Customers stay connected via eBranch, Mobile Phones and Facebook
SIS has moved beyond traditional banking by creating online and mobile channels for customers to manage their accounts. Last year, SIS launched a Facebook™ online community, with a business page that currently has over 500 Fans and growing. Free Mobile Banking and Two-Way Text Banking were also launched last year. Now, 2010 marks the rollout of a new SIS mission-based website, also referred to as the eBranch, where users are greeted as if they are entering a physical branch, being welcomed to a friendly, service-oriented experience with the question, “How can I help you?” asked upon each online visit.
Alternative Methods for Banking 24/7
The eBranch even comes complete with its own branch manager and assistant vice president, Nathan Milkins (pictured on the right), who oversees Online Banking and Bill Pay, Cash Management, Remote Deposit Capture, the ATM Debit Card Program, and more. According to Milkins, who joined SIS in 1998, and was recently promoted to oversee the eBranch, “We believe this new mission-based website design will give our customers quick and easy access to the information they need. It mirrors the typical customer’s behavior and habits as if they were walking into any of our branch offices to conduct transactions, open accounts or even apply for a mortgage – except now it’s all online.”
Continued Milkins, “While we always enjoy visiting with customers face-to-face, we understand that it’s not always convenient for them. Rather than having customers spend an excess amount of time, energy and resources traveling to their nearest SIS office location each time they have a banking need, we are able to bring the convenience of our bank to the customer to offer everyday products and services at any time, anywhere. Now, that’s convenience!” Additionally, the eBranch will feature new ECO-friendly online accounts designed for the customer who wants to bank online using their computer, Mobile Banking or text banking.
SIS was one of the first community banks in the State of Maine to offer Mobile Banking which launched in the spring of 2009 and Two-Way Text Banking launched in late summer. Since introducing these new services, a steady number of customers continue to embrace the new technology. Especially popular is text banking which allows customers to send and receive text inquiries and alerts about their SIS account balances.
SIS Goes Green with ECO-friendly Products
The new trends and channels of communication also tie into SIS’s green initiatives which have been ongoing since the Conservation Committee, also known as the Green Team, was established. The Green Team is a group of employees who develop and implement ideas with the goal of saving resources and positively affecting the environment, local communities and customers served by SIS. “The Green Team is looking at the environmental impact of literally everything we do, from how we interact with customers and conduct business, to our internal operations and procedures. Anytime you save someone an extra trip, you are saving resources like fuel it would have taken to drive to an office location. That saves money in the long run and also saves on the costs of common resources like paper which is being replaced by electronic record keeping and customer eStatements for their accounts,” said SIS president and CEO, Mark Mickeriz. Additionally, the Green Team has initiated internal efforts at SIS such as adding recycling bins to common areas, using recycled paper whenever possible, automatic light shut-off when rooms are not in use, and handing out reusable grocery bags made from recycled materials at community events like their Grand Opening and at the annual Harvest Daze Festival in Sanford.
SIS Facebook Page
When it comes to promoting and growing awareness of the new online services that SIS is offering, they may have already found an ideal audience of tech-savvy online customers through Facebook. The Facebook Page, launched late last year has quickly grown into an online destination for people who enjoy interacting and engaging in conversation with SIS. “For any business, it’s important to stay relevant with your customers and adapt with the times. At SIS, we are always looking for new ways to communicate and share useful important information with those who bank with us and live in our communities,” said Mickeriz. “Facebook opens up a whole new venue for meaningful online conversations. We’re thrilled by the response of people wanting to connect with SIS via this social platform.”
As a celebration of the Facebook launch late last year, SIS ran a month-long $100 giveaway promotion for Fans. According to sources at SIS, Fans can continue to stay updated with SIS news and have opportunities to participate in future promotions when they join SIS’s growing online community via Facebook.
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