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Institution for Savings, a $5 billion community bank headquartered in Newburyport, has been named one of the 2024 Top Places to Work in Massachusetts in the 17th annual employee-based survey from The Boston Globe. The Top Places to Work issue publishes online at globe.com/topplaces online and in Globe Magazine on Sunday, December 8th.

The Bank is one of only two companies to have made the top list every year that the list has been published.

Top Places to Work recognizes the most admired workplaces in the state voted on by the people who know them best—their employees. The survey measures employee opinions about their company’s direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay, benefits, and engagement. The employers are placed into one of four groups: small, with 50 to 99 employees; medium, with 100 to 249 workers; large, with 250 to 999 staff members; and largest, with a workforce of 1,000 or more employees.

The Institution for Savings was ranked number 17 in the Medium category, up from number 23 in 2023.

“What makes this honor so gratifying is that it is based on the confidential feedback from our very own employees,” said Institution for Savings president and CEO Michael J. Jones. “To be one of only two Massachusetts companies to have consistently made the list for 17 straight years -- at a time when workplaces are adjusting to meet the needs of a changing workforce -- makes this even more special.  Our employees are our greatest asset, and I am truly grateful to lead such a dedicated team.”

The Globe Magazine also includes a segment highlighting special recognitions some of the top companies bestow on their employees and features the Bank’s longstanding President’s Award, give annually to an employee that goes above and beyond.

“The best employers pay attention to the many ways work changes – and the many ways it stays the same – and figure out how to keep people engaged and motivated through it all,” said Katie Johnston, the Globe’s Top Places to Work editor.

The rankings in Top Places to Work are based on confidential survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention, from nearly 68,000 employees at 323 Massachusetts organizations.

NEWBURYPORT — Institution for Savings President and CEO Michael J. Jones was recently appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) Board.

MHP is a public nonprofit affordable housing organization that works in concert with the governor and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to increase the supply of affordable housing in Massachusetts. It does this by financing affordable rental housing, providing mortgage financing for first-time home buyers, providing technical assistance for housing and neighborhood development and works to establish statewide housing policy. The partnership is governed by a seven-member board of directors appointed by the governor.

“Mike Jones is a fabulous addition to our board,” said MHP Executive Director Clark Ziegler. “He brings a wealth of experience and has led his bank to be an industry leader on housing and community investment. He’s also a champion of affordable housing in his own hometown of Ipswich.”

Jones said he was “truly honored” to have been chosen by Healey and added he was looking forward to working with Ziegler and his team.

“Massachusetts has faced a housing shortage for decades, with the demand for affordable housing significantly outpacing production and availability. I look forward to lending my time and experience as a longtime affordable housing advocate to this board as we work to make housing more affordable in Massachusetts,” Jones said.

Earlier this year, Healey signed into law the Affordable Homes Act into law, historic legislation that authorizes $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years along with policy initiatives to address rising housing costs in the state caused by high demand and limited supply.

“Mike’s lengthy experience in banking will help support MHP’s goal of creating a future with an adequate housing supply and reasonable housing costs,” said Massachusetts Housing Secretary Edward M. Augustus.

The Institution for Savings, through its Charitable Foundation, awarded and pledged over $750,000 in the third quarter of 2024, announced President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Jones recently.

The largest grants included $30,000 to Nourishing the North Shore to support its Vegout program, $35,000 to the Newburyport Lions Club for Yankee Homecoming Race and t-shirts; $25,000 to Wellspring House for its housing support program; $25,000 to Pettengill House to support its ongoing programs and service; and $15,000 to Beverly Bootstraps for event sponsorship and operating support. The Bank also paid ongoing commitments to Citizens Inn, Essex County Greenbelt Association, Hamilton-Wenham Athletic Improvement Association, and Triton Education Foundation.

“Our vision is to positively affect the lives of every person, business and organization in the communities we serve,” said Mr. Jones. “The Bank’s Charitable Foundation allows us to share our financial success with the communities that have helped us achieve that success. These are still challenging times for so many of our non-profits and we are thrilled to be able to support them in this way.”

Other non-profit organizations who received third quarter grants from the Bank are as follows: Action Inc.; Anna Jaques Hospital; Best Buddies Massachusetts; Byfield-Newbury Baseball Softball; Cabot Performing Arts Center; Cape Ann Business Incubator; Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra; Central Congregational Church - Chocolate Tour; Community Action Inc. Community Service of Newburyport; Community Through Music Youth Chorus; Cycling Without Age MA; Distributive Education Clubs Of America (DECA); Essex County Trail Association; FRAXA Research Foundation; Friends Of North Shore Childrens Museum; General Charitable Society of Newburyport; Girls Incorporated of Lynn; Gloucester Fund; Haven Project Inc.; Horizon Club; Horses Healing Hearts; Immaculate Conception School; Ipswich Cultural Council; Ipswich High School Football Boosters; Ipswich High School Hall of Fame; John Ashford Link House; Joppa Flats Running Club; Kestrel Educational Adventures; Neurofibromatosis Incorporated Northeast; Newbury Elementary School; Newburyport Art Association; Newburyport Choral Society; and Newburyport Youth Football.

Also: North Of Boston Cancer Resource; North Shore Community Action Programs; Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras; Pan-Massachusetts Challenge; Pathways For Children; PTA Massachusetts Parent-Teacher Association; Resolution Center Inc.; Road Runners Club of America; Rockport New Years Eve; Rotary International; Ruth’s House; Sean Perkins Foundation; SeniorCare; Society for the Development of Arts And Humanities of Greater Newburyport; Storm Surge Inc.; Sweet Paws Rescue; The Impossible Dream Inc.; The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International; The Salem Pantry; Third Sector New England; Town of Salisbury - Parks & Recreation; Triton Amesbury Junior Maples Youth Hockey League; Triton Boosters Club, Inc.; Tri-Town Council On Youth and Family Services Inc.; United Church Of Christ, dba Belleville Roots Music Series; Victoria’s Victory Foundation; Wenham Historical Association & Museum; West Newbury PTO; Whittier Tech Educational Foundation; and Young Men’s Christian Association of Metro North.

SALEM — “What type of car can I afford on an actuary’s salary?” “What’s an HMO?” “I had no idea my parents paid that much for cable TV!”

Those were just a few of the comments from high school students navigating their future at the 14th annual Credit for Life Fair held May 23 at Salem State University.

More than 1,100 North Shore high school juniors from 14 schools attended the event, underwritten and organized by the Institution for Savings. They were joined by 150 community volunteers, including 50 IFS employees, Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon, Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, the division of bank examiners, financial planners, real estate agents and nonprofit leaders.

The Institution for Savings event is the largest of its kind in New England. High schools attending the event included Amesbury, Newburyport, Triton Regional, Pentucket Regional, Ipswich, Georgetown, Masconomet Regional, Hamilton-Wenham Regional, Salem, Swampscott, Beverly, Rockport and Gloucester, as well as Landmark School in Beverly.

Using the bank’s Credit for Life website (creditforlife.org), students created profiles on their mobile devices, then chose professions. Then using their assigned monthly “salaries,” along with a credit card and savings account, they visited 12 booths set up in Rockett Arena and purchased everything they would need to live as 25-year-olds. The booths featured housing, transportation, food and nutrition, education and training, health and wellness, and planning for the future.

The event’s goal, according to Institution for Savings President and CEO Michael Jones, was to help local high school students develop personal budgeting skills that they will use throughout their lives.

“The greatest part of the morning was listening in to the students talk about their choices and decision-making,” said Jones, whose twin sons attended the event from Ipswich High School. “Seeing them trying to decide if they can afford to live on their own or need a roommate, or choosing a used Jeep over a lease is so gratifying to me because that is exactly what this event is geared to do: Get them to start learning how to manage their money before they leave high school.”

Local community volunteers included Gove and Reardon, North Shore Chamber CEO Karen Andreas, Salem Pantry Executive Director Robyn Burns and Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce President Nate Allard.

“The Credit for Life Fair is an amazing event to witness in person,” Reardon said. “Financial literacy is such an important skill that currently is not required for graduation in Massachusetts schools. Institution for Savings deserves a lot of credit for bringing hundreds of juniors from 14 different high schools to come and participate in this immersive real-world financial simulation.”

A group of financial planners from EP Wealth Advisor and The Sentinel Group were also on hand to advise the students, as were staffers from Salem State University. Kristin MacDonald from the office of state Sen. Bruce Tarr also volunteered as did Phil DeCologero and Madison Gonzalez from the office of State Auditor Diana DiZoglio.

DeCologero, who has volunteered at the fair several times, said he is “always amazed” at the planning by organizers, the enthusiasm of volunteers, and the seriousness of students.

“I wish I had access to this type of programming when I was in high school, and it’s clear the students who do get to participate understand the benefit of the resources they’re being exposed to. Thank you to Institution for Savings for devoting so much to helping so many,” DeCologero said.

Gove said the fair offers “incredible hands-on learning experience” for Amesbury students.

“In the absence of required standardized financial literacy in our school, they’re filling the gap. Our students beg us for real life education and opportunities for ‘adulting’ and this program checks all the boxes. Every student should experience Credit for Life,” Gove said after the event.

A highlight of the morning was the Safety & Security Booth, staffed by police officers from eight North Shore communities.

Swampscott police Officer Brian Wilson brought Sora, the department’s comfort dog, along as well. Officers talked with the students about important issues that keep young adults safe, such as texting and avoiding substance use while driving, and having smoke detectors in living space. Students also took turns trying out impairment goggles that simulate levels of alcohol impairment to make them aware of how alcohol can adversely affect their vision and functions.

“The students learn so much, and have fun doing it,” Andreas said. “They talk about credit card debt, saving for emergencies, whether they should adopt a dog and afford the vet bills. It’s an outstanding learning experience.”

Two local banks and a charitable foundation have banded together to make sure kids can get into the swing of things at the soon-to-be completed Market Landing Park.

Added together, the Institution for Savings, Newburyport Bank and the Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation are donating $290,000 so that trellis swings can be built along the central waterfront boardwalk overlooking the Merrimack River.

The swings are part of the city’s $6 million Market Landing Park project, which will see the conversion of a number of waterfront parking lots into additional green space, as well as the addition of park wings and a shared use path connecting two phases of the Clipper City Rail Trail down near the waterfront.
In addition to the swings, the donated funds are going toward new Adirondack chairs, park benches and hammock-like structures, according to Newburyport Planning Director Andrew Port.
“These are primarily places for seating in the park,” he said.

The Institution for Savings donated $50,000 for the new amenities though its charitable foundation, according to Port, who added that the Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation is kicking in $40,000 while the Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation has pledged $200,000.

“We felt that this project would enhance the public’s enjoyment of our beautiful waterfront, and that Nick and Mary Alice Arakelian would be proud to know that their foundation helped to make it possible,” Mark Welch, president of the Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation, said.

Established in 1965, the Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Newburyport area, such as Anna Jaques Hospital and others, according to its website.
Institution for Savings President Michael J. Jones said when Mayor Sean Reardon approached the bank about financially supporting the Market Landing Park project, it seemed like a natural partnership based on the bank’s long track record with the city.

“This park will serve as a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors alike, allowing everyone to enjoy the beautiful central waterfront with its boardwalk, bike paths, seating areas and other site amenities,” he said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to help bring this project to fruition and look forward to its completion later this spring.”

Newburyport Bank leader Lloyd L. Hamm, in a statement, called the new Market Landing Park a “beautiful spot for everyone to enjoy,” saying the bank’s foundation was “eager” to support the initiative when the construction and expansion project was announced years ago.

“The expansion of green space within our communities is essential to the well-being of all that live, work and visit here, and the Market Landing project does just that,” he said. “We are extraordinarily proud to support this effort.”

Port said the city remains on track to complete construction of the first phase of the Market Landing Park project by late May.

“We still haven’t quite decided the opening date, but we’ll be seeding the grass very soon and want to make sure that it takes decently,” he said. “Other than that, we expect everyone will be able to enjoy the park soon.”
NEWBURYPORT — A crowd of more than 75 employees, trustees and friends cheered on the raising of the final beam of the Institution for Savings’ long-awaited main office expansion plan Friday at the bank’s 93 State St. location.

President & CEO Mike Jones and EVP/COO Kim Rock commemorate the final beam installationPresident and CEO Michael Jones, along with Executive Vice President and COO Kimberly Rock, donned hard hats and harnesses and went up in a bucket truck to inspect and cheer on the installation after it was raised by members of the construction team overseen by the bank’s general contractor, Groom Construction.

Other construction team members on hand included Lisa Mead and Adam Costa of the law firm Mead, Talerman & Costa, who represented the bank during the lengthy planning and approval process; representatives from Architectural Resources Cambridge and Woodman Associates, who designed the expansion; Groom Construction principal Scott Faulkner and members of his team; and representatives from owner’s representative Scalora Consulting Group.

The bank’s historic main office, constructed of brownstone, was built in 1871 and has been the headquarters for 153 years. Designed by well-known Boston architect Rufus Sargent, it has known only two renovations during that time: the remodeling and addition of the side wing in 1903 by famed architect Edwin Dodge and the addition to the rear building in 1983 designed by Woodman & Associates.

“We were thrilled to celebrate this milestone with so many of those who made this much-needed expansion possible,” Jones said. “It was nearly five years ago to the day that we began planning this expansion,” Jones said.

In December 2019, the bank submitted an application to the city for a much-needed expansion to accommodate the bank’s growth. After months of meetings and plan revisions, the plan was approved in July 2022 and the bank broke ground on the project on July 31, 2023.

“When completed, this addition will allow the bank to centralize its core operations right here in our main headquarters, which is critical to our ongoing success and growth. Our bylaws state that this office forever will be the main headquarters of the Institution for Savings and this addition is critical to our operations. It is an exciting time for sure,” Jones said.

Anticipated completion of the project is in early 2025.

NEWBURYPORT — The annual meeting of the IFS 1820 Bancorp, Mutual Holding Company of Institution Savings was held on March 11 at the Black Swan Country Club, attended by more than 275 corporators and bank employees.

President and CEO Michael J. Jones welcomed attendees and summarized 2023 financials. The bank reported strong net earnings of $41 million, representing a return on assets of 0.82 percent. Despite interest rate challenges, residential loans increased by $284 million, reaching a milestone of $4 billion. Commercial loans increased $135 million, representing the bank’s highest in-house commercial loan growth to date. Total assets increased 3.5 percent, topping $5 billion for the first time.

Capital increased $42 million totaling $570 million and remains strong at 11.31 percent. Jones told corporators that the Bank’s solid capital position will provide opportunities for future anticipated growth in loan and investment portfolios. He also noted that the bank led its peer group and local competitors in multiple categories, particularly those relating to the bank’s low operating cost structure due to the efficiency of the Bank’s employees.


“Our success is due to the daily commitment of our talented team of employees and our loyal customer base,” Jones said. “We are so fortunate to have a strong and caring board of trustees and an incredibly hard-working team of employees.”

Jones also reported on several milestones achieved in 2023:

  • Completed 79 State St. – new home of retail operations.
  • Began main office expansion project.
  • Named The Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work for the 16th consecutive year.
  • Named Boston Business Journal’s Best Places to Work for the eighth consecutive year.
  • Named as one of the largest corporate charitable contributors in Massachusetts by Boston Business Journal.
  • IFS Charitable Foundation donated and pledged $2 million to local non-profit organizations.

In addition, the bank’s employee-driven #Giving for Good program donated nearly $20,000 worth of resources to 18 local community causes.

During the meeting Jones recognized retiring trustee Freeman J. Condon of Salisbury who has served on the bank’s board since 2007.

“When we opened our first office outside of Newburyport, we needed an individual who could represent the bank in a professional and compassionate way. We hoped we could find a successful entrepreneur and we wanted somebody who embodied the bank’s vision. We could not have chosen a better person than Freeman Condon. Freeman’s guidance, commitment and loyalty to the Institution for Savings during his 16 years as a trustee was critical to the success and growth of the bank. His background and experience as a Salisbury businessman, public official and community leader were instrumental as the bank expanded into new communities.”

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a 20-minute video that focused on the bank’s compensation and benefits, supportive family-first culture and wellness initiatives. Corporators and employees were also invited to sign a 450-pound steel beam that will be the final beam added to the bank’s main office construction project, tentatively scheduled to be completed in early 2025.

Four new corporators were also elected during the meeting. They include Thomas Bean, enrolled tax agent and owner of Bean & Bean in Newburyport; Louis Bonasera, partner, The Financial Advisors, Newburyport and Topsfield resident; Adam Costa, attorney and owner of Mead, Talerman & Costa of Newburyport and Ipswich resident; and Peter White, attorney and owner of Law office of Peter B. White of Danvers and Topsfield resident.

Before concluding the meeting, Jones announced the recipient of this year’s President’s Award, given annually to an employee who consistently goes above and beyond his or her duties to serve the bank and its customers. This year’s award was given to Float Customer Service Representative Matthew Catalini who, according to Jones, is well liked, displays kindness and respect to all, always goes above and beyond and is willing to work whenever and wherever needed.

NEWBURYPORT — The Institution for Savings recently promoted three employees, according to CEO and President Michael Jones.

David Doucette was promoted to senior vice president of commercial lending; Jeffrey Salerno was promoted to assistant vice president of residential lending; and Shannon Maloney was promoted to assistant vice president and Storey Avenue Newburyport manager.

Dave Doucette, promotion

Doucette has spent nearly his entire professional career with the Institution for Savings. As a high school student, he worked in the bank’s educational school bank at Ipswich High School and continued as a part-time teller while in college.

Following his college graduation, Doucette joined the bank’s residential loan department as a loan processor. In 2009, he transferred to commercial lending as a credit analyst and became a commercial loan officer in 2015. In 2017, Doucette was promoted to assistant vice president and to vice president in 2019. He was promoted to senior vice president earlier this year. He is based in the bank’s commercial lending office at 312 Haverhill St. in Rowley.

Jeff Salerno, promotionWith 20 years of mortgage lending experience, Salerno joined the bank in 2018 as mortgage officer and was promoted to assistant vice president earlier this year. He attended New England School of Financial Studies and the Massachusetts Bankers Association School of Mortgage Banking. Salerno is based in the bank’s Amesbury office at 150 Main St.



Shannon Maloney, promotionMaloney joined the Institution for Savings as a teller in 2015. She was promoted to head teller in 2017 and Rowley office assistant manager in 2022. In April, Maloney returned to the Storey Avenue office as assistant manager and was then promoted to manager in January.

“We believe strongly in giving our employees the opportunities and education to advance in their careers here at the bank and these promotions are great examples of that,” Jones said. “I congratulate Dave, Jeff and Shannon on these well-deserved promotions and look forward to seeing all that they are going to do in these new positions.”


by Jim Sullivan, Newburyport Daily News

Feb 26, 2024

NEWBURYPORT — Local high school students have been receiving some professional advice on navigating the pitfalls of the college financial aid application process, thanks in no small part to the Institution for Savings.

The State Street bank recently donated roughly $2,500 to allow Newburyport and Triton Regional high schools to work with College Affordable, a nonprofit organization that works with school districts to help families through the minefield that is the college financial aid application process.

“They help with anything from scholarships, to financial aid awards, to filling out all the forms and making sure they’re done correctly,” said Aaron Smith, a college and career counselor at Newburyport High School. “They also appeal any award letters and help the students through the process.”

Brian Gardiner is the executive director of College Affordable, which he started with partners Gregg Cohen and Polly Ribatt a few years ago after trying to figure out how to get his kid’s college education paid for on his own.

“The Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form, is what you use to get federal money and that’s just one thing we help with,” he said. “There’s also a statistic from a few years ago that says half of the eligible students for a Pell Grant never completed the FAFSA. That’s $20,000 of free money from the government and they never got it because it was either too complicated or they just didn’t know how to do it.”

College Affordable began working with Newburyport High School in October and Triton in November, according to Gardiner, who said he has worked with more than 100 families in Newburyport and about 40 in the Triton Regional School District.

“Right now, our focus are the seniors but we really want to start working with junior families as well,” he said.

Mary Anne Clancy, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Institution for Savings, said in an email that the bank is happy to support such an initiative.

“We are huge proponents of youth education and supporting high school students as they prepare for their futures is so important,” she said. “We look forward to seeing what the students will do with this great tool.”

Smith said College Affordable has been very helpful with the FAFSA application.

“That thing’s a beast,” he said. “The format and everything is online and there have been lots and lots of issues. The website has gone down and new things have come up.”

Karen Cassidy, a career readiness counselor for Triton, said in an email that 30% of her students identify as low income and her school is very grateful for the financial aid counseling that College Affordable provides.

“This type of support is what makes the difference between our students completing their FAFSA form or not and ultimately will determine whether they have an opportunity to attend college or not,” she said. “The support from College Affordable is especially important this year as the financial aid process has been delayed, student awards have been impacted, and the timing of award letters is putting additional stress and pressure on families to make important financial decisions under duress.”

Many colleges are beginning to push back their deposit deadlines, according to Cassidy, who said families should be encouraged to contact the schools to request an extension for their deadline. They should also schedule their College Affordable appointments to review awards and consider appeals, she said.

The Institution for Savings has been an excellent partner, according to Smith. Since school counselors are not supposed to help families with financial issues, having College Affordable assist families for free has been beneficial.

“It has been outstanding and invaluable as far as having them as a resource,” he said. “I have been super excited to be able to have them and hopefully continue with them next year as we go on.”

The Institution for Savings, through its Charitable Foundation, awarded and pledged over $500,000 in the second quarter of 2023, announced President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Jones.

The largest grants included two $100,000 payments to the Ipswich YMCA and North Shore YMCA as part of multiyear pledges for the Ipswich Aquatic Center and new Cape Ann YMCA building respectively. The Bank also granted $30,000 to Our Neighbors Table for grocery support and event sponsorships; $30,000 to the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center for sponsorship and programs; and $20,000 to The Salem Pantry for its Market and food programs. Grants of $15,000 were given to the YMCA of Greater Newburyport for its VEGOUT program and the Newburyport Lions Club for its annual Yankee Homecoming Road Race sponsorship. Grants of $10,000 each went to Action, Inc., Beverly Bootstraps, and Ipswich Education Foundation.

“One of the greatest impacts we have as a mutual bank is to share our success with non-profit organizations in the communities that are responsible for that success,” said Mr. Jones. “We are pleased to be able to provide this much-needed financial support to those organizations that truly make a difference in our communities every day.”

Other non-profit organizations who received a second quarter grant from the Bank are as follows: Amesbury Carriage Museum Inc.; Amesbury Days; Amesbury Public Schools; Anchor of Hope Diaper Bank, Inc.; Assumption of the Virgin Mary; Backyard Growers, Inc.; Beverly Children's Learning Center; Beverly Council on Aging; Beverly Historical Society Inc.; Beverly Homecoming Inc.; Beverly Main Streets; Boys & Girls Clubs of Merrimack Valley; Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem; Bread & Roses Housing, Inc.; Care Dimensions; Community Action Inc.; Essex County Trail Association; Essex Parent Teacher Organization Incorporated.; Family Services of the Merrimack Valley; Friends of Buker Elementary School; Friends of Veasey Park Inc.; Generous Gardeners; Greater Newburyport Ovarian Cancer Awareness; Greater Newburyport Village Inc.; Groveland Fire Fighters Association; Habitat for Humanity; Hamilton Wenham Friends of the Arts; Ipswich River Watershed Association; Ipswich YMCA Outdoor Aquatic Center; James L. Melvin Post 379 American Legion; Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action Inc.; John Ashford Link House Inc.; and Lazarus House Ministries Inc.

Also: Leap for Education Inc.; Lowell's Boat Shop and Museum; Lucy's Love Bus Charitable Trust Inc.; Manchester Summer Chamber Music Ltd.; Merrimack Valley Concert Band, Inc.; Merrimack Valley YMCA; Music for Music; New England Exchange Clubs Foundation; Newburyport Film Festival , Inc.; Newburyport Literary Association Inc.; North Beverly Elementary School PTO; Northeast Arc Inc.; Northeast Independent Living Program Inc.; Pentucket Activities Association Inc.; Pine Grove School PTA; Rockport Fireman's Association; Rockport High School; Rockport Illumination Fund Inc.; Root North Shore Inc.; Runway for Recovery; Salem Pantry Inc.; Salem Pantry Inc.; Salem Pantry Inc.; Salisbury Historical Society; SCORE - Northeast Mass Chapter 411; Self Esteem Boston Educational Institute, Inc.; Supportive Living, Inc.; Talia Duff Foundation Inc.; Thatcher Island Association; The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport; The Children's Center for Communication; The Open Door; Three Sisters Garden Project; Topsfield Athletic Association; Topsfield Police K9 Foundation Inc.; Topsfield Public Schools; Triton Boosters Club Inc.; and Winners Circle Running Club.

Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending Mark Zink has been promoted to Senior Lender and will lead the Institution for Savings’ commercial lending team, announced president and CEO Michael J. Jones. He succeeds former SVP and Senior Lender David Boudreau who retired in June.

Mark joined the Bank as vice president in June of 2020 and was promoted to senior vice president in January 2022.  Previously, he was vice president of commercial lending at Melrose Bank for five years and Radius Bank for seven years.  

“Since joining the Bank three years ago Mark has been an integral part of the Bank’s team, always ready to help our clients and his fellow team members,” said Mr. Jones.  “His professionalism and commitment to helping his customers is a great asset to our very busy commercial lending department. Additionally, Mark’s keen knowledge of the commercial lending environment on the North Shore and beyond is invaluable to the continued growth and expansion of our commercial lending portfolio.”

Mark earned a BA degree from Western New England University and an MBA from Northeastern University.  In his free time, he volunteers at Lazarus House in Lawrence, is a board member of the Horizon Club in Newburyport and is on the finance committee for Citizen’s Inn in Peabody.

Mark is based in the Bank’s Commercial Lending Center located at 312 Haverhill Street in Rowley. He can be reached at 978-225-1352.


The Institution for Savings, through its Charitable Foundation, awarded and pledged $394,250 in the first quarter of 2023, announced President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Jones recently.

The largest grants last quarter included $25,000 gifts to Anna Jaques Hospital and North Shore YMCA to support mental health and other wellness initiatives as well as various events. The Bank also donated $20,000 to the Newburyport Education Foundation to support the Newburyport High School Investment Club and other events; $10,000 to the Amesbury Education Foundation to support its Hall of Honor; and $10,000 to Wellspring House to sponsor its ‘History Lives Here’ event.

“Supporting individuals and non-profits in need within our communities has been a cornerstone of our vision for more than 200 years,” said Mr. Jones. “As the economy continues to challenge so many, we will do everything we can to support our local non-profits who support those in our communities who need it most.”
Additional donations and pledges were made to the following non-profit organizations in the first quarter of 2023: 1st Lieutenant Derek Hines Soldiers Assistance Fund; Addison Gilbert Hospital Citizens Fund; Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders; Amesbury High School; Amesbury Improvement Association; Beverly High School; Building a Better Beverly Inc; Byfield-Newbury Baseball Softball; Cantemus Chamber Chorus; Colleen Ritzer Memorial Fund; Educational Foundation for Rockport; Essex County Community Foundation Incorporated; Essex County Trail Association Inc; Essex National Heritage Commission; FRAXA Research Foundation, Friends of Ipswich Elementary Schools; Friends of the Ipswich Elderly, Friends of the Topsfield library; Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association; Gloucester High School; Gloucester Pride Stride Committee; Green Beverly 107Q; Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District Education Fund; Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District Education Fund; and Hamilton Regional High School.

Also, Harborlight Community Partners; Harry Lee Cole Elementary School; Healing Abuse Working for Change; Horizons for Homeless Children; Ipswich High School; LEAP for Education; Mental Makeover; Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society; Merrohawke Nature School; Montserrat College of Art; My Brothers Table; Newburyport Chamber Music Festival; Newburyport Choral Society; Newburyport Elementary School PTO; Newburyport High School; Newburyport Maritime Society; North Shore Concert Band; On Stage Inc.; Opportunity Works; Plummer Youth Promise; Our Neighbor’s Table; PTA Massachusetts Parent-Teacher Association; Pentucket Regional School District Parent Alliance Inc.; Rockport Middle School; Rockport High School; Rockport Garden Club; Rotary Club of Gloucester Foundation; Salem High School; Science from Scientists Inc.; SeniorCare Inc.; St. Peter’s Fiesta; The Community House; The Ellie Fund; The Gloucester Adventure; The Hammond Museum; Topsfield Public Schools; Topsfield Public Schools; Town of Salisbury Parks & Recreation; Travis Eliot Landreth Memorial Scholarship Fund Inc.; Triton Regional High School; Tri-town Council on Youth and Family Services, Inc.; VNA Care Network; and YWCA of Newburyport.

The annual meeting of the IFS 1820 Bancorp, Mutual Holding Company of Institution Savings was held March 13th at the Black Swan Country Club, attended by more than 250 corporators and Bank employees.

President and CEO Michael J. Jones welcomed the attendees and reported that the Bank attained record net operating earnings of $40.7 million in 2022, an increase of $5.1 million or 14% over 2021.  Total assets in 2022 reached $4.869 billion, an increase of $334 million or 7 percent.  Total loans reached $3.7 billion, representing record growth of $491 million or 15 percent. Total deposits increased $126 million or 4 percent reaching $3.6 billion.  Total capital ended the year at $528 million and remains strong at 11 percent, providing opportunities for future growth and expansion.

During the business meeting Mr. Jones addressed the recent national headlines regarding bank failures, and reiterated that the Institution for Savings is strong, stable and well-positioned due to its robust capital position, prudent loan underwriting and responsible business model.  Customer deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); funds that exceed FDIC limits are insured by the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). The Bank has posted a letter on its website with a similar message to its customers.

Mr. Jones also reported on a number of milestones achieved in 2022:

  • Ranked 17th nationally by American Banker in its annual ranking of banks with assets $2 to $10 billion (based on 12/31/21 results)
  • Named to the Boston Globe Top Places to Work for the 15th consecutive year
  • Named to Boston Business Journal’s Best Places to Work for the 7th consecutive year and one of Massachusetts’ largest corporate charitable contributors
  • Named Best Bank by The Newburyport Daily News for the 14th consecutive year
  • Named Best Bank by The Salem News for the fourth consecutive year
  • Completed the rear wing renovations at its Newburyport Main office
  • Through its Institution for savings Charitable Foundation donated more than $2.3 million to local non-profit organizations.

During the meeting, the corporation elected one new Trustee to join the board: Kerri S. Perry. Ms. Perry, a Newbury resident, is currently President and CEO of Community Action, Inc. a multi-service non-profit organization serving low-income individuals and families in eleven cities and towns in the Merrimack Valley and seacoast regions.

Three new corporators were also elected during the meeting.  They include Robyn Burns, executive director of the Salem Food Pantry and a Salem resident; Angelo Perrina, a Middleton resident and co-founder of Nutre Meal Plans LLC; and Sarah Player, a physical therapist and vice chair of the Ipswich Board of Selectmen who resides in Ipswich.

Also, during the meeting, Mr. Jones recognized two long-time Institution for Savings officers who are retiring in the coming months:  Senior Vice President of Residential Lending Larry Hunter who retires this week; and Senior Lender/Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending David Boudreau who will retire July 1st.

Before concluding the meeting, Mr. Jones announced the recipient of this year’s President’s Award, given annually to an employee who consistently goes above and beyond his or her duties to serve the Bank and its customers.   This year’s award was given to Information Technology Help Desk Technician Richard Denaro who, according to Mr. Jones, was nominated by several individuals for his caring, friendly attitude as well as consistently making the extra effort to help colleagues.

In addition to the Bank’s 68-page annual report, all guests received gourmet chocolates from M cacao of Amesbury, with a special video about the Bank embedded into the box.  Chocolate video boxes made by m cacao were also the featured gift at the 65th annual Grammy Awards gift lounge earlier this year.

For the fifteenth straight year the Institution for Savings has been named one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts in the annual employee-based survey conducted by The Boston Globe. The Bank ranked thirteenth overall, up from number 18 in 2021, and is one of only two of the 150 companies ranked that has made the list every year.

Top Places to Work recognizes the most admired workplaces in the state and is voted on by the people who know them best—their employees. More than 380 companies and 94,000 employees participated this year, with 150 chosen. The survey measures employee opinions about their company’s direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay and benefits, and engagement. The employers are placed into one of four groups: small, with 50 to 99 employees; medium, with 100 to 249 workers; large, with 250 to 999; and largest, with 1,000 or more. The Institution for Savings is in the Medium category with approximately 180 employees.

“What makes this honor so gratifying is that it is based on the confidential feedback from our very own employees,” said Institution for Savings president and CEO Michael J. Jones. “To be one of only two Massachusetts companies to have consistently made the list for 15 straight years -- at a time when workplaces are adjusting to meet the needs of a changing workforce -- makes this all the more special to us. Our employees are our greatest asset, and I am truly grateful to lead such a dedicated team.”

Mr. Jones said that making the list each year often gives the Bank an advantage when looking to hire and retain employees. “We have had new hires in the past tell us that being recognized as a top place to work made a difference to them when job-searching,” he said. “Particularly now, with so many businesses trying to fill open positions employees can be more selective about the type of company they choose to work for. I believe our reputation for having generous benefits along with a positive, family-friendly work environment gives us a leg up over other companies looking to hire.”

“"We are undergoing a work revolution, and the companies that are truly responding to their employees' needs, that are putting their people first, are the ones leading the charge," said Katie Johnson, The Boston Globe's Top Places to Work list editor.

The Top Places to Work 2022 issue can be found online and was published in the Boston Globe Sunday Globe Magazine on December 4th.
Citizens Inn big check donation


PEABODY — The Institution for Savings is donating $400,000 to Citizens Inn in Peabody this month.

The donation will fund programming and operational costs for the nonprofit’s Haven from Hunger program. This includes supporting the food pantry, resource center and community meals that many locals rely on.

“This funding is so important because the community continues to have needs, and we are responding to these needs pretty quickly,” said Carolina Trujillo, executive director for Citizens Inn.

The organization has gone from serving 600 households at the start of the pandemic to 1,100 households this year. The new resource center will allow Citizens Inn to assist more people, Trujillo said.

It will have a variety of services available to both Citizens Inn clients and the public, including financial literacy programs and grief counseling.

“It’s very community centric,” Trujillo said. “We want to make sure that we’re responding to the needs of the community, not necessarily to whatever we think the community needs.”

The Institution for Savings will hold the naming rights to the Haven from Hunger kitchen, pantry and resource center at 71 Wallis St. for the next 25 years ,thanks to its donation.

The bank will become a larger part of the community when it opens a new branch in Peabody Square next year, Institution for Savings President and CEO Michael J. Jones said in a statement.

“The work that Citizens Inn does every day to help families and individuals who are experiencing a housing crisis or food insecurity is admirable and we are happy we can help continue this important mission,” Jones said in the statement. “Haven from Hunger provides much needed food assistance to those in need through its food pantry and community meals programs and is a critical service for residents in Peabody and the surrounding communities.”

The donation will count toward Citizens Inn’s $7.4 million comprehensive campaign to enhance the nonprofit’s spaces and services.

Along with supporting special programs and renovations to the Wallis Street pantry, which were officially unveiled last month, the fundraising drive will renovate four units at the Inn-Between shelter on Holten Street and add a playground there.

The Institution for Savings will present a check to Citizens Inn at the nonprofit’s Wallis Street location at 3 p.m. Monday

By Ethan Forman | Staff Writer

donation to sawyer free library

Newburyport-based Institution for Savings has made a charitable donation of $1 million to Sawyer Free 2025, the philanthropic capital campaign for the renovation, modernization and expansion of Sawyer Free Library on Dale Avenue.

The Institution for Savings’ donation represents the largest single corporate gift to the Sawyer Free 2025 campaign to date.

“This is such an important project for the city of Gloucester, the residents, the schools and the many non-profit organizations who have partnerships with the library,” said Institution for Savings President and CEO Michael Jones, in a prepared statement.

“This project, when completed,” Jones said, “will establish the library as a state-of-the-art hub for innovation, history, learning, arts and culture — right in the heart of Gloucester. We are thrilled and honored to partner with the Sawyer Library Foundation on this initiative and we graciously challenge others in the community to step up and help make this vital project a reality for the people of Gloucester.”

Word of this donation follows announcements of support for the library renovation and expansion project in recent weeks, including BankGloucester’s donation of $250,000 to the capital campaign, and MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s grant of $200,000 to Sawyer Free 2025, one of 94 capital grants from the organizations’ fiscal year Cultural Facilities Fund.

The Sawyer Free 2025 project’s total cost is $28 million, a sum which factors in inflation costs through completion in 2025. The Sawyer Library Foundation, the campaign’s fundraising arm, has already attracted more than $14.3 million in pledged donations and grant awards. A provisional award of $9.3 million from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners accounts for just over a third of the project’s cost.

The project will preserve the original exterior of the library’s existing main building, which will house a fully redesigned interior, and will double the size of the library’s footprint with a 15,000-square foot addition.
The new facility will feature a sound studio, a film studio, a digital tech lab and a 110-seat community meeting space. It’s expected the addition will result in a 25% increase in annual visitors, a 25% increase in the number of public programs offered each month by the library and a 50% increase in the number of programs hosted at the library by its many partner agencies.

“The Institution for Savings’ goal of raising standards of living and advancing quality of life in the communities it serves is clearly evidenced by this astounding show of generosity,” said Barry Weiner, a retired attorney and the campaign chair for Sawyer Free 2025. “The bank’s commitment to exemplary corporate citizenship and social-mindedness is a powerful endorsement of our vision to fund this once-in-a-lifetime investment in a vital community resource. By giving back so unsparingly to the people who live here and by supporting growth for generations to come, the Institution for Savings has provided a huge tailwind for this philanthropic campaign. We urge our fellow citizens of Gloucester as well as residents across Cape Ann to be guided by this show of support and rise to this occasion with donations both big and small.”

Dating to 1820, the Institution for Savings is the largest mutual savings bank in Massachusetts. On Cape Ann, it has branches at 4 Parker St. in Gloucester, and 37 King St. in Rockport. The donation was made possible by the Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation.
Institution for Savings Corporators and employees gathered in person and via Zoom last evening to mark the Bank’s 202nd annual meeting and another record-setting financial year. The meeting was held at the Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown as well as via Zoom, with over 250 corporators and employees attending.
President and CEO Michael J. Jones reported that the Bank’s total assets in 2021 reached $4.5 billion, increasing by $570 million or 14 percent over 2020 and fueled primarily by growth in the Bank’s loan and investment portfolios. Total loans increased $439 million or 16 percent reaching $3.2 billion. Total deposits increased $416 million or 14 percent reaching $3.5 billion.

The Bank reported record net income of $102 million. Record net operating income of $35.5 million represents a $9.8 million increase or 38 percent increase over 2020. Total capital increased $100 million or 22 percent and remains strong at $556 million, providing opportunities for future growth and expansion. Strong earnings resulted in a return on average assets of 2.40 percent which once again places the Institution for Savings at the top of Massachusetts banks.

Mr. Jones also reported on a number of other milestones achieved in 2021.
  • The Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation donated and pledged more than $2 million to local non-profit organizations in its market.
  • The Bank purchased the former Century Bank location at 12 Peabody Square, Peabody with plans to open a full-service retail and lending office by the end of 2022.
  • The Bank purchased a commercial building at 79 State Street, Newburyport with plans to move its call center and retail operations there by the fourth quarter of 2022.
  • Restoration and renovations were completed to the Bank’s main office built in 1870, with renovations to the rear wing of the main office built in 1980 currently underway.
  • The Bank was again named a Top Charitable Contributor and Best Place to Work by the Boston Business Journal as well as a Top Place to Work for the fourteenth straight year by the Boston Globe.
During the meeting Corporators approved several bylaw changes. The first was to increase the number of corporator votes needed to change the Bank’s mutuality charter, name and/or headquarters. The second was to approve the formation of the IFS 1820 Bancorp Mutual Holding Company (MHC) that would position the Bank to grow and acquire other community banks in the future.
“This change in structure will put us on a level playing field with our local competitors and banks in our asset class while maintaining our independence and mutuality,” said Mr. Jones in proposing the change. “Of the 76 mutual banks in Massachusetts, approximately 60% have a mutual holding company and we are by far the largest mutual bank in Massachusetts that does not have one. Equally important, this new structure will be seamless to our loyal customer base, our steadfast commitment to the communities we serve will not change and our talented team of employees will have additional opportunities for promotions as the Bank continues to grow.”

During the meeting, three new corporators were elected. They include Shelley DeSimone, Chief Human Resources officer at AgeSpan in Lawrence and a Newbury resident; Scott Faulkner, Principal at Groom Construction in Salem and a Swampscott resident; and Hannah Greenough-Linke, Attorney with Glovsky & Glovsky in Beverly and an Ipswich resident.

Additionally, Mr. Jones paid tribute to recently retired trustees Stuart Winfrey and David Tibbetts. Mr. Winfrey, co-owner of Winfrey’s Chocolates, a North Shore confectionary institution, joined the Board of Trustees in 2015 as the Bank had just recently expanded to new markets that included Cape Ann and Beverly. Over the last seven years, Stu’s business insight coupled with his outgoing personality and familiarity with the communities the Bank serves have enhanced the Bank’s ‘sweet recipe for success.’, according to Mr Jones. While on the board, Stu served on the ALCO and Building Committees as well as a rotating member of the Executive Committee.

“If there is one trustee who has had a front-row seat to the Institution for Savings’ growth and expansion over the last two decades, it is David Tibbetts,” said Mr. Jones. “When he was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2003, the Bank had two offices, both located in Newburyport, and total assets of $450 million. When he retired from the Board in August 2021 the Institution for Savings had grown to 15 offices in 13 communities with assets of more than $4.3 billion.”

Mr. Tibbetts’ guidance, commitment and fierce loyalty to the Institution for Savings during his 18 years as a trustee were critical to the success and growth of the Bank, according to Mr. Jones. His background and experience as an attorney, public official, community leader and economic development policymaker were instrumental as the Bank expanded into new communities. Over his years as trustee, David served in key roles, serving on the Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee, Nominating Committee and as a rotating member of the Executive Committee. His wit could always bring a laugh no matter what the circumstances.
Mr. Tibbetts’ generosity has always extended to organizations near and dear to his large heart, including Anna Jaques Hospital, Newburyport Downtown Enhancement Team and the Firehouse Center for the Arts where he remains an active board member.

Before concluding the meeting, Mr. Jones announced the recipient of the President’s Award, annually given to an employee who consistently goes above and beyond his or her duties to serve the Bank and its customers. This year’s award was given to Shelly Gauthier, deposit services representative. Mr. Jones described Ms. Gauthier as a powerhouse, bright in her intelligence and personality, and a team player who consistently goes above and beyond to assist customers and fellow employees alike, always with a smile and kind word.