PeoplesBank Recognized Among Top Corporate Charitable Contributors

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank has again been recognized by the Boston Business Journal as a top corporate charitable contributor. The journal named the bank the top contributor among community banks in Western Mass, and second overall behind Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co.

PeoplesBank has made investments totaling $1.6 million annually in Massachusetts and Connecticut for the past three years. Over the last 12 years, the bank’s charitable contributions have topped $16 million. Further, the bank’s associates and board members contributed matching gifts of $55,750 in addition to the 8,500 volunteer hours they contributed.

“Once again this year, our record-setting community support demonstrates the power of a mutual bank,” said Brian Canina, president of PeoplesBank. “Our mutual charter means that we are not paying stockholders, so we can instead invest in the communities we serve.”

Matthew Bannister, senior vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Sponsorships, noted that PeoplesBank’s charitable impact has increased dramatically over the last decade. “Now that we are operating in Massachusetts and Connecticut, our contributions, both in terms of financial support and volunteerism, have increased correspondingly.”