If we had 20/20 perfect vision, we might have skipped to the year 2021. Never have we seen more disruption to life on a daily basis and to how we socialize. It is the ultimate irony that in 2019 we couldn’t allow you to cover your face or head while conducting business in the branch. And now in 2020, with the order from the state of California, we are are requiring masks to be worn. We greatly appreciate your mutual consideration of others.
None of us enjoys wearing a mask, but as a cooperative financial institution with concern for the health and safety of our community, we honor our core values—people helping people. We kindly ask that you don’t complain to our staff about the mask requirement. They did not make decisions regarding the safety guidelines that must be followed. They too face stresses each day as essential workers, keeping the branches and ATMs open for you. Deep breath. We still have a long road ahead, but we’ll get through this together.
I am overwhelmingly pleased with the efforts the SESLOC team has made to help members in need during the global pandemic. We approved loan payment deferments on over $100 million in loan balances, waived $300,000 in fees and granted $6 million in payroll protection program loans to small businesses and nonprofits. Your generosity was amazing in the branches and online; we raised over $34,000 for the food banks in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties where requests for assistance has skyrocketed. And for the sixth year in a row, you helped us support Jack’s Helping Hand. Thank you!
Coming soon and new in our portfolio of fair-priced financial products is a Visa Signature® Rewards card. It’s a one-of-a-kind offering on the Central Coast, allowing you to combine points earned from this credit card and your HomeFREE Checking™ debit card under one account! It may be a while before we can leisurely travel, but making purchases today gets you one step closer to redeeming once in a lifetime experiences you can enjoy later. This new credit card is just another way we’re providing value to you, our loyal members.
And in a nice close, SESLOC was voted the “Best Bank or Credit Union” for the thirteenth year in a row by readers of the New Times. SESLOC also received a five-star rating—the highest—from Bauer Financial, which reviews the safety and strength of all banks and credit unions. Service and strength! We love taking care of our members.
