Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1357519
V O L . X X V I I N O. V I I A P R I L 5 , 2 0 2 1 20 B A N K I N G / F I N A N C E / I N S U R A N C E stepped outside their comfort zone to help desperate customers. e first few months were the most intense, testing nerves and stamina. "When you talk with somebody who is so close to thinking their business is going to go under, and they need answers, you're not think- ing about burning out," says Andrew Silsby, president and CEO of Augusta- based Kennebec Savings Bank. "at's adrenaline. We were called upon to answer questions and to help people get through this process, and we weren't going to stop until we got everybody through this." Diane Sturgeon, deputy district director of the Maine SBA District Office, feels the same, saying, "One of the things I love about being in Maine is everyone just pitches in to help and get the job done when we need to help each other out." at includes banks processing loans as low as $500 "because their customers needed it." Of her own round-the- clock efforts, she says, "I've never been big on sleep anyway." Business banking's 'wild ride' For bankers processing the loans, the first few months were the most intense, recalling experiences like modern war stories of the financial world. "Culture shock" is how Jeff McNally describes his involvement in processing PPP loans at Gorham Savings Bank, months into his tenure as a retail banker. "Working at the branches, I went from a really hustle-and-bustle atmo- sphere of dealing with customers and seeing the entire building empty except for the drive-through." at was at Gorham Savings' Portland waterfront headquarters, where McNally was part of a team that handled more than 1,100 PPP loans in 2020. When he arrived at 8 a.m., there were colleagues three hours into their day and working around the clock. "I'd see emails from people at midnight, 1 a.m., just trying to get a handle on all those loans," he remem- bers. ough he missed the customer contact, he liked business banking and colleagues he got to know so much, he ยป C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 1 7 Worried your heating system won't make it through another winter? Did your cooling system struggle to keep up last summer? Do some rooms never feel comfortable? EFFICIENCYMAINE.COM 866-376-2463 Now is the time to upgrade to a high-performance system that can meet both your heating and cooling needs. Reduce energy costs. Improve comfort. Incentives are available for heat pump and variable refrigerant flow systems. Speak with your contractor to see which solution is right for your building. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY F O C U S Steve Lachance of the Quarry Tap Room in Hallowell looks forward to business picking up this summer