News

July 2023

Sugar River Bank announces

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce, as a FHLBank Boston member, we are participating in the Lift Up Homeownership program, that provides a down-payment and closing-cost assistance to people of color purchasing their first home.

The Lift Up Homeownership program provides Sugar River Bank access to grant funding to offer to customers applying for mortgages who are people of color earning up to 120% of the area median income. Buyers are eligible to receive up to $50,000 through the program. Borrowers must be first-time homebuyers purchasing a home in New England and are required to complete a homebuyer counseling program prior to receiving a grant.

FHLBank Boston defines a person of color as Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Lift Up Homeownership was developed after FHLBank Boston conducted research about racial inequities in housing, including racial homeownership and wealth gaps in New England.

As your hometown bank, Sugar River Bank is proud to be a part of this pilot program that offers upward mobility and wealth building opportunities that help overcome homeownership barriers for people of color.

May 2023

Sugar River Bank announces promotion of Shaina Greenwood to
Vice President/Compliance Officer/Internal Audit Manager

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Shaina Greenwood to Vice President, Compliance Officer/Internal Audit Manager. Shaina has been with the Bank over 13 years, and has held many key roles. Most recently, Shaina held the titles of AVP/Compliance Officer, Information Security Officer, BSA Systems Specialist, and Retail Applications Officer. She holds a Certified Community Bank Compliance Officer (CCBCO) designation and is a recent graduate of The New England School for Financial Studies, Wellesley, MA.

In her leadership role, Shaina will be working closely with all department heads and the Audit Committee of the Board to ensure the Bank’s continued strong compliance with all banking laws and regulations. Shaina’s knowledge and experience of the inner workings of the Bank’s policies, procedures, and systems makes her the ideal candidate for the position.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO said, "We are very fortunate to have Shaina in her new role to successfully lead the bank through a time of continued compliance and regulatory changes.”

Sugar River Bank Announces Newly Elected Board Member

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent election of Corporators and Board Members.

At its 128^th annual meeting held on April 19^th, in the Sugar River Bank Community Room, the Bank welcomed Jason “Jake” Stiles to the Board of Trustees.

Jake Stiles is Chief Executive Officer of Stiles Associates, New London, a position he has held since 2013. Stiles Associates supports private equity and publicly held clients in manufacturing, healthcare, and service sectors throughout North America and Europe. Jake has nearly 30 years’ experience in the executive recruiting industry. He has previously served as President and Chief Operations Officer and as Vice President of Operations for the company. Jake is on the board of The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) and on the board of the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership. He graduated from Elon University with a B.A. Degree in History. Jake has been a Corporator of the bank since 2018.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO stated, “The bank is fortunate to have Jake on the board. He brings a wealth of business knowledge and experience, and is wholeheartedly committed to supporting the virtues and values of local community banking.”

Sugar River Bancorp announces Newly Elected Corporators

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bancorp, the mutual holding company of Sugar River Bank, is pleased to announce the recent election of three new Corporators.

At its 128^th annual meeting held on April 19^th, the Bank welcomed Lisa Cohen, CPA, Michael Mayo and Jessica Michie.

Lisa Cohen, is certified public accountant with more than 10 years’ experience in not-for-profit accounting, with a primary focus on healthcare. Since 2014, Lisa has served as the Chief Financial Officer of New London Hospital. Prior experience includes serving as the controller of the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice for Vermont & New Hampshire, as a Senior Accountant at Alice Peck Day Health System, Corp., and as a staff accountant at Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur. Lisa holds both a Master’s Degree in Accounting and a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from New England College. Lisa lives in Newport.

Michael Mayo is the current owner and operator of Weathercheck, LLC, Georges Mills, a well-known family-owned business serving the needs of the construction industry in New England since the early 1900's. He is well versed in all areas of construction application, design, and product testing. Mike lives in Georges Mills.

Jessica Michie is the owner and operator of 5 Acres Garden Center & Pet Supply, Bradford. Prior experience includes, serving as the Finance Manager of Orange Photonics, New London, and Ragged Mountain Resort. Jessica also served as Operation Manager of Spring Ledge Farm, New London and Chief Financial Officer of Hillside Meadow, Tilton. She holds an MBA Degree in Business Administration from Plymouth State University and a B.S. Degree in Business/Economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Jessica lives in Newbury.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO stated, “We are pleased to welcome our newest Corporators. They each understand the importance of serving the needs of customers and communities, and are a perfect fit to serve the ‘hometown’ bank.”

March 2023

LPL Financial Welcomes Robert "Rob" Harris

To continue their commitment to help clients pursue their financial goals,
LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank Is proud to announce the addition of
Rob Harris, LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank. Rob comes to LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank with over 10 years of Financial Service experience.
He lives locally in Hanover.

Through LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank, Rob Harris will provide
Sugar River Bank clients personalized advice and guidance.

Rob views each client as an individual with different goals and needs. He is here
to listen and guide you through all stages of your financial life.

To find out more about Rob Harris with LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank, Call 603-863-6219.

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and a broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIP). Insurance products are offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. Sugar River Bank is not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using LPL Financial, and may also be employees of Sugar River Bank. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate
from, and not affiliates of Sugar River Bank. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

Not insured by FDIC or Any other Government Agency | Not Bank Guaranteed | Not Bank Deposits or Obligations | May Lose Value

March 2023

Sugar River Bank President Responds to Recent Events

I understand that many of you may be very concerned about current events and that your deposits may be risk similar to those at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank.

To help alleviate those concerns, it’s important to understand the significant difference between Sugar River Bank and those failed institutions. Both failed banks had a unique market niche and high-risk profiles that were very different from that of SRB. Silicon Valley Bank largely served national tech startups and the venture capital firms that fund them. Signature Bank had a specialization in cryptocurrency lending. I am pleased to say that Sugar River Bank has purposely maintained a very conservative risk profile for nearly 128 years. As your Hometown Bank customer relationships mean everything. After all, we live your community too, and your success is our success. SRB is well capitalized, maintains a highly diverse portfolio of asset, and is well positioned to continue to serve our customers and community for generations to come. As an SRB customer, you have direct access to our experienced team, and we stand ready to assist you at all times with any of your questions or concerns. Lastly, nobody has ever lost a dime of FDIC-insured deposits up to $250,000, and in the case of the two recently failed banks, all deposits were made available to their customers.

Should you have any questions regarding the safety and security of Sugar River Bank, we are ready and prepared to assist you and ensuring your deposit needs are met. Thank you.

Mark Pitkin, President & CEO

Core Upgrade Coming March 10-13, 2023 to Serve You Better!

Sugar River Bank will be completing a system upgrade during the weekend of March 10 -12, 2023.
Please note that beginning Friday, March 10, 2023, at 5pm through Monday, March 13, 2023 at 9am, online and mobile banking will not be accessible. ATMs will be open and functioning with debit card limitations.

“Our systems upgrade is designed so we can continue to provide you with safe, secure products and services while utilizing the newest technology. While most of the changes will happen behind the scenes, there will be unavoidable disruptions. We will be working quickly and efficiently so the upgrade process is as seamless as possible. We would like to apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, and thank you for your patience.” - Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, Sugar River Bank

Printable PDFs available on the right.

What You Need to Know

All Sugar River Bank Locations will be closed on Saturday, March 11, 2023.
ATMs will be operational with debit card limitations.
Online, Mobile and Telephone banking will NOT be operational from 5pm on Friday, March 10, 2023 until Monday, March 13, 2023 at 9am.
Deposits can be made at the ATM. All deposits made before 5pm on Friday, March 10, 2023 will post on Friday March 10, 2023. Any deposits made after that will post at end of day, Monday, March 13, 2023.
Your ATM withdrawal limit is $500 per day. Your Point-of-Sale limit is $1,000 per day. All transactions require the funds to be available in your account to make any and all withdrawals including purchases.
No debit card increases or overdraft will be available.
Your account balance as of 5pm on Friday, March 10, 2023 will be your available funds limit during the upgrade process.

We’ve provided some FAQs to assist you.

Q: Will the bank be open during the upgrade?
A: None of our locations will be open on March 11, 2023. ATMs will be operational but, online, mobile and
telephone banking will NOT be operational.

Q: Can I still use my ATM card while the upgrade is underway?
A: Yes, however due to constraints of the upgrade, you will have a fixed balance during this time.
We encourage you to plan ahead for your spending needs before the upgrade is underway. Your last
balance on Friday at 5PM will be the amount you have access to over the weekend.

Q: What happens if I exceed my debit card or ATM withdrawal limit?
A: If you exceed your debit card or ATM withdrawal limit, your transaction may be denied.

Q: Can I still access Online and Mobile Banking while upgrade is in process?
A: Beginning Friday evening March 10, 2023, after 5pm, through Monday morning March 13, 2023 at 9am
account holders will NOT have access to any online or mobile banking functions. Functions will be restored
when we open, Monday. March 13 at 9 am.

Q: Can I access Online Bill Pay during the upgrade?
A: You will NOT be able to access Online Bill Pay during the upgrade process. We highly recommend adjusting
any payments that are due during our upgrade time frame to ensure a timely payment.

Q: I have some payments due during the system upgrade time frame. What should I do?
A: Since you will NOT have access to Bill pay during the upgrade, from Friday evening, March 10, 2023 at 5 pm
through Monday, March 13, 2023 at 9 am, please schedule all online bill payments to be paid before, Friday,
March 10, 2023.

Q: Will my online banking username change?
A: Usernames for existing customers will NOT change during the upgrade.

Q: What will happen to my e-statement history when the upgrade takes place?
A: Your e-statement history will not be affected by the upgrade.

Q: Can I still receive a Direct Deposit or make an electronic payment during the upgrade process?
A: If the Direct Deposit or electronic payment was made before the beginning of the upgrade at 5pm on Friday,
March 10, 2023 it will post.

Q: What can I do if I have more questions?
A: You may call us at 603.843.3000 or 800.562.3145, Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm.

Thank you for your patience while we upgrade our system to make banking better for you!

January 2023

Sugar River Bank Named Business
of the Year by Newport Area Chamber of Commerce

Sugar River Bank is honored to be named the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Business of the Year! We are blessed to be such an integral part of an amazing community that has supported us for over 127 years. As the “Hometown Bank,” serving and giving back to the community is our mission. We also fully understand and appreciate that the bank is only as strong as the communities it serves and are proud to say that Newport is among the best. Again, thank you Newport Area Chamber of Commerce for this remarkable recognition and award.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO

August 2022

Sugar River Bank Announces Changes to the Board of Directors

Newport, NH, 8/4/22. Sugar River Bank announced today the passing of longstanding and admired Chairman of the Board, Dr. Richard Holmes, on July 13, 2022. He was a dedicated board member and a beloved member of our community. Dr. Holmes served on the bank board for over 37 years. His absence will be keenly felt.

Maureen Hampton, retired Executive Vice President, MicroDAQ.com LTD., has been named Chair of the Board. Ms. Hampton has a track record of more than 30 years in finance in a variety of industries including banking. Her experience ranges from start-up businesses to billion-dollar, multi-bank holding companies. She has been a corporator of the bank since 2009, Chair of the Audit Committee, and a member of the board since 2012.

Ann O’Clair, retired Senior Vice President, COO/CFO, Sugar River Bank, has been appointed to the board of directors. Ms. O’Clair is a graduate of Keene State College, New England School for Financial Studies and the ABA’s Stonier School of Banking. She is a member of the Financial Managers Society and has been a corporator of the bank since 2017. Ms. O’Clair brings with her a wealth of financial and accounting experience.

June 2022

Congratulations to Shaina Greenwood, AVP Compliance Officer and Internal Audit Manager and Heather Roberts, Mortgage Operations Officer, on their graduation from the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College. The graduation was a culmination of an intensive two-year program that provides banking professionals with the tools they need to manage effectively in today’s

changing industry. We are very proud of their accomplishment!

June 2022

June 13, 2022, Newport, NH

We are pleased and proud to announce that our own Tor Stenberg is ranked as the #1 Loan Originator in Sullivan County as reported by the Registry Review for the month of April 2022. This is a great honor and the culmination of stellar relationship building in the county. This honor is most impressive as Tor has been with bank for a little over a year and came to us from Fidelity with little to no lending experience.

We are also pleased to announce that Sugar River Bank ranked in the top 3 Mortgage Lenders in Sullivan County. SRB has lent 5.94% of the market share in the county.

At a time when loan competition is fierce and growth in loans is so critical to our success, this is great news!

"Please join us in congratulating Tor on his top honors and all our lenders and support staff for moving SRB to the top 3 in Sullivan County!", said Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank.

See the stats : Registry Review

May 2022

LPL Financial Welcomes Michelle Paris

To continue their commitment to help clients pursue their financial goals, LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank is proud to announce the addition of Michelle Paris, AAMS LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank. Michelle comes to LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank with over 9 years of Financial Service experience. She has worked with LPL Financial for the past 4 years, and lives locally in Croydon

Through LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank, Michelle Paris will provide Sugar River Bank clients personalized advice and guidance.

Michelle views each client as an individual with different goals and needs. She is here to listen and guide you through all stages of your financial life.

To find out more about Michelle Paris with LPL Financial located at Sugar River Bank, Call 603-863-6219.

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and a broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. Sugar River Bank is not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using LPL Financial, and may also be employees of Sugar River Bank. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate from, and not affiliates of Sugar River Bank. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

Not insured by FDIC or Any other Government Agency | Not Bank Guaranteed | Not Bank Deposits or Obligations | May Lose Value

April 2022

The Annual Meeting of Sugar River Bancorp

Newly Elected Corporators Announced:

April, 20, 2022, Newport, NH – Sugar River Bancorp, the mutual holding company of Sugar River Bank, is pleased to announce the recent election of new Corporators.

At its 127th annual meeting held in the Sugar River Bank Community Room on April 20th, the Bank welcomed Andrew Nichols, Michael Shklar, Norman Carlson and Lydia West to the Board of Corporators.

Andrew Nichols
President, Cretepavers, Inc., Croydon, NH

Mr. Nichols founded Cretepavers Inc. in 1992 after working for various concrete companies throughout his life. The company specializes in residential and commercial projects, including senior housing facilities, hotels, hospitals, parking garages, and art galleries. Mr. Nichols serves on the Sunapee School Board.

Michael Shklar, Esq.
Partner, Elliot, Jasper, Shklar, Ranson & Beaulac, LLP, Newport, NH

Mr. Shklar was admitted to practice law in New Hampshire in 1985. He is also admitted to practice before the Federal Courts in New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as the First Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He has served as a Governor of the New Hampshire Bar Association and received several awards for pro bono service. Mr. Shklar is also recognized as a Child Welfare Law Specialist by the New Hampshire Supreme Court, where he has presented a number of cases. His practice is concentrated in the areas of Bankruptcy Law, State and Federal Criminal Defense, Juvenile Law, Social Security Law, Probate Law, and General Civil Practice. He serves as Counsel for the Town of Lempster and has been elected as the town Moderator for many years. Mr. Shklar graduated with a B.A from Carleton College and a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University.

Norman Carlson
President, Madgetech, Warner, NH

Mr. Carlson started Madgetech as a one-man operation and it has since evolved into a leading manufacturer of data loggers worldwide. He and the company, are proudly known as industry experts in data loggers with solutions sold in more than 100 countries around the world. Mr. Carlson holds B.S Degrees in both Physics and Electrical Engineering from Geneva College. Mr. Carlson currently resides in Warner.

Lydia West
Chief Financial Officer, Goosebay Sawmill & Lumber, Inc., Chichester, NH

Ms. West has been the CFO of Goosebay Sawmill & Lumber since 1995. Prior, she was VP of Trust and Investments for Bank of New Hampshire and also the AVP of Corporate Trust of US Trust Company of New York. She graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College. Ms. West serves on the board of Making Matters, otherwise known as the Concord Maker’s Space. She also serves as treasurer of the Canterbury United Church. She also volunteered as a 4-H soaring project leader for over 15 years. Ms. West currently resides in Canterbury.

Incumbent Board Members Re-elected at the April 2022 Annual Meeting:

Mark A. Pitkin, 2023

Robin Wells, 2025

Rob Daley, 2025

Afterwards, The Board, Corporators, Officers and guests enjoyed an in-person reception with catering by The Old Courthouse of Newport. It was great to see everyone after two years of virtual Annual Meetings.

March 2022

Michelle Duford promoted to Assistant Vice President of Operations

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Michelle Duford to Assistant Vice President/Operations.

Michelle has served in several operational roles in her 25 years at the bank, most recently as Loan Servicing Officer.

In her new leadership role, Michelle will oversee Loan Servicing, Deposit Operations and E-Banking. As much of bank operations is now centered around online and mobile banking, Michelle will have a strategic focus on enhancing its capabilities and the customer’s digital experience.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank said, "Michelle’s vast knowledge and long-term experience make her an excellent candidate for her new position. She is committed to ensuring that our processes and procedures are best suited to meet the growing needs and expectations of our customers.”

Please join us in congratulating Michelle!

Mortgage Loan Originators Promoted

Ellen Lessard and Colleen DeAngelis Promoted to Mortgage Loan Officers

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce that Ellen Lessard, Mortgage Loan Originator in the Concord Branch, and Colleen DeAngelis, Mortgage Loan Originator New London Branch, have been promoted to Mortgage Loan Officers.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank said, "As Mortgage Loan Originators, both Colleen and Ellen play integral role in building relationships with customers, Realtors, and their communities, resulting in the culmination of new mortgage loans. Each has proven themselves to be very successful in their respective markets: Greater New London/Sunapee and Greater Concord Areas.

Please join us in congratulating both Colleen and Ellen on their well-deserved promotions!"

Promotions and New Positions in the New Year, 2022

Terri Crate, VP/Senior Retail Loan Officer to assume new VP/Loan Origination Officer role at Sugar River Bank, Grantham

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce that Terri Crate, after serving many successful years in her position as VP/Senior Retail Loan Officer in Newport, will be working out of the Grantham Branch as VP/Loan Origination Officer. She will be focusing on enhancing the bank’s mortgage business in Grantham and the Upper Valley.

Living with her family in Enfield, NH, for most of her life, Terri is the ideal choice to build, foster, and grow the Bank’s lending relationships in the Upper Valley. With over 35 years of mortgage lending experience, Terri is well poised and passionate about working with borrowers in her hometown and beyond.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank said, "the Bank congratulates Terri on her new and exciting role and also expresses its deepest appreciation to her for a job very well done over the past several years serving in her executive management position.”

Neal Meagher hired as VP/Senior Retail Loan Officer, Newport

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent hire of Neal Meagher as VP/Senior Retail Loan Officer. Neal is assuming the current role of Terri Crate who has taken on a new role as VP/Loan Origination Officer serving the Upper Valley.

Neal has over 10 years of lending experience, most recently as Mortgage Loan Originator at Ledyard National Bank. He also brings with him over 25 years of management experience, most notably as Store Manager of large retail stores, such as T.J. Maxx, Ocean State Job Lot, and Home Depot.

Neal, and his wife Kathleen, are long term residents of Enfield, NH, where he currently serves as Chair of the Enfield Board of Cemeteries. He is also an active member of the Upper Valley Board of Realtor Affiliates.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank said, "I am very pleased to welcome Neal to the Bank. His focus on serving customers, and his many years of experience in mortgage lending, make him an excellent fit for this critical role.”

Shaina Greenwood promoted to AVP/Compliance Officer/Internal Audit Manager, Newport

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Shaina Greenwood to AVP/Compliance Officer/Internal Audit Manager. Shaina has been with the Bank over 12 years, and has held many key roles. Most recently, Shaina held the titles of BSA Systems Specialist, Retail Applications Officer, and Information Security Officer.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank said, " Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Shaina to her new role. The Bank is fortunate to promote Shaina from within to successfully lead it forward during a time of continued compliance and regulatory changes.”

Sugar River Bank Annual Employee Awards Ceremony, November 30, 2021

This annual ceremony was held virtually and celebrated employee accomplishments and years of service. We are pleased to have so many dedicated employees who are continually improving the customer experience and providing community banking at its' best!

Congratulations to all of the recipients!

Employees awarded this year:

5 YEARS:

Mellisa Greenwood, Assistant Branch Manager, Concord
Jeannine Everitt, AVP Finance Officer, Newport

10 YEARS

Jenny Wheeler, Finance Analyst II, Newport
Sherry Hodgdon, Deposit Operations Clerk II, Newport

15 YEARS
Ann O’Clair, SVP,COO/CFO, Newport

20 YEARS
Mary Fellows, Senior Teller, Newport
Sheila Lemieux, Senior Loan Servicing Specialist, Newport
Heather Roberts, Mortgage Operations Officer, Newport

35 YEARS

Heidi Patten, VP Human Resources, Newport

Above and Beyond Award: Patrick Smith, Systems Administrator IT, Newport

Frank Donlan hired as Commercial Loan Officer, Concord Branch

November 5, 2021

Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent hire of Frank Donlan as Commercial Loan Officer. Frank will be focusing on the bank’s growing commercial business in the Capitol Region and surrounding markets. He will be operating out of the bank’s 198 Loudon Road, Concord branch. Frank is committed to providing exceptional service and support to local small businesses and looks forward to working with both new and existing customers.

Frank comes to Sugar River Bank with a long history in Commercial Lending. His experience ranges from the large regional banks, to his most recent role at a $1 billion local credit union. Frank’s passion has been, and continues to be, helping small businesses grow and prosper.

He holds a BS and AB in marketing and business from UMass, Dartmouth, and has proudly lived and worked in New Hampshire for over 31 years.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated “we are very pleased to have Frank join the bank. His breadth of commercial lending experience, business development, and community leadership makes him a valuable addition to our Commercial Lending team in Concord.”

Shawn Bard promoted to VP Senior Commercial Loan Officer

October 1, 2021

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank is very pleased to announce that Shawn Bard has been named Joe Conway’s successor as VP/Senior Commercial Loan Officer. Shawn has been transitioning into the role over the next several weeks and will assume the position on October 1^st.

Shawn has been working very closely with Joe since joining the bank in April 2017. Prior to Sugar River Bank, he served as a commercial lender at Ledyard Bank. He has been an integral part of the bank’s commercial loan growth over the last four years and has built a reputation as a professional, dedicated, and valued banking partner to many companies throughout the region.

Shawn is well poised to cover all existing and new commercial relationships and we are confident that the transition will go very smoothly, and Sugar River Bank will continue to be a formidable small business lender in our markets.

A big congratulations to Shawn in his new leadership role!

Joe Conway, VP Senior Commercial Loan Officer Retirement Announced

September 30, 2021

Joe began working at SRB in February of 2014 as Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer. He was promoted to Vice President/Senior Commercial Loan Officer in February of 2017. Joe has been instrumental in growing the bank’s commercial lending portfolio, most notably in the Concord area. His relationships, knowledge of the market, and focus on surpassing budgeting goals has helped grow total commercial loans from $32 million as of February 2014 to $78 million in loans today. Thanks to his leadership over the last several years, SRB is considered a strong and viable contender in the business community and we now have a much more well-diversified loan mix. Joe has always been highly respected by the commercial loan team. His mentorship and consideration of those in the department is both admirable and heartwarming.

Joe has also been a valuable member of the bank’s asset/liability and marketing committees. He was instrumental in opening and operating the bank’s Concord loan production office (LPO) prior to the construction the branch. His long-term participation as a Director/Treasurer of the Concord Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) has provided a great service to many businesses in the state and also provided valuable insight into the NH commercial marketplace.

It has been a pleasure working closely with Joe over the years. He provides a level of confidence, service, and professionalism that is critical to gaining credibility in the highly competitive commercial arena. After 40 years in the industry, Joe has certainly left his mark on many individuals, businesses, and organizations that counted on him for their success.

Please join me in wishing Joe all the best in his retirement. In speaking with him, I know that spending more time with family is so important to him.

Joe, it is your time to step away and look back on all that you have accomplished – wonderful friendships, customer relationships, and long-lasting benefits to a very thankful financial institution.

On behalf of myself and the Board, thank you so much Joe! You will be dearly missed!

Mark Pitkin

President and CEO

Sugar River Bank

Sugar River Bank July 2021 News Releases

Ginger Marsh promoted to AVP, Regional Branch Administrator

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce that Ginger Marsh, Branch Manager of Warner and Grantham, has been promoted to AVP/Regional Branch Administrator. This newly created position will oversee, support, and enhance branch retail operations. Areas of focus for the new role include increasing market share and penetration, promoting and engaging in business development activities, ensuring consistent and timely training for all branch staff, working to enhance customer satisfaction and experience, ensuring efficient branch-wide cost control, and meeting budgeted goals.

Ginger has served in branch management roles for over 20 years at Sugar River Bank and, prior to that, at Citizens Bank. Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated that “Ginger is well suited and very excited to work closely with all branch managers to help make our retail operations and customer experiences even more successful. We welcome her focus on the bank’s mission to “strive to exceed the expectations of our consumer and business customers”.

Sugar River Bank Scholarship Awards 2021

June 30, 2021, Sugar River Bank has awarded to three outstanding students from Newport Middle High School, Sunapee Middle High School and Kearsarge Regional High School. Read more in Community Connections.

Sugar River Bank April 2021 News Releases

Newly Elected Corporators Announced:

April, 21, 2021, Newport, NH – Sugar River Bancorp, the mutual holding company of Sugar River Bank, is pleased to announce the recent election of new Corporators.

At its 126^th annual meeting held virtually on April 21^st, the Bank welcomed M. Tom Manion, Brian Coronis and Cassandra Reeder to the Board of Corporators.

Tom Manion, MPA, FACHE, CMPE, is a seasoned healthcare leader with experience in medical group operations, finance, and population health management. He has held positions in critical access hospitals, rural healthcare networks, and large academic medical centers. Tom was named President & CEO of New London Hospital in March 2020. Prior to that, he served in leadership roles at the Porter Medical Group, University of Vermont Health Network, Burlington, VT, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, NY, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY. Tom has also served on a number of volunteer boards, including the Otsego County Conservation Association and the Addison County Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.S. in Biology and from New York University’s Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Service with a MPA, Health Policy and Management.

Brian Coronishas successfully owned and operated Coronis Market, Newport, since 1994. The market has been a retail staple in Newport since 1949. He is a lifelong Newport resident and has participated in and donated to countless organizations and sporting events over the years. Brian’s name is associated with kindness and dedication to those who live in and around Newport.

Cassandra Reeder, was recently promoted to Vice President, Finance, of MicroDAQ.com LTD, Contoocook, after serving the company in several other roles since 2008. She has also served as an Accounting Specialist for several years at Granite State Credit Union, and as a contract employee for the NH Banking Department to assist in the liquidation of Noble Trust. She graduated from New England College with a B.S. degree in Accounting.

Jeannine Everitt Promoted to Assistant Vice President, Finance Officer

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Jeannine Everitt to Assistant Vice President/Finance Officer. Ms. Everitt, who has more than 25 years of accounting experience, previously served as Senior Accountant since joining the bank in 2016.

Jeannine graduated from Franklin Pierce College with a B.S. Degree in Accounting, the Northern New England School of Banking and the New England School for Financial Studies. She is currently enrolled in ABA’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Jeannine currently serves as Treasurer of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Goshen, NH, with her husband Ken and daughter Hannah.

Mark Pitkin, President & CEO, stated “Jeannine is well deserving of her promotion and we are very fortunate to have such a dedicated, knowledgeable, and community focused employee join the management team”.

Tor Stenberg hired as Loan Originator

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent hire of Tor Stenberg as Loan Originator. Mr. Stenberg will be working out of the Newport office and will focus on the mortgage lending needs of residents in Newport and Claremont. Tor holds a B.A. degree in Communications from the University of New Hampshire. Prior to joining the bank, he served in multiple investment roles at Fidelity Investments. He also held a New Hampshire real estate agent’s license. As a proud member of the greater Newport community, Tor is excited to work closely with mortgage customers in and around his hometown.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated “we are very fortunate and pleased to have Tor join the bank. His investment and real estate experience, along with his involvement in the local community, make him a valuable addition to our lending team.”

Considering a Construction Loan?

Terri Crate, Vice President, Senior Retail Loan Officer, NMLS #419840
can answer some of your most frequently asked questions in her recent article in the April issue of Image Magazine.

Read the article about Construction Loans

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank Is Appointed To ABA Mutual Institutions Council Administrative Committee, February 10, 2021

Mark Pitkin, President & CEO, Sugar River Bank has been appointed to the American Bankers Association’s Mutual Institutions Council Administrative Committee for a one-year term. The Administrative Committee provides advice and counsel to ABA on issues of interest to mutual institutions in between meetings of the full Mutual Institutions Council and helps plan and lead the meetings and activities of the Council.
The Committee is composed of 12 bankers from 12 different financial institutions ranging in asset size from $190 million to $10 billion.
As a part of the Committee, Pitkin will help review all aspects of statutory, regulatory and marketplace influences on the status and role of the mutual form of organization for depository institutions. The Committee is also responsible for considering all aspects of corporate governance and the balancing of stakeholder interests under both state and federal banking institutions and tax law.
“I’m proud to serve on ABA’s Mutual Institutions Council Administrative Committee and I look forward to working with my peers throughout the year to preserve the viability of mutuality,” said Pitkin.
Pitkin also serves on the American Bankers Association’s Government Relations Council Administrative Committee. The GRC Administrative Committee develops recommendations to ABA on positions and priorities regarding legislative and regulatory issues; and engages in active advocacy for those positions with policymakers, the public, and fellow bankers.

Sugar River Bank Annual Employee Awards Ceremony, November 24, 2020

This annual ceremony celebrates and recognizes employee accomplishments and longevity. We are very lucky to have employees who are both dedicated, hardworking and always striving to improve the customer experience.

Congratulations to all of the recipients!

The recipients this year were:

Years of Service Awards:

Mark Pitkin - President and CEO - 25 years

Sandy Warren - Receptionist - Newport - 20 years

Mary Jannenga - Customer Service Representative - Newport -15 years
Liz Durrett - Senior Commercial Loan Assistant - Newport – 10 years
Jillian Cummings - Executive Assistant / Commercial Credit Analyst – Newport – 5 Years
Maggie Hurd - Commercial Loan Assistant - Newport – 5 Years
Colette Garside-Conway – Branch Manager – Concord - 5 Years
Patrick Smith - System Network Administrator – Newport – 5 Years

Sugar River Bank announces hiring of Colleen DeAngelis as new Mortgage Loan Originator in New London

October, 2020, Newport, NH - Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent hire of Colleen DeAngelis as Mortgage Loan Originator. Ms. DeAngelis will be working out of the New London Branch and will focus on the mortgage lending needs of residents in New London, Sunapee and Grantham. She holds a BS Degree in Business Administration from Dean College and a Graduate Certificate in Residential Lending from Northeastern University. She has previously served in in multiple banking and customer relationship roles over her career and is excited to work closely with existing and new customers in and around her hometown. Ms. DeAngelis and husband Jimmy, are long term residents of New London.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated “we are very fortunate and pleased to have Colleen join the bank. Her banking and customer relationship experience, along with her long-term involvement in the local community, makes her a valuable addition to our lending team.”

Learn More About Cybersecurity in October: Take the Quiz!

October 1. 2020

Banks Never Ask That! October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and is a collaborative effort between government and industry that raises nationwide awareness of cyber crimes and prevention every October.

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. The American Bankers Association want to change that by raising awareness among banks and their customers of best practices for phishing defense.

Take the #BanksNeverAskThat Quiz during the month of October, and you could win a $100 weekly prize - or take home $1,000 Grand Prize - courtesy of the American Bankers Association. Go to: www.BanksNeverAskThat.com

Banks are suffering significant monetary and reputational losses from these increasingly sophisticated scams targeting their customers. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s 2019 report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $1.48 billion to phishing scams in 2018. The problem has only grown worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, given the increased use of online and digital banking tools.

Here are some types of questions banks would never ask you in a text, email, or unsolicited phone call. If someone contacts you for this information, it’s a red flag you’re being scammed.

BANKS WILL NEVER :

Ask for your account number in an email

Ask you to click a link in a text message

Call to verify your account number

Ask you to provide confidential information like you PIN, SSNs, names addresses or passwords in a text or email

Use scare tactics like an email pressuring you to respond

Ask you ridiculous, funny or game-type questions to get you to answer, especially on social media

What should you do?

Report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov – and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the email.

You also may report phishing email to reportphishing@antiphishing.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, a group of ISPs, security vendors, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, uses these reports to fight phishing.

Visit Identitytheft.gov. Victims of phishing could become victims of identity theft; there are steps you can take to minimize your risk.

For more information about phishing, visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams

Source; American Bankers Association

NH Bankers Association: The Community Banker of the Year Award Goes to All NH Community Bankers!

September 11. 2020

A Message from Kristy Merrill, President of NH Bankers Association:

"As you may know, each year we ordinarily present the Community Banker of the Year Award to a bank employee who reflects the highest standards of the banking industry and has gone above and beyond to improve the Granite State through their civic and community engagement.

As we know all too well, 2020 has been has been anything but ordinary. As soon our economy shut down due to the coronavirus, thousands of our friends, families and neighbors faced a severe and immediate crisis. And each and every one of you responded immediately, showing your collective skill, passion and perseverance in a way that truly highlighted how special New Hampshire’s bankers are.

This year, we couldn’t in good conscience select just one extraordinary banker. Instead, we would like to recognize and award all of our extraordinary bankers in New Hampshire for your exemplary dedication to your customers and our communities.

As our award to you, today you can view:

An opinion editorial we published in the Banking Section of this week’s New Hampshire Business Review, highlighting your exceptional work;
An advertisement we prepared promoting your good work in both the online edition of the New Hampshire Business Review as well as NHBR’s daily business news browser;
A video we produced that shares your stories, your photos and your work, along with the data that highlights how significant your community impact is.

Our job at NH Bankers Association is to be your advocate and tell your story. Collectively, the banking industry has stepped up in 2020 and set a new standard for excellence and achievement, a story that we are very happy to share on your behalf.

To read the op-ed and see the advertisement and video, please visit our website using the button below.

With thanks and appreciation for all that you do for our State,"

Kristy Merrill, President
NH Bankers Association

Sugar River Bank Recognized by the Independent Community Bankers of America^®

Newport, NH - August, 2020 -

The Independent Community Bankers of America® is including Sugar River Bank in its next installment of Independent Banker, a monthly magazine distributed to community bankers across the country. The bank will be featured in a story on banks in the United States who are celebrating historical milestones.

“We are proud of your bank's tradition of service and all that you have done for your customers and community throughout your 125-year history. Community banks like yours ensure our nation's economic stability-one loan, one customer, one community at a time. Thank you for all you do to make your community a better place for all who call it home,” said Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of Independent Community Bankers of America®.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank, stated, “It is with great pride that the bank continues to be recognized not only locally and statewide for it contributions to customers and communities, but also nationally. As always, our continued successes and recognitions are due to the hard work of all of our employees who make the bank stand out among our peers!”

Sugar River Bank: 125 Years of Serving Our Communities

Newport, NH - May, 9, 2020 - Sugar River Bank, based in Newport, NH marks its 125th Anniversary this month! The Bank opened its doors and welcomed local farmers, homeowners and businesses in May, 1895. We take pride in the fact that Sugar River Bank continues to be locally owned and operated today.

As a $320 million mutual bank, we are known for two outstanding qualities-commitment to service and independence. Mutual banking is hometown banking at its best, where our officers, trustees and employees know our customers because they are our neighbors. We strive to give back to our communities through innovation, leadership, commitment and passion, and are proud of our history and growth. As our mission states, it is the responsibility of each and every member of our Bank family to strive to exceed customer expectations.

Sugar River Bank, headquartered in Newport, NH, employs 85 people and operates 5 branches located in Concord, Warner, New London, Sunapee and Grantham, NH. We proudly serve the I-89 corridor and beyond.

In 2019, Sugar River Bank dedicated over $53,500 to local organizations in the communities we serve, supporting more than 160 non-profit organizations. Regardless of its asset size, the bank won the 2019 Bronze award for Community Contribution in New Hampshire at the Best Bank Regional Expo, held in Springfield, MA. The award is based on interviews with hundreds of thousands of banking customers across the state of NH.

Mark Pitkin, who has served as President and CEO since 2009, stated, “Now more than ever, we are committed to making our communities better places to work and live. After 125 years, we are proud to say that Sugar River Bank is still locally owned and operated, as ’Your Hometown Bank’, by dedicated people who live and work in the communities we serve.”

Sugar River Bank Announces Mortgage Operations Officer Promotion

Newport, NH, May 12, 2020, Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Heather Roberts to Mortgage Operations Officer, where she will oversee the loan processing and underwriting area in the Newport Branch.

Ms. Roberts has been with Sugar River Bank for over 19 years where she started as Loan Processor and was most recently an Underwriter for residential, home equity, and consumer loans. She lives in Croydon with her husband Chris and two children and was born and raised in Newport.

Mark Pitkin stated, “Heather is well-deserving of her promotion and the Bank is fortunate to have such a dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced employee.”

Sugar River Bank Announces the recent hire of Terri Spanos as Universal Banker/Business Development Specialist in the Newport Branch.

January 2020, Newport, NH - Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent hire of Terri Spanos as Universal Banker/Business Development Specialist in the Newport Branch. Ms. Spanos has been in banking for over 30 years most recently with Lake Sunapee Bank and Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, where she held leadership roles. She also served as Newport’s Trustee of Trust Funds for 14 years, as a longtime volunteer for the Willey-Perra Community Gift Drive, past president of the Newport Chamber of Commerce, and as an assistant to the supervisor of the checklist. She is a lifelong resident of Newport and lives with her husband, Paul.

Ms. Spanos will be working out of our Newport office. She is very well-known in the local community and understands the importance of building customer relationships. Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated “We are very fortunate and excited to have Terri join our hometown bank. With her focus on customer service, her business development expertise, and involvement in the local community, she is a great addition to our local banking team.”

Sugar River Bank is a Drop Off Location for SAU 43-Middle School Student Council

Winter Clothing Drive

January 2020, Newport, NH – The community is still in need of children’s winter clothing!

The Middle School Student Council is partnering with the SAU to collect winter clothing for children so that no child is left cold this season. The Clothing Closet operates in a classroom at the Towle Elementary School where the SAU 43 administrative offices are located on Main Street.

If you have any gently used and clean hats, mittens, jackets, sweaters, socks, snow pants, or boots, please consider donating them to help a Newport child in need.

Families can come and select what they need and take them same day NO COST! The SAU office is open and collecting donations from 8:00-4:00 on Monday- Friday.

The Middle School Student Council will pick up the donated winter clothing from the drop boxes and deliver it to the SAU Clothing Closet.

More information about this program in The Valley News article.

Sugar River Bank Announces New Business Development Specialist

December, 2019, Concord, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent hire of Kimberly Bernash as Business Development Specialist in the Concord area. Ms. Bernash has been in banking for the past 8 years and has served in various banking roles. She lives in Gilmanton with her teenaged son and two rescue dogs.

Ms. Bernash will be working out of our Concord office. She is excited to work closely with those in the community looking to establish or grow a local, personalized banking relationship. Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated “The Bank is pleased to have Kim join the Concord branch. With her business development expertise and knowledge of the local community, she is a great addition to our Business Banking team.”

Sugar River Bank Announces SVP Promotion November, 2019

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank has announced the recent promotion of Ann O’Clair to Senior Vice President, COO/CFO. Ms. O’Clair has been with the Bank for 13 years, starting her career in 2006 as Financial Operations Specialist. Ann assumed the role of VP/CFO in late 2015 and COO in in August 2017. She directly oversees the finance, investment services, and marketing departments of the bank.In her CFO/COO role, Ann is responsible for ensuring that financial and business operations are efficient and effective and that the proper management of resources, products, and services, to meet strategic initiatives, is conducted.She graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, The New England School for Financial Studies and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Ms. O’Clair is a member of the Financial Managers Society and has more than 30 years of business and accounting experience. She resides in Goshen, NH with her husband Doug and currently serves as treasurer of the Goshen School District and the Newport Service Organization.Mark Pitkin, SRB President and CEO stated, “Ann is well deserving of her promotion and the Bank is fortunate to have such a dedicated, knowledgeable, and community focused employee”.

Sugar River Bank Annual Employee Awards Ceremony, November 26, 2019

The Above & Beyond Award:

Carolyn Haron- Universal Banker, Grantham Branch

The Years of Service Awards:

Joe Conway - VP/Commercial Lender - Concord Branch - 5 years
Shaina Greenwood - BSA/Retail Systems Specialist - Newport Office – 10 Years
Peter Haynes Maintenance - Newport Office – 10 years
Vanessa Thulin - Assistant Branch Manager – New London Branch – 10 Years
Kailea Fournier - Prime Time Teller -Warner Branch – 10 Years
Leighann King IRA Trainer – Newport Office– 15 Years
Ginger Marsh - Branch Manager – Warner Branch – 20 Years
Lynn Rodeschin - VP/Head of Operations – Newport Office– 40 Years

Back row, L-R: Peter Haynes. Maintenance/Facilities, Lynn Rodeschin, Vice President/Operations Officer, Vanessa Thulin, Assistant Branch Manager/Retail Trainer Nw London, Ginger Marsh, Branch Manager/Loan Officer Warner, Front row L-R, Carolyn Haron, Universal Banker Grantham, Shaina Greenwood, BSA Retail Systems Specialist

Not pictured:: Kailea Fournier, Prime Time Teller/CSR Warner, Joe Conway, Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer, Leighann King, IRA Trainer

FDIC Announces New Members for the Advisory Committee on Community Banking (October 8, 2019)

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced the selection of four new members to its Advisory Committee on Community Banking, which has been providing advice and recommendations to the FDIC on a broad range of community bank policy and regulatory matters since it was established in 2009. The Advisory Committee members represent a cross-section of community bankers from around the country.

“The members of the Advisory Committee serve as the voice of community bankers nationwide,” said FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams. “We are fortunate to have such talented and highly respected professionals as a resource to provide key information and input to the FDIC on issues facing community banks. I look forward to working with the Advisory Committee members.”

The Advisory Committee on Community Banking discusses and provides input to the FDIC on a wide variety of topics, including current examination policies and procedures, credit and lending practices, deposit insurance assessments, insurance coverage and regulatory compliance.

The new members of the Advisory Committee are:

Shaza Andersen, CEO, Trustar Bank, Great Falls, Virginia
Sarah Getzlaff, CEO, Security First Bank of North Dakota, New Salem, North Dakota
Gilbert Narvaez, Jr., President & CEO, Falcon International Bank, Laredo, Texas
Mark Pitkin, President & CEO, Sugar River Bank, Newport, New Hampshire

For more information, please visit the Advisory Committee on Community Banking webpage at http://www.fdic.gov/communitybanking/.

Special Recognition for Sugar River Bank President, Mark Pitkin

NEWPORT, NH - Sugar River Bank announces that Mark Pitkin, President, has been named one of the Top 20 Pioneering CEOs of 2019 by MyTechMag.
Based on research and nominations from its editorial team, Mr. Pitkin was named by MyTechMag as one of its

"Top 20 Pioneering CEOs of 2019". Criteria for the award included strong CEO involvement, implementing diversity as part of a forward-thinking, robust strategy, and driving change to grow their organizations. According to the magazine the recipients of this award are leading CEOs “that take an organization to new heights by assisting in successful transformations, communicating its significance, modeling the desired changes, building a strong top team, and getting personally involved.” Last year’s recipients included the CEO’s of PepsiCo, Spotify, and Costco. Mark Pitkin stated the he “is very honored to receive this prestigious national recognition and is blessed to be working at such an amazing, long standing, organization.”
MyTechMag is a finance/technology-focused magazine that mainly targets decision-makers and top influential executives within an organization and is a growing digital outlet of relevant and informative content. The magazine provides knowledgeable articles, giving an insight into the latest happenings of the technology industry. Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, has served at Sugar River Bank for over 24 years. He attended the University of New Hampshire where he earned a Business Administration degree as well as his MBA. He also serves as a Director of Washington, DC based BancAlliance and of the Community Bankers of NH. He is the immediate past Chairman of the NH Bankers Association and Chairman of The Housing for the Elderly and Handicapped of Newport, Inc.

Employee Receives Scholarship

NEWPORT, NH - Jeannine M. Everitt, Senior Accountant, received the ICBA NextGen Scholarship for The Independent Community Bankers of America® LEAD FWD summit. She recently attended this conference which was held in New Orleans. The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) creates and promotes an environment where

community banks flourish. This organization is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership.
The two-day conference Jeanine attended enhanced communication and leadership skills, gave important insight on technology trends, and provided the latest strategies for operational efficiencies. Jeannine stated that she “enjoyed meeting people in community banking from all over the country and was very grateful for this experience. “

Ms. Everitt graduated from Franklin Pierce College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She resides in Goshen with her husband and daughter.

New England Banks Honored With Prestigious Banking Choice Awards

WEST HARTFORD, CT - July, 2019, Banks from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have been honored with the 2019 Banking Choice Awards in the categories of Customer Service, Technology & Tools, Community Contribution, and Overall Quality. They were presented at an awards luncheon as part of the Best Bank Expo at the MGM Springfield.

The prestigious Banking Choice Awards are presented by American Business Media and Customer Experience Solutions LLC. Unlike typical “popularity contests,” these awards are given based on interviews with hundreds of thousands of banking customers in a double-blind format. No financial institutions are involved in collecting the data, which is then used to create the highly respected Banking Benchmarks. Customer Experience Solutions is the recognized leader in measuring and tracking customer experience for banking institutions.

Vincent M. Valvo, president and CEO of American Business Media, said, “Customers can choose to bank wherever they want. The Banking Choice Awards determine which banks do it best.”

Sugar River Bank, located in Newport, NH, won the Bronze award for Community Contribution in New Hampshire.

Earning the Community Contribution award is significant because it’s based on input from people who are not customers of those institutions. “Unlike the other categories, this is a rating by prospects (non- customers) of each bank. So, to win top prize, banks had to not only make strong contributions to their local areas, but they also had to get the word out about that contribution,” Paul said. “The winners in this category are not only great contributors but are also great marketers as well. You can see from the diversity of top performers that massive marketing spend does not always translate into prospects’ minds, but very strategic spend does. This is how a smaller bank can compete with and sometimes outperform much bigger banks.”

Mark Pitkin, President & CEO of Sugar River Bank, said “I am so pleased and proud that the bank won in the Community Contribution category as it demonstrates how much we care for the communities we live and work in. As a local, hometown bank this is critical to our mission.”



Sugar River Bank Announces Employee’s Recent Graduations

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent graduations of two employees from the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson Executive Conference Center in Wellesley, MA.

Jeannine Everitt, Senior Accountant, joined the Bank in 2016. She previously worked at the Evans Group in Enfield, NH, as their senior staff accountant. Ms. Everitt graduated from Franklin Pierce College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She resides in Goshen with her husband and daughter.

Jillian Cummings, Executive Assistant/Commercial Credit Analyst, joined the Bank in 2015. She previously worked as a credit analyst for Mascoma Savings Bank. Ms. Cummings graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. Ms. Cummings resides in New London with her husband and twin sons.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated that “Sugar River Bank is proud of Jeannine and Jillian for achieving this accomplishment! The two-year program is very rigorous and we thank each of them for taking time out of their busy lives to successfully complete all requirements. The newly acquired knowledge and skills of both dedicated team members strengthens the Bank’s mission and its commitment to superior customer service.”

Above: Jillian Hurd and Jeannine Everitt

Sugar River Bank announces New Branch Manager for Main Office in Newport and new Vice President/IT Officer.

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce Rhonda Rollins as the new Branch Manager of their Newport office.

Sugar River Bank recently hired Rhonda Rollins as the Branch Manager in Grantham where she worked for the past year and a half. She was previously the Branch Manager in Newbury for Lake Sunapee Bank/Bar Harbor Bank and Trust. Mrs. Rollins has over 20 years of banking experience. She served on the Board for the Rollins Ride for 10 years and is the former president of NMHS Friends of Music. Ms. Rollins resides in Newport with her husband.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated that “Sugar River Bank is fortunate to have Rhonda as the Branch Manager of Newport. She is very well-known in our community and understands the value of building local customer relationships.”

Bradford Rand was also recently hired as VP/IT Officer in Newport, following the retirement of former IT Officer, Steve Smith. Mr. Rand has over thirty years of managing networks and cybersecurity in the Financial Industry, most recently working at UniBank for Savings, Whitinsville, MA. He received an Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Nichols College. He is ISACA CISM certified (Certified Information Security Manager). In his free time, he is a certified VAST (VT Association of Snow Travelers) Safety Course Instructor and is part of his local snowmobile club. He and his wife will be permanently residing in the Newport area.

Mark Pitkin stated, “we thank Steve for his many years of service and congratulate him on his retirement. We are also pleased to welcome Brad to our team. With his vast experience, knowledge and leadership of IT/cybersecurity, he is a valuable asset to the bank at a time when the management of technology is more important than ever in banking.”



A Journey to Homeownership

Equity Builder Program

Newport, NH — Sugar River Bank has been selected to participate in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Equity Builder Program, which assists local homebuyers with down-payment and closing costs as well as homebuyer counseling and rehabilitation assistance.

The $3.6 million program provides grants to financial institutions to assist households at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Borrowers are eligible to receive up to $15,000 in assistance on a first come first serve basis. Buyers must also complete a homebuyer counseling program.

“Homeownership is not easily attainable for many households, so we are pleased to offer this assistance to help individuals and families purchase a home. Homeownership helps build wealth and create financial stability, and programs that assist homebuyers can be effective in adding to the vibrancy of our communities,” said Terri Crate, VP and Senior Retail Loan Officer at Sugar River Bank.

Sugar River Bank is eligible to receive up to $150,000 in 2019 through the Equity Builder Program depending on availability of funds.

Since 2003, the Equity Builder Program has awarded more than $38.8 million in EBP funds assisting 3,512 income-eligible households to purchase a home.

To learn more about applying for assistance, please contact Terri Crate at 603-381-3096.

About FHLBank Boston

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston is a cooperatively owned wholesale bank for housing finance in the six New England states. Its mission is to provide highly reliable wholesale funding and liquidity to its member financial institutions in New England. The Bank also develops and delivers competitively priced financial products, services, and expertise that support housing finance, community development, and economic growth, including programs targeted to lower-income households.

Annual Awards Meeting

Recently Sugar River Bank held its annual awards ceremony honoring employees for their Years of Service and Above and Beyond Awards!

Above: Theresa Goyette, 20 years, Tina Blythe, 20 years, Terri Crate, 10 years, Dori Petrin, 35 years and Terry Beaulieu, 30 years.

Above: Shaina Brock and Cat LaCasce receiving their Above and Beyond Awards. Congrats and well deserved!

Mark Pitkin is Elected to Head New Hampshire Bankers Association

CONCORD — The New Hampshire Bankers Assn. (NH Bankers) elected officers and directors for the coming fiscal year during its Annual Meeting held on June 22, 2018. The meeting was well attended, with more than 130 members of the New Hampshire Banking industry.

NH Banker members voted to elect Mark Pitkin, President and CEO of Sugar River Bank, Newport, as Chairman of the Board for the coming year.

“I am very honored and excited to serve the banking industry in NH,” said Pitkin.

NH Bankers Emerging Leaders Conference

Tara Booth (left), Vice President, Compliance Officer/Internal Audit Manager of Sugar River Bank, recently met Senator Shaheen at the NH Bankers Emerging Leaders Conference.

Sugar River Bank announces Newly Elected Corporators

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent election of three new Corporators.

At its 123^rd annual meeting held on April 18^th, in the Sugar River Bank Community Room, Jason “Jake” Stiles, Remi Hinxhia and Lynn Rodeschin were elected as Corporators of the Bank.

Jake Stiles is the Chief Executive Officer at Stiles Associates in New London, NH. He has been with Stiles Associates since 1995. Mr. Stiles has also been an active member of numerous industry associations and boards including the National Association for Manufacturing Excellence.

Remi Hinxhia is a real estate developer and owner/manager of Associated Enterprises, Inc. and Remi Block, LLC, located in Concord, NH. He is active in the community and a strong proponent of creating and maintaining a healthy and vibrant downtown in Concord.

Lynn Rodeschin is the Vice President of Deposit Operations at Sugar River Bank. She has faithfully served the bank for nearly 40 years. Ms. Rodeschin is very active in the community and serves as Treasurer of the Newport Area Salvation Army and Treasurer of the Friends of the Lempster, NH Meeting House.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated “Sugar River Bank is honored to welcome these distinguished community leaders as Corporators of the Bank. They are very excited to serve the depositors of the bank and their communities.”

Sugar River Bank Offers Assistance to Homebuyers Through FHLB Boston Program

Newport, NH. March 19^th, 2018 — Sugar River Bank has been selected to participate in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Equity Builder Program, which assists local homebuyers with down-payment and closing costs as well as homebuyer counseling and rehabilitation assistance.

The $3.1 million program provides grants to financial institutions to assist households at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Borrowers are eligible to receive up to $11,000 in assistance on a first come first serve basis. Buyers must also complete a homebuyer counseling program.

“We are pleased to be able to offer this assistance to help ease some of the challenges associated with a home purchase. Homeownership is key to building wealth and creating financial stability, and programs that assist homebuyers are a critical component in ensuring that our communities continue to thrive,” said Terri Crate, VP/Senior Retail Loan Officer, Sugar River Bank.

Sugar River Bank is eligible to receive up to $110,000 in 2018 through the Equity Builder Program depending on availability of funds.

Since 2003, the Equity Builder Program has awarded more than $35 million in EBP funds assisting 3,150 income-eligible households to purchase a home.

To learn more about applying for assistance, please contact Sugar River Bank at 800-562-3145.

About FHLB Boston

Meet Our New Loan Originator and Branch Manager for Our New London Branch!

Meet Our New Grantham Branch Manager!

Sugar River Bank Announces New Intelligent ATM in Concord

Concord, NH – Sugar River Bank is pleased to announce the recent opening of its new Intelligent Deposit ATM in Concord, NH. The new ATM is located at 150 North Main Street in the newly renovated Remi block building.

Sugar River Bank currently has 6 branch locations in Newport, Concord, Warner, Sunapee, New London and Grantham. The state-of-the-art ATM is touch screen for easy use, allows the user to deposit multiple checks at once with check images upon receipt and bunched cash deposits without the need for an envelope. The addition of the stand-alone ATM is another step toward offering more locations and options for Sugar River Bank’s customers in Merrimack County.

Mark Pitkin, President and CEO, stated “The Bank is pleased to be a part of the Concord Community. The Remi block ATM offers a convenient location for our Concord customers and potential new customers to be able to stop and make deposits or withdrawals heading to and from work or home if they are unable to make a trip to our Loudon Road branch.”

Sunapee Business After Hours

Sunapee - In its newly renovated Sunapee branch, Sugar River Bank hosted the July 29 Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce (LSRCC) June Business After Hours.

Dozens of chamber members from the area gathered to network and see the renovations. LSRCC Board President, Rich Marshall kicked off the speaking portion of the meeting with an introduction of the Chamber’s new Executive Director, Kerry Pascetta. He elaborated on the variety of events and marketing opportunities for chamber members set for the summer before handing the floor over to Mark Pitkin, Bank President and CEO. Mr. Pitkin stressed the importance of local banking and the investment the organization has made in support of that objective.

Sugar River Bank gave away two generous door prizes consisting of gifts from local businesses, in addition to new “Sunapee” mugs for each attendee.

-Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce