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Small Business Banking Partnership: Helping Stone Projects Expand
Stone Projects in Woburn is a leading custom fabricator of natural stone and quartz surfaces for kitchen countertops, vanities, fireplaces and Jacuzzis. Thanks to a partnership between Cambridge Savings Bank and the Massachusetts Treasury, Stone Projects is growing.
CSB is part of the Treasurer’s Small Business Banking Partnership (SBBP). The SBBP moves Treasury cash reserve funds typically held by large national and international financial institutions and deposits them in amounts of up to $10 million in Massachusetts banks. In exchange for deposits from the Treasury, banks taking part in the SBBP sign a Memorandum of Understanding to offer more loans to small, credit-worthy Massachusetts businesses.
Founded in 2005 by Brazilian immigrant Leo Chantre, Stone Projects has earned a reputation for high quality craftsmanship and attention to customer service. Delivering products to commercial and residential properties, Stone Projects services the New England area, with most if its business in Massachusetts.
CSB executives and Treasurer Steven Grossman recently toured Stone Projects to learn how a new SBBP loan is helping the business grow. Stone Projects used the $335,000 loan to purchase a new, automated cutting and finishing machine from Northwood Machine Manufacturing Company, of Louisville, KY.
![[Right to Left: Mayor Scott Galvin, Woburn; Rep. James Dwyer, Woburn; Treasurer Steven Grossman; Leo Chantre, owner of Stone Projects; Wayne Patenaude, President/CEO of Cambridge Savings Bank; Alderman Richard Haggerty, Woburn]](http://cambridgesavingsblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/csb-stone-projects-sbbp-023-2.jpg)
[Right to Left: Mayor Scott Galvin, Woburn; Rep. James Dwyer, Woburn; Treasurer Steven Grossman; Leo Chantre, owner of Stone Projects; Wayne Patenaude, President/CEO of Cambridge Savings Bank; Alderman Richard Haggerty, Woburn]
CSB has received $5 million through the SBBP, which helped the Bank grant 49 loans to small businesses in Massachusetts. CSB is proud to be a part of the SBBP, keeping Massachusetts families in business and producing jobs in the Commonwealth.
CSB’s Got Talent: Our Employee Photo Contest Winner
When we told our employees about “Your Inspired Moments,” many wished they were eligible to enter. We decided to make a division of the contest, just for employees–an had a lot of great submissions!
Jacqui O’Donnell’s photo, “Pure Pride and Joy”
Digital Marketing Manager, Jessica Bourne, recently sat down with the employee contest winner, Jacqui O’Donnell, to talk about her photo ” Pure Pride and Joy.”
What does your winning photo show? When and where was it taken? Who is in the photo?
A self portrait by Jacqui
This photo is of my mother and my brother at his graduate school graduation ceremony. Completely candid, both of them were actually posing for a photo that my father was taking on his own camera. I decided to shoot some photos myself, and this was by far one of my favorites.
Why did you pick this photo for your entry? How does it represent the Your Inspired Moments theme to you?
Photography is one of my many passions. Over the years, I have taken thousands of photos that could be considered inspiring. However, my family means the world to me. This photo shows the uttermost happiness and pride a parent can have for her child. Little do people know, my mom is actually just super excited that my brother’s employer paid for grad school. (Joking!)
What do you do at CSB?
I currently work as a Marketing Specialist here at CSB. I am responsible for supporting certain areas of the bank, including eCommerce, Residential Lending, and Community Relations.
What inspired you to pursue a career in marketing? Why marketing in the banking industry?
I graduated from the University of Miami with a dual degree in advertising and graphic design, as well as with a minor in marketing. Working here at a CSB allows me to utilize the skills I have learned in all of these areas.
As a prize, your photo will be featured in a CSB advertisement later this year. How do you feel about having your photo represent the CSB brand?
It’s really funny to think about because I’ll most likely be the one designing the ad!
Meet the Winner of “Your Inspired Moments”–Shannon Paull!
The “Your Inspired Moments” photo contest had almost 120 entries, coming from all over the state of Massachusetts. Facebook fans voted for their favorite photos before a team of CSB judges selected the grand prize winner.
“First Snow,” by Shannon Paull
The winner of the “Your Inspired Moments” contest, was Shannon Paull, a student, photographer and animal lover. CSB’s Digital Marketing Manager, Jessica Bourne, sat down with Shannon to learn more about her and her photo, “First Snow”.
What does your photo, “First Snow,” show? When and where was it taken?
“First Snow” was captured in my backyard in December 2012 after some of the first snow Plymouth saw during the Winter of 2012-13. Angus is a German Shepherd/Boxer/Rottweiler mix who is very adventurous and loves to play in the snow.
Shannon and Angus (2 months)
How old was your puppy when you took the photo?
Angus was two and a half months when I took the photo.
What stands out in your mind about taking this photo?
His facial expression says it all. He was very curious about the snow, and I was very curious about what he was going to do with the snow. One second after I took the picture, Angus was running around and rolling in the snow and being the adventurous puppy he is!
Why did you pick this photo for your entry? How does it represent the Your Inspired Moments theme to you?
I chose this photo for my entry because it was one of my more recent photos, and as soon as I took it I knew that it was one of the best moments I have ever captured. This was the very first time I ever took him out in the snow. This was the first time he experienced something new. Exploring and new experiences are a huge part of life. Seeing Angus’ innocence spring into curiosity inspired me. It inspired me to not only take the photo, but to always remember to never forget to try new things that life brings my way.
Can you share a little about your education and career goals?
Right now I am working on my Associates Degree in Human Services at Cape Cod Community College. From there I will continue my education at Bridgewater State University to get my Bachelor’s in Psychology. My career goal is to work in a high school as an Adjustment Counselor and to have my own private practice. Animals have caught my eye through my camera lens, and they have also caught my eye in the therapeutic field. I hope to use Animal Assisted Therapy as a tool in my future career. This will allow me to provide therapy/service animals to a wide range of clients including the elderly, war veterans, and children. Photography and helping people have always been a huge part of me. I plan on continuing my photography as I capture weddings, portraits, pets, and nature.
How has winning this contest impacted your photography work?
Winning this contest has shown me how supported I really am. My family and friends have always shown support, but through this contest I have witnessed support from the community. This photo contest has inspired me to keep pushing for all my goals in life. I am very thankful!
As a prize, your photo will be featured in a CSB advertisement later this year. How do you feel about having your photo represent the CSB brand?
I am honored to have my photo represent the CSB brand. The people who work for CSB have really shown their professionalism and welcoming personalities through the process of this contest. Professionalism and up-beat personality are two very important characteristics of Shannon Paull Photography, and being able to work with a company that shares the same traits is highly honorable.
Another photo by Shannon. “Nature’s Art”
Shannon’s photo, “Cordage Park”
Phishing, Vishing and Smishing
Phishing, Vishing and Smishing are all ways for a thief to use current technology to get your personal account information to use for fraudulent purposes.
Phishing
This is a scam that uses email or pop-up messages to trick you into disclosing your credit card number, bank account information, Social Security number, password or other sensitive information. These emails will claim to be from a business or organization you deal with – such as your bank, credit union, online payment service, or even a government agency. The email usually says that you need to “update” or “validate” your account information. It often threatens dire consequences if you don’t respond. The message directs you to a website that looks just like the legitimate organization’s web site, but is not. The idea is to get you to enter your information so they can capture it.
Vishing
Also known as “voice” phishing over the phone. This is another way for scammers to steal credit card or debit card numbers and other information used in identity theft scams. Be suspicious of any message you receive claiming to be from your financial institution asking you to provide sensitive or confidential financial information.
Smishing
A text message is sent to your cell phone that asks you to call a toll-free number. Once that call is placed, they will ask for personal information such as Account Number, Credit/Debit card number or Social Security Number, etc….
The U.S. Department Of Justice (DOJ) recently issued three simple recommendations - Stop, Look, and Call - that the consumer can follow when they see E-mails, text messages, Websites or hear a voice mail that may be fraudulent. The DOJ’s recommendations are listed below.
1. Stop. A phishing E-mail, voice mail or text message will typically include upsetting or exciting (but false) statements with one purpose in mind. They want people to react immediately to that false information, by clicking on the link and inputting the requested data before they take time to think about what they are doing. Internet users, however, need to resist the impulse to click immediately. No matter how upsetting or exciting the statement in the E-mail may be. There is always enough time to check out the information more closely. The same is true for text messages and voice mails. Think carefully before responding.
2. Look. Internet users should look more closely at the claims made in the E-mail, think about whether those claims make sense, and be highly suspicious if the E-mail asks for numerous items of their personal information such as: Account Numbers, User Names, or Passwords. For example: If the E-mail, voice mail or text message indicates that it comes from a financial institution where you have an account or a credit card account, but tells you that you have to enter your account information again, that makes no sense. Legitimate banks and financial institutions already have their customers’ account number in their records. Even if the E-mail says a customer’s account is being terminated, the real bank or financial institution will still have that customer’s account number and identifying information.
If the E-mail, voice mail or text message says that you have won a prize or are entitled to receive some special “deal,” and then asks for financial or personal data, there is good reason to be highly suspicious.
Legitimate companies that want to give you a real prize don’t ask for extensive amounts of personal and financial information before you are entitled to receive the prize.
3. Call. If the E-mail, voice mail or text message states it is from a legitimate company or financial institution, Internet users should call or E-mail that company directly (get the number yourself- don’t use the one in the message) and ask whether the E-mail is truly from that company. To be sure that they are contacting the real company or institution where they have accounts, credit-card account holders can call the toll-free customer numbers on the back of their cards, and financial institution customers can call the telephone numbers on their monthly statements.
