July 2, 2008
Contact: Lisa Garcia
Meredith Village Savings Bank
(603) 279-9293

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Meredith Village Savings Bank Offers Program to Help with Sky-Rocketing Energy Costs

Alternative, sustainable or energy efficient solutions can save homeowners money

Although it’s summer, many New Hampshire homeowners are already thinking about how they will deal with rising costs of heat, hot water and energy next winter and in the coming years. Helping those homeowners and the environment has also been on the minds of many people at Meredith Village Savings Bank. That’s how the Energy Solution Loan was developed.

“It’s really a confluence of different events that lead us to develop the program,” explains Bob Howe, vice president of consumer lending at MVSB. “High energy costs, a desire to support environmentally friendly solutions including sustainable, efficient, or alternative energy initiatives, listening to local businesses and customers, along with a genuine concern for the financial well being of people in central New Hampshire all led us to the same conclusion. Put together a program that supports homeowners who are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs, embrace renewable energy technology or reduce their carbon footprint. ”

The Energy Solution Loan is designed to finance a number of different energy efficient or alternative heating/energy solutions. Wood pellet stoves, geothermal heating/cooling, solar hot water systems or energy efficient windows are just some of the items that can be financed through this program. “Whether you want to generate your own electricity through wind or solar power, install a more efficient hot water heating system, or reduce or eliminate your oil or propane bill, MVSB’s Energy Solution Loan may help you,” explains Howe.

In addition to being available through any of MVSB’s 11 offices, this program will soon be available through a number of companies who sell or install wood pellet stoves, geothermal systems and solar products. “We wanted to make it quick and easy for the homeowners as well as for the businesses that are providing the energy or heating solution,” commented Howe. Businesses that are interested in having their customers finance products with an Energy Solution Loan should contact Meredith Village Savings Bank 279-7986. Homeowners should call a lender at any of Meredith Village Savings bank 11 offices if the business they are dealing with doesn’t offer MVSB’s Energy Solution Loan.

The Energy Solution Loan is just part of what MVSB is doing to live its value of stewardship by going beyond its long time support of local environmental organizations. Efforts include:

Designing its new Wolfeboro office to use geothermal heating and pervious pavement that filters surface water to remove pollutants and reduce harmful runoff that can flood surrounding areas and contaminate rivers, streams, ponds and lakes.

Encouraging use of products and services such as eStatements, which replace printed-paper statements with ones that can be viewed online.

Implementing greener ways of doing business including expanding the bank’s recycling program, purchasing more eco-friendly cleaning and office supplies, and reducing the use of paper, printers and other materials and equipment.

Educating the bank’s 200-plus employees about ways to be greener at work and at home.

Meredith Village Savings Bank is an independent mutual savings bank with 11 offices serving individuals, families, businesses, organizations and towns around Lake Winnipesaukee and the Plymouth area. MVSB has offices in Alton, Ashland, Gilford, Center Harbor, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, Plymouth and Wolfeboro. More information about the bank can be found at www.mvsb.com.

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