After more than 30 years with the same bank, Bob Eckard expected he would have no trouble securing a small revolving line of credit to provide working capital for his expanding printing business, Graphics Plus Printing, Inc. in Cortland, New York. Think again.

Even with a squeaky-clean record and the availability of federal stimulus funds and loans guaranteed up to 90% by the Small Business Administration, Eckard found his traditional sources of working capital had dried up. The bankers he had relied on for years had pulled back into their shells like frightened tortoises.

Eckard contacted a Beacon Federal loan officer, Judy Colone, made an appointment and met her at Graphics Plus. It was, he said, "the most refreshing experience I’ve had with a banker."

"She listened, she looked me in the eye,and asked a lot of good questions that hadn’t been asked by the others. It was different. I explained to her that I was faced with several large orders, but wasn’t going to be able to process them unless something happened quickly." Judy Colone was impressed with Eckard, as well.

"He told us that no other banker had come to see his business before," Colone says. "We take the time to get to know each customer whether we lend money to them, or not."

The chain of command is short at Beacon Federal. Colone had gathered and analyzed the necessary information about Eckard and his operation, then became his advocate before the two senior vice presidents who had to give their final approval. Within two weeks the loan had been approved. 

"Never have I seen a process so painless, quick, and thorough,"

Eckard says. "It made a huge difference and allowed us to continue ahead with our customers’ jobs. It’s great to be operating in the black again. My mission now, is to make sure I send Beacon Federal as much business as I can. They are a class act!"