MONSON — In alignment with its ongoing mission to give back to the communities it serves, Monson Savings Bank donated $10,000 to Revitalize Community Development Corp. (CDC) in support of its upcoming 2025 #GreenNFit Neighborhood Rebuild event.
Revitalize CDC, founded in 1992 and based in Springfield, is a nonprofit that provides critical repairs and rehabilitation to the homes of low-income families with children, military veterans, the elderly, and people with special needs, all at no cost to them. Its mission is not only to create safe, healthy homes but also to improve residents’ physical and emotional well-being through initiatives like asthma-prevention interventions and its Nutrition Rx program that combats food insecurity and chronic health conditions.
The #GreenNFit Neighborhood Rebuild is one of Revitalize CDC’s most impactful annual events, bringing together hundreds of volunteers to transform dozens of homes in a single day. This year, more than 20 Monson Savings Bank team members will roll up their sleeves to volunteer alongside other community members, helping to make tangible improvements that will change lives.
“We are so grateful for Monson Savings Bank’s continued partnership and their generous $10,000 donation to support our 2025 #GreenNFit event,” said Colleen Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize CDC. “Their financial support and volunteer commitment help us provide vital resources to those in need. Together, we are creating healthier homes and stronger communities.”
Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank, shared his pride in supporting such a meaningful initiative. “Revitalize CDC embodies the kind of grassroots impact that truly makes a difference. We’re proud to not only contribute financially to their mission, but to also stand side by side with them through our employee volunteerism. Our team is energized and ready to help improve homes and lives across our local neighborhoods.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently announced the promotion of Olivia O’Connor to assistant Monson branch manager.
“Olivia is valuable member of our team, and we are thrilled to see her take on this new leadership role,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Her dedication to exceptional customer service makes her a perfect fit for this position. We look forward to her continued success at Monson Savings Bank.”
In her role as assistant branch manager, O’Connor will provide support to her entire team and be the ‘encyclopedia’ of the Monson branch. She will also be responsible for assisting customers with banking transactions, including account and HELOC openings.
O’Connor has worked in customer service for more than eight years. Prior to joining Monson Savings Bank a little more than three years ago, she worked at Rice Fruit Farm and Springfield Technical Community College as a tutor. O’Connor holds an associate degree in general studies from Springfield Technical Community college, where she earned a near-perfect grade point average.
Her career in banking began in 2021 when she was hired as a customer service associate at the bank’s Hampden Branch. From there, she quickly proved herself to be a trusted and capable team member. She excelled in the bank’s branches and was promoted to CSA supervisor, then briefly served as the East Longmeadow branch’s assistant branch manager before her most recent role.
“I am excited to continue my banking journey at Monson Savings Bank,” O’Connor said. “Serving the Hampden, Monson, and East Longmeadow communities has been an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to build strong relationships and gain valuable insight into our customers’ needs. This new role presents even more opportunities for growth, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge while continuing to provide exceptional service to our community.”
Dan Moriarty will be the first to acknowledge that he goes heavy on the sports terms and comparisons between the athletic field and the workplace, especially when it comes to the power of teamwork.
Make that really heavy.
But it’s understandable, and for many reasons.
Moriarty was a star athlete at Monson High School and later at Providence College, excelling at soccer. And he remains an athlete; he’s competed in several marathons and half-Ironmans (including the one in this region), as well as a full Ironman, which involves a 2.4-mile open-water swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run (a full marathon). A few years back, he bicycled some 60 miles between Monson Savings Bank’s seven locations, a trek he called the ‘Tour de Branches.’
In the small-world department, he and Mike Rouette, executive vice president and chief operating officer at MSB, were teammates on the Monson High soccer team. In fact, they both scored goals in a 2-1 win over Monument Mountain in a 1984 game that propelled the team to the regional finals.
So, Moriarty certainly comes from a sports background.
And with that experience, he knows the full value of teamwork and understands that it’s more than a catchphrase managers will use to get employees to pull in the same direction.
Indeed, Moriarty stresses that, whether on the athletic field or in the workplace, individuals can excel and score goals (either figuratively or literally), but teams win games and accomplish great things together.
“Mike and I will sometimes maybe overuse the analogies from sports, but the best teams are the ones that have the best teamwork, and not necessarily the best players,” he said, adding that this the mindset he works to instill from the top, while also acknowledging that he has some pretty good players.
In keeping with this mindset, when called to inform him that he had been named a Difference Maker for 2025, he said simply, “I’m honored, but I’d rather give it to the team here.”
It is this ability to promote teamwork, while fostering a philosophy of giving back and getting involved, that makes Moriarty worthy of this award.
“Dan exemplifies a culture of support and community giving,” said Dodie Carpentier, first vice president and Human Resources officer at MSB, who nominated Moriarty for the Difference Makers award. “Leading a community-focused bank, he has overseen contributions of approximately $230,000 to local nonprofits this year, with bank staff collectively volunteering around 1,700 hours of their time. Over the past five years, MSB has supported 420 organizations, donating more than $1 million, and collectively volunteering more than 10,500 hours of time.
“Dan himself sets a powerful example, dedicating approximately 200 hours annually to nonprofit work, embodying the bank’s commitment to community involvement,” she went on. “As a member of the bank’s community outreach and community reinvestment committees, he actively fosters initiatives that align with the needs of the local community, encouraging his team to engage deeply and give back. His leadership reflects a genuine dedication to building stronger, more supportive communities.”
Claire Clini, owner of Professional Paralegal Services and a long-time MSB board member, and, before that, a corporator, agreed.
“Mike and I will sometimes maybe overuse the analogies from sports, but the best teams are the ones that have the best teamwork, and not necessarily the best players.”
“He’s a caring, compassionate individual, and he’s perhaps not the stodgy model of a bank president of years ago,” she explained. “He’s very transparent with the board and other employees relative to discussing his ideas, and certainly with the board, he encourages conversation relative to the strategy and the broad mission of serving the local community and the customers. I find that open communication to be refreshing, interesting, and very positive given what’s going on in the world today.
Like his former Monson High soccer teammate (and now colleague at Monson Savings Bank) Mike Rouette, left, Dan Moriarty says he understands, and preaches, the importance of teamwork. Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging
“He’s always willing to give his time and his talent with a lot of local organizations, including several nonprofits,” she went on. “And I think that’s a quality to be admired by others.”
These comments explain why Moriarty will invariably use ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ when talking about anything at the bank, why he’s looked upon as a mentor and role model, and why he’s a true Difference Maker.
Goal Oriented
You might say that sports — and community involvement — run in the family.
Indeed, the soccer field at Monson High, home to the Mustangs, is named in honor of Moriarty’s grandfather, Robert.
“He was a great educator and coach in Monson; he started sports in Monson, so he was well-respected in a small community,” he said. “He was a coach from the ’20s to the ’60s, and he was an inspiration because he gave everyone an opportunity to succeed, and with the students and athletes who needed help, he would spend more time with them; he was their first real mentor.”
Moriarty said he has tried to follow his grandfather’s — and parents’ — lead throughout his professional career, which started at the accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand, now PWC, where he stayed a few years before coming to a realization.
“You have to let your team know that, even though there are people in positions that may have more responsibility, it’s still a team effort — no one’s better than anyone else here at the bank.”
“I felt like public accounting just wasn’t my style because you’d just go into a company for two or three weeks and do audit and consulting work with them, and then you would move on,” he explained. “You never really had a chance to help contribute to the business.”
His career took him to a few private companies, including Aetna and what was Rehab West, now HealthSouth, and then Unicare.
“But I kept feeling the same thing — that I wasn’t contributing to the overall success of an organization,” he went on, adding that, when he saw that Monson Savings Bank was looking for an account manager, he saw an opportunity to change that equation.
Unfortunately, he didn’t get the job. Fortunately, the woman who did — who, coincidentally, worked with him at Unicare — became frustrated as the bank went through a conversion and decided to leave, letting Moriarty know the job was open again.
“I told her, ‘it doesn’t sound like a great role if you’re leaving.’ But it was my hometown, so I decided to take a chance,” he recalled.
Over the years, he moved up in the ranks, with titles ranging from controller to senior vice president and chief financial officer, and eventually, president in 2020, followed by president and CEO in 2021.
As he discussed how he manages, Moriarty described himself as a servant leader.
At Monson Savings Bank, Dan Moriarty has fostered a culture of teamwork and giving back.
“I’ll do anything from the menial task of cleaning the vestibule, blowing out leaves, to leading the executives on complex situations, loan opportunities, and market-expansion opportunities,” he said, adding that, in all cases, he tries to lead by example and set a tone.
Elaborating, he said he sets this tone by being transparent and empathetic while also helping employees with the challenging assignment of balancing work and life.
“I try to set reasonable goals and expectations, but also let them know that I support them in any way I can, without getting in their way of accomplishing what they want to do,” he said, crediting his wife with reminding him, early and often, that he needs to listen and be open to new ideas.
“And that’s an enjoyable part of my job,” he went on. “I work with tremendously intelligent people who have great ideas, which makes it a really good team environment here.”
He Knows the Score
Throughout his tenure, Moriarty has stressed community involvement, said those who know him, and he has set the tone personally.
Indeed, he has been involved with many nonprofits, causes, institutions, and industry groups. The long list includes his church, St. Patrick’s in Monson, and the Monson Free Library. It also includes several nonprofits, including Link to Libraries (LTL), I Found Light Against All Odds, and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, as well as Baystate Wing Hospital, the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, and the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. He was also recently asked to be on the board of the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley.
As he talked about them, he used ‘I’ and ‘we’ interchangeably, meaning there is often not a distinction between himself and the bank. That’s especially true with nonprofits such as LTL and I Found Light, where he plays a role himself, but the bank supports those causes as a company.
Moriarty said he says yes to requests to get involved whenever he can, and often, these yeses involve organizations focused on food insecurity, education and literacy, financial literacy, healthcare, and more.
And while giving back and fostering a culture where others do as well, he is always working to take the good players he has at the bank and create an ever-better, ever-stronger team.
When asked how he does that, he said there are many things that go into that assignment.
“You have to let your team know that, even though there are people in positions that may have more responsibility, it’s still a team effort — no one’s better than anyone else here at the bank,” he explained. “And you must stress that we all celebrate when we achieve things, but we all have to take responsibility for our actions and show appreciation, the best that we can, to the organization and the employees.
“You can’t have silos in your organization, where one department thinks it’s better than another department,” he went on. “You remove one department in the organization, and the organization is going to be weak.”
He put an exclamation point on his comments about teamwork and teammates by saying, “it’s a team effort. I couldn’t achieve any of this without the incredible team at Monson Savings Bank. Their unwavering dedication inspires me to strive for excellence. It’s their deep commitment to our communities and customers that keeps me focused and driven.”
When asked what he thinks about biking 56 miles, running 13 miles, and swimming just over a mile (a half-Ironman), Moriarty said his mind will wander in several directions.
“I think about a lot of things — family, friends, business — but then, when you get toward the end, it’s a soul-searching experience; you’re pretty close to God at that point.”
He also thinks about how to be a better manager and leader, and often comes back to his wife’s reminders about communicating and, especially, being a good listener.
He’s already good at that, but he’s committed to becoming better, which makes him a good teammate — yes, there’s that word again. And it’s just one of the things that makes him a Difference Maker.
MONSON — Late last year, Monson Savings Bank asked local community members to cast votes for their local nonprofit of choice. Now, the bank is announcing its 2025 Community Giving Initiative recipients.
This was the 15th year Monson Savings Bank ran its Community Giving Initiative poll. The public’s excitement to cast their vote has grown throughout the years. This year, more than 4,100 people submitted a vote, a record-breaking response.
Monson Savings Bank’s Community Giving Initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration, uniting community members to collectively decide which local organizations receive support. By inviting public votes, the bank ensures that its charitable contributions reflect the community’s values and priorities, fostering a shared commitment to enhancing the well-being of the neighborhoods it serves.
“The community’s enthusiasm for our annual Community Giving Initiative is always so moving,” said Michael Rouette, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “As a bank operated right here in Western Massachusetts, Monson Savings Bank wants to support the area’s local residents, businesses, and nonprofits. Our Community Giving Initiative offers a unique opportunity for our community members to have their voice heard and decide the nonprofits they would like us to support.”
Now that the votes have been counted, Monson Savings Bank is planning to donate a total of $25,000 among the top 10 vote recipients. They are: I Found Light Against All Odds (Springfield), Scantic Valley YMCA (Wilbraham), Friends of Hampden Seniors (Hampden), South End Community Center (Springfield), Women’s Empowerment Scholarship (Greater Springfield), Monson Free Library (Monson), Whip City Animal Sanctuary (Westfield), Miracle League of Western Massachusetts (Springfield), the Graceful Swan (Ware), and Springfield Ballers (Springfield).
“These nonprofits bring important resources to our communities. It is obvious why they were chosen by our community members to receive our support,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “On behalf of Monson Savings Bank, I congratulate the top 10 recipients of the 2025 Community Giving Initiative, and I thank you for doing your part to help our community thrive.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently hosted an internal, employee-led winter clothing drive among the bank’s seven offices. The clothing drive benefited local students at Educare Springfield.
The Monson Savings Bank team demonstrated their commitment to giving back by coming together to collect new or gently worn winter clothing for Educare Springfield students. Thanks to their collective efforts, several large boxes were filled with essential winter items, including children’s-sized jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and other warm clothing.
“At Monson Savings Bank, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting one another,” said Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President and CEO. “I am incredibly proud of our team for their enthusiasm during our winter clothing drive. We were all so excited about the opportunity to support the students in need at Educare Springfield, helping them to stay warm and safe this winter.”
Educare Springfield Executive Director Nikki Burnett, a Monson Savings Bank corporator, expressed her gratitude for the effort.
“On behalf of Educare Springfield, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Monson Savings Bank for their generous winter clothing drive donations,” she said. “The support from the bank and its team will make a significant difference in the lives of the children and families we serve, ensuring that they have the warm clothing they need during the colder months. We are truly thankful for this partnership and for Monson Savings Bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthening our community.”
MONSON — In 2024, Monson Savings Bank continued its strong support of one of its community partners, Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services (MLKFS).
“Monson Savings Bank is proud to support our friends at MLKFS. The work that they do for the Springfield community and surrounding areas is absolutely amazing,” Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty said. “We are grateful for the work that they do to keep Dr. King’s mission alive and well.”
In 2024, Monson Savings Bank was a supporter of the MLKFS local Be Love Project, a growing movement of courageous acts to achieve justice. The bank then sponsored the inclusion of MLKFS in BusinessWest’s 2024 Giving Guide. And in the last quarter of the year, Monson Savings Bank was a platinum-level sponsor of the Springfield organization’s first-ever Reunion Weekend, a three-day celebration of the nearly half-century-long legacy of MLKFS.
The first day, MLKFS Champion Event, acknowledged the leadership and support over the years that helped to create the legacy and impact of MLKFS across the region. The second day, Family Fun Day, was filled with reconnection, storytelling, plus food and fun.
The third and final day of the reunion, Fellowship & Worship, highlighted that there is no MLKFS without the vision of Project Mustard Seed. Attendees gathered in that spirit and tradition with a special worship service under the leadership of Rev. Terrlyn Curry Avery, pastor of the MLK Jr. Community Presbyterian Church. The crowd welcomed Project Mustard Seed visionary leader Rev. Ronald Peters, former pastor of the MLK Jr. Community Presbyterian Church, to bless everyone with his message and call to action. This celebration featured the MLK Community Choir under the direction of Elder Terrence Haynes, accompanied by Terrence Schider.
“Our fellowship is powerful. Together, we gathered to honor our ancestorial legacy leaders, the many who make up the fabric of MLKFS, and the dreamers who are investing in the vision forward,” MLKFS President and CEO Shannon Rudder said. “This awesome, three-day-long celebration would not be possible without the support of our community sponsors, like Monson Savings Bank. We are honored to have their support as we keep Dr. King’s dream alive in Western Mass.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank is devoted to helping those in need, especially when it comes to helping younger generations. In the spirit of supporting local youth, Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty, along with other bank representatives, recently presented a $2,250 donation to Shriners Children’s New England.
The donation was made as a part of the bank’s 2024 Community Giving Initiative, in which the public was given the opportunity to cast votes to support their favorite local charitable organizations. Voting for the 2025 Community Giving Initiative will open in October. Click here for updates and to learn more about the annual Community Giving Initiative.
Shriners Children’s New England is a local clinic providing specialty orthopedic, neuromuscular, cleft lip and palate, and urologic care exclusively to children.
“We are proud to make this donation to Shriners Children’s New England. This contribution will support patient care, medical research, and education that benefits local children,” Moriarty said. “We are so fortunate to have this wonderful clinic right in the Springfield community that parents and guardians can turn to when their child needs specialty care.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently presented a $1,000 donation to Monson Free Library as part of the 2024 Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative, in which the public was given the opportunity to vote on which nonprofits would receive a donation from the bank in 2024.
“I’m thrilled to present this donation on behalf of Monson Savings Bank,” said Michael Rouette, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “The Monson Free Library makes a positive impact on the town of Monson and the surrounding communities by providing residents with free access to reading materials, programs, and other important resources. As someone who grew up in Monson, my family, including myself and my own children, have benefited from the town’s library.”
The Monson Free Library is passionate about working with the Monson community and is a valuable resource center for people of all ages. The library is concentrated on community priorities, culture, and education. It offers educational tools through diverse collections, services, technology, and programming.
“The community voted for the Monson Free Library to receive this donation from Monson Savings Bank, which tells me how important the library is to the members of our community,” said Hope Bodwell, library director. “We appreciate Monson Savings’ partnership and support over the years. Likewise, we are extremely grateful for the votes submitted through the bank’s annual Community Giving Initiative.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced the hire of Michelle Cayo as vice president and Credit Risk officer.
“Michelle will be a tremendous asset to both our customers and our team,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Her commitment to the well-being of the local communities we serve aligns perfectly with our values. We are delighted to welcome her to Monson Savings Bank.”
Cayo is responsible for managing Monson Savings Bank’s Commercial Credit department. She will be training the bank’s credit analysts while overseeing the department to ensure it is functioning efficiently and effectively. She will also assist in the creation of commercial loan policy as needed, and she serves as a committee member on the bank’s loan review committee.
Cayo, a BusinessWest 40 Under Forty alumna, comes to Monson Savings Bank with more than 26 years of experience in banking. She previously worked as Florence Bank’s vice president and Credit Risk officer. She also previously worked in the Credit department at Hampden Bank and managed Country Bank’s Credit department.
In addition to her extensive banking experience, Cayo will draw on her numerous educational accomplishments in her new role at Monson Savings Bank. She is a Bay Path University alumna, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in communications and information management. She is also a graduate of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. School of Financial Studies and the American Bankers Assoc. Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
Like Monson Savings Bank, Cayo values the local communities and strives to help make them a better place. She is a board member of Cancer Connection and a wish granter at Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Her efforts to enrich the community she works and lives in was recognized by Western Mass Women magazine, which named her Volunteer of the Year in 2013.
“I am so grateful to be joining a team that holds the same values as I do. I was drawn to Monson Savings Bank’s dedication to supporting the local communities that we serve,” Cayo said. “I am thrilled to join the esteemed Monson Savings Bank team. With over 26 years of dedicated experience in the commercial credit sector, I am eager to contribute my expertise and drive to our collective success. I look forward to leveraging my industry knowledge to support the bank’s growth and continue its tradition of excellence.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank is inviting the public to submit their votes for the bank’s 2025 Community Giving Initiative.
For more than a decade, Monson Savings Bank has been seeking the help of community members to plan the bank’s community-giving activities. Each year, the bank encourages the public to vote for the nonprofit charitable organizations they would like the bank to support during the coming year. Everyone is welcome to cast their vote online at www.monsonsavings.bank/cgi.
Voters may provide the name of one nonprofit organization they would like Monson Savings to donate to in 2025. The only requirements are that the organizations be designated a nonprofit and that the organizations provide services within the bank’s geography. The bank allows each person to vote once. Monson Savings then pledges to support the 10 organizations that receive the highest number of votes. The top 10 vote recipients will be announced by mid-January 2025.
Voting is now open and ends at 3 p.m. on Dec. 31. Visitors to the voting page can also view a compiled list of organizations that the bank has supported in years past, as well as previously nominated organizations.
“Monson Savings Bank supports thousands of Western Massachusetts residents each year through our community outreach efforts. By hosting our Community Giving Initiative and gathering input from locals, we make sure that the voice of the community is heard and that the charitable organizations that are important to our community members will be supported by us in the coming year,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “This is a tradition that we look forward to each year. We are extremely thankful for the public’s support of this initiative.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty recently met with members of the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee to present it with a $2,000 donation on behalf of the bank.
The donation was made to support the construction of a veterans memorial in front of the town’s Senior Center at 328 North Main St. This is the second contribution the bank has made to this effort over the past few years, bringing its total contributions to $12,000.
The East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee was formed in 2017 with the mission of constructing a memorial in front of the East Longmeadow Senior Center. This memorial will honor all veterans, but will be dedicated to 21 East Longmeadow servicemen who gave their lives while defending their country. The target date for groundbreaking is June 2025.
So far, the committee has raised $335,000 and hopes to raise another $185,000. To learn more about upcoming fundraisers, visit www.facebook.com/elvmc293.
“I am very pleased to present this donation on behalf of the bank,” Moriarty said. “We are happy to be a part of the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee’s mission to honor our local fallen heroes. The plans for the memorial are stunning, and I look forward to seeing the final product very soon.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank was a full season sponsor of the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts’s 2023 season, donating $1,000 to the local organization.
Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO, welcomed Ernie Fitzell, co-founder of the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, and Brian Feeley, the organization’s board president, to the bank’s Loan and Operations Center in Wilbraham to present them with the contribution.
“To the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts teams, your friends at Monson Savings Bank are always here rooting you on,” Moriarty said. “I have been an athlete my whole life, so I know how fulfilling it is to be a part of a team and be involved in sports. I have so much respect and gratitude for the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts; they put a ton of hard work into coordinating each season’s games and activities. Your organization ensures that kids of all abilities can experience the fulfillment of being a team player.”
The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts was formed in 2015 by Ernie and Tammy Fitzell. The baseball league for children ages 4-19 with physical and/or cognitive disabilities gives children of all abilities the chance to play baseball, be a part of a team, and have fun.
“Thank you, Dan and the entire MSB team, for joining us at a game earlier this season,” Ernie Fitzell said. “It is sponsors and volunteers like Monson Savings Bank that make it all possible. We are so grateful for our continued partnership with Monson Savings Bank.”
Brian Feeley added that “Monson Savings Bank has been such a helpful partner the past few years. Without their support, we would not be able to do what we do here at the Miracle League. The bank helps make it possible for children of all abilities in Springfield and the surrounding communities to experience teamwork.”
From left: Michael Rouette and Dan Moriarty of Monson Savings Bank, Judy Matt of Spirit of Springfield, and Kylie LaPlante of Monson Savings Bank.
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently announced that it will be a Golden Circle Sponsor of this year’s Spirit of Springfield City of Bright Nights Ball. The bank recently presented a $7,000 donation to the Spirit of Springfield.
Additionally, the bank donated $3,500 to Spirit of Springfield in support of the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, which took place in May. As a major sponsor of that event, Monson Savings Bank team members were on site at their booth on Main Street the day of the breakfast providing free giveaways and activities.
The City of Bright Nights Ball, a formal, black-tie gala event, is the largest annual fundraiser the Spirit of Springfield organizes. Like last year, the gala will be held at MGM Springfield, where community members will enjoy dinner, dancing, auctions, and a 50/50 raffle. In attendance will be business, community, military, public-safety, and political leaders.
“We are honored to help support the Bright Nights Ball again this year. The ball is an excellent, long-standing tradition in Springfield, helping the Spirit of Springfield raise funds to invest back into the community,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Many of our team members grew up in and still live in Springfield and its surrounding communities, so the Spirit of Springfield’s mission is close to our hearts.”
Monson Savings Bank has strong ties in the Greater Springfield area, helping local businesses, customers, and many nonprofits to thrive, said Michael Rouette, the bank’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Monson Savings Bank is proud to be a part of the Springfield community. It is organizations like the Spirit of Springfield that unite us as a community and as friends.”
Added Judy Matt, president of Spirit of Springfield, “on behalf of the Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield community, thank you so much to Monson Savings Bank for their continued support over the years. It is because of our annual donors and consistent supporters that our organization can do what we do for the Springfield community.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently provided a $1,750 donation to the Women’s Empowerment Scholarship as a part of its 2024 Community Giving Initiative. Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank, and Michael Rouette, the bank’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, met with Bailey Medeiros, president and founder of the Women’s Empowerment Scholarship, at the bank’s Loan and Operations Center to present the donation.
“Once again, members of our community chose the Women’s Empowerment Scholarship as a donation recipient through our Community Giving Initiative voting,” Moriarty said. “Monson Savings is honored to support this organization year after year. We are excited to present Bailey with this donation, knowing that it will be used to help support local women reach their education goals.”
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Women’s Empowerment Scholarship works to invest in the future of women in Greater Springfield communities by encouraging and empowering them to pursue higher education. The foundation provides educational grants to women while paying special attention to women entering one of many male-dominated career paths, including, but not limited to, science, technology, engineering, finance, and law. In aiding women financially, the Women’s Empowerment Scholarship team aims to propel their careers and allow them to shatter stereotypes.
“The recurring support we have received from my hometown bank is so meaningful to me,” Medeiros said. “Our organization awards females educational grants so that they can further their education. This would not be possible without our supporters. I can’t thank Monson Savings Bank enough for organizing their annual Community Giving Initiative.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently donated $2,500 to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church Fire Fund.
In late December 2020, the historically black Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield was set on fire by an arsonist. The fire caused an estimated $2.5 million in damages to the church, which was established in 1897. The church’s members have been forced to worship elsewhere but have not let this act of hate and destruction crush them.
“The acts of the arsonist who targeted MLK Church are despicable. As soon as my team and I heard the news, we were ready to stand with the church and help in any way we could. I urge others to do the same; no donation to the Fire Fund is too small,” said Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO.
“The response of the church to this situation has been truly inspiring. Their place of worship was targeted and horribly damaged, yet the spirit of the church has remained positive. They were able to quickly pivot, find a temporary place to hold their services, and organize fundraising efforts. Their response is truly admirable.”
To learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church and how to donate to the Fire Fund, visit www.mlkchurchma.org.
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank was recently named the East of the River Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) Business of the Year. The announcement was made at the chamber’s 2024 annual meeting awards and reception event held at Twin Hills Country Club.
“Monson Savings Bank’s unwavering dedication and tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals in our communities,” said Grace Barone, executive director of the ERC5. “The transformative influence of the Monson Savings Bank team under the team’s exceptional leadership is undeniable. I congratulate the entire Monson Savings Bank team on being awarded the ERC5 Business of the Year, with immense respect and admiration.”
The community bank was chosen as the ERC5 Business of the Year by the ERC5’s board members and ambassadors. The ERC5 affiliates voted Monson Savings Bank Business of the Year based on the bank’s achievements and contributions to the communities.
“Although I know there are many other businesses that are just as deserving of this award, I’ll gladly accept it as recognition of my team’s unwavering dedication to the bank’s mission,” said Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO. “As a team, we strive to be an integral part of the greater community by meeting the changing needs of all customers in our communities by providing high-value financial products, exceptional personal service, and genuine community support. Monson Savings will always work hard to be a community- and customer-focused bank where people are proud to do their banking.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently announced it will once again be a participating partner in the Lift Up Homeownership program, a Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston program designed to provide financial assistance to people of color purchasing their first home.
“Monson Savings Bank is enthusiastic about serving and supporting all consumers in our communities. It is our goal to assist everyone in accomplishing their financial goals. For many, homeownership can feel out of reach, but we work to make it possible,” said Michael Rouette, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Monson Savings Bank. “We were thrilled when we heard about the Lift Up Homeownership program. We knew immediately it was a program we wanted to participate in to provide people in our communities an increased chance to purchase a home.”
Through Lift Up Homeownership (LUH), people of color earning up to 120% of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $50,000 in down-payment and closing-cost assistance. The funds provided through LUH are available on a first-come, first-served basis for first-time homebuyers purchasing a home in New England. Homebuyers are required to complete a homebuyer counseling program prior to receiving LUH funds.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston defines a person of color as an individual that self-identifies as Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. Those who apply for the program will be required to self-certify their race or ethnicity by completing a self-certification form provided by the bank.
“Homeownership is an amazing way for people to immediately improve their family’s current living circumstances and build generational wealth. It is my passion to help families purchase their first home, and I look forward to helping community members of color achieve their homeownership goals,” said Terry Poloski, vice president and residential loan officer at Monson Savings Bank.
To learn more about applying for homebuying assistance through the Lift Up Homeownership program, contact Terry Poloski at (413) 267-1232 or [email protected].
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank will host a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the bank’s 146 Main St., Monson branch. As in past years, Monson Savings Bank is partnering with PROSHRED of Wilbraham for this event. The bank will be welcoming the public to dispose of their private documents onsite. All are welcome.
Storing documents that contain personal information in the home can pose a major security risk. Monson Savings Bank is encouraging residents to shred any documents they no longer need, especially those that contain private information. The bank’s free Community Shred Day is an opportunity to properly discard unwanted documents, such as tax returns, bank or credit-card statements, bills, medical records, and more.
“Protecting the personal information of our customers and community members is a top priority at Monson Savings Bank,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO. “Our entire team works diligently to keep personal information secure and safe. We are happy to extend additional protection to our customers with a free Shred Day, allowing them to dispose of their sensitive documents in a secure way.”
Pre-packaged refreshments and giveaways will be available, while supplies last.
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank will host a free seminar on Wednesday, June 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. The seminar will be focused on helping attendees from businesses grow their awareness of risks and prevention methods related to fraud, scams, and cybersecurity.
In the no-cost seminar, expert speakers Heather Arbour, Monson Savings Bank vice president, BSA/fraud officer, and compliance manager; Paul Shepardson, Monson Savings Bank assistant vice president and digital systems officer; and Charlie Christianson, owner and technology and security professional with CMD Technology Group Inc., will share with attendees how to protect themselves and their businesses from fraud and scams, how to identify scam-prevention methods, how to create a risk assessment for their current business practices, how to develop security procedures for their business and employees, and how to respond to events where a business may be at risk for fraud or a scam.
“We take the safety and security of all our customers very seriously. Businesses can be at risk and susceptible to fraud and scams, especially if they do not have anti-fraud measures and controls in place,” Arbour said. “As a community bank, we are proud to offer businesses the support and knowledge to navigate the fraud, scam, and cybersecurity risks they could face and, furthermore, help them to protect themselves, their business, and their employees by offering sound risk-mitigation practices to put in place. We want to give businesses the tools to be as secure as possible.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank (MSB) recently announced the hiring of Lirianna Powers as assistant branch manager of the Ware Branch located at 136 West Main St.
“Lirianna’s expertise in banking is a tremendous asset to our team and extends benefits to our customers and the local communities as well,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Her positive outlook is perfectly in sync with the culture at Monson Savings Bank, and we are truly fortunate to have her as part of our organization.”
Powers will assist the branch’s manager and oversee the operation of branch functions. She aims to provide the bank’s customers with superior customer service and help them find the financial products that best suit their unique needs.
Powers comes to Monson Savings Bank with eight years of experience in banking and finance. She previously worked at Florence Bank as a teller operations manager and customer service representative. In this role, she oversaw and managed her branch’s teller line, educated team members, and provided customer service while serving as a positive role model.
“I am genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity to apply the skills I have acquired throughout my banking career to my new role at Monson Savings Bank,” Powers said. “As a local bank that is deeply committed to its employees, customers, and the broader community, Monson Savings Bank has established a remarkable reputation for integrity and community engagement. I am very excited to be a part of this. I am eager to contribute to the dynamic team, where I believe my background in finance and customer service will not only be valued but will also flourish.
“Joining MSB feels like the perfect alignment of my professional skills and my personal values, where I can actively participate in initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives locally,” she added. “This role represents a unique chance for me to grow while also helping to sustain and enhance the bank’s legacy of empowering local individuals and businesses.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced it will host a clothing drive during the month of June at all branch locations to collect professional work attire for Suit Up Springfield and Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts.
Suit Up Springfield accepts donations of suits, shirts, ties, shoes, and outer coats. Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts accepts donations of blazers and suits, dress pants, skirts, shoes, outerwear, and jewelry.
Donations of gently used and clean, professional business attire will be accepted at the following branch drop-off locations during normal business hours: 146 Main St., Monson; 15 Somers Road, Hampden; 100 Post Office Park, Wilbraham; 136 West St., Ware; and 61 North Main St., East Longmeadow.
MONSON — Bank rating firm BauerFinancial Inc. announced that Monson Savings Bank has earned its highest, 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability for the 57th consecutive quarter.
Having maintained its financial strength and stability for more than a decade, Monson Savings Bank has also earned another designation as an Exceptional Performance Bank. Only banks that have earned and maintained this highest 5-Star rating for 10 years (40 consecutive quarters) or longer may claim this distinction. This latest rating was assigned in March 2024 based on Dec. 31, 2023 financial data.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that there are still banks, like Monson Savings Bank, that continue to provide a sense of security in this insecure world,” said Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “Friends and neighbors of Monson Savings Bank probably already know this. They have the privilege of having a true community bank that sticks to common-sense banking values, right in their community. It’s important to let those who might not be aware know that they have the strength of a 5-Star bank right in their midst.”
Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank, added that “our entire team at Monson Savings Bank works together to ensure our performance in financial strength and stability remain consistent year after year. As a local community bank serving the financial needs of our area for more than 152 years, we are incredibly proud of this 5-Star rating. It represents the hard work put forth to remain well-capitalized and financially sound so we can continue to provide our customers with the best support and services and contribute to the vibrancy of our local communities. We want our community members to know they can trust in Monson Savings Bank.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced its second annual President’s Award recipients. This year’s award has been presented to Sara Rodrigues, assistant vice president and Commercial Loan Operations officer, Bridget Bunce, Bank Secrecy Act analyst.
The President’s Award is an opportunity to acknowledge those who consistently represent the bank’s mission and values through their commitment to customer service, the community, teamwork, and excellence. A candidate for the President’s Award displays a positive approach and willingness to help, shows respect for themselves and others, and demonstrates honesty and integrity, all while delivering service with warmth, friendliness, and individual pride to customers and colleagues.
Rodrigues joined the Monson Savings Bank family in February 2013. She consistently represents the bank at many local events and has volunteered for numerous organizations, such as Revitalize CDC, the United Way of Pioneer Valley, and I Found Light Against All Odds.
Bunce started with Monson Savings in October 2021 as a Deposit Operations administrator and was promoted to her current position in August 2023. She is always eager to lend a hand and has helped at several bank-sponsored events in 2022 and 2023.
“I am thrilled to announce that Sara and Bridget have been selected as recipients of the prestigious 2024 President’s Award. While it was difficult to choose just two recipients with a team full of all-stars, Sara and Bridget clearly demonstrate the qualities set forth as the President’s Award standards,” said Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO. “We all are incredibly proud of both of them and wish to congratulate them on their accomplishments as community leaders and role models.”
Michael Rouette, the bank’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, added that “the Monson Savings President’s Award is exciting because it recognizes the exceptional work of our team members, it displays the Monson Savings Bank team culture, and it showcases two prime examples of what our standards of excellence are amongst our team. I would like to extend a sincere congratulations to Sara and Bridget for being the second-ever Monson Savings President’s Award recipients. It is truly an honor that they should be extremely proud of.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced the recent promotion of Shannon Ortona to Ware branch manager. In addition to her new role, Ortona will continue to serve as the bank’s IRA administrator. She is now based out of the Ware branch, located at 136 West St.
“We are pleased to share the news of Shannon’s much-deserved promotion,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Her dedication and pursuit of excellence have earned her this new position as a branch manager. Watching her professional development over the past 11 years she’s been with our team has been a pleasure. I am certain she will continue to deliver value to Monson Savings Bank and aid our clients in reaching their goals.”
Prior to joining the Monson Savings Bank family 11 years ago, Ortona began her banking career with Chicopee Savings Bank. After five years there, where she held the positions of full-time teller, senior teller, and head teller, she accepted the position of customer service associate supervisor in Monson Savings Bank’s Ware branch.
During her tenure with the bank, Ortona has earned positions of increasing responsibility. She became the assistant branch manager of the Ware branch and became a certified IRA specialist through Ascensus. Prior to her most recent promotion, she worked as the Wilbraham assistant branch manager.
In her new role, she will draw on her extensive experience and knowledge of retail banking. She will be responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the Ware branch’s operations. She will also aim to foster an environment of teamwork within the branch and provide her team with a high level of leadership. She will work with customers to conduct various banking transactions and help them reach their financial goals.
“I am excited to be back at our Ware branch. It’s where I started with Monson Savings Bank, and it’s nice to be back home where I started my journey with such a great team,” Ortona said. “The Monson Savings Bank team has offered me so many opportunities to grow over the years. The people I work with want me to grow and push me to be the best version of myself, and in turn, I hope I strive to do the same for them. I am thrilled to be a part of our team’s growth.”
Ortona is a lifelong resident of Western Mass. and is enthusiastic about being part of the community. She is currently a board member with the Ware Business Civic Assoc.
“In my new role, I am most looking forward to helping our customers and getting to know the Ware community a little bit better,” she said. “One of my passions in life is helping others. This can mean simply holding a door for someone or opening a bank account for a small business just starting out.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced that Vicki Baldyga, former Ware branch manager, and Amber Messer, former assistant Ware branch manager, have transferred to the bank’s Wilbraham branch to take the helm as the new management team of the 100 Post Office Park location.
“At Monson Savings Bank, we strive to offer our team members new opportunities. Whether it be a transfer to a new location, a role in a different department, or something else that better suits their professional goals, we’re happy to support our team members throughout their journey with us,” said Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO. “I am confident in Vicki and Amber’s leadership based on the years of dedication and support they have provided our customers up to today. I know that they will help to make this a smooth transition and provide our customers with the same amazing service as the previous management of the Wilbraham branch.”
Baldyga has 25 years of experience in the banking industry, 17 of which have been in branch management. She has been employed with Monson Savings Bank for five years. Committed to expanding her knowledge and skill set, she is currently enrolled in the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. New England School for Financial Studies and holds several diplomas and certificates from the Center for Financial Training.
In her role as Wilbraham branch manager, Baldyga will be responsible for planning, organizing, and directing branch operations. She aims to foster an environment of teamwork and provide a high level of leadership to her team, as well as provide a high level of customer service with a positive, respectful, and courteous attitude.
Baldyga is very involved in the local community, volunteering at Crossway Community Clothing Outreach, serving on the board of the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, and donating blood to the Red Cross.
“I have always strived to help others grow and achieve their goals, both personally and professionally. I have a servant’s heart and do my best to help others,” she said. “Whether it is a new couple looking for their first home, a small-business owner looking for the best products and services, a teen going off to college that needs financial literacy, or an elderly person that has just lost their spouse and needs help navigating their bank accounts, I truly love to help others and see them smile as they achieve their goals. I am so grateful for this opportunity to help people in the Wilbraham community reach their banking goals.”
Messer began her banking career as a customer service representative and teller at Monson Savings Bank six and a half years ago. Throughout her career, she has proven to be an asset to the bank and has achieved several promotions, ultimately attaining the position of assistant branch manager.
In 2023, Messer was a nominee for Monson Savings Bank’s President’s Award. She was recognized by a peer for her commitment to customer and community service, teamwork, and excellence. She has also received several customer-service excellence awards during her time with the bank for going above and beyond.
As the assistant Wilbraham branch manager, Messer will support Baldyga to manage the branch. She will also assist customers with their banking transactions, drawing on her extensive knowledge of bank products and services, while promoting an atmosphere of positive staff morale by inspiring trust and respect.
“As I continue my career journey with Monson Savings Bank, I am looking forward to becoming an active member of the Wilbraham community and forming deeper relationships with our Wilbraham customers,” she said. “I have enjoyed advancing my leadership skills and contributing to our overall team efforts. Through my patient and empathic personality, I can provide the highest level of customer service to help individuals achieve their financial goals. I like looking for opportunities to provide our customers with products and services that will make their banking easier. I am excited to expand on my skill set and continue to do my part to lead the bank to success.”
MONSON — The people have voted, and the results are in. In late 2023, Monson Savings Bank asked community members to cast their votes for their favorite local nonprofits. The bank is now announcing the Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative recipients for 2024.
This was the 14th year Monson Savings Bank has run its Community Giving Initiative poll. The public’s excitement to cast their vote has grown throughout the years. This year, nearly 7,000 votes were received.
“Everyone’s passion for our annual Community Giving Initiative is always so exciting,” said Michael Rouette, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Monson Savings Bank. “As a locally operated bank, Monson Savings has a great desire to support the residents, businesses, and nonprofits of the communities that we work in and live in. Our Community Giving Initiative offers an opportunity for our community members to have their voice heard and decide the nonprofits they would like to us support. Because our neighbors voted for these charities, we know that these charities can make a difference for our neighbors.”
Now that the votes have been calculated, Monson Savings Bank is preparing to donate a total of $15,000 among the top 10 recipients, which include I Found Light Against All Odds (Springfield), Shriners Children’s New England (Springfield), Friends of Hampden Seniors (Hampden), Women’s Empowerment Scholarship (Greater Springfield), Whip City Animal Sanctuary (Westfield), Monson Free Library (Monson), Miracle League of Western Massachusetts (Springfield), Halfway Home Cat Rescue (Chicopee), Scantic Valley YMCA (Wilbraham), and ClubOh! (Springfield).
“These organizations are worthy nonprofits that supply important resources to our communities. It is clear why they were chosen by our community members to receive support from Monson Savings,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “On behalf of Monson Savings Bank, I congratulate the top 10 recipients of the 2024 Community Giving Initiative, and I thank you for making Western Mass. a better place to live.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently announced the hire of Michelle Beaudette as assistant vice president, Residential Operations officer.
“Michelle’s background in banking and residential lending makes her an asset to not only our team, but also our customers and the surrounding communities as she helps to make home ownership possible for our neighbors,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Her positive attitude makes her an excellent fit for the Monson Savings Bank culture, and we are very fortunate to have her here.”
In her role as assistant vice president, Residential Operations officer, Beaudette will be responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the residential and consumer lending processing, closing, and operations. Additionally, she will help to foster an environment of teamwork and perform various loan-maintenance functions to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all records and documentation.
Beaudette comes to Monson Savings Bank with 18 years of experience in banking and finance. She is a graduate of the New Seminary and holds a financial management certification from the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Prior to joining Monson Savings Bank, she worked at Millbury National Bank.
“I have been in the banking industry for many years; it is my passion. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to pursue my passion with the Monson Savings Bank team,” Beaudette said. “Monson Savings Bank’s focus and involvement with its surrounding communities, personable approach with customers, and emphasis on providing a great employee and customer experience are all things that attracted me to this team. I am looking forward to building lasting relationships with fellow employees and having a positive impact on the community through the work I do. It is so fulfilling to be in a role where I help members of our community achieve the goal of home ownership.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank was a silver sponsor of this year’s Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts Stock Market Competition, the largest single-day student stock-market competition in North America. In this high-tech stock-market simulation, student teams are ‘given’ $1 million to invest in more than 50 fictitious stocks. The goal is to build the highest portfolio net worth in 60 ‘days,’ with trading days lasting just 60 seconds.
Monson Savings Bank donated $1,500 in support of this annual event. This donation supported five teams of five students in the competition, as well as the overall event.
“We are so grateful to have a partner like Monson Savings Bank, who has offered us their loyal support year after year,” said Jennifer Connolly, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. “Without partners like this, events like the Stock Market Competition would not be possible. The Stock Market Competition offers students a valuable, hands-on learning experience. Thank you to Monson Savings for helping us to make this experience possible for them.”
Lena Buteau, Monson Savings Bank’s vice president, Retail Branch Administration, and Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts board member, shared her excitement about the partnership.
“Monson Savings Bank’s mission truly aligns with the mission of Junior Achievement. We, too, are dedicated to supporting financial literacy and education for everyone, and especially for young people,” she said. “Every year, we look forward to the Stock Market Competition and watching the students’ participation. It is an exciting morning filled with lots of action and learning.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank (MSB) is inviting the public to submit their votes for the bank’s 2024 Community Giving Initiative.
For more than a decade, MSB has sought the help of community members to plan the bank’s community giving activities. Each year, the bank encourages the public to vote for the nonprofit charitable organizations they would like the bank to support during the coming year. Everyone is welcome to cast their vote online at www.monsonsavings.bank/cgi.
Voters may provide the names of up to three organizations they would like MSB to donate to in 2024. The only requirements are that a nominee is designated a nonprofit and provides services within the bank’s geography. Monson Savings allows each person one vote for three organizations. Voting ends on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m.
Monson Savings Bank pledges to support the 10 organizations that receive the highest number of votes. The top 10 vote recipients will be announced by mid-January.
Visitors to the voting page can also view a compiled list of organizations that the bank has supported in years past, as well as previously nominated organizations.
“The Monson Savings Bank team supports thousands of community members each year. By holding the Community Giving Initiative and gathering input from locals, we ensure that the voice of the community is heard and their chosen charitable organizations will be supported,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “This tradition is one we look forward to each year. We are incredibly grateful for the public’s feedback and support.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently donated $1,750 to Friends of Wilbraham Recreation as part of the bank’s annual Community Giving Initiative. The community organization received this donation by obtaining enough votes by community members to place in the top 10 vote recipients of the Community Giving Initiative.
Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President and CEO, presented the donation to Wilbraham Parks and Recreation Director Bryan Litz and Friends of Wilbraham Recreation President Mark Manolakis.
“We are proud to support the Friends of Wilbraham Recreation,” Moriarty said. “Monson Savings Bank has been part of the Wilbraham community for over 20 years, and we have seen firsthand the great work that the Friends of Wilbraham Recreation has done for the town of Wilbraham. We are happy to offer support.”
Litz thanked the bank for its donation, adding that “Monson Savings Bank is a great community partner. They are always ready to lend a helping hand to local organizations.”
Mark Manolakis also expressed his gratitude to the community bank, adding that “this donation will support our work to improve and maintain the Spec Pond recreational area and our town’s sports programs.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank’s Wilbraham Branch will be hosting a free community shred day on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. As in past years, the bank is partnering with PROSHRED of Wilbraham for this event. The bank welcomes the public to dispose of their private documents at the branch, located at 100 Post Office Park.
Storing documents that contain personal information in one’s home can pose a major security risk. Monson Savings Bank is encouraging residents to shred any documents they no longer need, especially those that contain private information. This shred day is an ideal opportunity to properly discard unwanted documents, such as tax returns, bank or credit-card statements, bills, medical records, and more.
“One of our top priorities is protecting the personal information of our customers and community members,” said Carolyn Balicki, Wilbraham branch manager. “Our team is very diligent; we work hard every day to keep personal information from falling into the wrong hands. Our community shred day gives us the opportunity to help everyone dispose of their sensitive documents in a secure way, while also gathering together safely as a community for a fun event.”
Prepackaged refreshments and giveaways will be available, while supplies last.
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced it will be a $2,000 sponsor for the 2023 Monson Food Truck & Music Festival.
The Monson Food Truck & Music Festival, slated for Saturday, Sept. 16, has become an annual tradition in town. Attractions include food trucks, vendor tents, music, face painting, and more. Live musical acts will include Cooper Jones, Savage Brothers, and Trailer Trash. Proceeds from the event will benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute research, the Jimmy Fund, and three local charities. The festival will be held from noon to 10 p.m. at Veteran’s Field in Monson. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/monsonfoodtruckfestival.
“As a community-focused bank, we are proud to support the festivities happening the town of Monson,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “The Monson Food Truck & Music Festival is always a fun time, and it supports a great cause. We are excited to be a part of the festival again this year.”
Jean Bailey, one of the event’s founders, expressed her gratitude for the community bank’s support. “Monson Savings Bank’s donation has once again touched our hearts. Year after year the bank has stepped up to sponsor the Food Truck & Music Fest. They are a wonderful community partner. We look forward to seeing everyone at the festival.”
Ken Bailey, another founder of the festival, shared his excitement as well. “We are so thankful for the continued support we receive from Monson Savings Bank. I am looking forward to the festival this year; it is always a great time for a great cause. Fighting cancer is a cause near and dear to my family’s heart.”
MONSON — Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO, recently met with Samantha Savoie, Marketing & Creative Services project manager at the Springfield Business Improvement District (SBID), and Michelle Grout, SBID executive director, to present them with a $4,000 contribution in support of SBID’s mission.
“Monson Savings is grateful to be a part of the Springfield community,” Moriarty said. “We are so filled with gratitude to be a part of this amazing community. Likewise, we are grateful for this opportunity to support the community through the Springfield BID.”
Since 1998, the Springfield Business Improvement District has aimed to be a driving force of economic, cultural, and social development in downtown Springfield. Its mission is to facilitate growth within the downtown community and utilize resources efficiently. SBID aims to achieve city revitalization through increased marketing and visibility, partnerships with cultural organizations, keeping the streets safe and clean, improving and renewing infrastructure, and focusing on developing local business. Through these outlets, it aims to assist in building a city that attracts a wide audience to live, work, and play.
“We are excited about our new relationship with Monson Savings Bank,” Grout said. “Their contribution supports Springfield’s annual Restaurant Week in June. This event encourages people to gather and enjoy the diversity of cuisines the city offers and supports our local economy. We are grateful to Monson Savings Bank for supporting our community programming.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently made a $1,000 donation to Springfield’s Hispanic-American Library in support of its newly established event, the New England Latino Festival.
The festival will take place at Riverfront Park in Springfield on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25-26. The first-time festival will celebrate New England’s vibrant Latino community through food, music, and more. The event will bring together individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and age groups, with an expected attendance of 12,000 visitors.
“On behalf of the Hispanic-American Library, I would like to extend a warm thank you to Monson Savings Bank for their generous donation,” said Juan Falcon, executive director of the Hispanic-American Library. “This donation will help to ensure the festival is an unforgettable experience. The festival will showcase Latino culture, and all proceeds will be used to help secure a larger space for the library so that we can better serve the community. We are grateful for our friends at Monson Savings.”
Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President and CEO, shared his excitement for the New England Latino Festival being in Springfield and how the event is a great opportunity to bring communities together.
“We are incredibly grateful for our relationships with organizations like the Hispanic-American Library that are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion among our communities,” Moriarty said. “The New England Latino Festival happening in Springfield is exciting and provides a chance for people to come together and celebrate the vibrant culture that makes this area great. We are thrilled to sponsor this event and are looking forward to the festival.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank (MSB) recently announced the promotion of Dorian Guidi to portfolio manager. He will continue to be based out of the Monson Savings Bank Loan & Operations Center, located at 75 Post Office Park in Wilbraham.
“We are happy to announce Dorian’s well-deserved promotion,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “His hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence has earned him this new position. It has been great to watch his career growth over the past five years he has been a part of our team. I’m confident that he will continue to make valuable contributions to Monson Savings Bank and continue to help our customers achieve success.”
Guidi is a graduate of Western New England University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting. Additionally, he completed the School of Commercial Lending facilitated by the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. in October 2020, and the Leadership Institute facilitated by the Springfield Regional Chamber in June 2022. He is currently attending the New England School for Financial Studies and is on track to graduate in 2024.
With more than eight years of banking experience, five of which have been at Monson Savings, Guidi has the background and banking knowledge to serve the bank’s commercial borrowers. Prior to working with MSB, Guidi spent 3 years at TD Bank as a teller and customer service representative.
Guidi was first introduced to Monson Savings Bank when his college advisor informed him of an internship opportunity in the community bank’s commercial loan department. Monson Savings Bank has a long history of hosting high-school and college interns, giving them the opportunity to experience hands-on knowledge of the banking industry. After completing his summer internship, he was impressed by the positive culture and teamwork at the bank, saying, “I knew MSB is where I was meant to be.”
In his new role as portfolio manager, Guidi will be responsible for assisting the bank’s commercial-loan officers with managing established commercial banking relationships and facilitating the underwriting, closing, and booking of new commercial-loan requests. Additionally, he will work to support the commercial loan department with audits and regulatory exams.
“I am excited to continue to be a part of the growth happening at Monson Savings Bank. I look forward to further developing relationships with my colleagues, our customers, and the communities we serve,” Guidi said. “I feel blessed to work for a community financial institution that prioritizes employee development and leads by example as a true partner in the communities where we not only work in, but also live in.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty was named Board Member of the Year at the East of the River Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) 2023 annual breakfast.
“We are grateful for Dan’s strategic vision, leadership, and exceptional service and commitment to the communities we serve, and the board,” said Grace Barone, executive director of the ERC5. “We are thrilled to honor him for his exceptional service and contributions to the chamber and our community.”
Moriarty, who has been a member of the ERC5 board of directors for more than four years, said he was surprised to receive the award.
“I’m incredibly honored to have received this award and grateful to be a part of the ERC5. I am proud to be a member of the board of directors for an organization that strives to bring members and businesses of our community together the way the ERC5 does. I look forward to what the future has in store.”
In addition to the work he does with the ERC5, Moriarty is involved with several other community organizations. He is a strategic council member of Springfield nonprofit I Found Light Against All Odds- Lighthouse Home for Homeless Teen Girls, a board member of the Monson Home for the Aged, and a member of the Links to Libraries board of directors. He also is on the Baystate Health community benefits advisory council, a member of the Monson Free Library finance committee, and co-chair of the Monson Savings Pro-Am. He co-chairs the diversity, equity, and inclusion council of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. and he serves on the finance committee and as a confirmation teacher at St. Patrick’s Church in Monson. Additionally, he is a former volunteer grant scholarship reviewer for the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and a past co-chair of the Brightside’s Golf Classic.
At the end of his brief, impromptu acceptance speech, Moriarty shared some inspiring words. “Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and always try to do your job with love and kindness; that is what truly matters in this world. Every day, I strive to do these things, and I truly believe it helps me be a better person than I was yesterday.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty recently presented a $2,250 donation to Stacey Perlmutter, director of Development for Shriners Children’s New England.
The donation was made as a part of the 2023 Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative, in which the public was given the opportunity to cast their votes to support their favorite local charitable organizations.
“Monson Savings Bank is proud to make this contribution to the Shriners Children’s New England. Our donation will support the patient care, medical research, and education that directly benefits children living in our local communities,” Moriarty said. “It is remarkable that we have this amazing clinic that parents and guardians can turn to when their child needs specialty care right in our community.”
Shriners Children’s New England is a local clinic providing specialty orthopedic, neuromuscular, cleft lip and palate, and urologic care exclusively to children.
“We are thankful to Monson Savings for their continued support of the Shriners Children’s New England,” Perlmutter said. “Monson Savings Bank’s loyalty over the years has contributed to our patients having the best quality care, which improves their quality of life. The Springfield community is so fortunate to have a local bank like Monson Savings.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank (MSB) announced the recent promotion of Catherine Rioux to commercial loan officer. She will continue to be based out of the Monson Savings Bank Loan & Operations Center, located at 75 Post Office Park in Wilbraham.
“We are all very grateful to have Catherine on our team here at Monson Savings Bank,” said Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO. “During her time at the bank, Catherine has demonstrated a true commitment in every role she has held. She has helped our customers and fellow employees achieve success. She has assisted many business owners with achieving their financial goals, and I know she will continue to do this in her new position. We are all looking forward to seeing Catherine’s future successes.”
Rioux enjoys being involved in the local communities. She is a member of the Monson High School scholarship committee and supports local organizations, serving as a board member for I Found Light Against All Odds and volunteering for St. Patrick’s Church.
She is a graduate of Western New England University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Additionally, she is a graduate of the New England School of Financial Studies and the Springfield Regional Chamber Leadership Institute.
Rioux has worked in many departments of the bank. In 2006, she started her career in banking as a high-school intern in MSB’s Human Resources department. She later accepted a position as a receptionist, then moved to the Retail Banking department shortly after. In 2013, she joined the Residential Lending department as a residential loan servicer. In early 2015, she accepted a position in the Commercial department as a commercial loan servicer. She thrived in this department and would go on to become a junior credit analyst before being promoted to credit analyst and then commercial portfolio manager. Prior to her most recent promotion, she served as commercial portfolio officer.
As a Commercial Loan Officer with more than 16 years of banking experience, Rioux will be working to help borrowers secure financing for their business. She will be assisting throughout the entire lending process, from origination to closing and beyond.
“I am thankful for all the career opportunities that I have had throughout my time with Monson Savings Bank,” Rioux said. “In my new position, I am very much looking forward to developing and enhancing relationships with individuals and businesses in the local communities that we serve. I am excited to continue to grow with Monson Savings.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently made a $4,000 donation to the Monson Arts Council in support of the local arts.
David Dupuis of the Monson Arts Council expressed his gratitude to the community Bank. “Monson Savings Bank is very generous in their support of the Monson Arts Council and the local arts,” he noted. “We are very grateful for their longtime support. This donation in particular will be essential to our Spring Art Exhibition and Sale.”
Susan James of the Monson Arts Council was also thankful for the donation. “The Monson Arts Council is so fortunate to have a community partner like Monson Savings,” she said. “The bank has been a longtime supporter of the Monson Arts Council. It is because of loyal supporters like them that we can continue our mission.”
Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO, added that “Monson Savings is always happy to lend our support to community organizations in any way that we can. The Monson Arts Council does so much to bring the town of Monson and the surrounding communities together through the arts. As a lifelong resident of Monson, I am always so impressed by the events and workshops the council puts together.”
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced it will once again host free community shred days in 2023. All are welcome to attend the events.
As in previous years, Monson Savings Bank is partnering up with PROSHRED of Wilbraham for this series of events welcoming the public to discard their documents in a safe and secure manner. This is an ideal opportunity to dispose of unwanted documents such as tax returns, bank or credit-card statements, bills, and medical records. Pre-packaged refreshments and giveaways will be available while supplies last.
Shred days are scheduled for Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hampden branch, 15 Somers Road; Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ware branch, 136 West St.; and Saturday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wilbraham branch, 100 Post Office Park.
“We take the protection of information and data very seriously,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “By partnering with PROSHRED, we are further able to protect our community members by giving everyone a free opportunity to dispose of sensitive documents securely. We welcome everyone to join Monson Savings Bank and the on-site PROSHRED trucks during our community shred days.”
Monson Savings Bank also helps customers learn the importance of protecting their personal information and their identity through the bank’s frequently updated Safety and Security blog section. These learning opportunities and reminders help consumers to be more vigilant when it comes to protecting their private and personal details and making sure their information does not fall into the wrong hands.
