Greater Monmouth Chamber Connects Businesses Globally

FREEHOLD, N.J. - Feb. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- Earlier this month, the world became a smaller place for several Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce members who were able to accommodate local international merchant banking professional and author, Alexander Gordin with introducing a twenty person delegation from Russia’s major banking and financial services enterprise to our local banking systems.  The representatives from Russia came to our area on a mission to explore and understand how our top regional banks and financial advisors successfully provide services to their customers.  Mr. Gordin, who diligently researched several New Jersey areas, decided to contact Samantha Homer Padilla, Executive Director of the Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce for help in determining which highly acclaimed financial institutions in the area would be willing to spend a few minutes educating the delegation.

         After contacting several top banking members of the Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Padilla scheduled the delegation tour with Rebecca Proske, CFA, a Charles Schwab Financial Representative, Hedda Lans of Valley National Bank and Edie Legg and Tino Fontes of Investors Bank.  During their time with each bank, the delegation, aided by translators, were able to learn about our basic banking processes, with everything from employee and human resources to customer service and technology explored during their visit to each institution.  What interested the visitors most were everyday services like drive-up banking and mobile device functionality.  According to Edie Legg of Investors Bank, “When the delegation asked me what our most valuable asset is, they were astounded by the fact that our bank’s most valuable asset is our employees.  The managers, customer service representatives and staff who touch the community every day are a large part of what make Investors Bank successful.”  When the delegation arrived at Valley National Bank, they congregated in the main customer service area of the lobby.  As Hedda Lans described the functionality of their bank’s remote deposit capture and mobile device capabilities, something else caught the visitor’s attention. “The design and technology of the drive up windows and specifically the hydraulics which operates the system of our drive-through lanes blew them away”, said Hedda.

         The Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce has always been an important community resource, a place where local residents and businesses can make connections that provide opportunities for the community as a whole.  “Never did I imagine that our chamber would help facilitate a connection between our local members with a group from as far away as Russia”, explains Ms. Padilla.  She continues, “We always strive to provide the services and resources requested of us and in this case I believe we did more than that.  We were able to foster goodwill and the potential for future business transactions with international visitors, which provides a much further reach for the Greater Monmouth Chamber than we ever knew we had.”

The Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is to promote business, enhance economic development, and serve as a catalyst for improving the overall quality of life in our communities. The vision of the Chamber is to provide opportunities for business growth and prosperity, to offer quality service to members and to serve as a resource leader for business and the community. The Chamber represents the voice of business on a regional level and includes the communities of Allentown, Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Holmdel, Howell, Manalapan, Marlboro, Millstone, Roosevelt and Upper Freehold.  For more information, visit www.greatermonmouthchamber.com  or call 732-462-3030.