EASTHAMPTON — bankESB announced the addition of two new professionals to strengthen financial strategy and digital engagement.

Brian Mathes

Brian Mathes was recently hired as vice president, ALM officer. Mathes will support all banks within the Hometown Financial Group family of banks, including bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, and Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank, as well as Hometown Mortgage. He will be based at bankESB’s 36 Main St., Easthampton office as well as bankHometown’s 31 Sutton Ave., Oxford office.

Corey Moquin

Mathes has 25 years of banking experience. Before joining bankESB, he was vice president at Main Street Bank and, before that, vice president at State Street Corp. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the bank’s asset liability management strategy, optimizing balance sheet performance, and supporting long-term financial planning and risk management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Tulane University and a master’s degree in business administration from Boston University.

Corey Moquin has been appointed social media manager, based at bankESB’s 36 Main St., Easthampton office. Moquin earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from UMass Amherst. He joins the bank from Western Mass News, where he was senior marketing producer. In this new role, he will manage social media accounts for all of Hometown Financial Group.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free Shred Days at local offices. Events will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until the truck is full) on the following dates and at the following locations. No appointment is necessary.

• Saturday, May 17: Agawam office, 770 Main St. (This event is in partnership with the Parish Cupboard, which will be collecting food donations.)

• Saturday, May 31: Easthampton office, 241 Northampton St. (Two trucks will be at this event.)

Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and shredding them safely and securely for free. A professional document-destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Financial Group, the parent company of bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank, and Hometown Mortgage, announced 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 to building an exceptional, people-first culture. Winners are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous, third-party employee-engagement survey issued by Energage, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools.

More than 42,000 organizations across the country were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Results were calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 culture drivers proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

“We’re honored to have received this trio of national awards as an employer of choice. But we’re even more grateful to our employees because it’s their positive feedback that earned us the honor,” said Matthew Sosik, Hometown Financial Group chairman and CEO and bankESB president and CEO. “Our dedicated, talented, and passionate employees continually unlock potential for our customers, our communities, and one another. And they’ve embraced our culture where ‘respect everyone,’ ‘foster positive energy,’ and ‘laugh often, have fun’ are three of our most treasured core values. They believe we’re doing something right.”

Eric Rubino, Energage CEO, added that “earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees. That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Meridith Salois

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Meridith Salois to vice president, Lending Systems manager at its 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office.

Salois has nearly 30 years of banking experience. She joined bankESB in 2001, working in loan servicing and collections, and moved on to become a credit analyst and, eventually, vice president, Commercial Credit Systems Management. In her new role, she will be evolving and maintaining the suite of lending information systems while supporting all aspects of commercial, consumer, and residential systems across the bank’s parent company, Hometown Financial Group.

Salois has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Bay Path University and earned a certificate from the New England School of Financial Studies. She is a longtime volunteer for Junior Achievement, is the vice president of the LoanVantage user group board, and has been the education and training booth chair for Westfield Credit for Life since 2019.

Gerardo Sanchez

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Gerardo Sanchez to digital banking product officer, based at its 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office.

Sanchez has 26 years of banking experience and joined bankESB in 2021 as an electronic banking systems manager. Previously, he was the Financial Center Operations manager at Bank of America and, before that, eBanking manager at Florence Bank. In this new role, he will focus on bankESB’s digital banking roadmap, initiatives, and upgrades.

Sanchez earned an associate degree in business studies from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s degree in both business management and human resources from Bridgewater State University. He also earned a certificate from the Massachusetts Bankers Association’s New England School for Financial Studies.

EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that the bank’s fourth annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $28,000 for local food pantries, bringing the program’s four-year total to $137,000.

The appeal is part of bankESB’s charitable giving program, the Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment to making a difference in the neighborhoods it serves. Throughout November, the bank invited customers, employees, and members of the community to donate at bankESB branches. All donations received were matched, dollar for dollar, by bankESB, and the total was divided among food pantries in Western Mass. communities the bank serves.

Each of these participating food pantries received $2,000: the Best Life Food Ministry, Agawam; BUCC Helping Hands Cupboard Food Pantry, Belchertown; the Chicopee Cupboard; Easthampton Community Center Food Pantry; Easthampton Congregational Church Food Cupboard and Oasis Kitchen; the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Chicopee; the Hadley Food Pantry; Hilltown Food Pantry, Goshen; Margaret’s Pantry, Holyoke; Neighbors Helping Neighbors Inc., South Hadley; Northampton Survival Center; Not Bread Alone, Amherst; Southampton Community Cupboard; and Westfield Food Pantry.

“On behalf of bankESB, I’d like to thank all those who generously donated to our Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraiser to help fight food insecurity in our communities,” Sosik said. “We’re pleased to host this annual appeal and that so much was raised to help families in need this past holiday season and into this new year.”

Kelly Martins

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently hired Kelly Martins (Partridge) as social-media manager, based at its 36 Main St., Easthampton office.

Martins earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management and philanthropy with a focus on strategic planning and implementation from Bay Path University. She joins the bank from GRATI Consulting, where she was the director of Marketing & Business Development.

Stacey Grushkin

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Stacey Grushkin to Accounting officer. She was previously senior staff accountant at Abington Bank, part of Hometown Financial Group’s family of banks that includes bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, and Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank, as well as Hometown Mortgage.

Grushkin has nearly 10 years of banking experience. She started at Abington Bank as a staff accountant in 2015 and was promoted to senior staff accountant in 2023. In her new role, she will lead the bankESB finance team and will also be responsible for regulatory reporting for Hometown Financial Group’s family of banks.

Grushkin earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s certificate in accounting and finance from Bridgewater State University.

Daniel O’Sullivan

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently hired Daniel O’Sullivan as assistant branch manager of its 170 Sargeant St., Holyoke office.

O’Sullivan has four years of banking experience and seven years of financial-services experience. Prior to joining bankESB, he was the banking center assistant manager at Peoples Bank and, before that, a field insurance agent at Knights of Columbus Insurance. In his new role, he will assist in managing the Holyoke team to provide a customer-first experience while fostering relationships within the community.

O’Sullivan currently serves on the board of directors of Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care and as treasurer of the board of directors of Holyoke Media.

Katie Woods

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Katie Woods (LaValley) to assistant branch manager of its 770 Main St., Agawam office.

Woods joined bankESB earlier this year as a float teller supervisor. Previously, she was assistant branch manager at PeoplesBank and, before that, store operations manager at CVS Health. In her new role, Woods will assist the branch manager in reaching branch goals while striving to deliver excellent customer service and helping employees and customers unlock their potential.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB received three Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards from Energage for Employee Appreciation, Well-being, and Professional Development.

Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards celebrate organizations that are dedicated to building an exceptional, people-first culture. The Employee Appreciation award celebrates organizations that make employees feel valued for their efforts, thereby motivating employees to give their best at work. The Employee Well-being award honors organizations that stand out for their commitment to putting health and wellness at the center of their workplace culture. The Professional Development award honors companies that make it a priority to provide employees with opportunities that help them develop their careers and grow professionally.

Winners are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous, third-party employee-engagement survey, administered by Energage, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. More than 42,000 organizations across the country were invited to participate in the survey. Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 culture drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

“We’re honored to be nationally recognized for fostering a workplace culture that puts our people first,” bankESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik said. “We try hard to cultivate a workplace that unlocks our employees’ potential by showing our appreciation for their efforts and our genuine interest in their well-being, learning, and development. Because these awards are based on our employees’ feedback, we think they signify that we’re on the right track.”

Energage CEO Eric Rubino noted that “earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees. That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently donated $5,000 to the Easthampton Pickleball Fundraising Project, a dedicated group of pickleball enthusiasts who have partnered with the Players Philanthropy Fund to raise money for new pickleball courts.

There are currently two pickleball courts located in Nonotuck Park that were constructed in 2020. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., and these courts are immensely popular, often with more than 20 people waiting to play in just eight available spots. The Easthampton Pickleball Fundraising Project will help build two additional courts.

bankESB’s charitable giving program, the Giving Tree, reflects the roots the bank has in its communities and its commitment to making a difference in the neighborhoods it serves.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free shred days at local offices. No appointment is necessary.

Events will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until the truck is full) on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the 253 Triangle St., Amherst office, and on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office.

Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information, and having them shredded safely and securely for free. A professional document destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.

EASTHAMPTON — For the 10th straight year, bankESB has received the 2024 Corporate Citizenship Award from Boston Business Journal, recognizing the bank as one of Massachusetts’ top corporate charitable contributors.

The magazine annually publishes this list to showcase companies that promote and prioritize giving back to their communities. Through its sponsorship and charitable-giving program, the Giving Tree, bankESB and the Easthampton Savings Bank Charitable Foundation support nonprofit organizations and causes throughout Hampden and Hampshire counties. In 2023, the Giving Tree donated nearly $635,000, and over the past decade, it has donated more than $3.6 million.

“It is with honor that we present our list of the top charitable contributors in Massachusetts, companies who gave $100,000 or more to Massachusetts-based in charities in 2023. Collectively, they gave $362 million in cash contributions — a true example of the business community coming together to help those in need,” Boston Business Journal Market President and Publisher Carolyn Jones said.

This year, 100 companies qualified for the distinction by reporting at least $100,000 in cash contributions to Massachusetts-based charities last year, as noted above. The honorees this year include companies from such industry sectors as financial and professional services, healthcare, technology, retail, and professional sports.

“We’re so proud to be recognized for the past decade as a good corporate citizen because it’s truly a reflection of our core values,” bankESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik said. “We strive to unlock potential in the communities we live and work in and hope we can solve our biggest problems by working together.”

Denise Clark

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted two employees to senior assistant branch manager.

Denise Clark has nearly 13 years of banking experience. She joined bankESB in 2011 as a teller and was most recently assistant branch manager of its 85 Broad St., Westfield office. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Westfield State University and currently volunteers for Westfield on Weekends and the Kiwanis Club of Westfield.

Robyn Michaud

Robyn Michaud has six years of banking experience and joined bankESB in 2018 as a teller. She was previously assistant branch manager of its 605 Granby Road, South Hadley office. She earned a certificate in branch management from the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. Michaud currently volunteers for Westfield on Weekends and Veterans in the Park, and enjoys attending local chamber events.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently announced a commitment of $20,000 to the South Deerfield-based Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture’s (CISA) Growing Resilience Campaign, an effort focused on building a stronger, more resilient local food system in Western Mass.

CISA’s efforts to support a local food economy began more than 30 years ago. Today, more than 250 farms participate in its programs, expanding residents’ access to locally grown food while ensuring local farmers receive the support they need. The Growing Resilience Campaign is designed to ensure locally grown food is within reach for everyone and farmers are equipped with the necessary resources to remain viable in ever-changing conditions.

This campaign is in line with bankESB’s commitment to supporting the communities it serves through its charitable-giving program, the Giving Tree.

“Helping to unlock more locally sourced food and supporting our local growers is something that bankESB gets behind,” bankESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik said. “As a community bank, we live in, work in, and care about the communities we call home. CISA’s efforts are important for ensuring our local food economy supports our friends and neighbors.”

Wendy Ferris, CISA’s development director, added that “we are so grateful for bankESB’s support, which will help CISA remain nimble and effective at strengthening our local food system. This region is so fortunate to have community-driven institutions like bankESB making a difference every day.”

Melissa LaBonte

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Melissa LaBonte to assistant vice president, Core Systems.

LaBonte has 23 years of banking experience. She was promoted to Core Systems manager in 2018 and promoted to Core Systems officer in 2021. She joined the bank in 2001 as a teller, and over the past two decades has held a variety of roles in the Collections, Finance, and Strategic Projects departments.

LaBonte has an associate degree in business administration and accounting from Holyoke Community College and earned a project management diploma from the Center for Financial Training.

Michelle Raskevitz

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Michelle Raskevitz to vice president, Learning and Development.

Raskevitz joined bankESB as a teller in the bank’s College Highway, Southampton office, and is about to celebrate her 30-year work anniversary at bankESB. She has held various roles, primarily in the realm of training, and was most recently assistant vice president, Learning and Development.

Over the course of her career, Raskevitz has grown the Learning and Development department into a place where everyone is both a teacher and a student, continuously growing, sharing, and innovating together, all under her leadership. She enjoys helping others unlock their full potential, and she has had a hand in developing many of bankESB’s leaders.

Raskevitz obtained her associate degree in business administration from Greenfield Community College, as well as multiple diplomas and certificates from the Center for Financial Training. She also graduated with honors from the New England School for Financial Studies in 2013. She has an extensive background of community involvement and volunteer experience with organizations like Credit for Life and the Easthampton High School Council, and currently is chairperson of the executive board of directors for the Center for Financial Training.

Lauren Tabin

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently hired Lauren Tabin as assistant vice president, branch officer of its King Street, Northampton office.

Tabin has nearly 30 years of banking experience. Prior to joining bankESB, she was assistant vice president, branch officer at PeoplesBank, and previously held various other positions there, including banking center manager, branch officer, trainer, and teller. She brings an extensive background in management and leadership experience to her new role, where she will manage the Northampton office team while remaining engaged in the community.

Tabin currently serves on the board of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, and previously served on the board of Black Horse Trust, the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, and Providence Ministries. She is a member of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2011.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free shred days at local offices. Events will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until the truck is full) on the following dates and at locations. No appointment is necessary.

• Saturday, June 8: 770 Main St., Agawam

• Saturday, June 22: 241 Northampton St., Easthampton (two trucks at this event)

Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and shredding them safely and securely for free. A professional document destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Financial Group, parent company of bankESB, Abington Bank, and bankHometown, announced 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 through an anonymous, third-party employee-engagement survey, issued by Energage, a leading provider of technology-based employee-engagement tools. More than 42,000 organizations across the country were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 culture drivers that are proven to predict high performance, against industry benchmarks.

“We’re honored to be nationally recognized as an employer of choice for the second time in three years, and especially humbled that this honor resulted from positive feedback from those who know us best: our employees,” bankESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik said. “Every day, I’m inspired by our compassionate, dedicated, and talented group of employees, who demonstrate passion for unlocking the full potential of our customers, our communities, and each other. We try hard to foster a work environment that’s inclusive, innovative, team-oriented, and fun, and this honor proves that our employees believe we’re doing it right.”

Hector Suarez

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently hired Hector Suarez as assistant vice president, branch officer of its Sargeant Street office in Holyoke.

Suarez grew up in Holyoke and Puerto Rico and has nearly 30 years of banking experience. He says he is passionate about providing a customer-first experience and brings an extensive background to his new role, where he will manage the Holyoke office team while fostering relationships within the community.

Prior to joining bankESB, he was a vice president, branch manager at M&T Bank, People’s United Bank, and United Bank. Before that, he was a branch manager at Key Bank and First Niagara Bank, as well as a personal banker with Baybank, BankBoston, FleetBoston, and Bank of America.

Seth Clark

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Seth Clark to wire transfer officer, based in the 36 Main St., Easthampton office.

Clark has 11 years of banking experience and has held a variety of positions since joining bankESB in 2013, including wire transfer manager, assistant branch manager, personal banker, and senior teller. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State College. Outside of work, he has been a part-time church organist in Westhampton and Holyoke for 20 years.

EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that the bank’s third annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $35,000 for local food pantries. This brings the program’s three-year total to nearly $110,000.

The appeal is part of bankESB’s charitable giving program, the Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment to making a difference in the neighborhoods it serves. Throughout November, the bank invited customers, employees, and members of the community to donate at bankESB branches. All donations received were matched, dollar for dollar, by bankESB and the total divided among food pantries in Western Mass. communities the bank serves.

Each of these participating food pantries received $2,500: the Best Life Food Ministry, Agawam; BUCC Helping Hands Cupboard Food Pantry, Belchertown; the Chicopee Cupboard; Easthampton Community Center Food Pantry; Easthampton Congregational Church Food Cupboard & Oasis Kitchen; the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Chicopee; the Hadley Food Pantry; Hilltown Food Pantry, Goshen; Margaret’s Pantry, Holyoke; Neighbors Helping Neighbors Inc., South Hadley; Northampton Survival Center; Not Bread Alone, Amherst; Southampton Community Cupboard; and Westfield Food Pantry.

“On behalf of bankESB, I’d like to thank all those who generously donated to our Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraiser to help fight food insecurity in our communities,” Sosik said. “We’re pleased to host this annual appeal and that so much was raised to help families in need this past holiday season and into this new year.”

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB and its employees recently donated $50,000 to the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region.

Employees pledged nearly $23,000 of their own funds in the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s dollar-for-dollar match and additional corporate contribution, the campaign total of $50,000 will be donated to the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region. The campaign lets employees donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them.

As a longtime contributor, the bank and its employees have donated more than $690,000 to United Way organizations in Western Mass. over the last 12 years. The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves residents through its own programs and services as well as those of its partner agencies. The organization works to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: education, financial stability, health, and basic needs.

“bankESB and our employees are proud to support the United Way in its mission to unlock the full potential of our friends, neighbors, and communities in need throughout Western Massachusetts,” bankESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik said.

Stephanie Vincelette

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Stephanie Vincelette to assistant vice president, Human Resources Operations, and Erica Gomes to assistant vice president, Customer Care.

Vincelette has 11 years of banking experience. She was previously Human Resources Operations officer and, before that, Payroll manager, and began her career in banking as a Payroll specialist. Before joining bankESB in 2012, she had five years of previous payroll and human-resources experience. With this promotion, she will continue to oversee payroll operations; will now oversee benefits operations; and will expand her responsibilities in salary administration, compensation planning, and policy management.

Vincelette has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University. She holds a senior professional human resources certification.

Erica Gomes

Gomes has 24 years of banking experience. She joined the Hometown Financial Group family of banks at bankHometown in 2013 as branch manager of the Killingly, Conn. office after spending more than 14 years in retail banking with Citizens Bank. She was promoted to Customer Care officer at Hometown Financial’s bankESB in 2016. In her new role, she will manage the Customer Care call center.

Gomes completed coursework in accounting at the Community College of Rhode Island. She has been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Junior Achievement, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and local homeless shelters, and previously served as treasurer of the Killingly Business Assoc.

Jessica West 

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Jessica West to assistant vice president, branch officer of its 36 Main St., Easthampton office.

West has 31 years of banking experience. She was previously assistant vice president, branch manager in Amherst. Before that, she was branch manager at the Northampton Street, Easthampton office, and before that, assistant branch manager at the Belchertown office. She started at bankESB in 2002 as senior teller in Belchertown.

West earned an associate degree in mechanical technologies from Springfield Technical Community College. She has been actively involved with the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst and Craig’s Doors, helping prepare free community breakfasts every week. She also volunteers at the Amherst Survival Center. She is currently a board member of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.

Trevor McCarthy

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Trevor McCarthy to float retail manager.

McCarthy has three years of banking experience and joined bankESB in 2020 as a teller. In his new role, he will manage the float staff at bankESB. He will be based in Easthampton but will float to all bankESB branches to support with supervisory needs.

McCarthy has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Westfield State University.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB has been named one of the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work in Massachusetts.

“We’re so proud to be named one of the Commonwealth’s Top Places to Work and humbled that it’s the direct result of positive feedback by our own employees,” bankESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik said. “I’m inspired every day by our talented employees, who are passionate about helping our customers unlock their potential while fostering a work environment that’s inclusive, innovative, team-oriented, and fun.”

The Globe’s list recognizes the most admired workplaces in the state, according to the people who know them best — their employees. Rankings are based on a confidential survey of more than 137,000 employees at 347 Massachusetts-based organizations, administered by employee engagement and retention firm Energage. Winners are selected based on employees’ opinions of their company’s direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay and benefits, and engagement.

Earlier this year, bankESB also was named a Top Financial Services Industry Workplace by Energage for the second year in a row, as well as a Top Charitable Contributor and Corporate Citizenship Award winner by Boston Business Journal for the ninth consecutive year.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Tiffany Raines to vice president, retail administration. Raines joined bankESB in 2018 as assistant vice president, branch officer of the Holyoke branch and was promoted to vice president, branch officer in 2021. She has nearly 25 years of banking experience, including her previous roles as assistant vice president and banking center manager at PeoplesBank in West Springfield and Amherst.

Raines brings extensive management and supervisory experience to her new role, with a focus on forging new customer relationships, customer service, training, and compliance. In this role, she will serve as the liaison between the bank’s branch network and as other departments across bankESB and its parent company, Hometown Financial Group, in order to foster communication, develop organizational awareness, and achieve operational excellence. She will also be responsible for managing the bank’s suite of deposit products.

Raines currently serves on the board of the Care Center of Holyoke.

EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, is kicking off the bank’s 2023 Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive to help support local food pantries.

This marks the third year of the bank’s annual appeal, which invites bank customers, employees, and community members to donate money between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30 to help fight food insecurity. All donations up to $2,500 per customer will be matched dollar for dollar by bankESB, and the total raised will be divided among participating food pantries across Western Mass. in communities the bank serves. In 2022, through contributions and matching donations, the campaign raised $35,000, and since inception, the bank has donated $74,000.

Donations of any amount are encouraged. As an added incentive to give, the bank offers those who donate the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $25 gift card, which will be awarded at each of its 11 locations.

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors shows how communities can come together to help others in need,” Sosik said. “We thank everyone who selflessly gives each year.”

Those who wish to participate have until Nov. 30 to make their donations. Checks should be made payable to “bankESB Neighbors” and can be dropped off at any bankESB branch or mailed to Margaret Prendergast, bankESB, 36 Main St., Easthampton, MA 01027.

A total of 14 food pantries will be supported this year, including the Best Life Food Ministry, Agawam; BUCC Helping Hands Cupboard Food Pantry, Belchertown; the Chicopee Cupboard; Easthampton Community Center Food Pantry; Easthampton Congregational Church Food Cupboard & Oasis Kitchen; the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Hatfield; the Hadley Food Pantry; Hilltown Food Pantry, Goshen; Margaret’s Pantry, Holyoke; Neighbors Helping Neighbors Inc., South Hadley; Northampton Survival Center; Not Bread Alone, Amherst; Southampton Community Cupboard; and Westfield Food Pantry.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free Shred Days at local offices. Events will be held from 9 to 11:00 a.m. (on until the truck is full) on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office; and Saturday, Oct. 14 at the 40 State St., Belchertown office. No appointment is necessary.

Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and having them shredded safely and securely for free. A professional document-destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.

EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that the bank is awarding up to $25,000 in a matching challenge grant to support the Amherst Hurricanes Boosters’ Transformative Uses for Regional Fields (TURF) Project. Alongside the support of parents and community members, the total could reach as much as $50,000.

The Amherst Hurricane Athletic Boosters approached bankESB in search of a community partner to help them replace and reorient the condemned 23-year-old track and field with a usable, eight-lane track and year-round playable fields offering the best pedagogical experience and community gathering place in the area. To support their fundraising initiative, they wanted a partner who shared their commitment to eco-friendly facilities, health and wellness, equal access, safety, and innovation.

This matching grant gives parents, families, and community members the opportunity to purchase a seat or row in the new stands that would receive a named plaque, with bankESB matching donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000.

“What an amazing opportunity for student-athletes to have a facility like this to use year-round to help unlock their full potential,” Sosik said. “bankESB is proud to stand with our community in Amherst, and we look forward to breaking ground on such an impactful project.”

Organizations and community members contributing to the Amherst TURF Project can double the impact of their donations through this matching grant. Contributions may be sent to the Amherst Hurricanes Boosters office at 141 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002, or made online at hurricaneboosters.com.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently awarded $5,000 to the Belchertown Pickleball Community and the Belchertown Orioles Athletic Assoc. to support the initiative of building two new community pickleball courts at 59 State St. in Belchertown.

The Belchertown Pickleball Community ​is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization created to better the pickleball experience in Belchertown. The two new State Street courts recently held a grand opening to celebrate the finished project and partners who helped to make it a reality. The courts are lighted and open to the public until 10 p.m. through Labor Day. For more information about the new courts, visit btownpickleball.org.

The donation was made as part of bankESB’s charitable-giving program, the Giving Tree, which reflects the roots the bank has in its communities, its commitment to making a real difference in the neighborhoods it serves, and the belief that everyone’s quality of life is enhanced by working together to better communities.