Mass Bankers Association

Mass Bankers welcomes its new Associate Member, Granite Telecommunications. Granite is one of the premier telecommunications solutions providers for businesses across the United States and Canada. Granite is recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 500 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in the US. Granite consolidates, discounts and manages the voice and data services for 94 of the Fortune 100 companies in America. We’re the largest wholesale partner with all of the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOC) nationwide and in Canada. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dFKZEEqw

Mass Bankers welcomes its new Associate member, GoDocs. GoDocs' SaaS platform offers a comprehensive suite of features tailored to commercial lenders. Key functionalities include automated document generation, real-time compliance updates, and seamless integration with existing lending systems. The intuitive user interface simplifies document preparation, significantly reducing the time and effort required to close commercial loans. Learn more here: https://godocs.com/

Mass Bankers welcomes its new Associate Member, Achieve Mentor Consulting. Achieve Mentor is a firm that specializes in executive coaching, leader optimization, inclusive team effectiveness facilitation and program development. The firm also provides exceptional and sustainable executive coaching and leadership development solutions lead by Cheryl Haynes SPHR SHRM-SCP CEC. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eGzBfhXi

Dedham Savings is pleased to announce that Christopher Teachout, Vice President - Business Banking Officer at Dedham Savings, has been appointed to the Massachusetts Bay Community College Foundation Board. In this role, Teachout will assist with fundraising initiatives and community outreach and networking on behalf of the Foundation. According to Teachout, “As a proud MassBay alumnus, I recognize the significant value of a MassBay College education, and I’m honored to have been selected to serve on the MassBay Community College Foundation Board. I am eager to contribute and support the Foundation with fundraising goals and strengthening community connections.” As Vice President of Business Banking, Teachout is responsible for developing new relationships and increasing the Bank’s commercial deposit base. Prior to joining Dedham Savings, Teachout held similar roles at other financial institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University and completed the New England School for Financial Studies Program. The New England School for Financial Studies is an intensive two-year program for banking professionals to broaden their skills and to provide them with the tools they need to manage effectively in today’s changing industry. Teachout is a member of the Needham Exchange Club and former Chair for the Newton Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce. Teachout lives in Medfield with his wife Susanne, and their three children. 

Mass Bankers welcomes its new Associate Member, nextenture. Transform your operations with the Nextenture Productivity Cloud - a comprehensive suite of tools that optimizes everything from employee scheduling to customer interactions, all within one seamless interface. Insights AI dynamically streams individualized tasks and notifications to each employee by analyzing the complex interplay of staff schedules, daily activities, customer service requirements, and upcoming appointments. Designed as a super app, NPC supports various operational needs including shift planning, business forecasting, task management, communications, customer engagements, and ongoing learning opportunities. Learn more: https://nextenture.com/

Monson Savings Bank President & CEO Dan Moriarty and SVP CFO Kandy Tranghese recently met with Lesenia Fields and Fred Rose from Springfield based Wellspring Community Harvest. Monson Savings Bank made a $2,500 donation supporting Wellspring Community Harvest’s Go Fresh Mobile Market. Wellspring Harvest is the first commercial hydroponic greenhouse in the City of Springfield, located at 121 Pinevale Street in the Indian Orchard neighborhood. The quarter acre greenhouse was established in April 2018 and started selling lettuce in August 2018. Wellspring Harvest is bringing healthy, locally grown produce to area hospitals, schools, businesses, and residents. The greenhouse employs 7 residents and is organized as a for-profit, worker-owned cooperative business. Learn more about the Wellspring Community Harvest: https://lnkd.in/ghFscvrJ “Wellspring Harvest is committed to addressing critical social and environmental needs in our region. By promoting sustainable, season-extending food production, we aim to enhance our community’s food independence, especially given our short growing season,” said Fred Rose, Co-Director of Wellspring Community Harvest. “Currently, greenhouse production in Western Massachusetts is minimal, and many fresh greens and herbs are only available part of the year. Our initiative not only increases access to fresh produce year-round, but also creates a stable market that supports affordable pricing and local economies." The Go Fresh Mobile Market delivers fresh produce grown at Wellspring Community Harvest and other local locations to senior housing sites, low-income housing complexes, healthcare centers, and community organizations across Springfield. The mobile market enables customers to purchase fresh produce using their Massachusetts state Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) benefits which can only be used at farmers markets. More information can be found at: https://lnkd.in/gM-Wr8Zj “The Go Fresh Mobile market is unique because it brings the area’s farmer’s markets to people who would not be able to travel to farmer’s markets otherwise, whether it be because of a lack of transportation or a lack of farmer’s markets where they live,” said Lesenia Fields, Wellspring Co-Chair, Go Fresh Mobile Market. “It enables people to take advantage of their HIP benefits, which is a wonderful program because it not only empowers people to eat healthy foods, but it also supports local farmers by opening up the sale of their products to an entire new market.” “Monson Savings Bank is proud to support the Wellspring Community Harvest’s Go Fresh Mobile Market,” said Moriarty “We are so fortunate to have an organization like the Wellspring Community Harvest in our area. The work that they do through the Go Fresh Mobile Market surely improves the health of our community members, as well as the health of our local economy.” #mabankersgivingback

Mass Bankers welcomes its new Associate member Dorfman Capital. Dorfman Capital is a unique investment banking firm engaged in financing urban redevelopment. They have an extensive background in tax credit financing and innovative economic development serving banks, regional and national investors and real estate developers. They specialize in financing ESG projects that contribute to the economic and environmental wellbeing of communities through the redevelopment of brownfields, historic preservation and reuse, affordable housing, market rate housing, and renewable energy. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e9C9qHxs

As part of Rockland Trust’s commitment to strengthening its communities, the Bank is proud to announce a significant donation to the highly anticipated Children's Museum of Franklin. This partnership and contribution will fund the creation of an interactive financial literacy exhibit aimed at teaching children the fundamentals of money management in a fun, engaging, and hands-on way. “The museum’s cofounders Erin Gallagher and Meg Hagen, PharmD are passionate about creating a community that’s imaginative, safe and accessible to all,” said Laurel L. Katsaros Trust’s Franklin Main Street Branch Manager. “We’re excited to see how this museum and the exhibits inside make a difference for the community we’re proud to live in and serve.” The exhibit, called “Ms. Money’s Playroom,” is inspired by Ms. Money’s Classroom, the Bank’s free online financial literacy resource. In the online version of the program, elementary school-aged teachers, students, and families can download lesson plans, listen to songs about money, and engage in fun activities. Similarly, the museum exhibit will guide young visitors through essential money concepts: making, saving, sharing, and spending. The space will be home to several play stations, including a lemonade stand, a pretend bank, and a donation center. When Julie Beckham, the creator behind Ms. Money’s Classroom and AVP of Financial Education Development and Strategy at Rockland Trust, was introduced to the opportunity, she saw an immediate connection between the museum’s mission and her purpose at the Bank. “Erin and Meg are thoughtfully building an experience that will reach outside the walls of the museum and encourage children to continue exploring, learning, and growing together. That is the ultimate goal of our financial education strategy,” said Beckham. “At Rockland Trust, we’re dedicated to helping individuals and families develop a healthy relationship with money at every age. We believe Ms. Money’s Playroom will introduce kids to money in a fun and engaging way that sticks with them for many years to come.” Ms. Money’s Playroom is among 14 other exhibits designed for children up to ten years old that will be featured in the museum when it opens at 157 Cottage Street in Franklin in early 2025. Additionally, Gallagher and Hagen plan to provide programming for elementary and middle school aged children as well as leadership and internship opportunities for high school and college students. "Children's Museum of Franklin is so thankful for the incredibly generous support of Rockland Trust" says Hagen. "Collaborating with Rockland Trust to bring Ms. Money's Playroom to life provides such a fun and engaging way for children and families to learn the skills of financial literacy. This exhibit aligns perfectly with our goal of bringing STEM-focus education through play to our community." #mabankersgivingback

Greenfield Cooperative Bank is excited to announce its participation in two holiday toy drives to benefit local children in need. Franklin County Branches and the Salvation Army Angel Holiday Gift Campaign  Franklin County branch offices are once again partnering with the Salvation Army’s Angel Holiday Gift Campaign. Community members are invited to stop by their local branch to select a child’s toy wish list. Donated toys must be returned to the branch by December 13, 2024. Hampshire County Branches and Toys for Tots  Hampshire County branch offices are collaborating with Bomba Radio and the U.S. Marine Corps. Reserve to collect toys for the Toys for Tots program. From December 2nd to 13th, community members can drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Hampshire County branch. “We are thrilled to support these wonderful organizations and make a positive impact on the lives of children in our community,” said Tony Worden, President & CEO at Greenfield Co-op. “By working together, we can ensure that every child experiences the joy of the holiday season.” #mabankersgivingback

Bristol County Savings Bank (BCSB), headquartered in Taunton, Massachusetts, announces the appointment of Jennifer D. St. Pierre, CPA, CGMA, to the position of Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer. In her new position, St. Pierre serves as an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for all aspects of the Finance and Accounting Department, working to ensure its financial management aligns with the Bank’s strategic plan. A 27-year veteran of the banking and finance industries, St. Pierre has held numerous leadership positions prior to joining the Bank, including Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer at BankFive in Fall River, Massachusetts; Senior Vice President & Controller and Vice President & Technical Accounting and Reporting Officer with Brookline Bankcorp, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts; and Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President & Director of Internal Audit at Admirals Bank in Boston. She also served as an Inspections Specialist with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board – Inspections Division and as Audit Manager with Ernst & Young LLP, both in Boston. “Since the Bank’s inception more than 175 year ago, one of the pillars of our success as a community bank has been our financially stability,” said John Silva, President & Chief Banking Officer at Bristol County Savings Bank. “We are confident that Jennifer’s vast experience will help us further solidify our strong financial position and continue to fulfill our mission to make our communities a better place to live and work. St. Pierre is active in the community, serving as a Board Member and Vice Chair for the United Way of Greater New Bedford.  She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Bilingual in Portuguese and English, St. Pierre is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) in the state of Massachusetts. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, from Salem State College, Salem Massachusetts and resides in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. #mabankersupwardbound