queenschamber.org THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH 8 Queens Banks Give Back To Th e MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGHOUT QUEENS Astoria Bank is one of the largest full-service community banks in New York. Founded in Queens more than 125 years ago, Astoria Bank has long been a part of the region’s banking landscape. That’s largely because of its passionate employees who take the time to understand the needs of their customers. Astoria Bank’s best asset--its people--are passionate about wanting to make a difference in their customers’ financial lives. They help to make the dream of homeownership possible, work to help plan for college or retirement, and support businesses of all sizes to compete and succeed. Astoria Bank offers the array of financial options offered by larger banks, yet offers a personalized, consultative approach to banking, ranging from simple checking accounts to facilitating investment and insurance solutions. It provides consumer and business customers with quality financial products in four lines of business—retail banking, business banking, commercial/multi-family real estate and residential real estate lending. A team of seasoned and experienced relationship managers help businesses of all sizes to plan for the “what if’s” that can occur. Along with Astoria Bank’s local branch managers--most of whom also have extensive background in commercial banking-- they get to know the needs of businesses and assist them with a complete line of business solutions to help increase cash flow, reduce fraud, manage payroll, acquire capital, and automate payments. Using a unique, consultative approach, bankers take the time to listen, understand, and provide expert advice to help their customers reach their financial goals. They are also uniquely networked with professionals and experts in the community that can share their expertise others. Astoria Bank’s extensive retail branch network, which totals 88--with 18 in the borough of Queens--along with convenient online and mobile banking technology, enables customers to bank whenever and wherever they want. With the opening of Astoria Bank’s newest branch on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Purves Street in Long Island City, Astoria has expanded its local presence and increased its ability to support businesses of all sizes. It has also helped to pave the way for a collaborative partnership with LaGuardia Community College, through which Astoria has established a scholarship program, provided gallery space at the Long Island City branch for photography exhibits, and delivered financial literacy education. Astoria Bank employees volunteer to help make a difference throughout Queens. They’ve spruced up Alley Pond Park, planted gardens at the Queens Botanical Garden, painted murals that spread joy at Flushing Hospital, and conducted fun activities for children at the Sculpture Center Block Party in Long Island City. They also share their leadership on Boards and Committees, helping to shape the future of Queens. Astoria Bank’s Senior Vice President Mayra DiRico -- heads up the bank’s Retail Banking operation while also serving as President of the Queens Chamber. She’s passionate about helping local businesses succeed. “As a lifelong resident of Queens, I've appreciated the borough’s diversity and energy. My leadership role in the Queens Chamber has sharpened my insights into the some of the emerging challenges and opportunities faced by local businesses and community organizations” She adds, “Astoria Bank encourages me to share my passion for helping the businesses of Queens connect with one another and have access to the resources they need to be competitive." Astoria also provides support to nearly 700 local not-forprofit organizations, many of which are based in Queens. Funds help a variety of groups engaged in making our communities better places to live, work and explore, from cultural, educational and historical programs to services for the hungry and homeless. To find out more about Astoria Bank and how it can make a difference for you and your business, visit Astoriabank.com or call 1-800-ASTORIA. Member FDIC. Astoria Bank: he Difference is Wanting to Make a Difference. RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGE OF “DOING FOR OTHERS” BY JENNIFER SMITH Vice President, Community Development Officer Investors Bank This year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service reminded me that in one of his speeches, Dr. King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” It was a challenge, really, to everyone the idea that we all should be doing something in service of others. The senior management team at Investors Bank shares a similar challenge with its employees. One of Investors’ four core values---Community--is a directive for caring for our customers, employees, and the local neighborhoods we serve, such as those in Queens. Investors Bank Chairman Robert Cashill has said, “If you do good, you’ll do well.” And we believe that we have prospered because of all that we do in our communities. As a banker, it is gratifying to help businesses grow and prosper, but as a community banker, it is just as rewarding to assist families and individuals achieve their dreams. It is to this end that Investors team members volunteer their time and talents to community organizations that enrich the lives of our neighbors. It also is why the Bank and Foundation provide financial support to local organizations such as the Queens Theatre, the Queens World Film Festival, the Queens Council on the Arts, and the Astoria Performing Arts Center. In addition to the Arts, we provide financial assistance to educational and family service programs. Two examples are the STACKS Afterschool Enrichment Program through the Queens Library Foundation and the Long Island City YMCA’s Strong Kids Project. These are just several examples of organizations that we support in Queens. In addition, we celebrate the grand opening of each new branch by making donations to local not-for-profits for every new account opened by an individual or business. At Investors, we recognize that providing financial assistance and even sweat-equity is not enough--we need to do more to care for the Queens community. To that end, we host our “The Art of Thriving Not-For-Profit Conference,” which last year was held at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. The Art of Thriving conference reflects the obstacles, challenges and opportunities that nonprofits face. The event is designed to provide a forum for discussion, as well as to provide networking opportunities for nonprofits to exchange their best practices for effectively managing and growing their organizations in a highly competitive environment. Helping those who help others is our aspiration. Another way that Investors backs up our commitment to the nonprofit community is through our Care2Share program. We created this program because everyone has something about which they are passionate--youth athletics, houses of worship, local charities. Care2Share enables Investors’ customers to link their personal checking or savings account to a non-profit organization that is enrolled in the program. Investors sends quarterly contributions to the customer’s selected nonprofit based on the average monthly balances maintained in the accounts linked to that organization. Care2Share is a free program, and Investors provides the not-for-profit with marketing tools to assist in getting its supporters or members to enroll their Investors accounts. Maria Odysseos, Vice President, Astoria Market Manager at Investors, can provide more information about this program or any of our bank products or services. She can be reached directly at 718-777-5000. Caring about the well-being of the Queens communities of all of our communities--is part of Investors’ culture. We want to be significant in the community, but we also want everyone else to be significant in their communities as well. As Dr. King said, “What are you doing for others?” Representatives of Astoria Bank, including Queens Chamber President Mayra DiRico (third from right) tour LaGuardia Community College. Investors’ Queens market team at Opening Night of the Queens World Film Festival
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