Framingham Co-operative Bank

Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation award will help 800 local families, students

Rachel Stewart — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:31:05 GMT

A Place to Turn “Healthy Learners” initiative

A $5,000 grant to A Place to Turn from the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation will help improve the quantity and quality of the nonprofit’s food offerings to families in social and economic need who have school-age children.

The “Healthy Learners: Feed the Body, Feed the Mind” initiative introduced recently by A Place to Turn in Natick specifically targets those local families with school-age children served by the agency. It emphasizes food essential to a healthy diet, which in turn impacts the preparedness of students in school, according to Joanne Barry, executive director of A Place to Turn.

“Numerous studies link low income to poor nutrition and related performance issues in school,” Barry stated.

“The Charitable Foundation can appreciate the connection between a healthy diet and success in the schoolroom,” said Mark R. Haranas, president of Framingham Co-operative Bank. “We were pleased to offer our support for this particular program.”

HEALTHY CHECK – Joanne Barry (center), executive director of A Place to Turn, accepts a ceremonial check representing a $5,000 donation to the organization’s Healthy Learners program from the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation. With Barry are Rachel Stewart, administrative director of the Foundation, and Steven Sousa, senior vice president of the Bank and Foundation board member.

A Place to Turn assisted over 6,000 people in fiscal 2008, and that number has increased by 15% for the current fiscal year. The organization currently serves 800 families with school-aged children. Because WIC, the federally funded nutritional supplement program, ends for families when children turn five, many families receive fewer resources and nutritional support when their children begin schooling. The “Healthy Learners: Feed the Body, Feed the Mind” initiative specifically focuses on those families, providing children with nutrition-rich foods that can lead to improved school attendance, academic performance, and the overall health of the children.

Online Account Opening

Steve Sousa — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:45:58 GMT

Kimberly Sambuchi, Electronic Banking Manager, announced that you can now open some of our most popular accounts right from your own computer - ONLINE. It's all about giving new and existing customers more options and more convenience. So check out the "eBranch" on our home page. The account opening process lasts about 10 minutes.
And YES, you can still stop by or call us with any questions, that part won't change at FCB.

Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation awards $2,500 to A Suitable Image to help disadvantaged

Rachel Stewart — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:02:19 GMT

A $2,500 gift from the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation to A Suitable Image in Framingham will support that organization’s mission of helping low-income individuals successfully transition into the workforce.

The clothing distribution program provides unemployed, disadvantaged men and women with a free, suitable work-related wardrobe to help them “start over.”

According to Mark R. Haranas, president of Framingham Co-operative Bank, the award to A Suitable Image was among those made in the most recent round of funding by the Charitable Foundation, where nearly $40,000 in grants were distributed to benefit the community in a variety of ways.

WELL-SUITED — Linda Brooks (center), executive director of A Suitable Image, with Rachel Stewart, administrative director of the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation, and Mark R. Haranas, president of Framingham Co-operative Bank, with a ceremonial check representing the Foundation’s recent $2,500 donation to the Framingham-based nonprofit organization.

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. Throughout its 120-year history, the Bank has been consistently responsive to the needs of the community.

Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation Awards $10,000 to Project Just Because

Rachel Stewart — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:40:52 GMT

Mark R. Haranas, president of Framingham Co-operative Bank, announces that the Bank’s Charitable Foundation has donated $10,000 in support of programs offered by Project Just Because that serve the needs of individuals and families throughout the greater Framingham area.

Based in Hopkinton, Project Just Because activities include their own food bank; community service, hospital, domestic abuse, and career programs; services for seniors and students; and a holiday Wish List toy program.

“The Charitable Foundation’s grant to Project Just Because allows us to touch the lives of hundreds of local residents in a variety of ways,” said Haranas, “and allows us to reach many more people through one gift than we might be able to do otherwise.”

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.

JUST BECAUSE – The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation recently awarded $10,000 to Project Just Because in Hopkinton, in support of programs to meet the needs of area individuals and families. Project Just Because President/Founder Cherylann Walsh, second from left, accepts a ceremonial check presented by (from left) Board and Charitable Foundation member Clem Lambert, Foundation Administrative Director Rachel Stewart, and Bank President Mark R. Haranas.

Local bank, ad agency win national financial marketing award

Steve Sousa — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:08:34 GMT

Framingham Co-operative Bank and its advertising agency, Sundin Associates of Natick, together have received one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for financial marketing by winning an American Bankers Association (ABA) 2009 Financial Marketing Award.

The Bank’s recent Checking for Charity campaign was the second-place winner among institutions of similar size in the Impact category of the ABA competition. Financial service marketers and advertising professionals across the country judged each entry based on execution of the communication strategy, message and positioning, and the campaign’s overall results. Entrants included banks, savings and loans, insurance companies, brokerage firms, investment firms, and credit companies.

CHARITY CHECK — Framingham Co-operative Bank’s Steven Sousa, senior vice president, and Rachel Stewart (far right), assistant vice president marketing, present a check representing the Bank’s Checking for Charity donation to (from left) Nancy Prevost, Amanda Starkel and Kate Glynn of the New England Division of the American Cancer Society.

“Winning this recognition is a wonderful honor,” said Steven Sousa, senior vice president of Framingham Co-operative Bank. “We are thrilled to be recognized for the creativity and ingenuity that went into this campaign, and with our customers’ response to it.”

Each new checking account opened at Framingham Co-operative Bank during the Checking for Charity campaign netted a $10 donation to the American Cancer Society. In addition, all Bank locations displayed and distributed informative cancer prevention, treatment, and research information to the public.

Sousa reported that nearly 500 new accounts were opened during the Checking for Charity campaign. The Bank directed its $5,000 Checking for Charity donation to the local office of the American Cancer Society and to the Natick-based Ovations for a Cure, to benefit ovarian cancer research and that organization’s community-based awareness events and programs.

Win SUM Money: The SUM® $5,000 Sweepstakes

Kim Sambuchi — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:05:23 GMT

SUM “Buddy”, the walking, talking ATM machine, has been traveling around informing people about surcharge-free ATMs available through the SUM program.

Now, you can follow his adventures, and enter to win through the “Win SUM Money” sweepstakes.

As a participating member of the SUM Network, our customers can avoid ATM surcharges by using nearly 1,600 ATMs in Massachusetts and nationwide at over 3,000 SUM ATM machines in 29 states and Puerto Rico.

Click here to learn more about the SUM Program and to enter the sweepstakes.

Ready for a financing partner that makes you feel at home?

Rachel Stewart — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:51:37 GMT

“Framingham Co-operative Bank always makes us feel right at home.”
- Gina Richard and Rick Ricciardi, owners of Carby’s Lumber and The Corner Cabinet, Framingham

At Carby’s Lumber and The Corner Cabinet in Framingham, they have what it takes to make any home a showpiece. When father and daughter owners Rick Ricciardi and Gina Richard needed financing to buy and expand their businesses, they turned to Framingham Co-operative Bank.

“They were instrumental in getting us up and running,” Gina says. “We love dealing with Framingham Co-operative Bank. They have all the financing programs we need, together with a personal touch that makes us feel right at home.”

Need a local partner for your business?
Call Nicholas Kefalas at (508) 820-4043 or Michael Bilinsky at (508) 532-8305.

Need a business bank that can help you taste success?

Rachel Stewart — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:47:57 GMT

“Framingham Co-operative Bank is a key ingredient of our success.”
- Michael O’Neil, Owner of North End Treats & Dan Torchio, Manager, Framingham

North End Treats cooks up some of the best pizza and pastries around. When owner Mike O’Neil cooks up new plans for his business, he relies on Framingham Co-operative Bank.

“They really listen to what I want to do and provide solutions to help me accomplish my business goals,” Mike says. “They always get me where I’m going with my business.”

Need a local partner for your business?
Call Nicholas Kefalas at (508) 820-4043 or Michael Bilinsky at (508) 532-8305.

Sambuchi Will Manage New Electronic Banking Branch

Rachel Stewart — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:05:49 GMT

Mark R. Haranas, president of Framingham Co-operative Bank, has announced the promotion of Kimberly Sambuchi to the position of electronic banking manager.

In this newly created position, Sambuchi will manage the Bank’s “E-Branch,” a new department within the retail banking division headed by Steven Sousa, senior vice president.

Sambuchi’s areas of responsibility will encompass online banking, online bill pay and presentment, mobile banking, and online account opening. Also, ATM/debit card support management, telephone banking, telephone and online live support, and training and personnel development. Electronic banking specialists from within the Bank will support E-Branch activities.

A Framingham resident, Sambuchi joined the Bank in 2002 as a teller. She was promoted to customer service representative the following year and has served as a retail banking analyst since 2007.

She has been actively involved in Ashland High School’s Life Skills student workshops, and was honored by the Framingham School Committee in 2007 for initiating what is now an annual Patriot’s Day Essay Contest held in 10 fifth-grade classrooms in three local schools.

Sambuchi is a graduate of Framingham High School, and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University and a master of arts degree in business from Framingham State College.