SOUTH PORTLAND — Since 1983, the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) has helped Maine people reach their goals through a wide array of assistance programs for small and larger businesses and loan, grant, and scholarship programs for students and families to meet the costs associated with higher education.

Each year at its Showcase Maine event, FAME recognizes individuals and organizations who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to advancing Maine’s economy and higher education, making Maine a better place in which to live, learn, and work.

On November 21, Norway Savings Bank was honored to receive FAME’s “Lender at Work for Maine Award: Most Enhanced Partnership.”

“Over the past year, Norway Savings Bank has increased their partnership with FAME more than any other organization in the state. NSB partnered with FAME on 16 loans to Maine companies totaling approximately $6 million, which is an increase of $2 million compared to the previous fiscal year,” said Kim Getchell, Senior Commercial Loan Officer for FAME. “This helped to create 56 Maine jobs and retain an additional 237 jobs.”

“I’m really proud of the NSB commercial lending team’s efforts this year recognizing situations where we could approve a loan by working with our friends at FAME. The partnership allows us to make loans that may not have been possible,” said Rick Flagg, Senior Vice President and senior Commercial Banking Officer at Norway Savings, who accepted the award during the event at the Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks in South Portland. “Creating and retaining jobs is really impactful in our communities and something our team is always thinking about.”

To learn more about commercial loan solutions and the commercial lending team at NSB, visit www.norwaysavings.bank/business-banking/business-loans. To discover the innovative, flexible approaches utilized by FAME to help individuals and companies in Maine face a changing economic landscape, visit www.famemaine.com.