Providing superior customer service to consumers and businesses as a well as a commitment to its communities
By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
photo/submitted
Hudson – At Avidia Bank, the motto is “Honest to Goodness.” Although the bank is well-known for their superior commitment to their customers, whether they are consumers or businesses, they truly exemplify that motto now more than ever, internally and externally.
Headquartered in Hudson, Avidia is a $1.9 billion community bank with 251 employees. There are additional locations in Westborough, Framingham, Leominster, Clinton, Shrewsbury, Northborough and Marlborough.
A ‘customer first’ philosophy
Janel Maysonet, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, noted that the bank is striving to provide its customers a top notch, personalized experience, both in person and online. Products include checking, savings, and youth accounts as well as business loans, and mortgages and credit cards.
Knowing that especially now many prefer to use digital services, Avidia has worked to strengthen their online offerings, she said. Much of what traditionally needed to be done in person can now be done through a streamlined online process, including opening accounts and applying for loans.
Next year the bank will launch its redesigned website that will feature even more options to make the user experience easier to use, particularly on mobile devices.
If you do prefer to do your banking in-person, you may visit one of the branches, which are all currently open with services available at their drive-throughs and in the lobby if needed, she added.
And anytime a problem arises, it’s carefully monitored online and a branch manager will typically, personally reach out to help resolve the problem quickly.
Assisting local businesses
The past year has of course put so much stress on businesses, particularly small ones. As businesses scrambled to meet payrolls and pay their bills, they also had to invest in personal protection equipment (PPE) and many had to change how they operate.
“The bank helped over 1,700 local businesses obtain more than $196 million in funding with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans,” Maysonet said.
They also amped up their marketing, partnering with popular Boston sports radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub, to create radio spots highlighting how they helped local small business customers with the Small Difference Big Difference program. Posts supporting those were also shared on Avidia’s social media pages.
For their extraordinary efforts, Avidia was honored by the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) as its 2020 National Community Bank Service Award recipient.
In a press release, the ICBA noted the bank “Worked nights and weekends to provide Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program assistance, processing $196,516,597 in loans to assist 1,719 businesses in the community.”
Avidia also “donated resources to support essential workers, businesses, local charities, and those in need.”
“People remember who was there in a time of crisis,” Maysonet said. “We were very strategic about where we were investing our dollars and resources.”
Giving back to the community at large
In April, during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, the bank donated $10,000 in matching funds to the United Way of Tri-County, a nonprofit that helps residents who live in the MetroWest area.
The bank also made additional donations to food pantries in Hudson, Northborough, Westborough, Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc. in Leominster, and the Worcester County Food Bank, which totaled $23,750.
In another initiative with 98.5 The Sports Hub, the bank collaborated with two local sports stars to help children in need.
With Stephon Gilmore, New England cornerback, they sponsored the “Be a Champion for a Child” initiative to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of MetroWest (BGCMW). This organization provides youth development, education, prevention, social, athletic and recreation programs to 3,200+ at-risk children and teens.
They partnered with Brad Marchand, Boston pro hockey player, for the “Assists for Kids” program to support local youth hockey programs and make hockey more affordable.
The bank also committed to supporting the BGCMW by serving as one of the sponsors for the organization’s 15th Annual Bids for Kids Auction & Gala, which was held virtually this year on Nov. 6.
It is just not significant financial donations the bank commits to in its communities. Avidia’s employees also donated over 2,000 hours over the past year, volunteering for such organizations such as Special Olympics of Massachusetts, United Way of Tri County, OUT MetroWest, Binkeez for Comfort, the Marlborough Senior Center and local Rotary Clubs, to name a few.
For more information about Avidia Bank, visit www.avidiabank.com or call 800-508-2265 and follow them on social media.
