Page 36 - BusinessWest May 11, 2026

COMPANY NOTEBOOK>>
Franklin First Membership
Approves Greylock Merger
GREENFIELD — Franklin First Federal Credit Union,
based in Greenfield, has received member approval
for its proposed merger with Greylock Federal
Credit Union, headquartered in Pittsfield. The mem-
bership vote, which was subject to the approval of
the National Credit Union Administration, occurred
at Franklin First’s annual meeting held on April 15.
Franklin First membership approval completes the
requirements for the merger to move forward. With
membership and regulatory approval now in place,
the merger is expected to close on June 1, with a
systems conversion scheduled for early 2027. On
Sept. 19, 2025, Franklin First’s board of directors
agreed to merge with Greylock, with Greylock serv-
ing as the surviving credit union. Franklin First will
merge into Greylock’s charter and will continue to
operate under the Franklin First brand as a division
of Greylock for a period of time after the merger
is completed. Greylock will assume Franklin First’s
$88 million in assets, giving the continuing credit
union approximately $1.7 billion in combined assets.
Franklin First has approximately 7,400 members
and will continue to operate its branch and two
remote ATMs in Greenfield. Franklin First’s members
will enjoy full use of Greylock branches and ATMs,
as well as access to Greylock’s extensive business
banking services. Michelle Dwyer, president and
CEO of Franklin First, will continue to manage the
Franklin County market. Franklin First employees
will continue to have roles with the continuing
credit union and will operate from the current office
in Greenfield. Greylock currently serves 106,000
members and has full-service branches in Pittsfield,
Great Barrington, Lee, Adams, North Adams, Wil-
liamstown, Lanesborough, and Lenox, as well as
Greenport/Hudson, N.Y.
Basketball Hall of Fame Supports
Springfield Rotary Grant Program
SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Basketball Hall of
Fame has donated $8,500 to the Springfield Rotary
Club to support local nonprofit organizations
through the club’s Community Grants Program.
The funds were raised during the Basketball Hall of
Fame and the Rotary Club of Springfield’s annual
Service Above Self Luncheon and were presented
at a recent Rotary meeting by Frank Colaccino
and Chelsea LaCoille. The donation will help fund
grants awarded during the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris
Luncheon & Community Awards on April 30. At the
event, the Rotary Club of Springfield also recog-
nized Carla Alves as its 2026 Paul Harris Fellow, one
of the Rotary’s highest honors, awarded to individu-
als who demonstrate outstanding commitment to
service and community impact. Alves, vice president
and business banking loan officer at Country Bank,
as well as treasurer of the Springfield Rotary Club,
was honored for her dedication to supporting local
businesses, strengthening community partner-
ships, and embodying the Rotary’s motto of “Service
Above Self.”
Hometown Financial Group
Wins Top Workplaces Award
EASTHAMPTON — bankESB’s parent company,
Hometown Financial Group, announced it has
earned the 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award
for the fourth time in five years. The award honors
organizations with 150 or more employees that
have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This
year, more than 42,000 organizations were invited
to participate. The winners are recognized for their
commitment to fostering a workplace environment
that values employee listening and engagement.
The winners are determined by authentic employee
feedback captured through a confidential survey
conducted by Energage, the HR research and tech-
nology company behind the Top Workplaces pro-
gram since 2006. The results are calculated based
on employee responses to statements about work-
place experience.
Eversource Named Among
Most Trustworthy Companies
BOSTON — As recognition of its commitment to
corporate citizenship, social responsibility, and a
customer-first focus throughout its operations,
Eversource Energy has been named by Newsweek
and Statista Inc. as one of America’s Most Trustwor-
thy Companies for 2026. This prestigious national
award celebrates U.S. companies that demonstrate
leadership in ethical business practices and have
built strong trust among customers, employees,
and stakeholders through consistently reliable
performance and transparency, creating positive
benefits and social impact in the communities
they serve. Eversource was one of 700 companies
named by Newsweek and Statista Inc. to the list,
which encompasses a wide range of corporations
in industries including automotive, banking, health-
care, retail, travel, and technology. The rankings
were determined through an extensive independent
survey of more than 25,000 U.S. residents, result-
ing in more than 100,000 evaluations that reflected
their perspectives considering customer trust,
investor trust, and employee trust, along with a
social listening analysis.
Spectrum Launches Virtual
ALS Service in Chicopee Store
CHICOPEE — Spectrum is bringing its virtual Ameri-
can Sign Language (ASL) interpretation service to
Chicopee. The service connects deaf customers and
Spectrum store specialists through a live ASL inter-
preter, enabling real-time communication in store.
Available in select locations across the country, the
service is expanding to reach more than 90 Spec-
trum stores by the end of the year. In Chicopee,
the virtual ASL interpretation service is now avail-
able at the 591 Memorial Dr. store. For many deaf
customers, a simple store visit can mean relying on
handwritten notes or typing messages back and
forth. At participating Spectrum stores, custom-
ers can scan a QR code using their personal device
to connect instantly with a live ASL interpreter,
enabling a natural, real-time conversation about
Spectrum products, services, billing questions, or
account updates. Spectrum first launched a suc-
cessful pilot of the virtual ASL interpreting service
in Rochester, N.Y. in 2024 and expanded to Austin,
Texas; Los Angeles; and New York City in 2025. In
2026, Spectrum is bringing virtual ASL interpretation
to 34 additional towns and cities across Spectrum’s
service area, focused on communities with strong
deaf populations.
Applied Mortgage Opens
New Space in Southampton
SOUTHAMPTON — The Applied Mortgage team of
HMA Mortgage opened the doors to its new space,
designed to better serve and support the communi-
ty, this month, with an open house and ribbon-cut-
ting ceremony on April 30 at 15 College Highway,
Unit A, Southampton. The Applied Mortgage team
of HMA Mortgage has relocated to a new, first-floor
space that offers improved accessibility, greater vis-
ibility, and a more open, welcoming environment.
The new location supports a hybrid approach to
mortgage services by enhancing virtual capabilities
while maintaining a strong in-person experience.
The updated layout also allows the team to host
educational workshops, community events, and
industry gatherings, further strengthening its role as
a local resource and connector.
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