38 The Queens Courier • business • october 10, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com business another person using their account number, email address, or cell phone number. In addition, the bank provides easy access to funds with over 40,000 surcharge-free ATMs, a prepaid card, remittance services, and a recently announced pilot Immigrant Bridge Loan Program. The bank announced the Immigrant Bridge Loan pilot program in August. Amalgamated Bank, in partnership with the NYC Economic Development Corporation and four non-profit program managers, promotes loans to immigrants looking for employment in lines of work they trained for and held in their home countries. Loans in amounts from $1,000 to $10,000 with an interest of 9.99% will help immigrants pay for the job training and re-certifications they need to advance their careers. Customers have the option of paying only interest for 12 months, and have up to four years to complete repayment. There are no penalties if customers complete payments of loans earlier than scheduled. “This type of innovation, in support of working people, is what makes Amalgamated Bank stand out from its peers. The only program similar to this one is in Manitoba, Canada,” Berg said. In addition to a wide array of personal banking products, Amalgamated has also expanded its business lending. Amalgamated Bank recently hired Stefanie Handsman as Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking. A Queens native, Handsman is active in the community as a volunteer for the Queens Botanical Garden and a member of the advisory council supporting the garden. In addition, Handsman has twice been recognized as one of the “Top Women in Queens.” Stefanie Handsman came to Amalgamated Bank in June after successful stints at HSBC and Chase. At Amalgamated Bank, she oversees business lending for middle market companies, non-profit organizations, and political and advocacy groups. Handsman also manages Amalgamated Bank’s Treasury Management team. In addition to cash management services, her team provides lines of credit for working capital, term loans for equipment purchases, and commercial mortgages for owner-occupied real estate. Handsman is delighted to be back working with Queens businesses. “There are lots of gems in Queens and you don’t have to be located in Manhattan to have a successful business,” Handsman said. “We love working with middle-market clients who want the ability to reach a relationship manager – a decision-maker who gets to know their company and can serve their banking and borrowing needs.” Handsman’s goal for Queens businesses is to help them grow stronger. A new product for non-profits was recently rolled out to serve that purpose. Amalgamated Bank’s Non-Profit Funding Advance, a first-of-itskind service allows non-profits to immediately secure funding from state grants they have been awarded. Here’s how it works. (continued from cover) (continued on page 40) Jackson Heights Branch Manager Roxana Ramos (far left) and Flushing Branch Manager Luisa Gosman (2nd from right) respresented Amalgamated Bank at the Festival de las Flores.
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