Cambridge, Mass. – East Cambridge Savings Bank today announced its participation in the latest round of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – a loan program designed to help small and medium size businesses by providing loans that can be forgiven if certain criteria is met. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, the newly expanded Paycheck Protection Program provides:
• A first draw option (“First Draw PPP”) for first time borrowers who never had a PPP loan.
• A second draw option (“Second Draw PPP”) to eligible borrowers that previously received a PPP loan.
The Bank is accepting applications now through March 31, 2021.
During the initial rounds of PPP funding, the Bank helped keep paychecks going to 3,000 local employees. “When the Paycheck Protection Program was made public last spring, we immediately began working with both existing and new customers to process applications and get this critical funding to small businesses,” stated Tim Bombard, the Bank’s chief lending officer. “We fully intend to do that again and continue to do our part to assist small businesses throughout the communities we serve.”
Another important component of this program is that businesses can have the loan forgiven if certain criteria is met – which means they would not need to repay the loan. “In addition to helping local businesses, this program enables us to build strong relationships with customers. After a business receives PPP funding, our lending team can help them if they pursue loan forgiveness,” said Bombard.
Participating in the Paycheck Protection Program is one of many ways the Bank is helping customers and the community navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and business interruptions. “As a local bank, we are committed to doing our part to help small businesses and community members get through this crisis,” said the Bank’s president and chief executive officer Gilda Nogueira. “While help is on the way in the form a vaccine, there are more difficult months ahead for the small business community. The Bank is committed to doing everything we can to help these businesses continue to operate and emerge stronger when this is over.”
PPP loan applications are now being accepted online. To begin the application process with East Cambridge Savings Bank, please click here or contact the Bank at SBA-PPP@ecsb.com.
About East Cambridge Savings Bank
East Cambridge Savings Bank is a full-service mutually-held savings bank that believes in connecting with customers. The Bank was established in 1854 and is dedicated to providing businesses and individuals with a full line of banking services in the communities it serves. Headquartered in Cambridge, the Bank has locations in Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden, Medford, Somerville, and Waltham, as well as an educational training facility at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. The Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF), and is an Equal Housing Lender.
CONTACT:
Leo Gayne
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations Officer
(617) 551-2353
lgayne@ecsb.com