In The News

North Shore Bank announced a $30,000 contribution to the Peabody Education Foundation (PEF) in support of its Mental Wellness Initiative, a growing community effort that provides critical resources, programming, and support services to help local students navigate mental health challenges. The Mental Wellness Initiative focuses on early-intervention programming, wellness education, and access to tools that …

bankESB and its employees recently donated $50,000 to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. Employees pledged nearly $19,000 of their own funds in the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s dollar-for-dollar match and additional corporate contribution, the campaign total of $50,000 was be donated to the United Way of …

Matthew S. Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that the bank’s fifth annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $42,000 for local food pantries. This brings the program’s five-year total to $161,734.92. The appeal is part of bankESB’s charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment to making a difference in …

bankESB is proud to announce a $10,000 donation to Valley Community Development (Valley) to support its critical efforts in fostering affordable housing, economic development, and entrepreneurship in the local community. This contribution is part of a three-year, $30,000 commitment and made through the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program, which allows businesses and individuals to …

The holidays are a time for giving – but don’t give scammers the gift they’re hoping for. In 2024, the FTC reported $228 million lost to gift card scams. Slow down, stay alert, and make sure your generosity doesn’t get re-gifted to a scammer. What is a gift card scam? A gift card scam happens …

bankESB is delighted to announce the promotion of Alison Tower to senior vice president of Enterprise Risk Management and Legal Services. In her new role, Tower will lead enterprise risk management initiatives, ensuring rigorous compliance and legal oversight across all business lines at bankESB and the family of banks that comprises Hometown Financial Group, including …

Hometown Financial Group, parent company of North Shore Bank and Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank, is proud to announce it has been recognized as a Financial Services Industry Top Workplaces award winner and has received five additional Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards for Fall 2025: Employee Appreciation, Employee Well-Being, Professional Development, Purpose …

bankESB is proud to announce its continued support for the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club as a $6,400 Season Ticket Holder Sponsor. This sponsorship helps provide critical funding for youth programs that empower and inspire local children to reach their full potential. In addition to this support, bankESB is pleased to share that Michael …

Hometown Financial Group, Inc., the multibank mutual holding company for bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, and Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank, has completed its acquisition of CFSB Bancorp, Inc., the bank holding company for Colonial Federal Savings Bank. The Colonial Federal branches will operate as a division of North Shore Bank. “We’re …

bankESB is proud to announce its $10,000 sponsorship of Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s annual Golf FORE Health Tournament, a premier fundraising event that supports vital healthcare programs and services for the community. The Golf FORE Health Tournament, which was held on September 16th at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, MA, brought together local businesses, community …