DELMAR — It has been almost seven years since Delmar welcomed Kinderhook Bank into the neighborhood, and there hasn’t been a word of regret since.
“The recent move from 180 Delaware Ave, to our present location at 197 Delaware Ave. is great — it’s really a prime location,” John A. Balli, president and CEO said. “We’re now able to offer customers a full-service branch and the Delmar staff are drawing in lots of new business.”
It’s what the bank does with its business that makes it so special — staff members make it a point to get personally involved in their communities. In Delmar, Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President Shoham Piorentino and Tanyah Simmons, personal banker, started a bank program Team KINDerhook Bank which recognizes first responders and other community groups in the area who make a difference.
“Shoham rallied other branch staff to make personal visits to various community groups in the Capital Region,” McDannold explained. “While many have been first responders like fire, police and emergency services, there are also food pantries, veterans and senior organizations who have been recognized.”
Staff members bring goodies like cookies, bagels, sandwich platters and other sweets to show their appreciation. The platters are decorated with a small American flag and accompanied with a very BIG thank you.
“This is our way of thanking those who have what sometimes seem like thankless jobs,” Piorentino said, “and we want to personally tell them that the work they do is incredibly necessary and so important to our community.”
The idea has set off a spark at Kinderhook Bank, and now all 11 branch areas participate in the program, affectionately named #teamKINDerhookbank on Facebook.
“People often focus on all the negatives going on,” Simmons said. “There are so many more reasons to share the positive and kind things happening in our communities.”
Kinderhook Bank also prides itself on being pet-friendly, sharing pictures of its furry customers and their humans as they trot — or drive — through the bank.
“The pet program has been going on at Kinderhook Bank for a long time,” McDannold said. “We have free coffee and cookies for our customers so we also want to welcome their pets with free treats and leashes at each branch. We love seeing our furry friends. They get their pictures taken and are posted on Facebook whenever we get a visit.”
In fact, recently two young deer were spotted in the drive-thru at the Delmar branch. The bank posted a fun picture on Facebook, garnering over 30 reactions. The post included a note about the young family returning to Mama Deer safely.
The KINDness continues with Kinderhook Bank sponsoring many little league teams in the communities they service, recently purchasing a new scoreboard for the Tri Village Little League field in Bethlehem at the opening of the 2018 season.
“We were happy to step up and sponsor the new scoreboard when we found out the team needed it,” McDannold said. “For many years, Frank Trosset was involved with the league and knew there was a need.”
She added the reason why Kinderhook Bank stands out is because it continues to support important sponsorships like this wherever possible including school programs, food pantries, scout troops, many smaller not-for-profits and other local community programs.
Delmar’s branch is run by Piorentino; Liz Bukowski, senior personal banker, and Tanyah Simmons, and Laura Kennedy, personal bankers. Kelly Bailey, AVP & residential mortgage lending and Frank Trosset, VP of commercial lending are also located at the Delmar branch.
“We are people who love our communities,” McDannold said. “And we love finding ways to build new relationships that keep us involved and help to grow the communities we serve.”
Kinderhook Bank is a member of the FDIC.