Jeff Dick
President and CEO
MainStreet Bank

Retail spending is an obvious indicator of consumer sentiment - especially around the holidays. That being the case, it seems as if everyone I speak with is talking about cutting down on gift giving - generally with the exception of gifts for "the kids. 

And there is good reason to be prudent these days. We're in a recession (it's official), and the end isn't in sight. At times like these, we need to manage our personal finances just as diligently as we manage our business finances.   

But let's not totally abandon our optimism. This is a global problem, and I find comfort that the recent global "flight to quality" meant a massive re-investment in the U.S. dollar. Investors have been willing to take zero percent interest for the ability to hold U.S. Treasury securities. Meanwhile, the gurus at the Fed and Treasury are working overtime to resolve our economic woes.  

In spite of everything, take some time to enjoy your family and friends. Be charitable, and from all of us at MainStreet Bank - have a Happy Holiday season. 

 

Meet MainStreet - Dominique Baptise & Amy Karimian

The Connect Support department of MainStreet Bank is devoted to providing excellent support for the electronic services of the bank. "We are very committed to our electronic services and are especially committed to supporting them with the highest level of excellence,” says Amy Karimian, Connect Support manager.

MainStreet Bank’s electronic services encompass many aspects of cash management, for instance, remote deposit capture.

At some banks, providing a remote deposit solution means sending out a check scanner and an 800 telephone number to call for support. However, at MainStreet Bank, Dominique Baptiste, support specialist, arrives in person to install your equipment and software and walk you through each and every step.

“Because I come in person and walk clients through each step, they get up to speed and can use the new system at full capacity right away,” says Dominique. “By taking the time to walk our customers through these processes, we can help them see what a great solution they are getting.” From there, the Connect Support team takes a personal – and proactive – role in helping customers realize the greatest value from all the features of their online cash management solutions.

According to Amy, her team takes great pride in going above and beyond for customers. In an average day, Amy and Dominique help customers with everything from resetting passwords to getting online wire transfers accomplished.

“Even though my interactions with customers may not be face to face,” says Amy, “I still get to know them well over the phone. I help solve issues like software compatibility, online banking access, or questions about managing records or getting real-time status reports over the phone with out losing that personal touch. Since we make the effort to know each customer, their systems, their businesses and how they operate, we can often do even more than ‘fix’ things - we can be proactive, too."

Both Amy and Dominique agree that what they value about working for MainStreet is the ability to give customers advanced electronic services and supplement these great tools with personal relationships. Says Amy, “it’s win-win because clients get great service and Dominique and I get to do jobs we really love.”

If you have any questions at all about our electronic services, simply give Amy or Dominique a call in our Connect Support Department at (703) 481-4589 or contact them by e-mail at connect@mstreetbank.com.

 

Creative Solutions

You want security safeguards, but remembering all those passwords and logins can be a challenge! We know - and that’s why so many of us here at MainStreet Bank have become such fans of a free software program called Password Safe. 

In fact, we’re providing copies of this freeware program to businesses that sign up for our online cash management services. Password Safe frees you from having to write down and remember all of the different passwords for all of your different accounts. Instead, you simply remember the access information for Password Safe itself.

Once inside the “safe,” all your logins are displayed. Just double click on the name of any secure application or account, cut and paste the login from Password Safe and you’re in!    

If you’d like to simplify your life, we’ll be happy to send you a copy of Password Safe. Just e-mail Amy Karimian:  akarimian@mstreetbank.com.

StreetSmart - High CD rate just for our eNewsletter readers

Simplify and Save with MainStreet's Direct Deposit Solution

Smart business means saving time and money while optimizing automated systems available for your use. MainStreet's Direct Deposit solution integrates functions you can manage easily through your MainStreet Bank on-line banking account. 

Not only can you enjoy more control over timing, records and reports, many customers find that MainStreet's Direct Deposit solution also rewards them with significant savings. To find out more about all MainStreet can do to save your business time and money, contact our Connect Support Department at connect@mstreetbank.com and speak with Amy Karimian or Dominique Baptiste.

MainStreet Answers

Q. I have heard that with credit so tight, self-employed people are finding it hard to get mortgages and business loans. Is that true?

A. Some of the larger banks have implemented wholesale cutbacks on home equity lines of credit, and have increased scrutiny on small business and consumer credit. And, with a very limited secondary market for home loans, refinancing is not as simple as it once was. 

This is truly a time where having a relationship with a community bank stands the test of time. We know our customers, and we will continue to work with you. We're ready to address your financing needs.