You may not know it, but you have round-the-clock protection against debit card fraud. That’s because debit cards from Framingham Co-operative Bank are protected by FraudWatch® Plus.

With FraudWatch Plus, we provide industry leading technology, tools and the expertise to protect your card, and your accounts, from fraud. Experienced fraud analysts work around-the-clock, watching for any suspicious card activity, ready to contact our customers if they detect potential fraud on your card.

If you have a debit card from Framingham Co-operative Bank, you are already protected by FraudWatch. Plus. There is no sign up, and no fee, for this service.

If we detect potential fraud on your card, you will receive a call from “Fraud Prevention Services.”

At Framingham Co-operative Bank, we take fraud seriously. If you have any questions about FraudWatch Plus, please contact a member of our staff.

The staff of the Framingham History Center is devoted to connecting us with our community’s rich heritage by collecting, preserving and sharing our stories, our historic buildings, and our local artifacts. Learn more at www.framinghamhistory.org

In celebration of our 120th Anniversary, we salute the Center for connecting the past and the present for the benefit of the future.

Framingham History Center personnel (from left): Volunteer and Research Librarian Kevin Swope, Curator Dana Ricciardi, Town Historian Fred Wallace, and Executive Director Annie Murphy.

We are proud to call Framingham our hometown.

According to Robert P. Lamprey, chairman, the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation recently awarded college scholarships totaling $18,000 to six 2009 graduates of Framingham’s three high schools.

Three of the scholarships, in the amount of $5,000 each, were established in 2005 to honor the memory of Roland J. Bunnell II, a past trustee of the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation. Mr. Bunnell was also a member of the Framingham Co-operative Bank board of directors and senior vice president at the time of his death in 2004. He had served the Bank for more than 15 years.

The Bunnell Memorial Scholarship recipients were Jesse Mitchell, Framingham High School, who will be attending Northeastern University; Alisha Sparling, Marian High School, who plans to attend Stonehill College in the fall; and Catherine Griffin, Joseph P. Keefe Technical School, who will continue her education at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science.


The Charitable Foundation also funded three $1,000 awards made through the Edwin Alexis Marin Memorial Scholarship program at Framingham High School. The Scholarships are named for a student who died in a car accident following his sophomore year at Framingham High. The program encourages Latino students at the High School to continue on to college, by providing one means of financial support.

Recipients of the Edwin Alexis Marin scholarships were Alma Garcia, who will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst in September to study nursing; Alexis Rivera, who will study criminal justice  at Westfield State College; and Melinda Alves, who will attend Bridgewater State College, where she will major in education.

“By investing in the education of today’s youth, we are hopeful that they will be among those who give back in ways that will further strengthen the fabric of our community in years to come,” said Lamprey.

According to Chairman Robert P. Lamprey, the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation recently granted more than $26,000 to benefit the community.

The largest award, in the amount of $10,000 was to the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. The grant was made to help support the out-of-school programs at the Framingham Clubhouse on Pearl Street, which serves an average of 150 youngsters each day. In part, the Foundation’s gift will help the Boys & Girls Club keep its annual membership fee at just $25 per child per year. This is the sixth consecutive year the Club has received support from the Bank’s Charitable Foundation.

Framingham’s Joseph P. Keefe Technical School received an award in the amount of $8,495 from the Foundation for the purchase of a Point of Sale (POS) computer/register system. The state-of-the-art equipment will be used in the student-run dining room that serves as the hospitality component of the school’s Culinary Arts program, and will provide students with the technical skills necessary to compete in the industry, according to James M. Lynch, superintendent/director.

The Foundation also awarded the sum of $3,600 to the MetroWest Jewish Day School to expand community service curriculum in the classroom and expand its annual community service event, Mitzvah Day. Involving parent and community volunteers, Mitzvah Day takes place at Metrowest social service organizations, for the benefit of the entire community.

The First Baptist Church in Framingham received an award of $2,000 in support of its volunteer “Happy birthday, Baby” project, which provides baby care essentials for low-income mothers and pregnant teens in greater Metrowest. The sum of $1,000 was awarded to the Framingham Baseball League to help fund that organization’s scholarship program. An additional $1,000 was granted to the Association of Small Foundations, which provides programs, publications and resources for member organizations.

Whether you need help on a school research project or a tip on a great summer read, you can count on the folks at the Framingham Public Library.

Their personal dedication to literacy enriches our entire community.
In celebration of our 120th Anniversary, we salute the professionals of the Framingham Public Library and the many other dedicated individuals in the community we count on every day.


Framingham Public Library staffers with Director Mark Contois (second from right) and Assistant Director Jeanne Kelley, (second from left).

We are proud to call Framingham our hometown.

The Framingham School Committee has commended Framingham Co-operative Bank for its third annual sponsorship of a student essay contest in two Framingham elementary schools.

A total of 182 students in 9 fifth-grade classrooms at the McCarthy and Hemenway schools competed for first-place honors for essays reflecting their personal thoughts on: “What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?”

The competition was sponsored by Framingham Co-operative Bank in conjunction with Partners in Education. The contest is incorporated into the classroom curriculum as practice for MCAS testing.

At a recent Framingham School Committee meeting, board members recognized and applauded the students and participating teachers. The board also thanked Partners in Education and the Bank, and specifically Kimberly Sambuchi, retail banking analyst, for providing Framingham students with the opportunity to participate.

One winning essay was selected from each participating classroom. Essay winners were awarded $75 Series I Savings Bonds from Framingham Co-operative Bank. All of the contest participants received certificates of appreciation from the Bank, as well.

Front row, from left to right, Hemenway Elementary students Noel Shay, Chris Barone, and Priyanka Roy. Second row, from left to right, Hemenway Elementary teachers Mrs. Denise Nolan, Mrs. Deb Nazzaro, Mrs. Mandy Marrella, and Mr. Stephen Wiltshire.

If you use Online Banking from Framingham Co-operative Bank, you know how convenient it is to be able to access your accounts online. Now, we’ve made banking even easier with the introduction of Mobile Banking!

Using your web-ready cell phone or mobile device, you can:

• Check your account balances
• View account history
• Transfer funds between accounts
• Pay bills or cancel scheduled payments
  

Start using Mobile Banking today!
Mobile Banking is ready and waiting for all Online Banking customers – no additional sign up, no additional charge, and no hassles! Just use your web-ready mobile device to visit our web site – FraminghamBank.com – to try it today. Your phone will be automatically redirected to the mobile banking log-in page.

Not sure if your phone is web-ready? Visit the CNET cell phone buying guide page for information about your phone (listed by manufacturer). Don’t forget to also check with your phone provider to confirm your plan allows for web surfing.

Recently, Framingham Co-operative Bank launched a Page on the popular social networking web site, Facebook. Through the new Page, we will be sharing news, insights, photos, favorite links, and much more. We will also be using the Page to offer “Facebook-only” specials and announce new products and services.

Become a Fan and you would win an Apple iPod Touch!
Become a Fan of our Facebook page and receive up-to-the-minute news from Framingham Co-operative Bank.

It’s easy! Just visit our page, then click on “Become a Fan” at the top of the page.

Plus, if you are a Fan as of August 31, 2009, you will be automatically entered into our drawing to win an Apple iPod Touch! (Winner to be selected at random and will be contacted through Facebook. No purchase necessary).

Haven’t tried Facebook yet? It’s free to join! Click here to sign up today.

Whether you need to move money from your checking to your savings account (or vice versa), we’ve made transferring funds easy:

Online – Through Online Banking you can transfer funds between any Framingham Co-operative Bank statement account. You can also arrange for scheduled transfers, which is a great way to build your nest egg.

Phone – On the road? With Telephone Banking you can manage your accounts right over the phone (including transferring funds) from anywhere, anytime. Just call toll-free (888) 415-9901.

ATM – Visit any Framingham Co-operative Bank ATM machine, and you can transfer funds between any accounts associated with your ATM or Debit Card.

Don’t forget – You can make unlimited transfers FROM your checking account, but due to federal regulations, you are limited to six (6) transfers and withdrawals per month from any savings account.

We know how difficult it can be to get to the Bank to make a deposit. The good news is there are a couple of ways you can get your deposit to the Bank, even when you can’t make it over yourself:

Make deposits at other banks’ ATMs
With NYCE Shared Deposit, you can make deposits at ATMs owned by participating institutions. Click here to find out more.

Have your paycheck deposited automatically
Save time and fuel with Direct Deposit to your Framingham Co-operative Bank Checking or Savings account. It’s easy to set up...and funds are available earlier!

Send your check in the mail
Send your endorsed check and deposit ticket to:
Deposit Operations; 828 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01701

On May 16th, members of Club Advantage joined us as we headed to the New England Aquarium to check out the new program "Turtles Uncovered: Get Beneath the Shell." We also spent time enjoying the Aquarium's many other exhibits on a beautiful Saturday.

www.flickr.com

Enhanced Login Security is superior security technology designed to protect your accounts from unauthorized access. It identifies you as the true “owner” of your accounts by recognizing not only your password but your computer as well.

If we don’t recognize your computer – for example, you’ve logged in from a public computer or one you haven’t used before– we’ll ask you challenge questions as an additional line of defense to prevent unauthorized access.

With Enhanced Login Security, you’ll be protected from whatever computer you’re using, whether you’re at home or on the go.

If you are new to Online Banking, the first time you log into your accounts you will be asked to set up your computer, as well as answer a series of "challenge questions." These challenge questions will also be used if you forget your online banking password and need it to be reset.

For more information, or if you have questions about Enhanced Login Security, please call Customer Service at (508) 820-4000 during regular business hours.

For the third year, Framingham Co-operative Bank has sponsored a student essay contest in three Framingham elementary schools.

Each year students in 11 fifth-grade classrooms at the McCarthy, Hemenway and Potter Road schools compete for first-place honors for essays reflecting their personal thoughts on: “What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?”

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We will be performing an upgrade to our computer systems this weekend.  During this time period, Online Banking and Bill Pay will be unavailable.

The affected times are from Saturday, May 2 at 1:00 pm until Sunday, May 3 at 5:00 pm.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

With Online Banking your account statements are available online – anytime, anywhere, at your convenience.

With paperless statements, you will receive your monthly statement electronically – so you will get it faster then ever before. Plus you can access statements from the past 16 months, making account research easy.

We will send you an e-mail each month when your new account statement is available online.

Paperless statements from Framingham Co-operative Bank are safe, secure and an excellent way to protect yourself from identity theft. And did we mention it’s totally free?

To sign up for e-statements, log into Online Banking and click on the “Online Statements” button.

Since it was established in 1998, the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation has donated over $1.4 million to community causes as part of its commitment to improve and enhance quality of life for local residents.

Spectators attending events at Framingham’s Loring Arena may be more comfortable in the future, with the help of a $10,000 award made recently by the Charitable Foundation.

According to Robert P. Lamprey, Foundation chairman, the $10,000 grant was made to the Framingham Parks and Recreation Commission, which is responsible for the Town-owned facility. In his funding request, Parks and Recreation Director Robert Merusi said that soaring energy costs have made it impossible to use traditional heating methods to keep the building at a comfortable temperature for patrons.

The most recent round of Foundation grants approached nearly $50,000, according to Lamprey.

Award recipients included United Way of Tri-County, which received $15,000. The sum of $6,500 was awarded to MetroWest Legal Services, which provides free, civil legal representation to local low-income residents. Advocates, Inc. received $2,000 in support of programs and services for people with disabilities.

The Foundation’s $5,000 award to Framingham Adult ESL will help that group continue its free English language instruction and life-skills training programs for local individuals from a variety of backgrounds, allowing them to fully participate in work and social activities in the community.

A donation of $3,200 from the Foundation to the St. Tarcisius School will help with classroom improvements, and its $3,000 gift will fund the Edwin Alexis Marin Memorial Scholarships awarded to several Framingham High School Latino graduating seniors each May.
 

Mark R. Haranas, president of Framingham Co-operative Bank, announced today that Kurt K. Bischoff, Jr. has joined the Bank as senior vice president, responsible for deposit operations and information technology management.

Bischoff joins the Framingham bank with over a decade of experience from South Shore Co-operative Bank, where he served most recently as senior vice president – operations and information technology. He also served in branch management and technology positions with Massachusetts Cooperative Bank, Summit Bank, and Greater Boston Bank during a career in financial services that spans nearly four decades.

A Norton resident, Bischoff holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Albion College in Michigan, and is a graduate of the New England School of Banking at Williams College. He also completed studies at Robert Morris Associates Commercial Lending at the University of New Hampshire and at the New England Banking Institute in Boston.

Throughout his professional career, he has been an active volunteer with numerous industry, community, charitable and civic organizations.

Steven M. Sousa, senior vice president of Framingham Co-operative Bank, has announced the promotion of Rahnuma Habib to the position of human resources manager, responsible for the personnel function and benefits administration throughout the Bank.

Habib, who joined Framingham Co-operative Bank as a teller in 1998, has served as human resources coordinator for the past decade. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Badrunnessa College in Bangladesh and also a bachelor of science degree in management from the University of Phoenix. An Ashland resident, she is a member of the Human Resource Management Association.

June 27, 2009

Come with us to Rhode Island and see the Pawtucket Red Sox take on the Syracuse Chiefs.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip motorcoach transportation
• Pawtucket Red Sox box seats
  
• Coupon for a hot dog, bag of chips, and Powerade Sports Drink
  

ONLY $5 for members. Limit 4 tickets per household.

SOLD OUT.

Featuring The Black Hills & Badlands
July 23 - 29, 2009
7 days

Join us as we enjoy the spectacular sites of South Dakota. Throughout this trip we will visit many fascinating locations including Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Badlands National Park.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip airfare from Logan Airport
• Hotel accommodations and transfers
• Air taxes and fees
• Six breakfasts
• Four dinners

$1,849 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

August 19, 2009

Beautiful dancers, soothing music and colorful costumes contrast with the exciting dance of Samoa, rhythmic drums of the Fuji War Dance and graceful Hawaiian hula.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip motorcoach transportation
• Dance show
  
• Dinner with a choice of either two 1 1/4 lb boiled lobsters or 8 oz. filet mignon with baked stuffed shrimp

$79.95 for members
$89.95 for non-members

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

Featuring Washington, Oregon and California
August 17 - 24, 2009
8 days

Come with us to experience some of the wonders of the Pacific Northwest and California. We will enjoy the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Redwood National Park, San Francisco and many other unforgettable locations.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip airfare from Logan Airport
• Hotel accommodations and transfers
• Air taxes and fees
• Five breakfasts
• Five dinners

$2,199 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

August 30, 2009

Come with us to Tanglewood and see James Taylor along with the Boston Pops Orchestra and John Williams, Conductor. You will also have time in the morning to browse through the quaint town of Stockbridge.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip motorcoach transportation
• Morning refreshments
  
• Luncheon at Jack's Grill with a choice of either Jack's Pot Roast with Gravy or Herb Grilled Chicken with Lemon-Thyme Jus.
• Reserved shed seating at Tanglewood
• Tickets are limited, please call Rachel Stewart for availability.
  

$139 for members
$149 for non-members

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

September 6 - 13, 2009
8 days

Join us as we enjoy the spectacular sites of Iceland. Throughout this trip we will visit many wonderful locations including Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Skaftafell National Park and much more!

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip airfare from Logan Airport
• Hotel accommodations and transfers
• Air taxes and fees
• Six breakfasts
• Four dinners

$2,899 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

September 18 - 20, 2009

Join us on a trip to Baltimore, Maryland for two summer days of baseball. We will visit Camden Yards for a tour of the stadium and two Red Sox vs. Orioles games.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip motorcoach transportation
• Morning beverages and donuts
  
• Hotel accommodations
• Reserved seating for two Red Sox vs. Orioles games
• Admission to Camden Yards for a stadium tour
• Narrated sightseeing tour of Baltimore
• Harbor cruise
  

$399 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

October 6-9, 2009

Come with us to Bar Harbor, Maine and see the splendid Acadia National Park during the fall foliage. Enjoy a narrated cruise of Bar Harbor and spend some time at the new Hollywood Slots Casino and Mt. Battie in Camden State Park. There will also be some time for shopping in Freeport, Portland and the Maine State Prison gift shop.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip motorcoach transportation
• Hotel accommodations
• Breakfast each morning
• Two dinners
• Guided tour of Acadia National Park
• Narrated cruise of Bar Harbor
• Buffet dinner at the Hollywood Slots Casino

$599 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

October 14 - 22, 2009
9 days

Come with us on this terrific tour of Sicily! Spend some time in Taormina, travel up Europe's largest active volcano Mt. Etna, and enjoy the medieval town of Piazza Armerina.  This will surely be a trip you remember.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip airfare from Logan Airport
• Hotel accommodations and transfers
• Air taxes and fees
• Seven breakfasts
• Four dinners

$3,269 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

November 1 - 9, 2009
9 days

Join us as we travel through the Copper Canyon. We will begin in Tucson, Arizona and end in El Paso, Texas with many magnificent sites along the way. Some of the fantastic highlights of the trip are San Carlos, Mexico, a gorgeous journey on the Chihuahua-Pacifico Railroad and a visit to the town of Creel.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip airfare from Logan Airport
• Hotel accommodations and transfers
• Air taxes and fees
• Eight breakfasts
• Three lunches
• Seven dinners

$2,199 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

November 29 - 30, 2009

Join us on this fun-filled holiday adventure. We are off to Mohegan Sun Casino for you to try your luck with some gambling. Then the holiday fun begins! We will enjoy a ride on the North Pole Express Train which includes a live musical performance of "The Night Before Christmas", a sing-a-long, hot chocolate and sugar cookies. We will also see the legendary Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes!

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip motorcoach transportation
• Hotel accommodations
• One breakfast
• One dinner
• The North Pole Express Train Ride
  
• Ticket to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
  
• Casino Gaming Package
  

$299 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

December 3, 2009   

Show some holiday spirit and join us at The Hanover Theater to see a fabulous holiday show featuring Sharon Zee and Stephen McNulty.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip motorcoach transportation
• Reserved seating for the show
  
• Dinner at Acadia & Indian Meadows Country Club

$69 for non-members
$79 for non-members

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.   

December 5 - 9, 2009
5 days

Come with us to San Antonio for some holiday cheer. It's sure to be a great time as we visit The Alamo, Fredericksburg and the Bandera Dude Ranch. 

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip airfare from Logan Airport
• Hotel accommodations and transfers
• Air taxes and fees
• Four breakfasts
• Three dinners

$1,599 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

February 21 - March 1, 2010
9 days

Join us as we travel to China. On this fantastic trip, you will be able to walk along a section of The Great Wall, see panda bears at the Bejing Zoo, see a Peking Opera show and experience ancient Bejing on a rickshaw tour.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip airfare from Logan Airport
• Hotel accommodations and transfers
• Air taxes and fees
• Seven breakfasts
• Four lunches
• Four dinners

$2,329 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.

Featuring the Sacred Valley, Cuzco & a 5-day Galapagos Islands cruise
March 3 - 16, 2010
14 days

Come with us on this breathtaking adventure. We will visit marvelous sites such as, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu, the ancient capital city Cuzco, and Quito Equador.  The trip will end with an incredible five-day cruise of the Galapagos Islands.

Our trip will include:

• Round-trip airfare from Logan Airport
• Hotel accommodations and transfers
• Air taxes and fees
• Twelve breakfasts
• Five lunches
• Nine dinners

$7,599 per person based on double occupancy.

To register: Use our online registration form or call Rachel Stewart at 508.532.8326.