FITCHBURG — Rollstone Bank & Trust will reopen its branch lobbies to customers on Monday with new physical barriers and protocols in place for protection against coronavirus.
“Re-opening our branch lobbies is a huge milestone to getting back to operating closer to normal, which is as much a personal mission as it is a professional one and we’re proud to be able to do it with the safety of our account holders as our top priority,” said Martin F. Connors Jr., president and CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust. “We appreciate the patience of our customers and are proud of the hard work of our employees who have pulled together through this unprecedented time of challenge.”
Among the new policies and procedures:
• Masks must be worn. Upon entering the branch, customers will be asked to lower their mask for a moment so that security video can capture their image. Disposable masks will be provided to customers without a mask.
• There is a limit of four customers inside a branch at any one time. Customers may be asked to wait outside until it is safe to enter. Banking through drive-up or electronic means are still encouraged.
• Markers have been placed on the floor to assist with six-foot physical distancing.
• Safety shields have been installed at the teller line and in the customer service offices.
• Pens are available upon request. Customers may take them when they are finished, otherwise the bank will dispose of them.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance and at each teller station.
Rollstone drive-up windows and ATMs have remained open throughout the coronavirus lockdown. To encourage physical distancing, customers are encouraged to continue to use the drive-up, ATMs, and digital banking channels.
Rollstone operates seven full-service branches across Central Massachusetts, in Leominster, Fitchburg, Harvard, Townsend, and Groton.
In addition to servicing customers with day-to-day banking needs throughout the coronavirus lockdown, Rollstone Bank & Trust processed nearly 250 Paycheck Protection Program (PP) applications in the total amount of $36 million, most of which were for local small businesses in Central Massachusetts.
“Rollstone was quick to respond and made the application process seamless. During these difficult times it is nice to know that we have a banking partner in Rollstone that we can trust and rely on,” Patrick McCarty, President of McCarty Companies in Leominster, said.
“There was a lot of confusion surrounding the CARES Act. Having a personal banker kept us on track with completing the application promptly and accurately,” Jean Kaddy, owner of Once Upon A Tile in Fitchburg, said. “As a result, we received our funding within a couple of weeks, without adding any unnecessary stress.”
“I feel like if not for the Rollstone team we would still be at the end of the line waiting for approval,” Gordon Lewis, Controller at Wachusett Mountain, said. “We’ve been able to maintain a staff of 55 employees despite having our operations completely shut down since March 15.”
Rollstone also donated a total of $30,000 in COVID-19 relief to a variety of local non-profits in Central Massachusetts, including United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Community Foundation of North Central MA, Ginny’s Helping Hands, North Star Family Services and St. Vincent de Paul.
