Branch County Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence | Coldwater, MI 

I am writing to give my heartfelt appreciation for the service and professionalism of Southern Michigan Bank & Trust and especially our banker, Sarah Headley, related to the Payroll Protection during this Covid-19 pandemic.

In our experience as a non-profit, it is about not sitting and waiting for things to happen. It is about knowledge and being able to move forward in a crisis. Unfortunately, in this situation it happened so suddenly that we would not have been prepared adequately if it hadn’t been for our banker getting out information to us as soon as they had it, and guiding us through the application process; it would have been totally overwhelming without their help.

The questions I asked were answered promptly and with care even though I am sure they were all going through the same things we were going through behind the scenes. While I was writing new policies, having staff working from home and monitoring the ever-changing government regulations, I didn’t have to worry about what was happening at the bank. It was always about how they could help our company and what we needed from them.

The day the money hit the bank I cried because I knew I would be able to maintain our staff and pay our bills even though we had to cancel so many fundraising events during this time period. What a relief as an essential non-profit to know payroll was one thing we did not have to worry about and we could continue to serve domestic and sexual violence survivors in a time that violence was happening even more frequently.

I am so grateful that we have a bank that our business can trust not only for our basic needs but when we are in a time of crisis as well. Thank you, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust! You are an amazing partner in our community

- Kim Hemker, Executive Director

Bair Lake Bible Camp | Three Rivers, MI 

Bair Lake Bible Camp has enjoyed a great relationship with Southern Michigan Bank & Trust for many years. SMB&T has always been very attentive to our needs and given us what I consider 'second-mile' service. Our experience with SMB&T through the Paycheck Protection loan process - from inquiry and application to closing - to our banking relationship to a whole new level! 

In the midst of a global pandemic and the most difficult operating environment in our lifetime, the folks at SMB&T were there to explain the process, answer our questions, and ensure our loan was closed in an extremely timely manner. The entire staff went above and beyond to ensure we received the funds we needed to make it through this crisis and be able to fulfill our mission. 

- Drew Gardner, Executive Director

Drake Business Services, Inc. | Marshall, MI

My small business clients have been very impressed with the turnaround time of Southern Michigan Bank and Trust with regard to PPP loans. My own small business used a much larger regional bank for our PPP loan and waited weeks to hear back. That was a nervous and stressful wait.  From that time on we used Southern exclusively for all of our small business clients PPP loan needs. SMB&T lenders made a confusing process VERY easy.

- Dave Sutton

Drews Place | Hillsdale & Coldwater, MI

We would like to express our gratefulness to Sarah Headley and Southern Michigan Bank & Trust for helping our small business continue to operate in Branch and Hillsdale counties. SMB&T was instrumental in facilitating our ability to be able to participate in the PPP program during these difficult times. They were there for us from the initial release of the application process through the implementation of the program.

SMB&T worked hand in hand with us to assure success. We are thankful to work with an outstanding community bank that makes our lives easier as business owners. We have found SMB&T to go above and beyond when it comes to helping their clients, and for that we are grateful.

- Jeff & Missy Wilcox, Owners

 

Fisher Spiegel Kunkle & Gerber, PLLC | Battle Creek, MI 

As an accounting firm, we assisted several of our clients in the preparation of their PPP loan applications and the submission of those applications to various financial institutions. Working with Southern Michigan Bank and Trust was truly a satisfying experience for us and successful experience for our clients in obtaining their PPP loans. The staff at SMB&T were extremely helpful and made the application process much easier for us and our clients.

- Hal Fisher, CPA

Hillsdale Terminal | Hillsdale, MI 

The PPP Borrower application process for Hillsdale Terminal was a fast-paced project due to the uncertainty of how quickly the original funds would be exhausted. Hillsdale Terminal completed the application form on April 3, 2020, the same day Rachel Doty provided us the PPP Borrower Application Form.

One week later, April 10, 2020, Rachel informed us we had been approved for the PPP money. Then another week later, April 17, 2020, Rachel had the PPP money in our SMBT account.

This PPP money has been an added benefit to us during the last 9 weeks in providing Hillsdale Terminal the funding needed to maintain our workforce during this short-term period of reduced sale. Rachel has kept us updated on the various changes throughout this process. We are very grateful for SMBT’s assistance in the PPP.

- Thomas Condon, CFO

 

Lamplighter Bar & Grill | Short's Rootbeer Drive-In |Short's on the Water | Coldwater, MI

SMB&T quickly processed the PPP paperwork so that we could reopen our bar and provide carry-out services.  They were fast, supportive, and very helpful with processing the paperwork. Thank you for supporting our businesses!

- Amy Short, Owner

Q Elderlaw, PLC | Portage, Battle Creek, and Marshall, MI 

Thanks to Doug and the entire Southern Michigan Bank & Trust team for your tireless work assisting small businesses in Southern Michigan apply for the Federal Paycheck Protection Program under the CARES ACT.

This program is a lifeline to myself and many other small business owners who want to keep serving our clients in some capacity during this crisis while keeping our talented employees employed.

Each time I have interactions with the professional and dedicated staff at Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, I am more and more impressed with the personalized service and interactions that I receive. Moving from a large commercial bank to Southern Michigan Bank & Trust has been one of the best professional decisions that I have made.

Thank you again for all the hard work and the work of all the employees of Southern Michigan Bank & Trust are doing for their small business and regular customers.

- Kelly J.M. Quardokus, Owner/Principal Attorney

Ritz-Craft | Hillsdale, MI 

With SMBT’s help we were able to secure the much-needed PPP funds for 5 of our companies. Rachel and her team did an amazing job guiding us through the seemingly ever-changing SBA guidelines while still maintaining prompt turnaround on the questions our team had. Thanks to all involved for the assistance to help our companies in these unprecedented times.

- Paul Lindsley, Regional VP