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A M E R I C A A T 2 5 0 | H A R T F O R D B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L 9 A s America marks its 250th anniversary, Bank of Amer- ica reflects on its role as a long-standing partner in the country's growth and success. Our company has been part of that journey almost since the beginning, evolving through many mergers and acquisitions across more than 240 years of history. One of those defining moments came in 1998, when the combination of NationsBank and Bank of America created the company as it is known today. From its founding, America has been rooted in a powerful idea: that opportunity should not be determined by birth, class, or geography, but by merit, effort, and freedom. While our nation has not always met those ideals, it has continually worked to move closer to them. e commitment to form "a more perfect Union" has defined the American experience, creating a system where individuals have the opportunity to shape their own future through hard work, innovation, and determination. Bank of America traces its roots to e Massachusetts Bank, founded in 1784, just one year after the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War. At that time, the new nation needed capital to rebuild, grow, and expand. As America developed, access to fi- nancial resources became essential to support businesses, communities, and infrastructure, and our predecessor institutions were formed to help meet those needs. As the country expanded, Bank of Amer- ica's legacy institutions were established in communities across the nation. Here in our great state of Connecticut, as throughout New England, our presence formed early, reflecting the region's important role in the nation's economic and civic development. Our footprint across nearby states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, similarly traces back to the earliest days of the United States. In other regions, our legacy companies played critical roles in supporting economic growth. Our Charlotte, North Carolina-based company helped finance the South's expand- ing industrial economy more than 150 years ago, while in states such as South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia we supported the shift from agrarian economies to industrial ones. In Washington, D.C., our growth paralleled that of the federal government, and in Texas we helped finance the development of its resource economy. Across the Midwest and into the Pacific Northwest, our predecessor banks supported commerce, transportation, and westward expansion, helping communities take shape as the nation grew. Over time, companies that are now part of Bank of America helped finance important national priorities and defining projects, from infrastructure like the Erie Canal to gov- ernment efforts supporting the War of 1812 and both World Wars. ese contributions reflect a broader and enduring commitment: supporting local communities and helping to strengthen the economies where we live and serve. At its core, what matters most is why these institutions were founded. ey began as partnerships among local leaders working together to support their communities and drive economic growth. at same purpose continues today through our role as a bank — taking deposits and using them to pro- vide loans and access to capital that help businesses grow, create jobs, and strengthen local economies. We help foster the interdependent relation- ship between capitalism and democracy. For more than two centuries, America's growth has been driven by individuals, families, small businesses, and institutions working to create opportunity. Wages, savings, investment, and access to capital, through loans and financial markets, have all played a vital role in building the country we know today. Today, as we continue to support America's progress, our more than 2,400 employees in Connecticut serve clients and communities across the state. rough our financial centers and ATMs, Merrill Wealth Management and Private Bank offices, lending to small business- es and companies, community investments, and volunteerism, we remain committed to helping this state and our nation thrive. We are proud of the role we have played, and continue to play, in helping support America's enduring promise of opportunity and growth, including here in Connecticut. Connecticut, what would you like the power to do? AMERICA AT 250 • LETTERS FROM CONNECTICUT'S BUSINESS LEADERS A letter from Bank of America Joseph R. Gianni President, Bank of America Greater Hartford