To celebrate November’s designation as National Gratitude Month, we are making a donation to several food pantries in Central New York, calling the initiative “Banksgiving.”

Tompkins Financial Wins 2020 Corporate Philanthropist of the Year Award

We have been awarded the Corporate Philanthropist of the Year Award by the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). This award was bestowed upon us at the National Philanthropy Day virtual celebration on November 13, 2020.

During this difficult time, Tompkins Trust Company has remained focused on serving customers. Our team members who best exemplify that commitment are our community banking staff. Like everyone else during the pandemic, they have experienced uncertainty about the future, in some cases family loss and concern for those around them. But they have shown up for work every day to make sure they support our customers and equally as important each other.

Most importantly, they’re happy to do it. Individuals who become bankers are proud to be stewards of other people’s assets and they take that job very seriously. You don’t always think of a teller or universal banker or branch management when you think of an essential worker but they are the front line to the customer. Many of our branch staff have told me how pleased they were at the beginning of the crisis when customers said (through the drive-up speakers), “Thank goodness you are open!”

Making customer accommodations is something we are very familiar with, even before COVID. Today with many business customers and individuals still working remotely, we have taken a lot of time to educate customers on the benefits of our online capabilities and even in some cases, teaching customers how to use the drive up tube as they had always come into the branch in the past. Flexibility and a level head in a branch is key during a pandemic or any crisis situation especially with fraud being at an all-time high. Our staff is not afraid to ask important questions and to get a full understanding of the transactions the customers are requesting. The trust between our customer and branch staff is really what makes our community bank the best in the region. That’s not bragging, just fact!

As a community bank, we’re dedicated to supporting businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to providing loan programs, we can help businesses hold on to the resources they have through services that help prevent fraud.  This is especially important now, when companies are operating with reduced staff, many of whom are working remotely. It’s a time when businesses are especially vulnerable to fraud. In fact, industry experts predict there will be an “explosion” of business and consumer fraud in the coming years.

As your community bank, we continue to be here for you as we work hard to rebuild our communities, together. I wanted to take the time to give you a brief update about our plans for reopening our bank lobbies.

Financial decisions can feel complex and hard even under normal circumstances. If the current market volatility has you questioning what are the “right” actions you should take now, you are not alone. Here are five concrete ways for you to jumpstart your financial wellness in the wake of the novel coronavirus. 

• First contact your bank
• Next, go to the Federal Trade Commission’s website and complete the ID theft affidavit
• File a report with your local police
• Check your credit report. 

April is community banking month, a time when we traditionally celebrate what we believe makes our bank unique - our community focused approach and personalized experience. During more normal times, you would see our team out at volunteer events, serving on boards, and joining in at community events. This is what makes working with a local bank so unique – your banking partners are right here in the community alongside you as you go about your day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to do what we love has changed. We are all learning new ways for us to stay connected. But we remain focused on what matters most to us – the health and welfare of the communities that we are proud to be a part of.

We know the COVID-19 pandemic has affected each of us in various ways. A lot of people are struggling in our communities and we, as a team, are doing what we can to help get our customers through these trying financial times. But many hands make light work and we are in this together. Please consider the following suggestions to help our community through this time.

We’re all experiencing a time of tremendous stress, uncertainty and isolation. And that means it’s a good time to protect yourself from scammers who may try to use the current environment to obtain your money and sensitive information.

As community bankers, we care about our customers and want to make their lives better. So, since my expertise is financial fraud, I want to share the following tips on how to prevent being defrauded during this difficult time.

Hi, I’m Greg Hartz, President and CEO with Tompkins Trust Company.