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www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal Giving Guide 2017 7 W hen the values and culture of two separate institutions align, it makes good sense for these entities to unite. Such was the case for Marlborough Savings Bank and North Middlesex Savings Bank, which joined forces in April 2017. Now known as Main Street Bank, the new institution, which boasts a 100+ year history, has enhanced its ability to focus on delivering the best banking services and products to its customers, while continuing to support the communities in which it operates. Ellen W. Dorian, Executive Vice President – Retail Division, explained that each of these institutions has always placed great importance on the way it interacts with customers. "We found a synergy between us. We both believe that having direct access to decision makers is key to build- ing successful relationships with our customers, so a marriage made sense," she said. Prior to the merger, each institution had seven branches, whose geo- graphic coverage did not overlap. "Our territory has now doubled as has our staff," said Dorian. "We have about 195 employees and had no lay- offs." With a larger network of branches and ATMs, Main Street Bank customers can more readily access their accounts. Main Street Bank offers traditional personal banking services and products, such as checking, savings and retirement accounts; auto, equity, mortgage and personal loans; debit cards; and a range of mobile and online banking options from electronic bill pay to e-statements. On the commercial side, the Bank provides businesses with checking and savings accounts; loans and lines of credit; business credit and debit cards; cash management services; merchant processing; and the convenience of e-banking. In addition to offering a variety of financial products and services, Main Street Bank is fully vested in community. "We all live and work in the same community. We're all neighbors and we all benefit when our community is healthy and strong," said Dorian. To uphold that philosophy, Main Street Bank's Charitable Foundation accepts large requests from various charitable organizations, while its normal bank donation budget honors smaller asks from local non-profit agencies. Since the merger in April, the Foundation has granted funds to the United Way Youth Ventures, The Marlborough Public Library and the Westborough Education Technology Fund. Additionally, the Bank has participated in the Arts in the Lobby pro- gram and the United Way 3rd Annual Combat Hunger packing event. Main Street Bank also sponsors the Janis Bresnahan Run for Education and teaches financial literacy classes in Marlborough, Ayer and Southborough. Not only does Main Street Bank contribute financially to local charities as an institution, but its employees also donate considerable man-hours and monetary support to various non-profits. "Employees are encour- aged to volunteer their time and resources to these organizations," Dorian said. "All officers are also encouraged to become part of local non-profits. Senior team members are encouraged to serve as board members and become active within these organizations." For example, Dorian serves as board president for Employment Options, Inc., a non-profit organization that assists those with mental health challenges in finding fulfilling jobs. As a mutual bank, Main Street Bank answers directly to its customers and its recent merger has strengthened its ability to better serve its cus- tomers. Through increased lending capacity, a wider geographic reach and ongoing commitment to community, Main Street Bank is poised to perpetuate a century-old legacy of serving others. n MAIN STREET BANK Customer-Centric and Community Focused Health Center provides a broad range of coordinated health care services from primary and dental to behavioral and specialty services, as well as a host of others in between. Several organizations focus their efforts on raising awareness and conduct- ing research related to specific health conditions, such as the American Heart Association (cardiovascular disease), HMEA (autism) and SHINE (mental health). Children represent our future, but they are also the nation's most vulnerable pop- ulation. Recognizing the importance of growing up in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment, a number of local agencies strive to provide services and programs that create such conditions for every child in the developmental stag- es of life. Girls, Inc., Rainbow Child Development Center and Y.O.U., Inc. are just a few nonprofits that devote resourc- es, manpower and time to ensure the well-being of our children. Other populations in Central Massachusetts also require some assis- tance; veterans, individuals with physical and emotional challenges, those without sufficient food and others all benefit from agencies that attempt to alleviate, if not solve, these problems. The very title of this special edition – The Giving Guide – embodies the work that every organization profiled within these pages offers. They all give – time, attention, services, programs, manpower and whatever other assistance their cli- ents need. Every profile includes opportunities for the general public to "give back," whether as a volunteer in some capacity, as a participant or attendee at an event, or through a monetary contribution. Ron Conway, angel investor and philanthropist, captured the essence of giving with these words: "I believe that we all have a responsibility to give back. No one becomes successful without lots of hard work, support from others, and a little luck. Giving back creates a virtuous cycle that makes everyone more success- ful." Every one of the non-profit organiza- tions featured in this issue honors its responsibility to give back; we invite readers to become part of the "virtuous cycle." n