About Tip Simons

Nelson ”Tip” Simons grew up in Eastchester NY, and attended Union College where he received a BA in economics. Tip begin his 35 year banking career in the Key Bank management training program in Albany New York. At Key, he was a floating assistant manager in their retail branch network, and later became a Vice President in government/municipal banking. His clients included the State of New York and multiple school districts and municipalities. In 1991, Tip joined Bank of Boston Connecticut in their cash management department. He managed commercial relationships such as ESPN, sold the first retail lockbox in Connecticut, and acquired the business for the bank’s first College in Connecticut. He wrote RFPs for the state of Connecticut’s payroll and vendor payables account and won both. The Bank sponsored Tip for their prestigious Commercial Lending training program in Boston, and upon graduating he returned to Connecticut, and joined their not-for-profit lending group. There he managed many hospitals and higher education accounts, until the Bank was acquired by Fleet Bank in 1999. Tip chose to be divested to Sovereign Bank when the merger was complete, and briefly managed the cash management department in Connecticut. He returned to lending in the regional commercial bank with Sovereign, until being promoted to the middle market lending group. There he handled various relationships for non-public companies with up to $500 million in revenue. After the dust settled from the 2009 recession Tip moved over to TD Bank, NA in their middle-market lending group. There he managed a $600 million middle-market lending portfolio, that included waste management companies, beverage distributors, colleges, aero-space manufacturers, commercial real estate, airports, and franchisees (Dunkin’ Donuts). Always wanting to provide the most economic solutions he learned to spread risk by structuring syndicated deals; and became familiar with the process of issuing tax exempt bonds through the state of Connecticut helping several clients issue over $60 million in bonds. He retired from TD Bank at the end of 2021. Tip was a versatile and successful banker, but he was most proud of his ability to retain the business he acquired. He understood the importance of getting to know his client’s businesses and their needs before offering financing or cash management solutions. He ran his portfolio of customers as if it was his own business, and personally handled service issues until they were resolved. He still counts several of his former customers as good friends. Tip raised two children and enjoyed a successful career in the Northeast, but he has always had deep roots in South Carolina. He recalls visiting his grandparents in the old village of Mount Pleasant when he was a boy. Exploring the marsh along Charleston Harbor and walking over to Shem Creek to see the shrimp boats are some of his earliest memories. The wonderful weather, beautiful live oaks to climb, and friendly locals, always made him anxious to return. He can remember walking on the dunes on Isle of Palms, before the development of Wild Dunes, and thinking that this was pretty close to paradise. Today, Tip feels extremely fortunate to be living in the same historic home his grandparents enjoyed since 1935. He has completed extensive renovations since retiring and is familiar with the processes of restoring an old home. He looks forward to using his experiences to help clients find their perfect home.