April 10, 2024

Sawyer Savings Bank Names Alyssa Miller as Highland Branch Manager

Alyssa Miller, Branch Manager. Highland — Alyssa Miller, Branch Manager, Highland

Sawyer Savings Bank welcomes Alyssa Miller as the new Highland Branch manager. Ms. Miller started her banking career in the Hudson Valley in 2018. In this role, Ms. Miller will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day banking operations as well as providing leadership to branch staff and creating meaningful and lasting customer relationships. She will also focus on employee training, branch growth, and community engagement.

Jennifer Gutheil-Denier, SVP CXO & CMO said “We are excited to have Alyssa join our team. With a proven track record, her presence will bring a fresh perspective and collaborative spirit that enhances our Highland branch. Her banking operations and Human Resource knowledge will also help foster growth and development for Sawyer Savings Bank and our employees.”

Ms. Miller is looking forward to the opportunities the new position presents, “I am customer oriented and love to work with and be in the community that I serve. I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives through tailored customer service that exceeds expectations.”

Ms. Miller graduated from SUNY Ulster with a Business and Entrepreneurial Studies associate degree and holds certificates from Ulster Leadership Development Institution (ULDI) and Certified Banking Professionals Program (CBP). She is committee member of the New Paltz Elks Lodge and has volunteered with the Family of Woodstock and Christmas Wishes of Ulster County. Alyssa enjoys cooking, gardening, planning her upcoming wedding, and spending time with family and friends.

February 22, 2024

Sawyer Savings Bank Announces Promotion of Jennifer Cameron to Vice President, Lending

Sawyer Savings Bank is pleased to announce that Jennifer Cameron has been promoted to the position of Vice President – Lending. In her new role, Cameron will now add the management of the banks residential lending program, while continuing to oversee the bank’s commercial lending production.

Jennifer joined Sawyer Savings as Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer in 2022. She has over 27 years of experience in banking and commercial lending. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Commercial Lending.

“I’m honored by the trust that the executive leadership of Sawyer Savings Bank continues to place in me,” said Ms. Cameron. “Our team is committed to providing our customers with lending options that meet their immediate needs and for future growth. There’s nothing more satisfying for me as a lender than to watch our clients grow and thrive right here in the Hudson Valley.”

Ms. Cameron, who earned a Master’s Degree from Marist College, is an active member of the community. She serves on the board of directors for the Ulster County Chamber Foundation, a graduate of Ulster Leadership Institute, and a 2023 Honoree of the Ulster United Way’s Annual Celebration of HOPE award.

Her office is located at 85 Market Street, Saugerties, NY and she can be reached at 845-217-6051 or jcameron@sawyersavings.bank.

January 24, 2024

Sawyer Savings Bank Promotes Jacqueline Sloane to Saugerties Branch Manager

Sawyer Savings Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Jacqueline Sloane to Branch Manager of the Saugerties Branch location. Jacqueline joined our team in 2017 as a bank teller and has successfully assumed roles with increased responsibilities over the last 7 years.

As Branch Manager, Ms. Sloane will be focused on fostering new relationships with both personal and business customers, as well as promoting Sawyer’s robust portfolio of financial services. She will also be responsible for overseeing day-to-day branch operations, coaching, and mentoring employees with their professional growth, and developing processes to provide an exceptional customer service experience.

Ms. Sloane is excited to assume this new responsibility and looks forward to further strengthening Sawyer Savings Bank’ connection with the communities it serves. Stating, “I am excited by the opportunity to lead the Saugerties Branch while building new and expanding existing customer relationships.”

Sawyer Savings Bank’s President James Whitaker stated “Jacqueline has consistently gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional customer service and to make our customers feel valued. I anticipate her continuing to provide this high-level experience that she and Sawyer Savings Bank are known for as she leads our Saugerties Branch.”

When not working at the Saugerties branch, Jacqueline can be found traveling with her husband Tony or attending her children’s sporting events.

November 30, 2023

Amy Ferraro Promoted to AVP Regional Customer Relationship Manager

Sawyer Savings Bank Promotes AVP Branch Manager Amy Ferraro to AVP Regional Customer Relationship Manager

Sawyer Savings Bank is excited to announce that Amy Ferraro has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Regional Customer Relationship Manager. Amy was previously the A.V.P. Branch Manager of Saugerties with oversight of the New Paltz branch. Ferraro, who has over a decade of banking and financial industry experience, and will work to develop new and grow existing relationships as well as oversee administration of our Branch network.

“I am excited to assume this new responsibility and look forward to further strengthening the connections between Sawyer Savings Bank and the communities it serves.” Said Ms. Ferraro.

In her new role, Amy will work closely with business customers to define market segments, identify opportunities, and develop growth strategies to help them obtain an advantage over their competitors. She will also lead the effort to support personal customers’ needs in full service personal banking which will be personalized to each customers personal goals and financial aspirations.

“Amy’s enduring commitment to delivering the highest standard of service to Sawyer Savings Bank’s customers makes her perfect to assume this role,” said Sawyer Savings Bank CMO and CXO Jennifer Gutheil-Denier. “She takes great pride in everything she does and is a great role model for her team to follow. I am very proud of all she has accomplished and look forward to her continued growth and success with Sawyer Savings Bank!”

Amy earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a Finance specialty. She is also a graduate of the Ulster Leadership Development Institute. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and children, reading, and shopping on weekends

November 10, 2023

Sawyer Savings Bank Welcomes Jennifer Musci as Loan Originator

photo of Jennifer Musci — Jennifer Musci

Sawyer Savings Bank is pleased to announce that Jennifer Musci has joined their team as a residential and commercial loan originator. With over 20 years of banking experience in the Hudson Valley, Ms. Musci understands the needs and the desires of the borrower. With her consistent focus on customer service, Jennifer will be able to guide her customers through the lending process with knowledge and understanding, making the loan experience a smooth one.

“I am excited to bring my experience to a local community bank such as Sawyer Savings. I take pride in being completely transparent throughout the loan process and look forward to working with Sawyer’s customers,” said Jennifer Musci.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer to our team of local experts and know her talent and energetic personality will help us to continue to exceed customer’s expectations. With the addition of Jennifer, our team will continue serving residents in the Hudson Valley, whether they are building, buying, refinancing, or looking to expand and grow their business,” said Sawyer Savings Bank President James Whitaker.

Jennifer has a business administration degree from Dutchess Community College. She is a member of Ulster and Dutchess County Chambers of Commerce, Dutchess County Association of Realtors, and Mid Hudson Valley Mortgage Bankers Association.

When not working, Jennifer volunteers at the foodbank of Dutchess Outreach, as a girl scout leader for a Cadette Troop, and as a lector at St. Mary Mother of the Church in Fishkill. She is a certified personal trainer, enjoys boxing in her home gym, and ran her first half marathon with Team Sparrow of Sparrow’s Nest. She and her husband enjoy attending their children’s sporting and art activities and entertaining friends and family on the weekends.

October 3, 2023

Sawyer Savings Bank Welcomes New Branch Manager to Marlboro

Sawyer Savings Bank is pleased to announce that Penny Wilson has joined the Bank as Branch Manager at its Marlboro location. Ms. Wison brings over 20 years of experience in the banking experience to the position.

As Branch Manager, she will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day operations, business development, and community involvement through active participation in various civic and service club organizations.

“I was attracted to Sawyer Savings Bank as it’s a true local community bank with a long history of investing back into the communities that it serves, reflecting my belief of giving back to the communities that I work in,” said Ms. Wilson.

“We look forward to working with Penny as she oversees our Marlboro branch’s activities. I anticipate that her valuable years of experience, leadership skills, and professionalism will continue to provide a customer experience that our customers have become accustomed to,” said Sawyer Savings Bank CMO and CXO Jennifer Gutheil-Denier.

Ms. Wilson holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in business management and administration, both from Mount Saint Mary College, and has been a strong supporter of Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York and the United Way of Ulster County. In her free time, she enjoys taking weekend road trips with family and friends.

August 22, 2023

Message from the President: Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Scams are on the rise.

Recently, the number of scams has increased involving the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a refundable tax credit for some businesses and tax-exempt organizations that were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scammers are using the publicly available information of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applicants to contact by them by phone, letter, email, and texts offering to obtain the ERC on their behalf. However, the only way to file for the ERC is on a federal employment tax return. Any solicitation by a third party to file for ERC on someone’s behalf results in potentially stealing someone’s identity, charging exorbitant fees by “helping” the business when they may not qualify, and the business could incur possible tax penalties for improperly claimed tax credit.

We want to assure our customers that Sawyer Savings Bank:

does not sell your personal information to third parties
will not contact you to ask to file ERC applications on your behalf

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at (888) 772-1871 or contact your tax preparer/accountant for more details. For additional information about the Employee Retention Credit and possible scams, visit the website page provided by the IRS: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/employee-retention-credit

For more helpful tips on staying safe from scams and protecting your personal information, please visit the Safety and Security section on our website by clicking here.

Thank you for your continued support.

James Whitaker, President

May 25, 2023

Sawyer Savings Bank Announces promotion of Jennifer A. Cameron to Vice President, Commercial Lending

Jennifer A. Cameron, VP Commercial Lending

Sawyer Savings Bank is pleased to announce that Jennifer A. Cameron has recently been promoted to the position of Vice President, Commercial Lending.

“Jennifer has been an important asset for our team since she joined Sawyer Savings Bank,” said James Whitaker, President. “Working with her over the last year, I’ve developed tremendous respect and trust for her judgment, professionalism, and ability to build and grow the Bank’s commercial lending capabilities. She has proven to be a dynamic leader and in this new role, she will expand upon the excellent work she’s already done shaping the future of lending at our bank.”

Jennifer joined Sawyer Savings as Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer in 2022. She has over 25 years of experience in business banking and commercial lending. In her new role, Jennifer will be responsible for overseeing commercial lending opportunities as well as developing business banking relationships with local businesses in the Hudson Valley.

“I look forward to continuing the legacy we’ve created and our mission of making a difference in the communities we serve through strategic growth and innovation of our lending programs,” said Ms Cameron. “ I am excited about the opportunity to build on the already strong foundation that Sawyer Savings Bank has with the businesses in the Hudson Valley and help both the bank and the clients we serve continue to grow and succeed.”

Ms Cameron, who earned a Master’s Degree from Marist College, is an active member of the community. She serves on the board of directors for the Ulster County Chamber Foundation, a graduate of Ulster Leadership Institute, and a 2023 Honoree of the Ulster United Way’s Annual Celebration of HOPE award.

Her office is located at 85 Market Street, Saugerties, NY and she can be reached at 845-217-6051 or jalnwick@sawyersavings.bank.

May 10, 2023

Sawyer Savings Bank Promotes Jennifer Gutheil-Denier, CFMP to Senior Vice President

Jennifer Gutheil-Denier, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and Customer Experience Officer — Jennifer Gutheil-Denier, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Experience Officer

Sawyer Savings Bank is pleased to announce that Jennifer Gutheil-Denier has been promoted to the Senior Management team as Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Experience Officer. With over two decades of experience in the banking and financial services industry, Jenn has been employed with Sawyer Savings Bank since 2009 where she has previously held the positions of AVP Branch Manager and VP Customer Experience Officer.

“Jenn has played an instrumental role in leading our strategic direction, brand evolution and product management,” said James Whitaker, President. “Her wealth of banking knowledge, extensive marketing experience, paired with her tireless efforts to drive customer experience, innovation, and collaboration made her promotion a natural fit for this critical senior management position.”

In this new role, Ms. Gutheil-Denier will develop a holistic growth strategy for the bank through leveraging customer insights, data analytics, and industry metrics and evaluate banking products and services to create a positive customer experience. She will also oversee market expansion strategies, product and digital initiatives, monitoring and communicating consistent brand deployment, and loan service activities. Jenn will continue to coordinate top-level branch operations and manage the Marketing Division.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead Sawyer Savings Bank’s strategic marketing initiatives,” said Gutheil-Denier. “I know our team will work diligently to support growth efforts by understanding our customers’ needs, creating transformational experiences, and identifying where we are poised for growth now and into the future.”

Jenn Gutheil-Denier is a graduate of Saugerties High School, SUNY Ulster, Ulster Leadership Development Institute (ULDI), and the American Bankers Association (ABA) School of Bank Marketing and Management with the CFMP designation. Jenn is an active member of the community and has previously been involved with local not for profits organizations such as Junior League of Kingston, the Saugerties Chamber of Commerce, Grant D Morse PTA, Saugerties Jr/Sr High School PTSA as well as other Saugerties Central School District community committees. She currently serves as Secretary for Sawyer Savings Charitable Foundation, a current member of Saugerties American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the committee for the Dutchess/Ulster County Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Ms. Gutheil-Denier resides in Saugerties with her husband and can be seen supporting and cheering on her two children at their various sporting events.

March 14, 2023

A message from the president

Dear Valued Sawyer Savings Bank Customers,

Sawyer Savings Bank has been monitoring very closely the situation unfolding with Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank. Our operations are distinctly different than SVB and Signature Bank, making our financial health more resistant to volatility. We are a community bank with a capital position double the amount required by financial regulators. Sawyer Savings manages its finances and risk in a more traditional and conservative manner keeping your deposits safe.

As a community bank:

Sawyer Savings Bank remains well-capitalized and well-positioned to continue to serve our customers and community. We were chartered over 150 years ago and expect to serve this community for generations to come.
You have access to our experienced team, and we stand ready to assist you with any of your questions or concerns.
We take pride in our relationship-based business model that focuses on building long-term trust with our customers. After all, we live in your community and your success is our success.
Your deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (depending on your account titling structure, you may be covered above this limit). For customers who have questions about their FDIC Insurance coverage, we are ready and prepared to assist you to ensure your deposit insurance needs are met.

If you have questions about your coverage, or would like to learn more about FDIC insurance and how it works, we encourage you to call us directly or access the following resources:

Sawyer Savings Bank customers and the public should also be aware that scammers have already begun trying to alarm consumers. The scammers are claiming that a bank is under Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) review and the person needs to take out their cash from their bank or risk losing it. If you receive this call, please hang up and call us at 888-772-1871.

Through pandemics, recessions, and World Wars, we have applied diligence and responsibility in everything we do. Our doors are open, as they have been for over 150 years. If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by the recent crisis or are simply looking for safety and security, we welcome you to contact a member of the Sawyer Savings team at 888-772-1871.