Maine Community Bank Elects New Board Member, Deborah Roy.

Westbrook, Maine—June 7, 2024—Maine Community Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Deborah Roy to its’ Board of Directors.

Roy is an Occupational Safety and Health Keynote Speaker and Principal of SafetySpeaks, as well as a business owner and President of SafeTech Consultants, Inc.,

Roy has consulted on global safety and health management systems, Total Worker Health®, and risk management for twenty years. Roy was also a corporate executive at L.L. Bean where she led staff and programs that impacted the health, safety, and wellness of 10,000 employees globally for twelve years.

Roy received her Master of Public Health degree (MPH) in Occupational Health and Safety from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was inducted as a Fellow by both the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses for her significant contributions to the profession. Roy has authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles including the financial chapter for a book called the “Consultants Business Development Guide”.

Roy currently Chairs the Professional Code of Conduct committee for ASSP. She served as Board member for the 38,000 member ASSP organization as President in 2020-2021, a Trustee of the ASSP Foundation, and as Board Member and Treasurer of the credentialing organization, American Board for Occupational Health Nurses.

Locally, Roy also currently serves as a Corporator of Maine Community Bank, as a Board member of the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation, and as a member of the Town of Falmouth Community Wellness committee.

About Maine Community Bank

Maine Community Bank began as a collaboration between two of the longest-standing community banks in Central and Southern Maine, Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings. Maine Community Bank supports both personal and business customers throughout Central and Southern Maine with competitive services, financial assistance, and the friendly, local experience that is at the core of everything they do. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Westbrook, and Windham.

Maine Community Bank Cares: The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation Donates $30,000 to My Place Teen Center

Westbrook, Maine – May 16, 2024 – To help at-risk teens have access to a safe space with the resources that they need to thrive, the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation approved a donation of $30,000 to My Place Teen Center, a nonprofit organization located in Biddeford and Wesbrook that provides the youth with comfort, meals, resources, and hope. My Place Teen Center is a leader in adolescent development and is known for its innovative programs and commitment to support teenagers ages 10-18 throughout Cumberland and York counties.

The Foundation recently presented Donna Dwyer, President, and CEO, with a check for $30,000, which will be used to provide young adults with the resources they need.

“Community is everything to MPTC. It means our kids are loved, fed, and safe. It means the organization is cared for and cared about. This means that MPTC, as a whole, is surrounded by an impactful network of CARE. Thank you, MCB, for understanding your critical community role,” said Dwyer.

Together, Maine Community Bank and the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation contributed over $340,000 to several local non-profit organizations in 2023 and continues to support the local community through donations, volunteerism, and in-kind donations each year.

About Maine Community Bank

Maine Community Bank has been supporting Maine’s communities for over 150 years. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Westbrook, and Windham.

About the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation

The mission of the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation is to help individuals and families in the bank’s local communities meet their basic needs and achieve financial empowerment. In support of this long-term mission, the Foundation concentrates on the goals of providing support to families and individuals in our communities through health, housing, and hunger, as well as helping the next generation overcome issues of inequality and build unity across lines of differences in our communities. The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation was created in July of 2020 and is structured to give back to the communities in a larger, more enduring way.

Maine Community Bank Cares: The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation Donates $5,000 to The Locker Project

Check presentation to The Locker ProjectWestbrook, Maine – February 6, 2024 – 2 in 5 children in Maine are at risk for hunger. To help children access the nutrition they need to thrive, the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation approved a donation of $5,000 to The Locker Project, a nonprofit organization that provides more than forty Greater Portland schools, preschools, and local agencies with nourishing foods to improve their everyday lives.

The Foundation recently presented Kathryn Sargent, Executive Director and Keven Bogart, Deputy Director, with a check for $5,000, which will be used to provide students in need with healthy foods.

“Thank you for partnering with us to address child hunger in Greater Portland! With the support of this generous community, we were able to share more than 550,000 pounds of fresh food and staples with children and families in 2023. Your grant of $5,000 will make an enormous difference as we work to refill our shelves many times over in 2024,” said Sargent.

Together, Maine Community Bank and the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation contributed over $340,000 to several local non-profit organizations in 2023 and continues to support the local community through donations, volunteerism, and in-kind donations each year.

About Maine Community Bank

Maine Community Bank has been supporting Maine’s communities for over 150 years. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Westbrook, and Windham.

About the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation

The mission of the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation is to help individuals and families in the bank’s local communities meet their basic needs and achieve financial empowerment. In support of this long-term mission, the Foundation concentrates on the goals of providing support to families and individuals in our communities through health, housing, and hunger, as well as helping the next generation overcome issues of inequality and build unity across lines of differences in our communities. The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation was created in July of 2020 and is structured to give back to the communities in a larger, more enduring way.

Maine Community Bank Hires Sam Rotondo, Assistant Vice President, Residential Loan Officer

Westbrook, Maine — January 8, 2024 — Maine Community Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Sam Rotondo as Assistant Vice President, Residential Loan Officer. Rotondo is responsible for originating residential mortgage loans and will be serving Greater Portland and Brunswick.

“I am looking forward to being in a position to best help my clients and the community in my new role at Maine Community Bank,” says Rotondo.

He comes to Maine Community Bank with several years of experience as a loan officer. Most recently Rotondo held the position of Mortgage Loan Officer at Androscoggin Bank.

Rotondo earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Southern Maine. He resides in Portland and in his spare time enjoys golfing.

About Maine Community Bank

Maine Community Bank began as a collaboration between two of the longest-standing community banks in Central and Southern Maine, Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings. Maine Community Bank supports both personal and business customers throughout Central and Southern Maine with competitive services, financial assistance, and the friendly, local experience that is at the core of everything they do. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Westbrook, and Windham.

MEREDA Matters Podcast

Mereda Matters Podcast GraphicJeanne Hulit, President & CEO of Maine Community Bank, recently joined Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) on their monthly podcast “MEREDA Matters” where she and Steve deCastro, President & CEO of Gorham Savings Bank, spoke regarding our merger of equals.

Check it out: MEREDA Matters Episode 13

 

 

 

 

 

Maine Community Bank Helps Food Pantries Address Food Insecurity in Maine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westbrook, Maine – December 28, 2023 – According to data from Feeding America, 1 in 10 Mainers face hunger; and of those, 1 in 7 children. To help alleviate hunger issues in the community, Maine Community Bank is taking decisive action. Through the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Foundation, Maine Community Bank is donating $30,000 to 12 different organizations focused specifically on food insecurity.

To address this very serious problem, the Foundation has pledged individual donations of $2,500 each to 12 different organizations working to curb hunger. These include:

Good Shepard Food Bank

High Street Congregational Church Food Pantry

Biddeford Food Pantry

Community Outreach Services Food Pantry

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention

Saco Food Pantry

Scarborough Food Pantry

Stroudwater Christian Food Pantry

Trinity Jubilee Center

Waterboro Food Pantry

Westbrook Food Pantry

Windham Food Pantry and Clothes Closet

Each of the 12 hunger relief agencies provide essential services in partnership with food pantries, meal sites, senior and health centers, and schools across all 16 counties in Maine. MCB’s donation will provide 100,000 meals to needy Mainers.

“Your support assists us in our mission to help our neighbors who are in need. Your generous support makes it possible for our organization to exist and to make the community a great place to live,” said Jean Liden for Cleo Smith, director of Waterboro Food Pantry.

About Maine Community Bank

Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings have been financial partners with the people of Central and Southern Maine for the past 150 years. To help carry out their commitment to the communities they serve, the two banks merged on January 1, 2020, becoming divisions of Maine Community Bank. The merger expands the lending capacity, product offering, and branch service areas, while keeping all decision-making at the local level. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Windham, and Westbrook.

About the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Foundation

The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation was created in July of 2020 and is structured to give back to the communities in a larger, more enduring way. The Foundation’s mission is to help individuals and families in the bank’s local communities meet their basic needs and achieve financial empowerment.

Gorham Savings Bank and Maine Community Bank to Combine in a Merger of Equals

The two 150-year-old financial services institutions will better serve customers, employees, and the community together

BIDDEFORD, Maine and GORHAM, Maine, December 7, 2023 — Maine Community Bancorp, MHC, the parent mutual holding company for Maine Community Bank (“Maine Community Bank”), and Gorham Bancorp, MHC, the parent mutual holding company for Gorham Savings Bank (“Gorham Savings Bank”), are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge under the Maine Community Bank name. The combined company will be strategically positioned to benefit from enhanced scale and improved opportunities for growth and profitability while remaining committed to its core markets.

Merger At a Glance:
This merger of equals creates the second largest mutual savings bank in Maine with nearly $2.7 billion in assets servicing nearly 76,000 depositors, with the largest branch network in Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York counties.

  • Positions the combined institution for growth in their commercial and consumer markets,
  • Enhances product offerings and services, while realizing economies of scale,
  • Increases capital to support Maine businesses,
  • Well aligned mission, vision, and values,
  • Builds on commitment to community outreach and involvement, and
  • No employee reductions are planned as a result of the merger.

Governance and Leadership
The combined company will be governed by a 16-person Board of Directors consisting of an equal number of Maine Community Bank and Gorham Savings Bank directors. The combined company’s chair of the board will be Maine Community Bank’s current board chair, Jeffrey S. Worthing. Gorham Savings Bank’s current board chair, Kathy Coster, will remain on the combined board, while Gorham Savings Bank’s current vice chair, Jere Michelson will retain his position. Each board enthusiastically and unanimously approved this union. The leadership team of the combined company will be comprised of leadership from both organizations with Gorham Savings Bank’s Steve deCastro serving as chief executive officer and Maine Community Bank’s Jeanne Hulit serving as president. Ms. Hulit will retire 12 months after the merger is finalized.

Operations and Headquarters
The combined company will employ more than 400 banking professionals and be headquartered out of Portland, Maine. Operation Centers remain in Gorham and Westbrook, while the expanded branch network will serve communities throughout Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York counties under the Maine Community Bank charter.

Timing and Approvals
The transaction is expected to close by the third quarter of 2024, subject to the completion of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory and corporator approvals.

From Jeanne Hulit, president and chief executive officer, Maine Community Bank
“Community banking is the foundation of Maine’s economy, providing the essential funding necessary for businesses to start and grow, providing housing, and helping our communities thrive. This merger of two locally focused banks gives us an even greater ability to meet these needs. Our shared values and commitment to the mission of mutual savings banks has shaped this merger and I look forward to partnering with Steve and the Gorham Savings Bank team.”

From Steve deCastro, president and chief executive officer, Gorham Savings Bank
“Merging our two institutions makes sense across the board and marks an exciting new chapter. Our values and mission align very well, underpinning our commitment to meeting the ever-growing needs of our customers, acting as a force for good in the communities we serve, and providing greater opportunities for our employees. Jeanne and I have known each other for many years and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, building one even more capable financial services institution that also maintains a local focus.”

Advisors
Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisor to Gorham Savings Bank, and Performance Trust Capital Partners served as financial advisor to Maine Community Bank. Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to Maine Community Bank and Luse Gorman, PC served as legal counsel to Gorham Savings Bank.

About Maine Community Bank
Headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, Maine Community Bank began as a collaboration between two of the state’s longest-standing community banks, Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings, and has a rich heritage dating back to 1867. Today, Maine Community Bank continues to thrive with locations in Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York counties, supporting both personal and business customers throughout their communities with competitive services, financial assistance, and the friendly, local experience that is at the core of everything they do. Maine Community Bank is a member FDIC. Learn more at: mainecb.com

About Gorham Savings Bank
Since its founding in 1868, Gorham Savings Bank has delivered financial solutions tailored to the needs of Southern Maine’s businesses and consumers—including complete commercial and consumer banking products and services, as well as investment planning and wealth management. As the only bank headquartered in Cumberland County, Gorham Savings Bank has worked tirelessly to be a force for good in the communities it serves; with hundreds of thousands in donations and many thousands of employee volunteer hours in support of dozens of community-based initiatives annually. Gorham Savings Bank is a member FDIC. Learn more at: gorhamsavings.bank

Open Letter to Customers Frequently Asked Questions

Maine Community Bank Cares: The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation Donates $10,000 to Support Mental Health in the Community

Group Photo at Sweetser PlaygroundWestbrook, Maine – November 21, 2023 – To support some of the most vulnerable individuals throughout the state, The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation delivered a donation of $10,000 to Sweetser, a community mental health organization whose mission is to provide quality treatment, support, and hope to children, families, and adults through a network of mental and behavioral health, recovery, and educational services. In recent years, the awareness and stigma surrounding mental health has lifted, but the access and affordability of these services has not.

The Foundation recently presented Jayne Van Bramer, President & CEO at Sweetser with a check for $10,000 which will be used to construct a safe recreational play area for young clients. As many youths do not have the vocabulary to describe how they feel, play is proven to aid in treating children with mental health issues, and safe play structures provide an essential health service to Sweetser’s young clients.

“Thank you to Maine Community Bank for their ongoing commitment to Sweetser, the clients we serve, and for their direct support assisting with our new outdoor recreation space on our Saco campus. This $10,000 donation will help us complete this project with our community partners. As we all know, outdoor play is good for children’s physical health, development, and mental well-being.”

Together, Maine Community Bank and the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation contributed over $335,000 to several local non-profit organizations in 2022 and continues to support the local community through donations, volunteerism and in-kind donations each year.

About Maine Community Bank

Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings have been financial partners with the people of Central and Southern Maine for the past 150 years. To help carry out their commitment to the communities they serve, the two banks merged on January 1, 2020, becoming divisions of Maine Community Bank. The merger expanded the lending capacity, product offerings, and branch service areas, while keeping all decision-making at the local level. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Westbrook and Windham.

About the Biddeford and Mechanics Charitable Savings Foundation

The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation was created in July of 2020 and is structured to give back to the communities in a larger, more enduring way. The Foundation’s mission is to help individuals and families in the bank’s local communities meet their basic needs and achieve financial empowerment.

Maine Community Bank Cares: The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation Donates $5,000 to Support the Brunswick Housing Authority

Check Presentation to Brunswick Housing Authority
Jeanne Hulit, President & CEO of Maine Community Bank; John Hodge, Executive Director of Brunswick Housing Authority; Brian Robinson, Brunswick Branch Manager

Westbrook, Maine – To support families displaced by a recent fire at Perryman Village in Brunswick, The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation approved a donation of $5,000 to Brunswick Housing Authority, a community organization that owns and operates Perryman Village where five townhouse units were left unhabitable due to a recent fire. The Brunswick Housing Authority provides safe, quality, and affordable housing for eligible persons in need of assistance and promotes opportunities for the growth and development of residents as well as the community.

The Foundation recently presented John Hodge, Executive Director of Brunswick Housing Authority, with a check for $5,000, which will be used to support the families displaced in the fire.

“On behalf of the displaced families of the fire in Perryman Village, we are truly thankful for the outpouring of community support,” said John Hodge. “This is especially true of the generous support given to the families from Maine Community Bank. Their financial support will help to rebuild these families lives after such a traumatic event.”

Together, Maine Community Bank and the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation contributed over $335,000 to several local non-profit organizations in 2022 and continues to support the local community through donations, volunteerism and in-kind donations each year.

About Maine Community Bank
Maine Community Bank has been supporting Maine’s communities for over 150 years. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Westbrook, and Windham.

About the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation
The mission of the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation is to help individuals and families in the bank’s local communities meet their basic needs and achieve financial empowerment. In support of this long-term mission, the Foundation concentrates on the goals of providing support to families and individuals in our communities through health, housing, and hunger, as well as helping the next generation overcome issues of inequality and build unity across lines of differences in our communities. The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation was created in July of 2020 and is structured to give back to the communities in a larger, more enduring way.

Maine Community Bank Hires Jeanette Garvilles as Vice President, Senior Business Banker

Westbrook, Maine—May 1, 2023—Maine Community Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Jeanette Garvilles as Vice President, Senior Business Banker. Garvilles is responsible for promoting Maine Community Bank in the small business community and will be based in the Biddeford Main Street Branch.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the clients in my portfolio and getting to know each business owner and any key people in their business, as well as growing her portfolio and bringing new clients to MCB.” says Garvilles.

She comes to Maine Community Bank with 26 years of banking and small business lending experience. Most recently Garvilles held the position of Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager/Small Business Lender for Bangor Savings Bank.

Garvilles attended Quinnipiac College/University for two years and then transferred to the University of Southern Maine where she earned her Associates Degree in Business Administration. She resides in Saco with her husband and daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys the four seasons of Maine – snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, and boating.

About Maine Community Bank

Maine Community Bank began as a collaboration between two of the longest-standing community banks in Central and Southern Maine, Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings. Maine Community Bank supports both personal and business customers throughout Central and Southern Maine with competitive services, financial assistance, and the friendly, local experience that is at the core of everything they do. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Westbrook, and Windham.