The Neffs National Bank has received the Inspire Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers (PACB).

The award was presented at the PACB annual Inspire & Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala & Banquet, July 19, The Hershey Lodge & Convention Center, Hershey.

The award recognized The Neffs National Bank for assisting business owners with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

When the United States Treasury Department unveiled the PPP, The Neffs National Bank was not an active Small Business Administration lender. Neffs Bank officials knew that the PPP would support its customers and the local community.

The PPP, through a team effort between departments at the bank and headed by the Commercial Lending Team, was presented to customers as a way to save their businesses and keep employees on the payroll and supported during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

While many other banks had complicated application processes, The Neffs National Bank officials were there for customers during the confusing and frustrating time by offering assistance and step-by-step navigating through the complex program, according to a press release from the bank.

While the pandemic shutdown presented challenges for face-to-face meetings, 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 the companies was a community pharmacy, which used the PPP loan to keep its associates on the payroll and a few months later provided much-needed COVID-19 vaccines in the community.