Crest Savings Bank is a full service community bank based in Wildwood, NJ. We operate 8 branches, all in Cape May County with a total of $370 millions in assets. Founded in 1919, Crest employs 85 year round employees. Due to its predominantly seasonal market, the bank hires an additional 15 employees for the busy summer season.
Employees are given tremendous support by the bank's management to get involved in community projects and local organizations. Bank employees are seen regularly at events held throughout Cape May County and usually in a volunteer capacity. Many local organizations have Crest Savings' employees who regularly attend their meetings or sit on their boards. The bank Employees are also given the opportunity to organize fund-raising events and choose to whom the money should be donated. Many times these are fun family activities, which allow for employees to meet socially as well as raise money for a good cause. Below are some of the ways Crest Savings Bank gave back to its community over the past year:
Crest Savings Helps Wildwood Crest Celebrate 100 years - The year 2010 marked the Borough of Wildwood Crest's 100 year anniversary. Jodie DiEduardo, Sr. V.P. and Branch Administrator at Crest Savings Bank, sat on the committee of volunteers, spear-hearded by Commissioner Joyce Gould, who planned the many special events that took place during the centennial year. One of these projects has taken the committee a lot of research, effort and time. They documented "The First Hundred Years", a hard-cover book. The publishing of a high quality book can be rather pricey which is where Crest Savings Bank stepped in. The bank's donation was enough to defray a considerable part of this project. "Wildwood Crest is where Crest Savings Bank was founded over 90 years ago", stated Jay M. Ford, Crest Savings Bank President and CEO, "we feel it is our duty to give back to the community that saw us through our very first years".
Crest Savings supports Wildwoods' Museum - The Wildwoods Historical Society is grateful to be able to count on the support of Crest Savings Bank. "It gives us great pleasure to contribute to the preservation and demonstration of our community's historical treasures" stated Jay M. Ford, Crest Savings Bank President and CEO. The museum has vintage photos, artifacts and memorabilia, depicting the various ages of Wildwood on display for public enlightenment. Seen in the picture are (left) Jeff Gott, Crest Savings Bank Senior VP and Chief Lending Officer; Robert J. Scully, Museum Curator; Jodie DiEduardo, Crest Savings Bank Senior VP and Branch Administrator; and Jay M. Ford, Crest Savings Bank President and CEO.
Flowers for the Love of Linda Fund - Crest Savings Bank employees continued a tradition this year by putting together a flower sale to benefit the Love of Linda fund, a local organization dedicated to helping cancer patients defray treatment expenses. The flowers were sold to employees of the bank who were encouraged to purchase them for $1 each and offer them to coworkers on Valentine's Day. This is a great way to tell coworkers they are appreciated while helping a great cause. Nicole Martindale and Danielle Palumbo, both of the bank's Wildwood branch, ran this fundraiser. Nicole and Danielle are seen in the picture presenting the check to Margaret Clark and Amy Mahon, Love of Linda representatives.
Crest Savings Sponsors Anglesea Blues Festival - Crest Savings Bank proudly sponsored the 2010 NJ state BBQ Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival. Jodie DiEduardo, Senior Vice President and Branch Administrator of Crest Savings Bank commented "This festival benefits an organization we are proud to support. We are grateful to the Anglesea Fire Company for the opportunity to take part in the success of this event."
Crest supports Wildwoods Baby Parade - Crest Savings Bank management is proud of the bank's history and of the growth it has achieved over the past 91 years. Supporting organizations and endeavors that help maintain traditions is one of Crest's priorities as a corporate citizen. That is why when presented with the opportunity to help one of our Island's most cherished traditions, Crest Savings' management did not hesitate and made a pledge to the Wildwood Baby Parade Committee. The Baby Parade has been a Wildwoods tradition since before Crest Savings was founded which is another reason management felt it should step up and make sure it stays a tradition for many generations to come.
Crest Savings Sponsors Boardwalk Basketball Classic - For 13 consecutive years, Crest Savings Bank has been proud to be a corporate sponsor of the Boardwalk Basketball Classic. In addition to its annual monetary support, Crest Savings also lends some of its employees to work at the tournament. Each year, over 400 man hours are donated through approximately 30 employees who help at the event.
Crest Savings supports Historic Cold Spring Village - For a number of years, Crest Savings Bank has been a proud supporter of Historic Cold Spring Village in its efforts to preserve a piece of our county's history. "We have a good track record when it comes to preservation" stated Crest Savings Bank's President and CEO Jay M. Ford about the bank's headquarters on Pacific Avenue which was added to the State's registry of Historic Places in 2001. "Our commitment to historic integrity is visible not only in our headquarters but also in our efforts to support organizations whose purpose is to help preserve our community's history."
March of Dimes - Each year In addition to raising funds and participating in this walk which the bank sponsors annually, two other fund raisers are held prior to the event. The first one is a "beanie" sale which gives both employees and customers alike, the opportunity to support this organization by purchasing bean stuffed animals. The second is an employee favorite: "Blue Jeans for Babies day" during which employees can wear jeans if they purchase a button for $5.
Crest Savings Bank helps feed the hungry - Hunger is a year-round struggle. We open our hearts and give generously around the holidays, which is a tremendous help for those in need. Unfortunately, local food pantries such as the St. Barnabas Cares Food Pantry still need more to supply its cliente with year-round sustenance. To help address this need, Crest Savings Bank started a tradition of holding a Spring Into Action Food Drive. The bank's 8 branches collected non-perishable food items throughout the months of April and May. "It really doesn't take much, we ask our 100 or so employees to each bring in one item and if they all do, we are well on our way to having a successful drive and that's without the donations we receive from our generous customers" stated Diane Morton of Crest Savings Bank.
United Way of Cape May County's Rubber Ducky Regatta - Since it first launched its Rubber Ducky Regatta fund-raiser, United Way of Cape May County has been able to count on the support of Crest Savings Bank. The bank has been a corporate sponsor and as a point of sale for rubber ducks since 1994. Thanks to the efforts of its employees and many of its customers, Crest Savings Bank has been one of the top-selling banks in Cape May County for the past several years.
Scholarships and Education - For many years, Crest Savings Bank has presented scholarships to four local high schools as well as awards accompanied with savings bonds to several local grade schools. In addition to this continued support, the bank recently made a pledge to give $10,000 to Atlantic Cape Community College for its scholarship and Capital Campaign.
We also support many local school endeavors relating to athletic, academic, or even building maintenance needs. The bank's management firmly believes in education and supports not only local students but also its own employees. Full time employees of the bank benefit from full reimbursement of the cost of classes they take as well as book expenses while part-time employees get 50% reimbursement. The bank believes that encouraging individual growth promotes community growth.
Holiday Gift Wrapping Fund-raiser - In 2005, Crest Savings received the coveted "Bailey Award", presented by the Press of Atlantic City. We were nominate by Cape Assist, an organization dedicated to preventing substance abuse and related isues in Cape May County through education, advocacy and community collaboration. Cape Assist has been the recipient of the proceeds from this fund-raiser since its inception. Crest employees stay after hours a few nights in December and, using supplies provided by the bank, wrap presents for anywhere between $1 and $5 each.
Holiday Toy Drive at Crest Savings Bank - Since the end of November, 5 of Crest Savings Bank's locations were collecting toys for the Wildwood Pastoral Association. Thanks to the generosity of the bank's customers, the results were a fully loaded truck. Pastoral Association representatives were happy to accept the toys presented to them by Christine Mattera, Marketing Officer of Crest Savings Bank. The toys were distributed to several churches on the Island and brought smiles to children from local families in need.
Other donations and sponsorships - Other organizations that have benefited from the support of Crest Savings Bank this past year are: Cape May Tennis Club, Wildwood Catholic High School, Main Street Wildwood, Youth Sports Teams and Schools, Wildwood Housing Authority, Literacy Volunteers Association Atlantic Cape, the Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority, Fresh Air Home, Volunteers in Medicine, Cape Regional Medical Center, just to name a few.
Crest Savings Bank is proud of its reputation for giving back to the community and plans to carry on this tradition for years to come. For several years, Crest Savings Bank was awarded the top rating of Outstanding by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), as a result of a compliance audit of the Bank's Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance. This indicates that we have fulfilled the promise we make to our customers that we will reinvest their deposit dollars in the form of loans, back into the communities we serve.
