The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod has partnered with Love Live Local, an advocacy organization dedicated to educating consumers on the importance of shopping local, to share stories of small businesses having a big impact on the community.

The Coop will provide financial support for the Shop Local Stories series, a year-long initiative to recognize small businesses throughout Cape Cod that contribute more to the community than simply providing goods and services.

The Shop Local Stories pay tribute to businesses in the region that give back to the community, provide exceptional customer service, support other local businesses or provide employment opportunities in a unique and interesting way.

Nominations for a business to be featured in Shop Local Stories can be submitted through a brief form at www.lovelivelocal.com. Selected businesses will be featured on the Love Live Local website, on its social media platforms and in a monthly email – a $500 value, underwritten by The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod.

“I couldn’t think of better way to celebrate of National Small Business Week than launching a partnership to honor local small businesses that are doing exemplary work in the community and providing superior service to our neighbors,” said Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod. “Every day, the Cape’s small businesses are going above and beyond simply conducting single transactions with customers and The Coop looks forward to working with Love Live Local to tell their stories.”

According to recent Love Live Local research, small businesses with 1-19 employees represent 90% of Cape Cod’s economy and keep 2-4 times as much money in the local economy as their national chain competitors. The organization’s research also shows that if just 10% of spending shifted to local retailers, an additional $112 million would be funneled into the Cape Cod economy annually.

“We are grateful for the partnership and support of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, which has long been a champion for our region’s small businesses,” said Amanda Converse, Chief Executive Officer, Love Live Local. “The Cape’s small businesses contribute more to the local economy than their corporate counterparts and deserve our support and recognition. We hope the community will find our Shop Local Stories series to be to be informational, inspiring and uplifting.”

March 15, 2022 (Hyannis, MA) – The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod has launched “Business sCOOP,” a video series designed to provide local businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs with critical financial information and insight to succeed in the region’s unique economy.

Each installment offers access to the bank’s subject matter experts and special guests, who will address a range of topics pertinent to business and financial best practices. The series is hosted by Allyson Brainson, Small Business Relationship Manager for The Coop, and can be viewed on the bank’s website, social media and YouTube channel.

Business sCOOP episodes currently available for viewing include:

• Your Business Loan Application
• Information Security – What Businesses Should Know
• South Eastern Economic Development Corporation (SEED) and Resources for Businesses

“The Coop’s team of small business experts has a laser focus on providing clients access to the tools and information needed to thrive and grow in today’s competitive economic environment,” said Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod. “Business sCOOP is a great addition to our toolbox, providing clients an opportunity to acquire leading-edge expert knowledge simply by viewing videos at their convenience on a choice of platforms.”

The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Charitable Foundation Trust Awards $30,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits

B FREE Wellness, Cape Cod Children’s Place, Cape Cod Military Support Foundation, Cape Cod Toy Library and WellStrong Named Beneficiaries for Fourth Quarter of FY2021

March 3, 2022 (Hyannis, MA) – The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Charitable Foundation Trust (The Coop Foundation) has awarded $30,000 in grants to five nonprofit organizations that enhance quality of life by addressing fundamental needs and challenges in the community.

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

• $5,000 to B FREE Wellness, to help facilitate the organization’s move to a larger location in Hyannis, enabling it to expand programs as well as establish a wellness co-op by offering rental space to other wellness practitioners. B FREE transforms people’s lives by providing free and affordable movement, mindfulness and coaching programs to those affected by trauma, addiction and oppression.
• $10,000 to Cape Cod Children’s Place, which will fund Phase II of its “Creating a Culture of Resistance” initiative to support children and families impacted by trauma, especially on the Lower and Outer Cape which has been inordinately affected by the pandemic. Cape Cod Children’s Place builds resiliency and strength in Cape Cod families by providing resources, referrals, high-quality early childhood education, advocacy and support to sustain healthy communities for the region’s future.
• $5,000 to Cape Cod Military Support Foundation Inc., to renovate the former Sandwich Police Station into a second Empowerment Center. The current Center is located on the Base and can be a challenge to access for those who do not reside or work there. The new facility will allow for greater accessibility for clients and volunteers, as well as the expansion of programs and services, including a food and clothing pantry, to improve the lives of veterans, military personnel and their families. The on-Base Center will remain open as well.
• $5,000 to Cape Cod Toy Library Inc., an organization that provides enriching, culturally sensitive educational environments to promote learning through play experiences to foster healthy child development. The grant will be dedicated to the creation of an “Outdoor Play Oasis” at the Hyannis Public Library designed to engage families and enhance children’s play-based learning.
• $15,000/3 years to WellStrong, a fitness and wellness community for people in recovery from substance abuse disorder. The grant will be used to expand an already successful program that creates professional growth and career opportunities for members in recovery. The program promotes economic self-sufficiency by offering fitness certifications for up to five members per year for three years.

“The pandemic shined a spotlight on the Cape’s nonprofits, illuminating the critical work they undertake, even during challenging times, to keep communities strong and provide those in need with assistance and compassion,” said Lisa Oliver of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod. “The latest group of Foundation grant recipients serves the needs of some of our most vulnerable neighbors, including children, veterans, trauma survivors and those in recovery. The Coop Foundation is proud to support these remarkable organizations that are supporting the health and wellness needs of our communities.”

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.

Take Our Survey

Best Regards,

Lisa Oliver
Chair, President & CEO

 Shanika Rogowski, Senior Vice President and Chief Residential Lending Officer at The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, has been appointed to the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association (MMBA) Board of Directors.

The MMBA is the largest mortgage association in New England, offering comprehensive services to more than 225 corporate members throughout the region.

“Shanika is an excellent choice to serve on the MMBA Board of Directors,” said Lisa Oliver, Chair, President and CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod. “Her knowledge of the residential mortgage market is extensive, and her expertise and insight will be a valuable asset to the Board as it guides the association forward.”

Shanika has more than 25 years of banking experience at a large Fortune 500 financial institution and small- to mid-size community banks, specializing in residential and consumer lending, sales and service.

“I am honored to be selected to join the Board of Directors of the MMBA,” said Shanika. “I look forward to engaging with other Massachusetts lending executives to discuss important industry topics and best practices, as well as participate in the planning of the annual New England Mortgage Bankers Conference.”

Shanika, a resident of Mansfield, is also an active volunteer with community organizations and nonprofits, having worked with organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Relay for Life and the Mass Bankers Women in Banking Advisory Board.

The YMCA Cape Cod recently elected Jason Bordun, Vice President, Information Systems Manager at The Coop, to serve a three-year term on the nonprofit’s Board of Directors.

Jason joins the current 24-member board to set strategic direction and policy guiding the Y’s work of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

“The Y is a volunteer-led organization that depends on the time, treasure, and talent of its volunteers,” said YMCA Cape Cod president & CEO Stacie Peugh in a news release. “Each of these new members brings a wealth of experience and diverse skills to our organization.”

Jason has more than 25 years of technology experience. He’s been with The Coop for 17 years. Jason manages a critical team that implements and operates all technology systems for the Bank.

Jason served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps before graduating from Cape Cod Community College and the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. He volunteers with Barnstable Little League, as a board member and coach, and supports other local nonprofits, including Cape Abilities and Heroes in Transition. He and his wife, Jocelyn, live in Centerville.