PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — At 5 p.m. Friday, The Bank of Maine ceased operations in Aroostook County, while at 5:01 p.m., Machias Savings Bank became the newest member of the local banking community.
Machias Savings Bank has purchased six Bank of Maine branches and plans to close three in the region — Fort Kent, Mars Hill and Houlton. The Presque Isle, Caribou and Lincoln sites will remain open and have since become Machias Savings Bank branches. The Houlton site closed because there was already a Machias bank in the Shiretown.
“It was a good fit for us to purchase these six branches of Bank of Maine,” said Traci Sanborn, senior vice president of retail banking and marketing. “Even though we did end up closing three, we wanted to be in The County. We feel our service can set us apart. I look at it as ‘hometown banking.’ We pride ourselves on really getting to know the customer one on one and trying to help them establish their financial dream or help businesses start or expand.”
Michael Kelley, vice president/regional branch administrator, will be the manager for the Presque Isle branch and oversee Caribou, as well. Before moving to Machias Savings Bank, Kelley was at TD Bank for 13 years where he served as the vice president/store manager.
“I absolutely loved TD without question, but I wanted to come to a smaller, local bank with more local decision making,” he said. “If something makes sense to do, I want to be able to do it, and I wanted something that was more focused on small business and small business development.
“One of my main concerns is I wanted to be able to deliver in a quick manner. It used to take me weeks to get decisions for loans to close, not days. Larger banks are regulated and watched a lot differently than a smaller, community bank,” said Kelley. “I wanted to grow within Presque Isle. I’m from Presque Isle and I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here — that was my overall goal. Family comes first, and that’s how this company operates, too.”
Kelley began work at Machias Savings Bank in late August.
“Things have been going exceptionally well,” he said. “I’ve been focusing mostly on commercial and small business. I’ve done a lot of lending already, and the customers that I’ve dealt with have been fantastic.
“I went to Machias for a week of training. The people are exceptional. They are all focus driven, and are concerned more about the customer than the profit piece, and they’re very big on giving back to the communities,” said Kelley. “They’re more focused on going out and finding the non-profits so they can help make a difference rather than waiting for the non-profits to come to the bank. That — to me — is completely new.”
While some customers may be growing tired of the former First Citizens Bank being bought out by other financial institutions, Sanborn encourages people to give them a try.
“We’ve been in business since 1869, and once we make a commitment, we are very committed … not only to our customers, but the community, as well,” she said, noting that Machias Savings Bank had an entry in this year’s Holiday Light Parade. “Being in the community — and part of the community — is one of the things that we instill in every one of our branches.”
Machias has also signed on to sponsor TAMC’s televised birth announcements for six months, and will provide New Year’s Baby welcome baskets at all four county hospitals.
“As far as customers, all I can say is ‘give us a try.’ We offer personal service and I think people will like what they see,” said Sanborn. “We’re also very active in social media. Getting our name out there is very important.”
Kelley said — moving forward — patrons will see increased customer service.
“You’ll see service different, and more of it. When people call the 1-800 number, you don’t get a switchboard; you get a live person every time. They always try to solve your issue right then and there,” he said. “Customer service is their [Machias Savings Bank’s] overall goal.
“The other change is technology. For example, we have instant issue debit cards, so if someone loses a card, they can walk in and get a new one. You don’t have to wait 7-10 days for one to come in the mail. If you do online banking and need help, you can actually chat with someone online,” said Kelley. “We have a service where you can transfer money from your account to another person’s account whether they’re a customer of Machias Savings Bank or not. Machias is always looking for the next new, greatest thing on the technology side.”
Kelley said Machias has retained the Presque Isle and Caribou employees.
“There are five employees at the Presque Isle branch and four in Caribou, and we just hired another commercial lender for Presque Isle,” he said. “Caribou will be hiring another person right away.”
Machias Savings Bank will invest in the branches, and give them a new look.
“The local banks have been deprived for years in terms of the look and appearance,” he said. “We’ll be reinvesting in the banks and re-brand them. We’ll be remodeling in Caribou first … painting, new tiles, flooring and molding.”
Sanborn said the Presque Isle branch will be spruced up, but before investing thousands of dollars into the 9 Dyer Street site, officials are determining if it’s the right location for the branch.
“This was the operation center for First Citizens Bank and it’s a huge facility … 13,000 square feet,” she said. “We don’t need such a big facility, so we’re in the process of exploring our options as to whether we may build a new structure or relocate. We’re looking to see what will be best for the customer.”
Both Sanborn and Kelley are pleased that Machias Savings Bank is in central Aroostook County.
“I’m thrilled that we’re here. This is a great town and people are very friendly,” she said. “I think this is going to be a wonderful experience for everyone.”
“Machias wants to be here. They want to be in this market, they want to be in Presque Isle and they want to be in Caribou,” said Kelley. “They’ve wanted to be here for a long, long time. Now was an opportunity and they’re delivering, and I wouldn’t have jumped ship unless I believed them. The way I look at it is I left a great company for a better company. I’m glad to be on board with Machias. I’m excited.”
Computers, telephones and accounts have all been switched over, new signage was installed Saturday, and the ATM was expected to be converted Sunday. Employees participated in weekend training sessions this weekend, as well.
For more information on Machias Savings Bank, log onto www.machiassavings.com or call 1-800-339-3347.
