Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1251192
www.HartfordBusiness.com • May 25, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 25 LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS IonBank.com | p: (203) 729 4442 To our Customers and Communities, Ion Bank and our family partners, Ion Insurance and Ion Investments are in a very strong position to weather the tur- bulent storm of global challenges created by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We were fortunate to anticipate some of the unique challenges and began preparations early to ensure that we could maintain service to our customers and communities throughout the crises. In terms of our business, COVID-19 is like nothing we have seen before. For a company that is 150 years old, Ion has been through many recessions, the great depression and way too many times of war. Unfortunately, the current crisis has the potential to have a higher negative impact on our economy than all of these combined. However, our entire Ion team has never been more determined and focused to do everything we can to help our customers and the communities we serve to get through this crisis and throughout the process of rebuilding the economy. Over the past few months, I have been inspired by the intensely committed Ion employees who have jumped in with both feet to offer any and everything they could to help. It is hard to express the depth of my admiration and appreciation for all my teammates who have worked tirelessly to process over 1,400 customer and non-customer forgivable loan appli- cations through the SBA CARES Act — Paycheck Protection Program. We have collectively received approval for small businesses and nonprofits totaling more than $173 million. In addition to the government programs, we have been dili- gently helping residential and commercial customers modify their existing loans, working with each customer, one on one, to customize their payments in a way that works for them. We are already committed to modifying $142 million for 300 commercial customers and $36 million for approximately 200 residential homeowners. As a local, independent community bank not owned by shareholders, we are proud to serve our communities as an exemplary corporate citizen, through volunteerism and financial support. We continue to build lifetime relationships by partnering with our customers to identify and achieve their financial goals. To further support our communities, the Ion Bank Foun- dation awarded an additional $150,000 for COVID-19 Relief to local United Ways, including Central and Northeastern, Southeastern, Greater New Haven, Greater Waterbury, Mer- iden & Wallingford, and Naugatuck and Beacon Falls. We also have increased our expected overall Foundation giving to $1 million for 2020. Our priority is to protect and serve our employees and cus- tomers throughout these uncertain times. We are looking for- ward to serving you and our community for the next 150 years. Thank you for your continued trust in Ion Bank. Sincerely, David Rotatori President & CEO TM