Sue Haynes
“It is a good, small-town feeling…”

Sue Haynes had never gone through the process of getting a mortgage, so she asked for help. Her financial planners reviewed all the information she had gotten, and recommended that she use the Savings and Loan. “They said it was the best deal,” Sue says, “and that was very important for me.“

The process was also very easy. Sue says she never felt intimidated, and when she asked question after question, she got answers quickly with helpfulness and understanding. “I feel so comfortable when I walk into the bank. It is a very good, small-town, friendly feeling.”

Sue Haynes is the author of Creative Mavericks: Beacons of Authentic Learning

The Bolt Family
“Family is important…”

When Dwayne and Jacqueline Bolt’s lease expired, they knew it was time to find a home for their family. They work on MDI and wanted their kids to go to school here, too. “Family is important. We want to be able to go to school functions, bring the kids to local events, and be part of the community as a family,” Jacqueline says. “Northeast Creek Neighborhood was just the right fit for us, and so was the Bar Harbor Savings and Loan.“

“We asked a lot of people about where to get our mortgage, and everyone who had used the Savings and Loan said they were great,” says Dwayne. Jacqueline adds, “They stood by their word. At no time in this process did I doubt that they would do what they said. I recommend them to anyone looking for a mortgage.”

Dwayne and Jacqueline with Keefer and Chloe

The Williams Family
“They kept their promise…”

Bob and Amanda Williams had tried several banks for a mortgage before approaching Bar Harbor Savings and Loan. “They promised they would help us find a way to finance our home and a building for my business, Island Pet Grooming,” says Amanda, “and we knew they meant it.” Bob agrees, “And having the business right here is great for the family. Amanda can spend more time with the kids, and they can help her out.”

“Getting to closing wasn’t as smooth as it could have been, but the Savings and Loan stuck it out. They were really there for us,” Amanda adds.

Bob, Amanda, Derek, Cassie with Moxie, and in front, Madison and Acadia

Katie and Marisa Prestinari
“Generations of savings…”

Katie and Marisa Prestinari are carrying on a family tradition of saving for the future. Their grandparents and parents started them out with savings accounts at Bar Harbor Savings and Loan, and so they learned early the habit of saving. Growing up and helping their parents, Chuck and Dee Dee, at their store The Blueberry Patch, they also learned early the value of hard work.

The Savings and Loan has always been a part of their life, and they cherish the feeling of community they have there. “They are so friendly,” says Katie. “They always ask how we are and seem genuinely happy to see us.” Marisa adds, “It doesn’t feel like a bank at all.”

Nancy Godfrey and Beth Russell
“They never made us wait…”

First-time home buying can be an arduous process, but for Nancy Godfrey and Beth Russell it went smoothly from start to finish. “We never had to call. The Savings and Loan was always right on top of things,” Nancy says. Beth agrees, “And they were fast! They turned our paperwork around in 24 hours.” Full-time employees at The Jackson Laboratory, living close to work was a priority.

Nancy says that the Savings and Loan was flexible and willing to find a way to make the numbers work. Nancy and Beth also like the hometown feel. “It is nice to be greeted by name, and know we are not just another account,” says Beth. “They really care.”

Mike Woodard
“Why switch?”

Mike Woodard and Ginger Constantine bought their first house on Mount Desert Island 24 years ago, and have used the Bar Harbor Savings and Loan for all their mortgages since then. “We’ve been tempted by other financing offers, but when we really take a look at switching, we always recall that the Savings and Loan was willing to invest in us as people, not just property. It’s all about trust and loyalty.”

Mike, who owns Mike! Woodard Realty, often sends clients to the Savings and Loan. “The bank always makes our homebuyers feel really welcome, and keeps the process and paperwork really simple.”At Bar Harbor Savings and Loan all our customers are welcome anytime the door is open. We thank them, Mike, and Ginger for choosing Bar Harbor Savings and Loan as their bank.

Eddie Monat and Edna Martin
"They made it easy…”

Edna Martin and Eddie Monat spend as much time on the water as they can. Running the Dive-in Theater, which introduces kids and adults to the amazing life beneath the waves, and teaching diving doesn’t leave much time for meetings with the bank. “They made it about as easy as it could be,” Edna says. “They are just really super people,” Eddie adds. Being able to live in the same community where they have their business is important to them. “I don’t think we could have bought our house if we didn’t get help from the Savings and Loan,” Eddie says.

Eddie and Edna with Halo and Leviathan

Jeff and Lisa Camber
“Hard working…”

Jeff and Lisa Camber have built a home and a life based on hard work, family values, and giving from the heart. They raised their kids on property that has been in the family for generations, and created businesses that keep them working together.

At Back Meadow Farm, Lisa hand-picks blueberries, has a flourishing wreath business, and does the bookkeeping. Jeff harvests blueberries, sells firewood, and does whatever needs to be done. When they decided to renovate some homes for rental properties, they called the Savings and Loan. “They worked hard for us,“ Jeff says. “We respect that, and have been banking there ever since.”

Dave and Natalie Smith
“Always positive…”

Dave and Natalie Smith chose to live and work on Mount Desert Island so they could be close to all the outdoor activities they love, the changing seasons, and the comfort of being part of a small community. “The park, the trails, the mountains, they are all part of our backyard, “ says Dave. “People here are easy to know,” says Natalie. “I knew it was home the minute I got here.”

Working with Bar Harbor Savings and Loan was easy, too. “They are always so positive,” says Dave. A seasonal employee for Acadia National Park, Dave is a law enforcement specialist and helps protect the community that he and Natalie call home.

Ranger Dave and Natalie Smith with Ginger and Brook

Jeff Miller
“A can-do attitude…”

Jeff Miller, a full-time broker with Lynam Real Estate, has bought and sold a business, and purchased investment properties and a home, so he knows about mortgages from many points of view. When he or a client needs financing, Bar Harbor Savings and Loan is at the top of his list. “

When I went to refinance, they recognized what I had accomplished and really made me feel appreciated,” Jeff says. He also likes their competitive rates and positive attitude. “They never said, ‘We’ll have to see if we can do it.’ It was always, ‘Let’s see how we can do this.’ That can-do attitude worked for me, and it works for my clients, too.”

Lynne and Mike Staggs
“Accommodating…”

Lynne and Mike Staggs have full-time jobs and busy lives. They also haul used vegetable oil to turn into biofuel that they use to heat their home and power their cars. They did a lot of research before making fuel at home, and they did a lot of research before they refinanced. “The Savings and Loan answered all our questions, “ Lynne says. “We wanted split payments, direct deposit… they were very accommodating,” Mike says.

Lynne, Molly and Mike Staggs in front of Bio Desl, which runs on recycled vegetable oil

Aaron Sprague
“They took a chance on me…”

Aaron Sprague has lived and worked in Bar Harbor most of his life, bussing tables at Poor Boy’s Restaurant while in high school, and working there after college as a server and manager. When he had the opportunity to buy a house, his employer, Kathleen Field, encouraged him.

“I had never even bought a car before, and had no credit history, but the Savings and Loan took a chance on me,” Aaron says. “I now own my own home in the town I grew up in, and plan to stay in.”

The Avila Family
“We felt respected…”

When Kyle and Lelania Avila learned their mortgage had been sold to an out-of-state bank, they decided to see what they could find locally. A friend told them about Bar Harbor Savings and Loan, and after one visit they knew they had found their bank. “It felt like a better option, knowing our money would be helping other families right here in the community,” Kyle says. “They are so friendly, and I felt that we were respected there,” Lelania adds. Raising a family in the community they have chosen, they are glad to keep their mortgage here, too.

Elijah, Lelania, Kyle and Rosie Avila

Colin Capers, Kira Kendall and Amanda Kendall
“Thanks, homeowners…”

When Colin, Amanda and Kira found their home, they looked around for the best way to finance it. Because they are a family that believes in the importance of community, they chose Bar Harbor Savings & Loan. Colin works to provide more opportunities for community theatre at the Criterion, and Amanda is on the board of the MDI Coop and supports local farmers through her business, Sassafrass Catering, while Kira fundraises for the MDI Skatepark. They also say the ease with which the bank helped them through the maze of the application and finance processes appealed to them.