OLD POINT NATIONAL BANK - EAGLE HARBOR

Staff proves the motto “Real. Friendly.”

by Joanna Enderlin

Branch manager Joyce Dunning

Profit is a by-product of work; happiness is its chief product.” Henry Ford said it. Joyce Dunning lives it.

Joyce is the Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President of the Eagle Harbor location of Old Point National Bank. With 21 locations in Hampton Roads, Old Point National Bank has served local communities for more than 85 years with full service commercial and consumer banking services.

“Our state-of-the-art technology and sophisticated financial products rival those of any bank,” Joyce says. “But that’s where we stop being like the banks most people think of when they think ‘bank.’ I have been in banking for over 40 years and I can tell you, we are not just a part of our customer’s financial fitness, we are their friends in banking.”

From left: Tiffany Scheufele, Deanna Owens, Nancy Begor, Tammi Beasley, Joyce Dunning.

Joyce, a Virginia native, certainly doesn’t look old enough to have 40 years of banking on her resume but she swears it’s true. As the proud parent of two grown daughters and two grandsons, Joyce says, “You name it, I’ve been there. Right there where my customers are today. Whether it’s to talk about student loans or refinancing their home, I try to be that person I wanted sitting on the other side of the desk from me when I was where they are. I think this comes across to our customers. I think they appreciate that.”

“We care about our customers. We know them by name. Just this morning, a young man brought his new fiancé in—not to do business but just to introduce her to his favorite teller. We are here for all the events in their lives, like marriage and when they buy that first home. We are the faces of the college fund set up when the new baby arrives and who they go to for retirement planning. We are the first stop many customer’s make when they decide to open a business.” Joyce is honored by the trust her customers have in Old Point and her part in their life stories.”

Joyce says the Old Point customer relationship philosophy is inherent to why she and her staff love coming to work each day.

“Old Point’s message from top management is to take care of our customers. We genuinely care about them and are here to help them make those important financial decisions. I am so proud to know our customers trust us to always do the right thing,” she says.

As a growing part of our growing communities, Old Point National Bank is committed to staying personal and connected to its customers in meaningful ways. The personal service commitment starts just inside the lobby doors with the smell of freshly baked cookies and freshly brewed coffee.

“Our customers deserve to be treated like friends visiting our homes. Cookies and coffee are just a small token from us to them to let them know we appreciate them,” she says. “I love that many of our new customers come to us as referrals. They have been told by a friend or neighbor or co-worker to come to Old Point and experience a bank like no other.”

“I have been in banking for over 40 years and
I can tell you, we are not just a part of our customer’s
financial fitness, we are their friends in banking.”

— Branch manager Joyce Dunning

Joyce clearly loves being part of that experience.

Old Point’s Eagle Harbor office opened 3 ½ years ago in Carrollton and has already become a big part of the community there. “We support the Smithfield Relay for Life,” Joyce says. “We have car shows and bake sales, yard sales and raffles. Some of the staff even makes jewelry that we sell in the lobby to raise money. Our community is important to us.”

Old Point National Bank has enjoyed steady and solid growth because of sound business practices, which include a Board of Directors made up of local branch community members.

“We are a full-service financial institution that can meet our customer’s needs—from the first checking account to funding a large business project. Applications are processed right here. We make the loan decisions, not some stranger in another state. We can do this because Old Point had a foundation of sound business practices,” Joyce points out. “We’ve never been sold to another institution, or taken over troubled institutions for that matter. We didn’t ask for bail-out money because we didn’t need bailing out.” Joyce is clearly proud of her bank. “In the highly competitive banking industry, Old Point makes sound decisions by remembering who we work for—our customers. And by always doing the right thing.”

Customers don’t have to sacrifice after-hours access just because Old Point National Bank’s phone number is a local call. Online services are sleek and efficient and Old Point has ATMs at every Walgreens Pharmacy for customer convenience. Ask about the fun gifts each new customer receives.

Joyce believes she and Old Point National Bank are a perfect fit.

“Our reputation is built on extraordinary customer service delivered by friendly and knowledgeable staff committed to serving the needs of our customers. Every day, I get to make a difference in our customer’s lives. I love what I do,” she says.

This is how Joyce J. Dunning lives the “happiness” chief product of Henry Ford’s quote. That, and cookies. And puppies?

Customer Marissa Burris comes through the door and Joyce, along with the other four employees of Old Point National Bank at Eagle Harbor, rush to coo over Marissa’s pup, Destiny. Yes, dogs visit the bank. And, yes, treats are provided.