Western Mercantile Agency in Coos Bay has been in business for nearly 90 years. Never in that long history did the company experience a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like many other businesses, the collections firm was having difficulty meeting its expenses as business came to a halt, says Michelle Gallino, president of Western Mercantile. She turned to her bank at the time but wasn’t getting the answers she needed. Another business owner suggested she contact Deena Gisholt at Oregon Pacific Bank.
As a Senior Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager at OPB’s Coos Bay branch, Deena quickly got the ball rolling to secure a loan under the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which provided businesses the funds they needed to pay employees and keep their doors open.
“Within two days, she had my process completed from start to finish,” Michelle recalls. “Within an hour of filing it, it was approved.”
The loan made an immediate difference and helped save jobs at her company, Michelle says.
Deena says she was glad she could step in to fill a need and says OPB’s priority is relationship banking. She gets to know her clients and works with them to meet their goals.
“It’s a really good feeling when you can help someone,” she says. “We cater to small businesses and that’s really what we’re about.”
Michelle was so impressed with the service she received that she transferred all of her banking accounts to Oregon Pacific Bank. The personalized service makes it worth it, she says.
“When we walk into the bank, they know us. They know my employees, they know my husband, they know my family,” Michelle says. “They just go above and beyond what a normal bank does. I’ve never been so pleased with my bank.”
