Community News
September 5th & 6th, 2024
Congratulations Brian Garis, VP/Sales Manager Residential Lending
Brian attended the New York Mortgage Bankers Association
annual meeting in Turning Stone.
He was presented with
2024 Home Ownership Advocate Award...
“In recognition of your passion and efforts to promote Affordable Housing Initiatives and Educational Opportunities for members of the
New York Mortgage Bankers Association”
Brian serves as NYMBA Board Member Director &
Co-Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee.
Well deserved Brian !
August 11, 2024
The annual Bagel Festival in Monticello was a huge success again.
Thousands of locals and visitors enjoyed the live music, dancing, activities,
the vendors and of course…the Bagels !
Thanks to our Monticello Branch and Dewayne Turner for participating and setting up every year.
Dianna, Stacy, Ed, Carina, Ana & Elisa joined in for a beautiful day of fun, visiting with many of our customers and distributing a ton of giveaways. There was even time to participate in the scavenger hunt
to find “Big Bagels” !
August 10, 2024
Once again our Ellenville Branch participated in the
Ellenvillle/Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce Blueberry Festival.
It was a beautiful day attended and enjoyed by huge crowds. This annual event
is always a success and many spectators stopped by our table to chat and
compliment our bank and dedicated staff.
Malta Corporate Offices
Holidays Celebration 2023
Monticello Branch Holiday Celebration
& Ugly Sweater Day 2023
Charlotte Sevazlian, Head Teller in Halfmoon volunteered her time over the holidays to Help make the holidays a little brighter for some folks.
Sidewalk Warriors provided seniors at Kennedy Towers in Troy, filled Christmas stockings while caroling through 19 floors of the complex.
Pastor Mary Shelley gratefully accepted and thanked us in person
for our donation to the Ame Zion Church.
“We appreciate your kindness…”
Middletown Branch & Operations
Our Middletown location enjoys the festivities of the Holidays with their
Ugly Sweater Day and Cookie Exchange.
Kingston Branch
Many thanks to our Kingston Branch for supporting People’s Place Project Santa
Toy Drive.
The Branch expanded their generosity by collecting donations of
hats, gloves, scarves, blankets and other warm items to be donated to
American Zion Church of Kingston to help the homeless community throughout Kingston.
We truly appreciate your kindness and spirit of giving through this Holiday Season.
Thanksgiving 2023
Thank you Halfmoon & Green Island Branches for the Thanksgiving basket
you generously created for Captain Community Human Services In Clifton Park, NY.
Captain offers over 30 programs and services “in the areas of hunger,
homelessness, economic crisis, community support and empowerment".
Chester - Horicon Youth Commission
All of us at Catskill Hudson Bank are proud of the volunteer time
we donate to the Community.
Rebecca LaFountain, Chief Compliance Officer, SVP has been coaching for 15 years.
The Soccer season ended in October but there are many options offered through the Youth Commission through out the year such as basketball, baseball/softball, movie nights and STEM programs.
Becky and her husband are always available to help with all of them.
Programs are offered to all elementary kids, K - 6th Grade. Coaches and Referees are volunteers
which keeps costs at a minimal for families allowing more children to participate.
Information can be found on their Facebook page.
Halloween 2023
Community Haunted House
Rebecca La Fountain, Chief Compliance Officer, SVP - Catskill Hudson Bank
has been entertaining and scaring the community for the past 5 years in the town where she lives.
Becky’s family, husband, kids, parents, brothers and neighbors all help in setting up
and participating as actors in the elaborate displays that bring in around 300 kids yearly !
Thank you Becky for your generosity in providing
the Community a fun & free Halloween.
October 31, 2023
Middletown Branch & Departments complete their Halloween
celebration in costume…
You all look terrific !
Halloween in Kingston
The Kingston Branch joined in to surprise customers and have fun.
Ashley, Brandi & Patti … you all look great !
October 28, 2023
The Grahamsville Branch attended Trunk or Treat at Tri-Valley School.
Head Teller Maribel with her daughter McKenzie and Teller Gloria with her daughter Calia
constructed this creative Cookie Monster theme.
Over 500 kids came to Trick or Treat on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
Monticello Branch gets in the Halloween Spirit too !
Branch Manager Dianna Seaman & Staff surprised customers
with a fun and festive Halloween celebration.
Great costumes everyone !
Halloween
The festivities continue in Middletown.
Decorate a pumpkin competition had a winner ! … Loan Operations Witch
Other entries included...
Deposit Operations BSA Branch
All Fantastic - Tough Choice !
Our Middletown Branch & Back Office Departments
take the Halloween Season very seriously !
Friendly competitions take place every Friday in October.
Door Decorating Contest took place on 10/13/23
Judged by our own Facilities Manager, Dewayne Turner
Deposit Operations was the winner with “Look Whoooo has gone Batty” theme.
Other Contenders included…
More Planned Events Include….
10/20 Apple Cider & Donut Day
10/27 Pumpkin Decorating and/or Carving
10/31 Costumes, Pizza & Desserts !
SEPTEMBER 29TH AND 30TH, 2023
Brian Garis, VP Residential Lending Sales Manager
Ren Osorio, Teller Middletown Branch
Marianne Franson Hill, Teller Ellenville Branch
Brian, Ren & Marianne volunteered their time and skills spending the day at the
NY Mortgage Bankers Association “Statewide” Habitat Build Day !
Habitat for Humanity affiliates from across New York with members of the New York Mortgage Bankers Association joined together for a day of service; building affordable homes, revitalizing neighborhoods and giving back to communities they serve!
Catskill Hudson Bank supported and sponsored this event.
Our volunteers shared the following:
Brian Garis - "As Co-Chair of the NYMBA's Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Committee, I'm thrilled to see the successful partnership between the NYMBA and NY Habitat for Humanity unfold. I look forward to working together again soon!" Brian volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County.
Marianne Franson Hill - "I had a really great experience volunteering with the Ulster County Habitat, you could tell that they were very passionate and cared a lot about the cause and the families that they helped!”
Ren Osorio - "I had a great time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, this is an excellent service opportunity! I even stayed longer to help clean up.”
September 21,2023
Raising the Flag at our new location in Malta
Our Office building at 2511 Route 9 is now open. The new complex is home to Executive Offices, Compliance, HR, Residential & Commercial Lending, IT
and various other Departments.
The much anticipated 2023 Bagel Festival in Monticello
Took place on Sunday August 13th !
The crowds starting coming to Broadway at 9 AM
Our Monticello Branch with the help of Dewayne Turner - Facilities Manager,
attended from the set up that morning through the closing at 4 PM.
Participants included Aubrey Wharton - Assistant Branch Manager,
Elisa Francois - Teller, Ed Pesantez - Teller,
Kaylee Wagner - Head Teller, Ana Mojica - Teller & Attilah Snowden - Teller.
We also want to congratulate Aubrey Wharton pictured with crown & sash
for holding the Title of Ms. Sullivan County !!
The Ellenville Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce
Organized the 2023 Blueberry Festival on August 12th.
Canal Street in Ellenville was packed with community residents and
visitors on a beautiful Saturday enjoying the music, vendors and food.
Our Ellenville Branch participated in front of our branch.
Robin Badjun - Branch Manager, Charmaine Langley - Head Teller
with Tellers Norma Dammier and Marianne Franson Hill
were happy to join the festivities again this year.
Callicoon County Fair
July 29, 2023
Callicoon Branch Manager Cheryl Stickle, Head Teller Tyler Hemion and our newest Teller in the Callicoon Branch, Nicole once again participated in the Fair. It was a beautiful day where we got to meet many residents and visitors to our area.
We are pleased to announce that T.A.R.A. Spay/Neuter Mobile Clinic for cats
will be visiting our Monticello Branch every few months.
Check their website for information.
Once again our Middletown, Monticello & Callicoon Branches are pleased
to participate in the Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club
“BACKPACKS FOR HOPE” 2023
Last year the Drive distributed 250 stuffed backpacks to children in need
across school districts in Sullivan County & 4 districts in Orange County.
Please join us and help to give students a good start in September !
MIDDLETOWN BRANCH
643 Route 211 East
Middletown, NY
MONTICELLO BRANCH CALLICOON BRANCH
4445 State Route 42 North 9 Lower Main Street
Monticello,NY Callicoon, NY
Ashley Diamond, Kingston Branch Manager & Patti Dixon, Teller volunteered at a community event on July 23, 2023
Friends of the Kingston Library had their Final Book Sale of the summer and the turnout from the community was exceptional. The Library will temporarily be relocating due to renovations starting in September. The goal of the sale was to help clear out the basement storage of books. The day was a success as many people purchased full bags !
Ashley & Patti worked alongside
Heather, Friends of the Kingston Library President
and Peter, Treasurer as well as other volunteers
Kingston Branch hosts Financial/Banking Basics Class for Young Adults
Ashley Diamond, Branch Manager…Brandi Shultis, Head Teller…Patti Dixon Horvers, Teller
joined Dave Thomas, Residential Counselor from the Family of Woodstock in Kingston to organize
a class on July 6, 2023 for a group of teenagers and community members.
Our staff discussed checking/savings accounts, debit cards, online banking, avoiding fraud & scams among several other topics. The class concluded with a game of Catskill Hudson Bank Jeopardy that everyone
enjoyed and excelled at.
Junior Achievement
Thank you to many of our Branch Managers and Staff for volunteering at several schools this Spring
to teach students about Banking, Financial Literacy and careers in the Banking Industry.
May 31, 2023 Goshen Intermediate School
Cheryl Stickle, Branch Manager Callicoon
Dianna Seaman, Branch Manager Monticello
Debra Knack, Branch Manager Narrowsburg
Renee Sledzianowski, Branch Manager Middletown
From Junior Achievement New York
"Thank you all for volunteering today at Goshen Intermediate School. It was a great day for the students and it
wouldn’t have happened without you.
I appreciate you all for taking the time to teach students about financial literacy and it was a pleasure getting to know you
during the class breaks.
Best, Caroline"
Bridget Stafford, Sr. Deposit Operations Specialist retires after 27 years
with Catskill Hudson Bank. We thank her for her dedication, loyalty and service to our Bank.
Congratulations Bridget ! Enjoy your retirement.
A surprise celebration took place in her honor
at Cosimo’s restaurant in Middletown on April 27, 2023.
Branch Managers Teach
Banking Basics at Liberty
High School
March 30, 2023
Assistant Branch Manager, Charlotte Sevazlian from our
Halfmoon & Green Island Branches volunteered with
Sidewalk Warriors in Troy to distribute food & essentials.
"Each week we provide hot foods, sandwiches, produce, pantry items and essentials. We often provide special distributions such as towels, linens, pillows, winter boots, underwear, socks, laundry detergent and the list continue.
We set up weekly on Thursdays, at 35 State St - at the United Methodist Church (aka as Red Door Church).
New volunteers are always welcome...
Many hands make light work, and we have so many ways you can assist!
You do not have to sign up ahead of time, and it is not required to bring anything except a smile.”
March 27, 2023
Our Rock Hill Branch has been collecting community monetary donations for the
Sullivan County Animal Shelter
located in Rock Hill for some time. Branch Manager Hope Moyson, presented a check from those donations
and a $200 check from Catskill Hudson Bank to John Attard from the Shelter.
Visit the Shelter to find your forever pet !
February 17, 2023
2023 WSUL Heart-A-Thon
Once again our branches participated in the 2023 WSUL Heart-A-Thon, a community fundraising event for Cardiovascular Health. Catskill Hudson Bank is a proud Sponsor of this event to raise funds to buy equipment, provide education and help with the prevention of heart disease.Thank you to Dianna Seaman, Branch Manager of our Monticello Branch. Dianna participated in the live broadcast that took place at Resorts World Catskills.
December 3, 2022
Green Island Festival of the Trees
Thanks to Green Island Branch Manager, Ralph Foster and his wife Leslie for participating in this annual community event by decorating a tree in the park for all to enjoy.
December 3, 2022
CHB Holiday Party Diamond Mills
Our staff celebrated at our Holiday Party in Saugerties at Diamond Mills. This location has a beautiful Banquet Hall, Hotel and Tavern overlooking a waterfall. It was our first gathering in three years. Everyone was glad to reunite, see old friends and meet new ones. There was great food, lots of dancing, recognition awards and fantastic prizes to giveaway.
December 2022
The Boys & Girls Club Giving Tree
The Giving Tree program sponsored by The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wallkill serves Orange and Sullivan counties to provide children with toys and warm clothing for the holiday season. Our Monticello,
Liberty, Rock Hill and Middletown locations all participated and went above and beyond to bring some holiday spirit to children in need.A special thanks to Colleen Osterhout in Residential Lending for coordinating this.
October 30, 2022
Trunk or Treat at Tri-Valley School in Grahamsville
With 50 Trunks participating and over 700 kids attending this Halloween Extravaganza is always an event enjoyed by all!
Our Grahamsville Branch joined in the fun. Their theme was “She Tried to Rob the Bank…and Got Caught “ Attended by Cheryl Christian - Branch Manager,Maribel Albert - Head Teller & Gloria Sanders - TellerMackenzie Albert - Maribel’s daughter who played the robber gotcredit towards her Community Service for Graduation from Ellenville SchoolLooks like everyone had a great time !
October 22, 2022
Festival of Scarecrows
Friends of Historic Kingston, City of Kingston & Junior League of Kingston sponsored a community event….
Ashley Diamond Branch Manager, Brandi Shultis & Patti Dixon from our Kingston Branch participated in this fun and beautiful fall day get together !
October 1, 2022
Albany Alzheimer’s Association Walk
Charlotte Sevazlian, Assistant Branch Manager of our Halfmoon Branch, and her Team “Hyespirit" participated in the Albany Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The walk took place at The Crossings Park in Colonie.
Thank you all for the support you shared.
As of November 1, 2022
At Catskill Hudson Bank we strive to serve our communities in many ways
to make your banking experience professional, safe and economical.
Towards that goal, we will be offering “Bank On Checking” for consumers
as a new option.
CATSKILL HUDSON BANK’S ‘BANK ON CHECKING ACCOUNT’ RECEIVES NATIONAL
CERTIFICATION BY BANKING ADVOCATES AS SAFE, AFFORDABLE ACCOUNT
The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s Bank On National Account Standards Certification
of Catskill Hudson Bank’s ‘Bank On Checking Account’ indicates that it meets over 25 features
for safe and affordable consumer transaction accounts.
Key features of the Bank On Checking Account include a monthly cost of only $3.00, no
overdraft or non-sufficient fund fees, the ability to pay bills and make purchases, and federal
deposit insurance. The Bank On Checking Account is available in every one of Catskill Hudson
Bank’s 11 branches across the Mid-Hudson region and Capital District.
“The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund is delighted to award its national Bank On account
certification to Catskill Hudson Bank’s Bank On Checking Account,” said Jonathan Mintz,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “The Bank
On Checking Account offers community residents who are looking to improve their finances a
safe, affordable, and truly useful mainstream banking product to access and manage their
money. Catskill Hudson Bank’s offering of this terrific account brings them into the forefront of
national banking access efforts, and we thank them.”
The goal of Bank On is to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable financial
products and services. The Bank On National Account Standards identify critical product
features for appropriate bank or credit union accounts, making it easier for local coalitions
across the country to connect consumers to accounts that meet their needs.
Catskill Hudson Bank’s Bank On Checking Account is available at all 11 of its branches in NY
State. With the addition of the Bank On Checking Account accounts that meet Bank On National
Account Standards are now available at over 46,000 branches in all 50 states and Washington,
DC; financial institutions with Bank On certified accounts already comprise over 56% of the
national deposit market share. In addition, Catskill Hudson Bank’s Bank On Checking Account
there are over 250 other Bank On certified accounts available at financial institutions across the
country. Data collected by the CFE Fund in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St.
Louis through Bank On’s national reporting platform shows that these accounts are meeting
consumers’ needs; since their offering, millions of consumers have opened Bank On certified
accounts, with approximately 85% of them opened by consumers new to the financial
institutions.
The CFE Fund leads the national Bank On movement, supporting almost 100 local
coalitions working to connect individuals and families to the financial
mainstream through partnerships between governments, financial institutions, and
community organizations. To learn more about Bank On and the National Account
Standards click here, or follow the conversation on Twitter @CFEfund #BankOn.
About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund)
The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging
opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale
programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to
identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and
make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund is currently working in over 100 cities and
counties, and has disbursed over $59 million to local governments and their partners to support these
efforts. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFEFund.
About Bank On
Bank On coalitions are locally-led partnerships between local public officials; city, state, and federal
government agencies; financial institutions; and community organizations that work together to help
improve the financial stability of unbanked and underbanked individuals and families in their
communities. The Bank On national initiative builds on a grassroots movement of over 90 coalitions in
cities across the country, offering national account standards, capacity grant support, pilot funding, and a
learning community. In addition to connecting unbanked individuals to accounts, Bank On programs
raise public awareness, target outreach to the unbanked, and expand access to financial education. Visit
www.cfefund.org/bankon for more information, or follow the conversation on Twitter @CFEFund
#BankOn.
On September 26, 2022 Catskill Hudson Bank offered a free Home Buyers Seminar at the Albany Library for the community. We will continue to keep the communities we serve informed.
Our Monticello Branch joins Bagel Fest…
Renee Sledzianowski and her staff participated in a fun day with a huge crowd in attendance. The weather and festivities were perfect…just like the bagels !
Our Ellenville Branch Participated in the Blueberry Festival on August 13, 2022
Sponsored by the Ellenville/Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce
Attended by Norma Dammier, CSR/Teller…Charmaine Langley, Head Teller…Marianne Franson Hill, Teller and organized by Robin Badjun, Branch Manager and designated photographer ! It was a well attended, pleasant day for everyone.
Thank you Ellenville !
Callicoon Country Fair on July 23, 2022
Cheryl Stickle, Callicoon Branch Manager and Tyler Hemion, Head Teller joined the festivities in Callicoon. It was a fun day full of family activities, live music, raffles, good food and local hand made items. Thanks to Tyler, the Dunk Tank was a huge success since he volunteered to get in it !
Thank you both for representing Catskill Hudson Bank and to Tyler
for being such a good sport !
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region presentation at our Green Island Branch
On July 19, 2022 Walt Brady, Deputy Director/Director of Lending and Richard A. Lee, Jr , Community Development Lending Officer gave a presentation of the funding opportunities available through the Community Loan Fund. Some of their services include Training & Clinical Assistance, One on One Monitoring, Affordable Office Space, Nonprofit Loans and Small Business Loans.
"The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution serving the Capital Region of New York State — Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren & Washington Counties. Incorporated in 1985, our mission is to promote sustainable community development efforts for economically underserved people and communities.
We provide access to capital by pooling investments and donations from socially concerned individuals and organizations, and re-lending it to nonprofit organizations and small businesses. We also offer training and technical assistance programs for small business owners and nonprofit leaders.
Explore our work and join us in this partnership by becoming an investor, a donor, or a nonprofit or small business borrower – together we are strengthening communities and changing lives.
BACKPACKS for HOPE
Catskill Hudson Bank is participating in 2022 Backpacks for Hope through several of our branches. We are pleased to support this effort by collecting supplies and donating items.
From July 13th to August 12th, host sites will be collecting backpacks and other school supplies that will be distributed to families between August 22nd to August 26th.
Applications for backpacks will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as resources allow.
If you are interested in contributing, but cannot visit one of our host sites, you can still donate. If you have any questions or concerns, give our office a call at (845) 342-8833!
Monticello Branch Display
Proud Strategic Partner of the WCR
Congratulations Rebbeca LaFountain, SVP Compliance & Risk Officer
Kingston Branch giving back to the Community at the annual "Kingston Clean Sweep"
Kingston Branch Manager Ashley Diamond and Teller Patti Dixon Horvers saw a post on Facebook requesting volunteers for the 2022 “Kingston Clean Sweep” sponsored by the Friends of Historic Kingston. They asked for help from businesses within our local community to participate in picking up litter lying along the "Kingston Corridor". Ashley & Patti spent the day walking along the streets of Broadway in Kingston with garbage bags, brooms, and rakes in hand helping to clean up the streets and sidewalks.
Thank you both for volunteering !
American Red Cross Fire & Ice Gala
In person events are happening again with the decline in Covid-19 numbers. The
American Red Cross Fire & Ice Gala was held on April 9, 2022 at the Albany
Capital Center. The fundraiser featured Honorary Chairs Ellen Sax, MVP Health
Care and Benita Zahn, former news anchor & reporter of WNYT News Channel
13. Gala sponsorships support and ensure that the Red Cross have the
resources to continue their 140 year mission of preventing and alleviating human
suffering. Catskill Hudson bank is pleased to be a supporter of this event and
the Red Cross mission. Stephanie Zocco, SVP Senior Operations Manager and
Rick Murphy, Senior Mortgage Specialist represented the bank that evening.
We are proud to have participated in the PPP program during both the first and second round. In doing so, we have processed a total of approximately $20 million in much needed relief for small businesses in our area. We were able to provide fast, efficient service in both the approval process and forgiveness process for the loan participants.
New Monticello Branch
Our newest branch in Monticello, NY opened in February 2020. This architecturally significant design offers our customers easy access, ample parking, spaciousness and a contemporary drive-thru facility. The building contains the branch as well as separate offices and a conference room.
"Who We Are" Commercial
"Proud of Our Staff" Commercial
Our Narrowsburg Branch
Recognized for "Best Customer Service 2019" and "Best Friendly Staff 2018" by The River Reporter
"Appreciating our Customers" Commercial
"We're Your Local Bank" Commercial