bankHometown In The News

Hometown Financial Group, the parent company of bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank, and Hometown Mortgage, announced today it has earned the 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award for the third time in four years. Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that are dedicated …

The FTC reported that between 2000 and 2024, reports of fraud involving businesses nearly tripled and losses grew from $90 million to $501 million. Last year’s AFP® Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report showed that 80% of organizations were victims of payment fraud attacks or attempts in 2023. And, wire transfers were the most vulnerable …

Tax season is nearing its halfway point! As you gather what you need file, be on guard against tax scammers who could try to steal your refund or your personal information! At bankHometown, we want to help protect you. Here’s some info on the latest tax scams and how to protect yourself.  What is a …

bankHometown invites customers and members of the community to three free Shred Days at local offices. Events will be held on the following dates and at the following locations. No appointment is necessary. Saturday, April 5: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.*, Thompson, CT office, 835 Riverside Dr. There will also be donuts for sale at …

bankHometown and its employees recently made donations of $24,000 to the United Way. Employees pledged over $14,000 of their own funds in the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s additional corporate contribution, the campaign total of $24,000 will be donated to the United Ways of Central, North-Central, and South-Central Massachusetts. The campaign …

What is an imposter scam? When someone pretends to be a representative of a company or organization you trust to get you to send money or provide sensitive personal information, it’s called an imposter scam. Unfortunately, imposter scams come in all shapes and sizes. The more information fraudsters have on you, the more creative they …

Hometown Financial Group, a $6.5 billion mutual multibank holding company headquartered in Easthampton and parent company of bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank, and Hometown Mortgage, has hired Reed Whitman as executive vice president, chief financial officer. Whitman, of Boston, joins Hometown Financial from Brookline Bancorp, Inc., where …

Identity Theft Awareness Week is January 27-31. This week, we’re covering all things Identity Theft and offering up ways to protect yourself. What are the different types of identity theft? Unfortunately, identity theft comes in many forms, and fraudsters’ methods are always evolving. Below are some types of identity theft to look out for: Financial …

Identity Theft Awareness Week is January 27-31. This week, we’re covering all things Identity Theft and offering up ways to protect yourself. According to the FTC, people in their 30s are most likely to become victims of identity theft. However, the elderly are more likely to suffer large monetary losses. That said, Identity theft can …

Identity Theft Awareness Week is January 27-31. This week, we’re covering all things Identity Theft and offering up ways to protect yourself. The most prevalent type of identity theft is credit card fraud, with nearly 400,000 incidents reported to the FTC in 2023 alone. Identity Theft can happen to anyone, but there are simple steps …

Identity Theft Awareness Week is January 27-31. This week, we’re covering all things Identity Theft and offering up ways to protect yourself. Did you know, fraud and identity theft cases have nearly tripled over the last decade? Identity thieves are crafty and always coming up with new ways to scam unsuspecting victims. It’s important to …

Robert J. Morton, president and CEO of bankHometown, announced that the bank’s 21st annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $67,500 for local food pantries. This brings the total amount raised since the program’s inception to $482,900. The annual appeal is part of bankHometown’s charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment …

Our identities are more than just our names. They represent who we are, where we live, and the accounts that power our financial lives. Unfortunately, they have become a prime target for the fastest-growing crime in America: identity theft. Today marks the start of Identity Theft Awareness Week, which sheds light on this invasive type …

Imagine this scenario: You receive a phone call that, according to your caller ID, appears to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Anxious, you answer the call and are told by a representative that there’s a problem with your taxes and that you must pay immediately to avoid costly penalties or even arrest or deportation. …

Hometown Wealth Management is pleased to welcome Frank Randall as a financial advisor, offering wealth management and investment services through LPL Financial, located at bankHometown’s 109 Elm St., Millbury, office. Frank, of North Grafton, has nearly two decades of experience providing financial advisory services, investment services, and retirement planning through financial services companies like LPL …

bankHometown is honored to announce a $5,000 donation to the Putnam Veterans Advisory Committee, supporting the creation of an Afghanistan Memorial in Putnam. This contribution underscores bankHometown’s commitment to honoring veterans and recognizing the sacrifices made by those who served in Afghanistan, ensuring their legacy lives on within the community. The Afghanistan Memorial is a …

bankHometown recently promoted Laurie Zaleski to senior assistant branch manager of its 569 Southbridge St., Auburn office. Zaleski, of Charlton, was previously assistant branch manager in Auburn. She has nearly 35 years of banking experience and has earned certificates from numerous banking courses and seminars.

bankHometown recently promoted Ross Potvin to commercial credit officer, based in its 109 Elm St., Millbury office. Potvin, of Leominster, has nearly eight years of banking experience. He joined bankHometown in 2023 as a commercial credit analyst III, and prior to that, he spent seven years at Rollstone Bank and Trust as a commercial credit …

The holiday season is a joyous time. Unfortunately, with increased gift-giving and charitable donations come prime opportunities for scammers to defraud you. Here are some common scams and how to protect yourself. Gift Card Scams It’s a popular time for purchasing gift cards—and scammers know it. They also know that gift cards don’t offer the …

Robert J. Morton, president and CEO of bankHometown, is kicking off the bank’s annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive for 2024 to help support local food pantries. The annual appeal is part of the bank’s charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment to making a real difference in the neighborhoods it …

Scammers love to prey on the kindness and compassion of people. That’s why they are using fake charities to try to defraud victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton and those willing to help them. They send unsolicited emails, texts, phone calls, and social media messages that may even appear legitimate and from a well-known charity. …

Though Halloween gets all the fanfare and excitement, there’s another event that also happens in October. It’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual event created to bring government and industry together to help protect American consumers from the scary threat of cybertheft. The theme for this year’s event, Secure Our World, focuses on four key …

bankHometown recently promoted Jason M. Howard to senior assistant branch manager, based in its 182 Main St., Putnam, Conn. office. Howard, of Woodstock, has more than seven years of banking experience. He joined bankHometown in 2017 as a float teller, was promoted to assistant branch manager in 2018, and has worked in our Thompson and …

What would you do if your Social Security number and other highly personal information were compromised? Unfortunately, that situation could be a harsh reality for hundreds of millions of unsuspecting people who may have been impacted by a massive data breach of National Public Data. The organization, which houses data that employers, investigators, and other …

bankHometown has received the 2024 Corporate Citizenship Award from Boston Business Journal, recognizing the bank as one of Massachusetts’ top corporate charitable contributors. It’s the fifth year in a row that bankHometown has received the honor. The Business Journal annually publishes this list to showcase companies that promote and prioritize giving back to their communities. …

bankHometown recently promoted Kimberley Henrichon to senior assistant branch manager, based in its 109 Elm St., Millbury office. Henrichon, of Millbury, has more than 35 years of banking experience. She started her career in banking as a teller at Millbury Savings Bank in 1989 and has held various retail and customer service roles at bankHometown …

bankHometown recently hosted their 2nd annual clothing and food drive for veterans. They collected clothing at their Massachusetts offices to support Veterans Inc.’s 19th annual Stand Down event in June, and food at their Connecticut offices for Veterans Base Camp in Chaplin, CT. “In just the second year of our food and clothing drives for …

bankHometown invites customers and members of the community to three free Shred Days at local offices. Events will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (or until the truck is full) on the following dates and at the following locations. No appointment is necessary. Saturday, September 21: Oxford, MA office, 31 Sutton Ave. Saturday, …

How romance scams work With romance scams, which can happen to people of all genders, fraudsters create fake online dating or social media profiles to attract and earn the trust of unsuspecting users. Their goal is to trick users into sending money or providing personal information that they can use for nefarious purposes.  Here’s how …

bankHometown recently hired Patrick Genatossio as assistant branch manager of its 4 Gore Rd., Webster office. Genatossio, of Auburn, has more than 20 years of banking experience. He was previously a customer relations manager at Cornerstone Bank. Prior to this, Genatossio was a senior customer service representative at First Niagra Bank, and before that, assistant …

Has this happened to you?  You’re on your computer surfing the internet when a pop-up message appears on your screen. The message warns you that your computer has been infected with a serious virus and instructs you to call a phone number immediately to get technical support.  While that pop-up may look official and real, …

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. And, unfortunately, the number of scams targeting seniors is rising rapidly. That’s because scammers believe those 60 and older have more money, are more willing to trust people, and are less willing to report crimes against them. Here are some common elder scams and how you can stop them …

Local businesses have always been the backbone of our local economy. That’s why it was an easy decision for us to commit $150,000 to a new fund established by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce for strategic economic development and workforce initiatives in Central Massachusetts. The Worcester Regional Strategic Opportunity Fund—formally named the Linda Salem …

bankHometown recently awarded $28,000 in scholarships to 14 local students through the Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) Foundation, whose mission is to raise funds so all residents of northeastern Connecticut are provided the opportunity to attend school regardless of income. This Foundation helps support educational excellence, technological advancement, and professional development at the college, and …

There’s only one you, and at bankHometown, we want to help you keep it that way! Here’s what you need to know about common scams that try to steal your personal info or identity! Phishing: Watch your email With a phishing scam, you may receive an email that appears to be from a company you …

bankHometown supports non-profit organizations and causes throughout Worcester and Windham Counties through a bank-wide program called The Giving Tree. One of the pillars of this program is community – supporting programs that enhance the quality of life in the communities where its banks call home. bankHometown is planning its 2nd annual in-branch clothing and food …

bankHometown, with 16 branches across central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut, recently promoted George Dimopoulos to vice president, branch officer of its Route 171, Woodstock, Conn. office; Marc Ostberg to vice president, branch officer of its Exchange Street, Athol office; and Nancy Roberts to vice president, branch officer of its Main Street, Putnam, Conn. office. Dimopoulos, …

Hometown Mortgage, bankHometown’s mortgage division, is hosting a free homebuyer seminar on May 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at bankHometown’s Worcester office, 270 Grove Street, Worcester, MA, 01605. Join our experienced lending professional Francisco Valdes (NMLS# 1622231) in partnership with Brian Carpenter, broker and owner of 1 Worcester Homes. Whether you’re a first-time …

bankHometown recently rehired Jerry Capone as branch officer of its Main St., Lancaster office. Capone, of Leominster, has more than two decades of experience in banking. Before joining bankHometown, he was a lending specialist at Central One Federal Credit Union. Before that, he was assistant branch manager at bankHometown’s Lancaster office, as well as branch …

bankHometown recently donated $10,000 to Fitchburg-based NewVue Communities’ innovative housing development project. NewVue is dedicated to creating strong and healthy neighborhoods by helping families, small businesses, and communities with homeownership, housing development, community organizing, and small business technical assistance. While they provide services to the 22 towns in their footprint, they have identified Fitchburg as …

Who doesn’t love a convenient and easy way to move money? That’s why Zelle, the person-to-person payment service offered by bankHometown, has become a popular way to send and receive money quickly. Unfortunately, it’s also become popular among scammers who use it to defraud unsuspecting victims. As part of our commitment to helping you protect …

bankHometown invites customers and members of the community to two free Shred Days at local offices. Events will be held on the following dates and at the following locations. No appointment is necessary. Saturday, April 20: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., * Woodstock, CT office, 148 Route 171 Saturday, May 11: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 …

Hometown Financial Group, parent company of bankHometown, bankESB, and Abington Bank announced today it was named a winner of the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award by Energage. Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that are dedicated to building an exceptional people-first culture. Winners are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered …

Tax season is in full swing. For many, it’s time to get a little extra money back as a refund. Unfortunately, it’s also a time that scammers look to steal money and the identities of unsuspecting victims. At bankHometown, we want to help protect you. Here’s some info on the latest tax scams and how …

bankHometown recently donated $15,000 to North Star Family Services’ Journey Home Fund, a capital campaign focused on the housing crisis in North Central Massachusetts. This donation, made through our charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, will assist in the building of an affordable housing project that will be the first of its kind in the …

Megan Berkery has been promoted to assistant branch manager of bankHometown’s Riverside Dr., Thompson office. Berkery, of Killingly, CT, has four years of banking experience, and was previously senior personal banker of bankHometown’s Thompson office. She was hired in 2020 as a float personal banker. She is currently treasurer and a member of the Quinebaug …

In time for this winter’s home heating season, bankHometown has contributed an additional $25,000 to its fuel assistance program for Millbury and Sutton residents. The fund, which is part of the bank’s charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, was first established in 2005 to help low-income families pay their home energy costs. This latest commitment …

Robert J. Morton, president and CEO of bankHometown, announced that the bank’s 20th annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $84,400 for local food pantries. This brings the total amount raised since the program’s inception to $415,400. The annual appeal is part of bankHometown’s charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment …

bankHometown and its employees recently made donations of more than $27,000 to three United Way organizations in Central Massachusetts. Employees pledged over $17,000 of their own funds in the bank’s United Way workplace campaign for 2024. Combined with the bank’s donation of $10,000, the campaign total of $27,419 will be divided among the United Way …

Hometown Mortgage recently hired Francisco Valdés as community mortgage loan originator, based in bankHometown’s 1001 Millbury St., Worcester office. Hometown Mortgage is a division of bankESB, a Hometown Financial Group company that also includes bankHometown and Abington Bank. In this newly created role at Hometown Mortgage, Valdés will be a trusted financial advisor to qualifying low- …