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Jim Jannace, Deanna Lemieux and Leeanna Wilbur of Franklin Savings Bank look over Jannace’s new custom embroidery operation in Rangeley.
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Rangeley is a classic small town, comfortable and easy-going. For small business owners, those traits are just important for their bankers.
It’s one reason Jim Jannace, owner of Nancy’s Gifts and Jannace’s Backwoods Clothing and Custom Embroidery, chooses Franklin Savings Bank.
“It’s a small town bank. I’ve always felt very comfortable at Franklin Savings Bank. They make us feel at home,” says Jim. “When you call down there, everybody knows who you are. You can call Leeanna anytime you need help.”
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Roger and Melinda Soucy
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When you’re starting a small business, working with the “Hometown Banker” is definitely the way to go.
Just ask Roger and Melinda Soucy, who own the local Puroclean franchise. Having run the business for five years for his parents, Roger knew the ins and outs of fire and water damage restoration and reconstruction, but business financing was a new path in life. He took his financial advisor’s recommendation and went to see Franklin Savings Bank.
“We’re very comfortable at Franklin Savings Bank.”
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Todd Richard and Marty Farnum with Franklin's Peter Judkins and Mike Mansir
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Todd Richard and Marty Farnum love what they do. After all, their business, Northern Lights Hearth and Sports in Farmington, has become the place to go for people who want to make informed purchases of woodstoves and outdoor gear.
But previous financial dealings took the fun out of it. “We were supposed to feel good, but we felt like we’d been through the wringer,” said Marty. The rate seemed low at first, but by the time they closed the loan, more documents were needed, requiring additional legal work, and the price tag for out-of-pocket expenses grew substantially.
They decided to give Franklin Savings Bank a shot. “It was nice. It was simple, quiet and it was done,” said Marty. And working with the only locally-owned bank in Franklin County means more than quick response from their bankers. It means supporting local business. “We rely on our community to support us and we support the community,” said Todd. “That’s the key.”
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Dennis Daniel with Rich Allen
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Running a small business was nothing new to Dennis Daniel. The Rumford native had owned or operated several over the years. But it wasn’t until he sat down with Rich Allen of Franklin Savings Bank to work out the financing for his new venture, Ellis Pond Variety, that he understood how much easier it is to do business with a community bank.
"Easy in, easy out. We were very relaxed. You didn’t get that corporate feeling,” he said, noting that he felt like just a number to the big bank where he used to do business. This deal needed to be closed very quickly and Dennis was surprised when Rich was able to pull it together within a month. “Everyone was amazed at how fast it went.”
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Bob Pidacks with Rich Allen and Peter Judkins
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Bob Pidacks is a “Hands-On” kind of guy.
He knows heavy equipment and how to successfully run R.S. Pidacks Inc. in Livermore, the only three-stage portable rock crushing plant for hire in Maine.
Since he was 19 and bought his first bulldozer, Pidacks learned he can count on Franklin Savings Bank to work out the financing details.
“I hate paperwork. What I do is make this machine run. They’re best at financing. I say ‘this is what I want to do’ and they take care of it,” says Pidacks. “Franklin Savings Bank simplifies things. They help you get through the red tape.”
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Gary Collins and Renee DiConzo
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When it comes to running a convenience store, the key word is “convenience,” for the owners as well as the customers.
That’s why Mexico One Stop owners Gary Collins and Renee DiConzo choose Franklin Savings Bank as their bank. “Others have knocked, but we’re not switching,” says Gary.
“Whatever we need is just a phone call away. You pick up the phone and it is taken care of instantly. The service is outstanding,” he added.
“Everything is easy with Franklin Savings Bank,” says Renee.
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Rob and Jim Witt
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The Witt Brothers are a fixture on Farmington’s Main Street. Between Witt Bros. Medical Supply, Howard’s Rexall and their other downtown interests, they know what it means to be part of the local business community. That’s why they chose Western Maine’s Hometown Banker for their business and personal banking.
As independent pharmacists in a business increasingly dominated by impersonal mega-chains, Rob and Jim Witt could appreciate the benefits of local decision-making. “We know the advantages of dealing with an independent bank,” says Rob.
Best of all, they don’t have to give up anything to get it. “I do a lot on-line at Franklin eBranch,” says Jim. “I like to be able to spin around to my computer and make my payments. It’s easy and it’s fast.”
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Fred and Lisa Marshall
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Running Marshall’s Machine in Skowhegan has taught Fred and Lisa Marshall one thing: When it comes to small business banking, bigger isn’t better.
“When the bank we were with was bought by a bigger bank, they didn’t care about us,” says Lisa. “Now they care. When you get big, they want you back, but when you’re small and need a bank, they don’t want to help you grow. The other bank kept growing until you couldn’t talk to them,” says Fred.
Over the years, the couple's business has grown. At the same time, they have gone from having a few personal loans with Franklin Savings Bank to moving all of their personal and business accounts to Western Maine’s Hometown Banker.
“Franklin Savings Bank is easy to do business with,” says Fred.
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