Country Bank is pleased to announce recent promotions.

Jessica McGarry has been promoted to Senior Vice President, East Region Commercial Lending Team Lead. Jessica has over 20 years of experience in the banking industry and has been a commercial lender in the Worcester market for the past ten years, with the entirety of her career spent in a community bank setting. Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Nichols College, received the Forty Under 40 designation in 2014 from the Worcester Business Journal, and was a member of the Leadership Worcester class of 2015-16. Jessica also gives back to the community, currently serving on the Board of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Worcester Business Development Corporation. Additionally, she remains active in volunteer opportunities through various organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Be Like Brit, and the Community Harvest Project.

Shantie Prashad, Cindy Saucier, and Blair Robidoux have been promoted to Assistant Vice Presidents, Retail Banking. Shantie Prashad has over 26 years of sales and leadership experience, most recently serving as the Retail Banking Officer of the Park Ave, Worcester location. She graduated from The New England School for Financial Studies in 2022 and is highly active in the Worcester community. She serves on the Board for the Learning First Foundation and the YWCA, and serves as an Ambassador for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Cindy Saucier has over 20 years of banking and leadership experience, serving as the Retail Banking Officer of the Charlton Banking Center. She graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies in 2021 and is a Board Member and Vice Chair for the Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce, along with various non-profits and committees within the Charlton community.

Blair Robidoux currently leads the West Street Banking Center and has over 17 years of experience in the retail division. Blair has held various roles throughout her tenure at Country Bank and graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies in 2019. Throughout her career, Blair has been an integral part of the community within her market and treats every interaction as an opportunity to make a difference for her customers. Blair serves on the Board of the Ware Business and Civic Association.

“Congratulations to Jess, Blair, Cindy and Shantie.  We are excited to announce their promotions, not just in recognition of their contributions to the Bank’s success but also because each individual’s history with the Bank demonstrates the various career paths available in community banking. We are committed to helping each team member identify their career goals and work with them to reach those objectives. Their performance contributes to the Bank’s overall success, and we’re pleased to be able to promote these individuals for their hard work and dedication to the organization,” said Miriam Siegel, First Senior Vice President, Chief Culture and Development Officer of Country Bank.

Country Bank proudly supports Junior Achievement (JA) of Western Massachusetts. For more than 100 years, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts has provided economic education and financial literacy programs to the youth of Western Massachusetts and Vermont. JA of Western Massachusetts impacts thousands of young people each year, opening their minds to their potential and preparing them for life after graduation.

“Junior Achievement of Western MA is deeply grateful for Country Bank’s support of the JA Career, Leadership, & Innovation Center (CLIC). As a CLIC founding sponsor, this generosity has propelled JA into the construction phase of this campaign, with renovations now underway in our current office space in Tower Square, Springfield,” stated William Dziura, Development Director of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts

Beginning in fall 2021, JA will offer a 21^st century environment for young people to engage with JA programs, including:

• Career Exploration: Helping students identify fulfilling career options and make wise decisions pertaining to post- secondary education.
• Innovation & Leadership: Helping students expand their thinking and skill development, preparing future leaders, entrepreneurial thinkers, and innovators.
• Financial Education: Providing students with the skills and knowledge that will allow them to make informed and effective decisions with all their financial resources.

“It has been my honor to be affiliated with Junior Achievement of Western Mass since the mid 90’s as both a classroom volunteer and former board member. I have seen the positive and lasting impact these programs have on the students. This center is just one more example of Jennifer Connolly’s tireless commitment to the students and her Team’s creative approach, leveraging technology to expand the program’s reach,” stated Tom Wolcott, FSVP, Commercial Loan Officer at Country Bank.

From left to right: William Dziura, Development Director of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, Tom Wolcott, First Senior Vice President Commercial Banking of Country Bank and Jodie Gerulaitis, Vice President Community Relations of Country Bank and Junior Achievement Board Member.

Country Bank proudly supports Main South CDC in Worcester. The Mission of the Main South CDC is to improve the quality of life for the community by working together on projects and issues that will maintain and create safe, affordable housing for low-to-moderate income individuals, support economic opportunities for businesses and residents of Main South, enhance the physical image of the area, and instill a sense of neighborhood pride and commitment.

“The Main South CDC is extremely grateful to Country Bank for its ongoing financial support of our neighborhood revitalization efforts.  Such funding allows us to continue to address the equity and social justice needs within our community that were all too painfully demonstrated during the pandemic. Specifically, Country Bank’s funding is supporting affordable housing and commercial development projects that address those needs and is making a real difference in the Main South community,” stated Stephen Teasdale, Executive Director of Main South Community Development Corporation.

Financial literacy is knowing what finances are and how to spend, save, and manage money effectively. But it’s not a light switch—you don’t flip the switch and be done with it.

Mismanaging finances can lead to big consequences, and it’s not fun to confront that possibility. Still, mastering money management skills is the only way to achieve and maintain financial health.

Everyone has a “financial situation”—for some it’s not-so-good, for others, it’s great. But everyone, everyone, has one. Financial literacy is the ability to take control of your financial situation.

You begin learning financial literacy concepts at a young age (the difference between a quarter and a dime). As you grow and mature, your view of money grows and matures, too. Financial literacy switches focus from saving for bicycles and skateboards to taking out a car loan. Or, that anticipation of buying a new gaming system gets pushed aside after realizing you need a home to put it in. This is when many begin to fear finances, unsure of how to manage them. But financial literacy is a topic to be discussed, not avoided—and anticipated, not dreaded.

Financial literacy isn’t one and done, a concept where you either know it or you don’t. The broad view of financial literacy is much more flexible. It’s a process where you master and apply skills one at a time. There’s no starting point or finish line. You don’t have to be in a specific situation to begin; and it’s a matter of life-long learning and growth.

Let’s break it down. A financially literate person—at a basic level—understands how to pay their bills with the $2,000 they make each month and do it without drowning in debt. At a more intermediate level, this same person learns how to prepare for their future by setting aside some of that $2,000 for emergencies. Someone at an advanced level will budget out 50% of that $2,000 for necessities, 30% for things they want, and 20% for safe-keeping. A master at financial literacy can use their knowledge on investments to guarantee that a portion of that $2,000 will make them an additional side income. Each level is obtainable and every level is worth the effort to achieve. All that being said, not many people can become an expert in one day. It takes time.

This article has been republished with permission. View the original article: What is Financial Literacy?

Country Bank proudly reported donations and sponsorships for 2022, totaling more than 1.3 million dollars. The bank’s philanthropic efforts supported local non-profits throughout its communities; more than 350 organizations received grants in 2022. In addition, the bank’s team members volunteered 1,091 hours of service, and 64 team members served on 33 non-profit boards and committees throughout the region.

Recognizing the importance and overwhelming need to help organizations that address hunger – in addition to the 1-million-dollar five-year pledge Country Bank made back in 2021 to The Worcester County Food Bank and The Food Bank of Western Mass, Country Bank provided an additional $100,000 in donations to food programs throughout the region.

Other organizations receiving generous donations included: Behavioral Health Network, The Hanover Theater, Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation, Revitalize Community Development Corporation, Springfield Rescue Mission, The Children’s Trust, Juniper Outreach, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Ronald McDonald House, and YWCA.

During its annual “Season of Difference” Campaign, Country Bank supported more than 1,000 local individuals with gifts of toys, blankets, hats, and other essential items for those in nursing homes, shelters, local YMCAs, and Boys and Girls clubs.

“As a community partner, we care deeply about the sustainability of our communities. We are honored to support many organizations through donations and volunteerism to help them with their work. Supporting and enriching our communities is not only a part of our mission; it’s who we are as an organization, and we know that it makes a difference for so many,” stated Paul Scully, President and CEO of Country Bank.

Country Bank announced a $25,000 donation to the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation (QVCDC) to support various programs to help local communities in the region.

A portion of the donation will be used towards a matching grant for a senior citizen outreach program. This project was funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development, Massachusetts CDBG Program. Projects are developed and administered by local officials with the assistance of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC). Services for the outreach program include grocery shopping and prescription pick-ups for low-income seniors in Ware, Hardwick, and Warren. “Seniors with underlying medical conditions can significantly impact their ability to get out safely to meet their everyday needs. The deliveries allow them to remain safely at home while addressing their critical needs,” stated Jodie Gerulaitis, Vice President of Community Relations at Country Bank.

“The Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation is very grateful to Country Bank for this generous donation,” stated Melissa Fales, QVCDC Associate Executive Director. “This money will go towards the programs we know are making a difference for people in the Quaboag Valley. It will help us continue to do the things we are already doing every day; creating jobs through our small business loan program, business development services, delivering groceries and prescriptions to elders through the Senior Outreach Program, navigating the application process for people in need of emergency rental assistance and giving people rides to work on the Quaboag Connector. This donation from Country Bank will help us continue to provide services that support both the health of individuals and the health of the business economy in our communities.”

To learn more about the various support programs the QVCDC offers, visit www.QVCDC.org.

Click here to read the Business West Article.

Country Bank is excited to announce that they have partnered with the Ware Police Department to host a Stuff the Cruiser toy drive. On December 3^rd, Blair Robidoux, Retail Banking Officer at Country Bank and Shawn Crevier, Chief of Police will collect donations of new, unused and unwrapped toys at Country Bank’s West Street Banking Center located at 155 West Street in Ware. The Ware Police Department will distribute these toys to local children throughout the community.  This is an excellent partnership with its local police department that will truly make a difference for many children in the community.

“The Ware Police Department is excited to partner with Country Bank for a “Stuff the Cruiser” event.  The Ware Police Department is always willing to help those in need, especially during the Holiday season. Please join us on what we expect to be an incredible day”, stated Shawn Crevier, Chief of Police in Ware.

To learn more, please visit our Stuff the Cruiser Facebook event.

Country Bank recently supported the Ride to Remember, a 50-mile bicycle ride in tribute to fallen police officers and firefighters, with a $10,000 donation. This year’s ride, “The Tour of Western Massachusetts,” celebrated its 10^th anniversary, honoring those who have died in the line of duty.

“Country Bank’s support of this meaningful event is a great way for us to show our gratitude and support for all the frontline workers. We deeply appreciate the work they do throughout our communities, and we know that it truly makes a difference to the people and businesses they serve,” stated Paul Scully, President and CEO at Country Bank.

Country Bank is opening a new Banking Center at 638 Chandler Street, Worcester, in the former Bank of America building. The center will open for business on Monday, July 18, 2022, followed by a week-long celebration that will feature a drawing for a Worcester Red Sox VIP Suite for up to 20 guests (no purchase necessary).

Country Bank continues to look for opportunities to support the Worcester Community, ensuring it reinvests in the communities it serves. The Banking Center offers a Universal Banker approach, which allows all Banking Center Specialists to assist customers with all of their banking needs. The bank continues to focus its efforts to help make a difference in the Worcester Community, having donated a total of $209,675.00 and 183 volunteer hours to various non-profits in Worcester over the last six months.

As a founding partner of the Worcester Red Sox, the community bank has supported local non­ profits in the region through a combined charitable giving campaign with the WooStar Program. They also offer a Most Valuable Teacher (MVT) Program that recognizes the outstanding work teachers do every day to educate and support students.

In addition, both organizations are working together to bring back a long-standing baseball game between the Worcester Police and Fire Departments. The game is scheduled for Monday, September 26, 2022 at Polar Park. Tickets will go on sale soon and proceeds will benefit both Police and Fire’s chosen organizations.

Country Bank also welcomes Kimberly Eaton to the team as the Retail Banking Officer of this location. Kimberly resides in Brookfield with her family and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Worcester State University. She has worked in the financial services industry for 10 years and is experienced in business development in the greater Worcester market. Eaton and her team look forward to providing customers excellence in service and best-in-class solutions and becoming a part of the local community. She has been getting to know the local business community over the past month while purchasing gift cards to distribute as prizes during the grand opening week. “I am excited to develop relationships with the people and businesses in the Tatnuck Square area,” Eaton said. “My goal is to continue to build on the already great reputation that Country Bank has and to help our customers achieve their financial dreams and goals.”

The week-long celebration includes food, giveaways, a prize wheel, and drawings, with a ribbon­ cutting ceremony scheduled for 12 PM on Friday, July 22, 2022. In addition, the bank’s mascot Buck and his pal Smiley Ball from the Worcester Red Sox will be posing for photos. A Grand Prize drawing will be held for a Worcester Red Sox VIP Suite for up to 20 guests (no purchase necessary).

“When this location became available, we knew it was a great fit to expand our presence in the city,” stated Paul Scully, President, and CEO of Country Bank. “As a community partner, we care deeply about the sustainability of our communities and the people who live in them. This location will be our third in Worcester and we have a dedicated team of consumer and commercial bankers who work closely with our customers to help them navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. We will be here to help you evolve as you strive to reach your financial goals. We really are excited to be a part of this great city and are looking forward to getting to know the people who reside, operate businesses, and work in this area.”

Country Bank is ready to make a difference in the Tatnuck Square neighborhood. They invite you to stop in to see why they think the right bank makes all the difference.