Melissa Siv has already noticed a shift in the mood in downtown Everett. The 14-year veteran of Peoples Bank is the new Vice President and Branch Manager for the Everett Financial Center, and she’s had a front-row seat to the ongoing changes in the neighborhood.
“Even during the pandemic, there’s been so much growth in Everett. Now that the weather’s getting warmer and restaurants are opening back up, we’re starting to see even more energy downtown,” she says.
Before taking on the branch manager job in Everett, Melissa was the branch manager at the Peoples Bank Mill Creek Office. She’s a Snohomish County native and says the beautiful waterfront development is one of the many reasons she’s excited to live and work in Everett.
“It’s been a privilege to help our business and consumer clients with their banking through the unexpected challenges of the last year, and we look forward to being even more involved in their growth and recovery as things start to open up.”
Bridging Remote and In-Person Services
In the last year, many clients have adjusted to a new way of conducting business through digital banking, virtual meetings, and mobile and online banking technologies, and Melissa says Peoples Bank will continue to accommodate customers in the way that works best for them.
“It’s been quite a change having businesses, homebuyers, individuals, and families connect with us remotely through the pandemic. We’ve been able to develop best practices, many of which will continue in the years to come.”
That said, Melissa says employees enjoy interacting with customers in person, seeing them in the branch, frequenting their businesses, and seeing them on the soccer field, at school functions and local community events.
“Some of our clients love the efficiency of remote services, but we know a lot of them also miss coming into the office. As community bankers, we want them to know we miss them just as much!” Melissa says.
A Top PPP lender
For Melissa, the work Peoples Bank has done to help Snohomish and Everett businesses and nonprofits navigate the many challenges related to the pandemic has been particularly meaningful.
“It’s been such a trying time for so many people in our community. It’s truly been an honor to help local business owners and their employees, so they can continue to serve our community.”
Peoples Bank helps clients access COVID relief programs like the recently extended Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Peoples Bank has been a top PPP lender in the state of Washington, helping many local businesses access funding in a difficult time.
To date, the Bank has supported more than 2,100 Washington-based businesses with PPP financing while continuing its support of local nonprofits including the Snohomish County Boys and Girls Club, Cocoon House, Providence Hospice and Home Care Foundation, and United Way.
Visit Melissa Siv and the rest of the team at the Peoples Bank Everett Financial Center at 2702 Colby Ave. in downtown Everett. The branch is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
