Company Notebook

Franklin First Membership Approves Greylock Merger

GREENFIELD — Franklin First Federal Credit Union, based in Greenfield, has received member approval for its proposed merger with Greylock Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Pittsfield. The membership vote, which was subject to the approval of the National Credit Union Administration, occurred at Franklin First’s annual meeting held on April 15. Franklin First membership approval completes the requirements for the merger to move forward. With membership and regulatory approval now in place, the merger is expected to close on June 1, with a systems conversion scheduled for early 2027. On Sept. 19, 2025, Franklin First’s board of directors agreed to merge with Greylock, with Greylock serving as the surviving credit union. Franklin First will merge into Greylock’s charter and will continue to operate under the Franklin First brand as a division of Greylock for a period of time after the merger is completed. Greylock will assume Franklin First’s $88 million in assets, giving the continuing credit union approximately $1.7 billion in combined assets. Franklin First has approximately 7,400 members and will continue to operate its branch and two remote ATMs in Greenfield. Franklin First’s members will enjoy full use of Greylock branches and ATMs, as well as access to Greylock’s extensive business banking services. Michelle Dwyer, president and CEO of Franklin First, will continue to manage the Franklin County market. Franklin First employees will continue to have roles with the continuing credit union and will operate from the current office in Greenfield. Greylock currently serves 106,000 members and has full-service branches in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Lee, Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, Lanesborough, and Lenox, as well as Greenport/Hudson, N.Y.

Basketball Hall of Fame Supports Springfield Rotary Grant Program

SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has donated $8,500 to the Springfield Rotary Club to support local nonprofit organizations through the club’s Community Grants Program. The funds were raised during the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Rotary Club of Springfield’s annual Service Above Self Luncheon and were presented at a recent Rotary meeting by Frank Colaccino and Chelsea LaCoille. The donation will help fund grants awarded during the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Luncheon & Community Awards on April 30. At the event, the Rotary Club of Springfield also recognized Carla Alves as its 2026 Paul Harris Fellow, one of the Rotary’s highest honors, awarded to individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to service and community impact. Alves, vice president and business banking loan officer at Country Bank, as well as treasurer of the Springfield Rotary Club, was honored for her dedication to supporting local businesses, strengthening community partnerships, and embodying the Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”

Hometown Financial Group Wins 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.

Eversource Named Among Most Trustworthy Companies

BOSTON — As recognition of its commitment to corporate citizenship, social responsibility, and a customer-first focus throughout its operations, Eversource Energy has been named by Newsweek and Statista Inc. as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies for 2026. This prestigious national award celebrates U.S. companies that demonstrate leadership in ethical business practices and have built strong trust among customers, employees, and stakeholders through consistently reliable performance and transparency, creating positive benefits and social impact in the communities they serve. Eversource was one of 700 companies named by Newsweek and Statista Inc. to the list, which encompasses a wide range of corporations in industries including automotive, banking, healthcare, retail, travel, and technology. The rankings were determined through an extensive independent survey of more than 25,000 U.S. residents, resulting in more than 100,000 evaluations that reflected their perspectives considering customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust, along with a social listening analysis.

Spectrum Launches Virtual ALS Service in Chicopee Store

CHICOPEE — Spectrum is bringing its virtual American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation service to Chicopee. The service connects deaf customers and Spectrum store specialists through a live ASL interpreter, enabling real-time communication in store. Available in select locations across the country, the service is expanding to reach more than 90 Spectrum stores by the end of the year. In Chicopee, the virtual ASL interpretation service is now available at the 591 Memorial Dr. store. For many deaf customers, a simple store visit can mean relying on handwritten notes or typing messages back and forth. At participating Spectrum stores, customers can scan a QR code using their personal device to connect instantly with a live ASL interpreter, enabling a natural, real-time conversation about Spectrum products, services, billing questions, or account updates. Spectrum first launched a successful pilot of the virtual ASL interpreting service in Rochester, N.Y. in 2024 and expanded to Austin, Texas; Los Angeles; and New York City in 2025. In 2026, Spectrum is bringing virtual ASL interpretation to 34 additional towns and cities across Spectrum’s service area, focused on communities with strong deaf populations.

Applied Mortgage Opens New Space in Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON — The Applied Mortgage team of HMA Mortgage opened the doors to its new space, designed to better serve and support the community, this month, with an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 30 at 15 College Highway, Unit A, Southampton. The Applied Mortgage team of HMA Mortgage has relocated to a new, first-floor space that offers improved accessibility, greater visibility, and a more open, welcoming environment. The new location supports a hybrid approach to mortgage services by enhancing virtual capabilities while maintaining a strong in-person experience. The updated layout also allows the team to host educational workshops, community events, and industry gatherings, further strengthening its role as a local resource and connector.