Hampden Bank announces additions to commercial lending group

Date: 3/13/2014

SPRINGFIELD – As part of the bank’s recent growth and continued business development strategy, Hampden Bank announced it has added three new hires to its Business Banking/Commercial Lending group: Denise B. Dukette, vice president, Commercial Credit Officer; James R. Babcock, vice president, Commercial Lending; and John T. Downs, vice president, Commercial Lending.

Dukette joined the organization in June 2013 as vice president and credit officer of Business Banking and oversees risk management, credit underwriting and operational support for the bank’s business lending functions. Dukette brings more than 30 years of managerial and lending experience having held leadership roles at commercial and community banks in the Springfield and Hartford, Conn., markets, including Fleet Bank, TD Bank, and United Bank. She has managed credit departments, loan review, risk management, loan operations, and commercial lending, as well as working at a Western Massachusetts economic development agency.

Babcock, of Glastonbury, Conn., was recently hired as vice president of Commercial Lending. Babcock has spent nearly all of his 25 years of commercial lending at community banks in the northern Connecticut market, including United Bank (formerly New England Bank), Simsbury Bank & Trust and First National Bank of Suffield. His role at Hampden Bank will include business development in Massachusetts and reaching out into Connecticut to develop profitable business for the bank from that expanding market.

Downs, a Chicopee native, was hired as vice president, Commercial Lending. Downs brings more than 30 years of managerial and commercial lending experience having held leadership roles at community banks in the Western Massachusetts region, including PeoplesBank and Chicopee Savings Bank.

According to Luke Kettles, SVP and chief lending officer of Hampden Bank, “I am delighted to welcome these new team members. They are all seasoned banking professionals with a strong customer-focus, who will provide solid support to assist our clients with all of their commercial borrowing and cash management needs. Denise, John and Jay not only bring a wealth of knowledge to their positions but also provide Hampden Bank opportunity for continued growth and success.”