Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1542210
wbjournal.com | December 29, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 7 Economic Forecast 2026 Economic dynamics in Central Mass. are strong BY BRIAN WESTERLIND Guest column A s a Worcester native and proud Burncoat Street Preparatory School alum, I've watched this city evolve in remarkable ways. Having spent more than two decades in financial services, one lesson has held true: When the macro environment gets noisy, local dynamics matter more. And right now, the local dynamics in Central Massachusetts are undeniably strong. As we close out 2025 and look ahead to 2026, the national outlook remains mixed. Persistent inflation, a soen- ing labor market, and uncertainty around federal funding continue to weigh on headline sentiment. But what I'm seeing in Worcester and Central Massachusetts tells a story of genuine momentum driven by collaboration among business, local government, and community institutions. In 2025, we witnessed meaning- ful progress: the Worcester Housing Authority moving forward with phase 2 of the Curtis Apartments transfor- mation, contributions from the City and local businesses toward the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance's Day Resource Center, and new retail activity downtown. Each of these developments strengthens Worcester's foundation. As this region continues to grow, community insti- tutions like Webster Five are evolving alongside it. A defining trend heading into 2026 is the technology transforma- tion reshaping communi- ty banking's competitive landscape. For years, the assumption has been that bigger banks have better technology. at gap is closing. Webster Five has been leveraging fintech and AI as tools to enhance our relationship-based approach. ese technologies are multipliers for community banks, allowing us to serve customers more efficiently while maintaining the local knowledge and personal service that larger institutions struggle to replicate. In 2026, this technology parity will become increasingly apparent. Com- munity banks will have access to many of the same digital tools as the megabanks, but we'll retain something they cannot easily replicate: We know our customers, we understand the local market, and we can make decisions based on our region's unique context. When the technolo- gy playing field levels, relationships become the differentiator. My second observation for 2026 relates to the banking indus- try itself. We're likely to see contin- ued merger and acquisition activity, primarily among larger regional and national banks owned by shareholders and operating in an environment more conducive to consolidation. Most community banks in Central Massachusetts, including Webster Five, are mutual institutions owned by our customers. is distinction fundamen- tally affects how we make decisions. Be- cause we don't answer to shareholders, we can take a longer view and act in the best interests of customers, employees, and community impact. In 2025, Webster Five committed to multiple significant capital campaign donations for local nonprofits, along with a record year of giving through our Webster Five Foundation and numerous donations and sponsorships of hyperlocal events. As consolidation accelerates in 2026, the mutual bank model will prove increasingly valuable to communities. When a nonprofit is running a capital campaign, mutual banks can show up in ways that share- holder-driven institutions oen cannot. Central Massachusetts has always been resilient, and what I'm seeing now is momentum. e national headlines will continue to focus on uncertainty in 2026. I'm focused on what's happening right here in Worcester County, and I remain optimistic about what lies ahead. Brian Westerlind is president & CEO of Auburn-based bank Webster Five. By Brian Westerlind Guest column W