Westbrook, Maine – February 4, 2022 – To help keep young people safe and on a path to success, The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation delivered a donation of $10,000 to My Place Teen Center, an after-school program where kids receive help, love, food, and programming that addresses their unique needs. The Teen Center’s Restaurant Job Training Program is one of many programs offered at the center. The program provides a unique opportunity for local teens to learn new skills that will prepare them for future employment in the restaurant industry.  Preparing youth with the foundational skills and experiences they need as they graduate from high school is important to their success. “We believe in building stronger communities by investing in our youth and therefore, we want to support their success any way we can. This generation is our future – these kids will be our employees, our customers, and our partners one day,” says Jeanne Hulit, President and CEO of Maine Community Bank.

The Foundation recently presented Donna Dwyer, Executive Director at My Place Teen Center with a check for $10,000 which will be used to support their Westbrook center and their temporary location in Saco, as they raise funds for a permanent facility in Biddeford. “Our centers are where we nurture, inspire, and safeguard at-risk teens, many of whom have nowhere else to go. With help from organizations such as The Biddeford and Mechanic Savings Foundation, we are able to keep kids ages 10-18 safe, fed, and loved. We are a year-round, free, out of school time program for all youth, from any locale,” says Donna Dwyer, My Place Teen Center’s Executive Director. “Just as we are a haven for kids at high risk, we feel our community partners like Maine Community Bank, are our lifeline.”

Together, Maine Community Bank and the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation contributed over $327,000 to several local non-profit organization in 2021 and continues to support the local community through donations, volunteerism and on-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 expands 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, and Windham, with a new branch and operations center in Westbrook.

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.

Westbrook, Maine—January 26, 2022— Maine Community Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Lisa Hughes as Vice President, Senior Business Banking Officer III. Hughes will be responsible for developing small business relationships and expanding existing relationships in the Westbrook and Windham areas. “We are fortunate to have Lisa join us to bring her experience to the Maine Community Bank family,” said Jeanne Hulit, President and CEO. “She is passionate about community banking and will be a great addition to our team.”

She comes to Maine Community Bank with over 20 years of experience, including her recent experience as Business Credit Manager.

Hughes has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Husson University. She has two children and lives in Cornish with her husband. Being recent empty nesters, they enjoy spending their free time in Rangeley enjoying outdoor activities and spending quiet time unwinding.

Hughes joins the bank at an exciting time.  Having recently completed the merger of Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings, the bank recently expanded into Westbrook with a new Operations Center and Biddeford Savings Branch. “My goal in working with any business owner is to be able to provide them with the financial tools they need in order to be successful now, and in the future,” said Hughes.

 

About Maine Community Bank

Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings have been supporting hardworking Mainers for the past 150 years. To help carry 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 offerings, and branch service area, while keeping all decision making at the local level. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, Windham, and will soon open a new Operations Center and branch in Westbrook.

Scarborough, Maine – July 28, 2021 – Biddeford Savings, a division of Maine Community Bank, recently donated $1,000 to the Scarborough Public Library to fund Story Walks; a series of illustrations posted sequentially on signboards along a path outdoors.

In this time when children are unvaccinated and the Scarborough Public Library cannot yet provide traditional, in-person “story times,” story walks have particular value. The Story Walks provide a shared community experience, for the entire family, safely outside. With our support, the Library has developed seven story walks to be enjoyed by the many families with young children who visit. The Library has mounted actual pages from large-format picture books to the windows along the perimeter of the building to be viewed from outside.

“Reading is fundamental to building literacy skills in children. Story Walks inspire families to get outside and share a story. It is a winning combination that sparks curiosity while getting a bit of exercise and a positive way to fuel a child’s growing mind,” says Louise Capizzo, the Scarborough Public Library’s Youth Services Manager.

We are proud to support the Scarborough Public Library and their Story Walk initiative. Each story will be on display for about two months, and walks will rotate well into next year, including these titles: Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, Up, Down and Around by Katherine Ayres, Planting a Rainbow, by Lois Ehlert, Rattletrap Car by Phyllis Root, Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert, Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen, and One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root.

About Biddeford Savings

Biddeford Savings is an independent, community-focused mutual savings bank founded in 1867 with a commitment to excellence and to helping each of its communities prosper. The bank has offices in Biddeford, Kennebunk, Scarborough, and Waterboro. To learn more, visit biddefordsavings.com.

About Maine Community Bank

Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings have been financial partners to the people of Central and Southern Maine for the past 150 years. To help carry 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 offerings, and branch service area, while keeping all decision-making at the local level. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, and Windham

Inspiring fund-raiser and volunteer.

SCARBOROUGH, ME, JUNE 2021, Maggie Amann, Scarborough High School senior, recently received a $2,500 Mainely Character Scholarship, awarded annually to Maine high school seniors who demonstrate responsibility, integrity, courage, and exemplary concern for others. Maggie was selected from 375 scholarship applicants statewide; Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation sponsored her scholarship.

Maggie thrives on helping others. She describes herself as “a surfer, runner, Irish dancer, student, daughter, sister, leader, and someone who cares a lot about others.” Maggie spent the past three summers volunteering at Maine Medical Center, supporting patients and their families.  During the school year, Maggie serves as president of three clubs at her high school. Her leadership inspired fellow students to raise thousands of dollars for cancer research and the Thirst Project, a water activism organization.

“Maine Community Bank is deeply invested in preparing the next generation for success,” said Jeanne Hulit, president and CEO of Maine Community Bank and its divisions, Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings. “We are honored to provide the Mainely Character scholarship to Maggie so she can continue growing as a leader and making a positive impact on our community.”

As a Key Club member, Maggie researched the most pressing needs for homeless individuals and families, and applied for a grant to help her group assemble homeless care packages. Maggie and her Key Club members put together almost 50 care packages containing socks, blankets, toothbrushes, hats, and personal notes.

After George Floyd’s murder, she helped form the Scarborough Anti-Racism Coalition and a larger than expected Black Lives Matter rally. She handled controversy professionally, emphasizing the peaceful nature of the event.

Maggie will be attending Bates College in the fall.

Mainely Character has been awarding scholarships to students of character since 2001. Fourteen scholarships are being awarded in 2021. For more information visit mainelycharacter.org.

About Maine Community Bank

Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings have been financial partners to the people of Central and Southern Maine for the past 150 years. To help carry 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 offerings, and branch service area, while keeping all decision making at the local level. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, and Windham

About the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Foundation

The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation was created in July 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.

 

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Saco, Maine—May 18, 2021—The Ecology School hosted representatives from Maine Community Bank on Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting at the new three-wing dormitory on the River Bend Farm campus. Maine Community Bank, through their Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation, recently pledged $10,000 toward the River Bend Farm project. The donation includes the naming of one of the dormitory rooms, which house four participants each night.

“We are proud to support The Ecology School and their mission to build a sustainable campus,” stated Jeanne Hulit, president and CEO of Maine Community Bank. “The Maine Community Bank family strongly believes that we must all work together to take action against climate change and to build a sustainable Maine for future generations.”

“I am grateful for the generosity from our neighbors at Maine Community Bank as they commit their support to our new home at River Bend Farm,” said Drew Dumsch, president and CEO of The Ecology School. “Modelling a sustainable way of living and learning is a community effort. Through the naming of a room in our new Dormitory, Maine Community Bank’s gift will help us provide thousands of program participants with an unforgetting sustainable living experience.”

The Ecology School commemorated the completion of their River Bend Farm campus in April. The campus is the first location in Maine to achieve the full International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Certification (LBC), the most comprehensive green building certification in the world. The campus hosts a variety of programs for children and adults to connect with the natural world through experiential learning.

About Maine Community Bank

Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings have been financial partners to the people of Central and Southern Maine for the past 150 years. To help carry 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 offerings, and branch service area, while keeping all decision-making at the local level. They have branches in Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Scarborough, Waterboro, and Windham

About the Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Foundation

The Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation was created in July 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.

For the first time ever, the majority of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s board of directors are female. Our President & CEO, Jeanne Hulit, joined the Boston Fed board in January and recently participated in a panel with her fellow female directors for Women’s History Month.

Read the story on the Boston Fed website

Mainebiz recently published an article about bank expansion in Southern Maine, including Maine Community Bank’s new branch and operations center being built in Westbrook and a larger branch being built in Brunswick. Hear from Jeanne Hulit, Maine Community Bank President & CEO, about her outlook on the banking landscape and how Maine Community Bank plans to keep growing to serve the community.

Read the article from Mainebiz

Our President & CEO, Jeanne Hulit, was recently featured on News Center Maine regarding the second round of PPP loans for Maine businesses.

Read the article

AUBURN, ME– Mechanics Savings, a Division of Maine Community Bank, recently promoted Joline Dubuc to assistant vice president, branch manager and loan officer based out of the Lewiston branch.

Dubuc joined Mechanics Savings in 2015 as a teller in the Lewiston branch. She moved to the Auburn branch shortly after to be a customer service representative and was promoted to assistant branch manager in Auburn in 2017. In her new role as branch manager, she is responsible for providing superior customer service while fostering relationships within the community, as well as growing the branch and mentoring her team.

Dubuc earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire and her Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Husson University. She is also a graduate of the Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute and the Northern New England School of Banking. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and in September 2019, she raised over $2,500 and hiked 23.4 miles for the Make-A-Wish Maine Trailblaze Challenge.