Condo Media - September 2011 - 41

leases was Dan Rys. We sat down with him, and within 12 minutes, he understood completely.” Years later, when Pond Place’s board of governors decided to refinance the loan, Barry was delighted to track Rys down to his present position at the Savings Institute. “We’re just starting out with them,” Barry says. “But we’re looking forward to a beautiful relationship.”

A Value-Driven Culture
A focus on service isn’t just a catch phrase at the Savings Institute. It’s embedded in the bank’s DNA. Four core values have been identified as the guiding principles for how the bank does business: service, integrity, boldness and teamwork. As Rys puts it, “It’s all about doing what’s best for the customer. Our bank exists to enrich the lives of individuals and

Training is key to that level of service at Savings Institute. “We do a lot of training here,” says Rys. “It’s like a retail store. If you don’t train people well, then you can’t provide quality service.”

Adding Value to the Local Community
At the Savings Institute, just as important as connecting with the customer is connecting with the community. Since the founding of its charitable foundation in 1998, the bank has donated more than $1 million to local charities, and employees are actively encouraged to engage in philanthropic endeavors, according to Bill Anderson, Savings Institute’s senior vice president, retail. He reports further that the bank donates between $40,000 and $50,000 annually in support of a number of charities. “We’re proud of our community involvement,” he says. Anderson adds that, every year, employees “reach into their own pockets” and give between $15,000 and $17,000 to local charities through payroll deductions. Employees also take an active role in community service, volunteering on the boards of nonprofits and participating in fundraising events. “The Savings Institute’s mission is other-focused, rather than innerfocused,” Rys explains. “That also applies to our customers. We will spend time with them, counseling them. That’s the message people need to know.” For more information about Savings Institute’s products and services for condominium associations, call (860) 5762623, or visit www.savingsinstitute.com.

The Other Side of the Coin
Sometimes, it’s not so easy to persuade unit owners to take out a loan. “Many unit owners don’t like the idea of a loan,” says David Lynch, an attorney in Glastonbury, Conn. “But they don’t like the idea of a special assessment, either.” He likens the situation to looking at your own roof. “If your roof is leaking, what do you do?” he asks. “You can raid the bank account, find a second job, or take out a loan.” Fortunately, the staff at Savings Institute stands ready to give association boards and unit owners the information they need to make an appropriate decision. Lynch applauds Rys, for example, for “talking to association managers to find out what the problems are and prepare a proposal.” “I try to meet with the boards and trustees of associations personally,” Rys confirms. “Of course, most meetings happen in the evenings. But whether it’s in Connecticut or Boston or Providence, I will go sit with them and spend one or two hours with them, explaining everything. I can also answer questions about other issues that affect condominium associations, such as whether or not a capital reserve study needs to be done. That’s what I mean by value-added service.”

Dan Rys looks forward to helping you find the right financial solutions for your condominium association.

businesses within the communities we serve, while sustaining financial stability and optimizing shareholder value.” Accomplishing this mission requires what Rys describes as a “knowledgeable staff,” who provides “real service” to associations and individuals alike. “They take the time to find out what our customers need and give them choices,” he says. “And they explain what the choices are so the customer really understands them.”

http://www.savingsinstitute.com

Condo Media - September 2011

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