To the Editor:
Your May 31 article "Banking Still Foreign to Russian Immigrants," (page 4) neglected our little institution, which introduced banking in the Russian language to Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Brighton Beach community some 19 years ago.
One of the banks you reported on hired its local linguist only a year ago. Consider also that:
*We have close personal ties to the local East European community. I was honored as the Brighton Beach Neighborhood Association's "Man of the Year" in 1992.
*Our local branch is staffed by eight people who are fluent in Russian or Polish.
*When the former station chief of Radio Moscow wanted to interview local bankers who cared about the Russian community, he came to us.
We may not have all the bells and whistles that the larger banks have. But give us time - we are working on it.
The three banks mentioned in your article do provide good service to the Brighton Beach community, and they have good cause to be proud of their accomplishments. But your readers should not assume they are the only game in town.
Next time in the neighborhood, stop by our office at 518 Brighton Beach Ave. and capture the local community banking flavor. We may even buy you lunch - or at least a knish. Anthony J. Monteverdi President, Flatbush Federal Savings and Loan Association Brooklyn, N.Y.
