The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers had its annual Inspire and Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala and Banquet July 19 at The Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.

According to Alista Blose, marketing and public relations coordinator with The Neffs National Bank, the bank received the Inspire Award and was recognized for work done in the community to assist business owners with the Paycheck Protection Program.

“When the treasury unveiled the Paycheck Protection Program, The Neffs National Bank was not an active SBA lender,” she wrote.

As a community bank, however, The Neffs National Bank knew this program would support its customers and the local community.

“A team effort between departments and headed by the Commercial Lending Team, the PPP program was presented to customers as a way to save their businesses and keep employees on the payroll and supported during the COVID pandemic,” Blose wrote. “While many other banks had complicated application processes The Neffs National Bank was there for customers during this confusing and frustrating time by offering assistance and step-by-step navigating through the complex program.

COVID-19 presented challenges to face-to-face meetings, however, The Neffs National Bank continued to focus on delivering excellent support and service to customers.

More than 370 loans were granted to community businesses.

“One of these companies was a community pharmacy which used the PPP loan to keep their associates on payroll and, a few months later, provided much needed COVID vaccines in our community,” Blose wrote. “The Neffs National Bank is an independent community bank.

“We live here. We work here, and we’re here to support our local community.”