Here’s a message from Bill Smigiel, our CEO, about what to expect through changing times.
The past year has been strange and difficult for all of us. While most of us as individuals have not experienced anything like the coronavirus pandemic before, Liberty Bank has a long history of thriving during some of the most challenging times in global history, including during war, the Great Depression, and the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. I am confident that one day, the coronavirus pandemic will be added to the list of challenges that Liberty Bank has weathered well.
The landscape of banking has changed in the last year. For our part, we implemented our tested business continuity plan to ensure that operations could continue safely in a crisis, and the transition was a success. And while we always love to see customers in our branches, many have discovered the benefits and convenience of online and mobile banking, along with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that all personal and financial information remains secure. Our strong cyber security policy remains a major priority and it’s just one reason why Bauer Financial, an independent rating agency that measures the safety and soundness of banks nationwide, has awarded us a 5-star safety rating for more than 30 consecutive years.
The pandemic has also made us all more aware of how connected we are as a community. At Liberty, we’ve done what we can to help support local businesses through these challenging times, including securing $35,000 in Federal Home Loan Bank COVID-19 Relief Grants for some of our business and nonprofit customers and partners.
Many aspects of the future seem uncertain, but I’m sure of one thing: Liberty Bank will continue to grow and thrive in 2020 and beyond. We have strong reserves, an experienced and capable team, and wonderful customers who motivate us to do our best work every day. We all look forward to continuing to support your financial goals, and we thank you for choosing Liberty.
Warmest Regards,
William J. Smigiel
Chairman & CEO