role of Retail Administration Manager, where she will be responsible for creating cross-functional teams and efficiencies to support daily operations of the bank’s retail banking business at nine branch locations.

Erik will assume management of the Falmouth and North Falmouth branches, while Josh will lead the bank’s Yarmouth Port branch. In their new roles, Erik and Josh will develop and lead their branch teams to exceed customer expectations by delivering an advanced suite of banking services and products. They will also focus on developing relationship strategies and partnerships with local organizations with a strong focus on community outreach and small business banking.

Erik, of Mashpee, has more than 15 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry, with additional experience in the insurance and government contract sectors.

Josh, a Wareham resident, has nearly a decade of experience in the banking industry, most recently serving as a branch manager. Regan also has helped students in their college journey, and has frequently spoken at community events regarding topics related to financial aid and the college application process.

“Erik Atkinson and Joshua Regan are stellar additions to our team, and Sarah continues to provide exemplary leadership and retail banking expertise that has become a hallmark of our bank,” said Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO of Cape & Coast Bank. “Erik and Josh have extensive and successful branch leadership experience and are dedicated to providing superior customer service and maintaining strong relationships with community-based organizations and nonprofits. I also offer congratulations to Sarah Swift, who has been with us for seven years in roles of increasing responsibility.”

Cape & Coast Bank Announces Executive Promotions

capeandcoastbk on August 22, 2023

Cape & Coast Bank has announced the promotion of nine employees in recognition of individual performance and successes within the organization.

“I congratulate this exemplary group of Coop employees for their achievements and well-deserved promotions,” said Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO. “Their dedication to the success of the bank, combined with a commitment to community service, exemplify the true spirit of our workplace. I look forward to working with them in their new roles as we continue to serve the evolving financial needs of clients throughout Cape Cod.”

Promotions recently approved by the bank’s Board of Directors include:

Allyson Brainson was promoted to First Vice President. Since joining the bank in 2021 as Vice President, Small Business Relationship Manager, Allyson immediately became involved in all the communities in her coverage area and led the partnership efforts with the bank’s merchant service vendor. She also serves on the board of the Kiwanis Club of Mashpee.
John Cooke was promoted to First Vice President from Vice President, Marketing Officer. John is well-respected throughout the organization for his ability to deliver impactful marketing that supports business line objectives and has achieved the Certified Financial Marketing Professional designation – the highest professional designation for bank marketers. John is a member of the Board of Directors of Cape Cod Brite Lights, the Rotary Club of Yarmouth and is Committee Chair for BSA Troop 50 in Yarmouth Port.
Charlotte Green was promoted to First Vice President. As Residential Mortgage Sales Manager, Charlotte plays an instrumental role in increasing the bank’s residential mortgage market share on Cape Cod while being actively involved with community and industry organizations. She has worked closely with Housing Assistance Corporation to create an innovative loan program for the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and is also a member of the Cape Cod Young Professionals Board of Directors and provides financial literacy education to the Falmouth Public School system.
Eric Emmel was promoted to Vice President. Since joining The Coop 10 years ago, Eric has held several different positions in retail banking, operations, compliance and digital banking. As Group Operations Manager, he routinely partners with other organizations throughout the organization to lead change that is aligned with the bank’s growth and strategic objectives.
Kim Olson was promoted to Assistant Vice President. She serves as Loan Processing and Closing Manager. During her eight-year tenure at The Coop, Kim has focused on successfully improving operational efficiencies and creating a better customer and employee experience.

The Coop also welcomed four employees to the ranks of Bank Officer. They include:

Marcia Glassman was promoted to Officer. She is a Credit Analyst, where she excels at project leadership and collaborating with other departments within the bank. She recently completed the year-long credit analyst program offered by the Massachusetts Bankers Association.
Jen Grivers was promoted to Vice President. As a Residential Mortgage Loan Officer, she has been instrumental in generating new residential and commercial lending business for the bank, with a focus on the Falmouth market. Jen is an active volunteer with several nonprofit, networking and youth sports groups in her hometown of Attleboro.
Nikki Rickard was promoted to Vice President. Since joining in 2021 as a Residential Mortgage Loan Officer, she has led the bank’s expansion efforts into the Outer Cape and Provincetown markets and is a very active member of the communities she serves.
Karin Winkfield was promoted to Officer. Karin is a Bank Secrecy Act Specialist, who has assumed expanded and complex roles of increasing responsibility with a focus on compliance, account documentation and trust review since joining team in 2012.

Business Toolbox: Cash Management Products and Services are Key to Maximizing Small Business Revenue

capeandcoastbk on August 4, 2023

Every day, a steady stream of visitors cross the Cape Cod Canal bridges ready and willing to spend money at our local small businesses, restaurants, galleries and service providers. But now, more than ever, that buying power is not in the form of paper currency.

Are you ready to maximize revenue by safely accepting multiple forms of payment for goods and services and easily making fast, frictionless and secure deposits? If not, you should be.

The first step is to work with a community bank vested in local business success to evaluate cash management services. These services will help your business maximize and manage cash flow, increase operational efficiencies and maximize earnings on account balances.

Key components to an effective cash management strategy should include an all-in-one payment processing system for credit card transactions; a secure method for depositing checks directly from your office or business location using a bank-issued scanner, computer and internet connection; an ACH origination service that provides the ability to collect recurring payments from customer checking and savings accounts; and a lockbox service that collects and processes payments sent to a dedicated post office box and deposits the funds directly into your business account.

Other essential elements for a robust cash management initiative include the ability to send ACH or wire transfer instructions to a bank from your business location, and fund management solutions such as a line of credit sweep, which automates transfers from a commercial line of credit to meet daily cash needs and reduce interest expense.

Fortunately for local businesses, Cape & Coast Bank has recently introduced a full suite of cash management solutions that can be customized to meet the unique needs of every business. Cash management products are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and a strong banking partner with expertise and experience implementing these services and products is essential to success.

The Coop has also introduced Positive Pay, a powerful fraud prevention solution that protects its clients’ business accounts from fraud by monitoring for unauthorized ACH and check transactions.

To schedule a meeting with The Coop’s Cash Management team to evaluate product and service offering that may be a good fit for your business, call 508-568-3260 or email cashmanagementsupport@mycapecodbank.com. More information about The Coop’s offerings can be found at mycapecodbank.com as well.

Stephanie Burbine is First Vice President, Cash Management Officer at Cape & Coast Bank. She can be reached at sburbine@mycapecodbank.com or 508-568-3213