Positive Pay Case Study
PORT lighting — thriving with BankProv's support.
the background.
Located in Seabrook, NH, PORT Lighting has been illuminating events, venues, and architectural landmarks across New England since 1985. Founded by Todd Gerrish, who initially handled lighting and rigging during his time as a band member, PORT Lighting has grown from a small, niche service into a premier provider of lighting, rigging, and theatrical equipment. Starting with just a handful of employees, PORT Lighting has expanded over the decades and, after navigating the challenges of the pandemic, now proudly employs over 40 staff members, including their very first hire.
PORT Lighting specializes in an extensive range of services, from corporate event lighting to architectural lighting for bridges and private venues. They provide both sales and rentals of lighting equipment, repairs, and offer theatrical rigging and curtain solutions. As PORT Lighting continued to grow and add services, they recognized the need for a banking partner that could provide personalized support and help them address emerging financial and operational challenges.
the challenge.
Initially banking with larger institutions, PORT Lighting found the impersonal nature of large banks to be a poor fit. Kim Gerrish, who oversees many of PORT Lighting’s banking operations, felt that the larger banks didn’t fully understand their business needs, often leaving them with generic services that didn’t address their unique requirements. In search of a bank that valued community relationships, PORT Lighting turned to BankProv.
the solution: transition to BankProv.
BankProv offered the personal attention PORT Lighting needed, led by dedicated representatives, including Rhonda, the Seabrook branch manager. Rhonda and her team worked closely with Kim and her team to identify solutions tailored to their business. The BankProv team listened attentively to their challenges and introduced services that addressed these issues, notably BankProv’s Positive Pay service, which was instrumental in reducing the impact of fraudulent checks.
the BankProv difference — services provided:
Positive Pay
Before Positive Pay, Kim manually reviewed checks for fraud, requiring bank visits. Now, PORT Lighting verifies checks online, saving time and reducing stress. BankProv streamlined setup with training and QuickBooks integration.
ACH & Fraud Prevention
PORT Lighting has faced fraud issues such as counterfeit and washed checks. BankProv's proactive fraud alerts and ACH monitoring have been invaluable in enhancing security and enabling prompt action.
Access to Wires
PORT Lighting gained access to wire transfers, gradually implementing them with BankProv’s support. Rhonda and the team provide ongoing assistance and training as wires are integrated into their operations.
Educational Support
BankProv’s partnership with PORT Lighting goes beyond banking. Kim values Rhonda’s insights and regular updates on banking best practices, and BankProv's offerings of cybersecurity webinars, and client newsletters, finding them informative and easy to follow.
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2004
Client since 2004
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10
Products for Personal, Business, and Commercial Needs
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180K
Protected from Fraud
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98%
Satisfied Client
the results.
With BankProv’s tailored support, PORT Lighting has experienced substantial time savings, enhanced fraud protection, and increased operational efficiency. Positive Pay and ACH monitoring have streamlined Kim’s day-to-day workload, allowing her to monitor accounts efficiently without constant manual oversight. PORT Lighting’s growing team and client base have benefited from the close attention and insights BankProv provides, which larger institutions couldn’t match.
Kim wholeheartedly recommends BankProv for its exceptional customer service, community-focused approach, and the tangible benefits of personalized banking. In her words, “BankProv has treated them not just as a customer but as a valued member of the community. Thanks to BankProv, PORT Lighting feels supported, understood, and prepared to meet the demands of a vibrant, post-pandemic events industry.”
Supporting Growth Beyond Deposits: Our Lending Partnership
In addition to managing PORT Lighting’s deposit accounts, BankProv has proudly supported PORT Lighting’s growth and evolution with a robust lending relationship spanning two decades. Since 2004, BankProv has provided vital working capital and financed multiple loans for property improvements, expansions, and remodeling as the business has grown, enabling PORT Lighting to scale its operations and meet increasing demand. Despite challenges during the pandemic, PORT Lighting’s resilience led to a remarkable recovery and record growth. BankProv has remained a steadfast partner, funding recent expansion projects and offering financing to support future opportunities. This enduring partnership reflects BankProv’s dedication to helping PORT Lighting achieve its goals and sustain long-term success.
