Technology & Remote Work

In 2020, Zoom served as the communications line for United Bank amidst the chaos of COVID-19. We began using Zoom in July of 2019, though at the time, we did not yet realize the second half of 2019 was training us for web conferencing in 2020.

When we were first hit with the full force of COVID-19 in March 2020, we found that even if we were working remotely, participation and interactions were not disrupted due to the connectivity with Zoom. This was important as we rotated work schedules, especially as childcare needs changed during school closures. Additionally, we have actively extended communications beyond the confines of our bank walls to include Advisory Board meetings, the 2020 Annual Shareholder Meeting and multiple Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Resource classes.

United Bank’s Team Members Continually Adapted To Challenges Of COVID-19

• To limit COVID-19 exposure, we spread team members out as much as possible, utilizing all locations and implementing an onsite team rotation schedule
• Encouraged team members to work remotely when possible
• Allowed for flexible work schedules when possible
• Implemented a casual dress code
• Provided and stocked supplies of hand sanitizer, gloves, masks (disposable and cloth), and additional cleaning supplies to all areas of United Bank
• Communicated bankwide via The Insider (the Bank’s Intranet), e-mail, Zoom, and Agility Recovery software

We were always available to serve our customers. Meeting and multiple Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Resource classes.

Internship Program

United Bank believes in encouraging and developing the banking talent of the future through our ongoing internship program. Over the past year, we had numerous interns who have made contributions to our organization while also preparing themselves for a rewarding professional career.

Hurricanes Sally & Zeta Relief Efforts

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is only the second hurricane season on record requiring implementation of the Greek alphabet to name storms. Our area dealt with unwelcome hits by Hurricanes Sally and Zeta and many are still dealing with storm debris, damage to properties, and living under a blue tarped roof.

Hurricane relief distribution sites were set up by United Bank in Lillian and in Magnolia Springs. Each site disbursed 300 bags of ice and Pepsi Bottling of Atmore supplied 100 cases of bottled water.

Download our digital annual/impact report for more details.

Church Street Incubator

Church Street Incubator, sponsored by United Bank’s Charitable Foundation, provides an opportunity for small businesses to be based in the incubator and become established while further developing and growing in a stable business environment.

With the current structure of Church Street Incubator, the estimated overall savings to the five businesses based in the incubator and not having to incur overhead and certain other expenses on an annual basis is $84,660, collectively. The five businesses currently based at the Church Street Incubator include We Are Family Home Care Services, Brinda’s Beauty and Wellness, Creek Clean, Urgent Tech Care and Main Street Atmore.

Vita Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

For Tax Year 2019 – United Bank’s 10 volunteers prepared 135 Federally Accepted Tax returns during our abbreviated tax season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

10 Volunteers
135 Tax Returns
$23,085 average adjusted gross Income of tax payers

Zoom Stats

United Bank hosted 1,927 meetings involving 24,682 participants, encompassing 1,033,655 meeting minutes (or 17,227.6 hours). We truly realized the value of Zoom when the Paycheck Protection Program launched in April and our team was working around the clock. We would have multiple Zoom sessions simultaneously in progress, with United Bank team members moving seamlessly from one meeting to another to get the job done and disburse PPP loan funds to our customers as quickly as possible.

Teledoc, $500 One Time Grant

To assist United Bank team members and their families, United Bank provided 6 months of Telehealth for each employee and their families at an expense of over $10,000 to the Bank. Seventy-nine employees requested the “no questions asked” $500 donation from United Bank, totaling $39,500, while 21 requested the $500 technology supplement from the Bank to be applied toward the purchase of a computer, printer or increasing residential internet speed as a means to help us better work from home. With both programs wrapping up at the end of May, United Bank’s investment totaled $50,000, and recipients expressed gratitude to the Bank as the funds provided a welcomed financial infusion.

Small Business Resource Webinars

In April, United Bank launched Small Business Resource Webinars via Zoom on the Paycheck Protection Program. The webinars enhanced customer understanding of the workings of the PPP process, from the initial phase of applications for loan funds to the current status of application for loan forgiveness. These webinars continue to be hosted today by United Bank’s PPP experts.

#81 American Banker Magazine 2020
Best Banks to Work For

#9 Business Alabama Magazine 2020
Best Companies to Work For in Alabama

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Publicly Held Banks with Assets Less Than $2 Billion