Independent Banker - November 2023 - 73

Next: Connect with your fellow community bankers 
The damage
in numbers
" All employees who were available
volunteered each day, clearing
debris or working in the disaster
distribution center. "
-ANDY ANDERSON, BANK OF ANGUILLA
homes were completely
destroyed.
251
76
homes sustained major
damage and are currently
uninhabitable, with
major damage and nine with minor.
Despite this already massive scale of
damage, Anderson believes the early
estimates are understated by as much
as 10% to 20%.
Bank of Anguilla itself sustained
damage as well, going a week without
power and longer without water. Even
now, the bank has a tarp instead of
a roof. But despite everything it has
faced, the community bank and its
staff remained steadfast.
Coming to the
community's rescue
As the only bank within the counties
of Sharkey and Issaquena, Bank of
Anguilla took on a pivotal role. The
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas,
through the Bank of Anguilla, has
given $1,272,758 in grants to small
businesses in Rolling Fork to help
them recover.
Bank of Anguilla was also
instrumental in taking donations
for the local Baptist church, which
led the donation drive for the town.
In addition, since Rolling Fork's
post office was destroyed, the bank
collected numerous donations at its
main office in Anguilla.
The Red Cross and Samaritans
Purse met with survivors within the
bank's lobby in Rolling Fork. " At one
point, there were over 300 people
displaced in hotels and motels,
which does not include all of the
people living with relatives, in deer
camps or vacant housing in the
county, " Anderson says.
Bank employees themselves
also helped in more direct ways.
" All employees who were available
volunteered each day, clearing
debris or working in the disaster
distribution center, " says Anderson.
" We cooked for the town and hosted
people cooking in our parking lot,
as there were hundreds of workers
in town and very little to no dining
options available much of the time
for these workers or the inhabitants
of the town. "
Planning for the future
One thing Anderson has learned
from this devastation is that
community banks in rural areas
need to not only have disaster
recovery plans for their banks, but
also for their communities. So Bank
of Anguilla set up its own disaster
account to provide financial
assistance for relief efforts.
" Progress is very slow, " says
Anderson. " Some rebuilding has
begun. However, being an hour
to an hour and a half away from
any 'major' towns or cities makes
it difficult to get contractors to
come in. "
Despite this, Bank of Anguilla
is putting its best foot forward.
The community bank has
begun collaborating with local
organizations to build new houses
while also addressing the mental
health impact that such devastation
has on the community. In due
time, its efforts will surely make
a difference. 
William Atkinson is a writer in Illinois.
extensive repair required.
32
businesses were
completely destroyed.
Read about how 2023 National Community Bank Service Award winner
First Federal Savings & Loan Assoc. helped Bank of Anguilla get back
on its feet in the September 2023 issue of Independent Banker.
independentbanker.org // 73
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - November 2023

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