bankESB Parent Wins 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB’s parent company, Hometown Financial Group, announced it has earned the 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award for the fourth time in five years.

The award honors organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This year, more than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate. The winners are recognized for their commitment to fostering a workplace environment that values employee listening and engagement.

The winners are determined by authentic employee feedback captured through a confidential survey conducted by Energage, the HR research and technology company behind the Top Workplaces program since 2006. The results are calculated based on employee responses to statements about workplace experience.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive the 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award,” said Matthew Sosik, Hometown Financial Group chairman and CEO and bankESB president and CEO. “What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it’s based on feedback from our employees. Their dedication and the way they support each other every day are what truly earned us this honor. They are committed to unlocking potential — in our people, in our customers, and in the communities we’re privileged to serve.”

Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage, added that “earning a USA TODAY Top Workplaces award is a testament to an organization’s credibility and commitment to a people-first culture. This award, driven by real employee feedback, is more than just a recognition — it’s proof that your employees believe in the organization and its leadership. Job seekers and customers look for this trusted badge of credibility and excellence. It signals a company that values its people, and that kind of culture resonates in today’s competitive market.”