PeoplesBank recognized

Date: 10/15/2012

HOLYOKE – Although values are not really thought of as conventional attributes of corporate success, they, combined with a high-performing culture, have made PeoplesBank the top community bank in its market and a community support leader. The bank recently was named an Employer of Choice by the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and a Top Corporate Charitable Contributor by the Boston Business Journal.

PeoplesBank was named an Employer of Choice after a rigorous evaluation that analyzed the bank's culture, training and development, communication, employee recognition programs and rewards as well as life-work balance.

According to Janice Mazzallo, senior vice president Human Resources at PeoplesBank, the bank has been implementing a culture shift for several years.

"Studies have shown that employers who focus on creating a strong culture and a high level of employee engagement also have strong financial performance. It is sort of a win-win," she said.

A record-setting $1 million in annual charitable contributions set the stage for the Boston Business Journal naming PeoplesBank a Top Corporate Charitable Contributor for the fifth year in a row. The bank's employees have also been historically ranked in the top 10 by the publication for volunteer hours and individual charitable contributions.

During the past year, PeoplesBank made substantial contributions toward tornado relief and re-greening in impacted areas of Western Massachusetts, supported the construction of a greenhouse at an elementary school so students could learn about growing their own healthy food and helped fund new library construction in several communities.

"For us, being different is focusing on what is possible," Douglas A. Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, said. "We are the leading community bank in this market because of our values, our culture and our people. We feel it is possible to create a better community through the volunteer efforts of our employees and our charitable contributions."