MSB Blog

Monson Savings Bank announces a robust schedule of events, beginning in March, to commemorate the local community bank’s deeply rooted 150 year history.

In today’s financial market, for a community bank to reach a 150 year milestone of banking service is almost inconceivable. Monson Savings Bank has defied the odds and has done just that. Now, Monson Savings Bank is ready to celebrate their 150^th Anniversary in BIG ways, and wants to share the celebration with customers, employees, residents, local businesses, non-profits, and the entire community.

Monson Savings Bank’s anniversary proudly marks 150 years of helping consumers and businesses reach their financial goals, supporting local non-profits, and contributing to the overall progress of the local area.

Additionally, the anniversary commemorates 150 years of Monson Savings Bank being a true mutually, independent bank. Many other financial institutions have gone through mergers, which have disrupted service and support to customers. Monson Savings Bank is one of very few left in the state of Massachusetts to not merge and remain mutually independent over the past 150 years.

“All of us at Monson Savings Bank are incredibly proud of achieving 150 years of being a trusted, local, community bank,” said Dan Moriarty, President and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “We have worked hard to remain mutually independent, free of mergers, and it is elating to reach this milestone and celebrate our 150^th Anniversary with everyone.”

Moriarty continued, “Without our dedicated team members and the support of our customers and communities over the years, this would not be possible. We are eternally grateful. Now we are ready to celebrate, and then serve the local area for another 150 years!”

A Brief History of Monson Savings Bank

In the mid 1800’s, Monson was a thriving community. With Victorian houses being built in the downtown area, the town’s population increasing, and local industries and retail stores flourishing, primitive methods of banking no longer fulfilled the needs of the growing community. A community bank was in high demand to provide working men and women the opportunity to save and to give business owners a place to transact formal banking business.

On March 27, 1872, an Act to incorporate Monson Savings Bank was passed, enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives. Monson Savings Bank was born as a local, mutual, savings bank. The first branch was located on Main and State Streets in Monson. The opening of this branch marked the beginning of the residents of Monson having a place in town to safely save money and earn interest on their deposits.

Since then, Monson Savings Bank has grown to better serve the communities of Western Massachusetts. There are now five branches, conveniently located in Monson, Hampden, Wilbraham, Ware, and East Longmeadow. Additionally, to accommodate their growing workforce, the Bank opened a Loan and Operations Center in Wilbraham and a Corporate Office in Monson.

“A lot has changed over the past 150 years, but a lot has stayed the same,” said Michael Rouette, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Monson Savings Bank is still a local, independent, community focused Bank. The Bank has grown in size, but the excellent individual attention and service given to each consumer and business that walks through the doors has stayed the same.”

As an homage to the Bank’s longstanding history, a traveling historical display, featuring antique currency provided by Russell Bressette, Jr., will be scheduled at the Monson Savings Bank branch locations.

To learn more about Monson Savings Bank’s 150^th Anniversary, the Bank’s historical timeline, and to view a full schedule of events visit www.monsonsavings.bank/anniversary

150^th Anniversary Celebrations

To officially kick off the 150^th Anniversary plans, Monson Savings Bank team members will join together at a “Cheers to 150 Years” event on Saturday, March 19th.

Monday, March 28^th through Saturday, April 2^nd, Monson Savings Bank will celebrate with the Bank’s customers, local businesses, and communities during their 150^th Anniversary Week Celebrations. All of those who visit a branch, whether through the front door or through drive-up, will be welcomed with a planned schedule of excitement throughout the week.

As a throwback to the Monson Savings Bank Grand Re-Opening event in 1966, the Bank will also have Then and Now Grand Prize Drawings, with winners being announced at the culmination of Anniversary Week.

To extend the festivities, each month, March through December, Monson Savings Bank customers will be automatically entered for a chance to win a monthly $150 Cash Prize. At the end of the month, a winner will be drawn and announced.

To further commemorate the anniversary and accomplishments of the Bank, Monson Savings Bank will unveil a historical plaque at both the original Bank building at Main and State Streets and at the current Monson Savings Bank Monson Branch. At the unveiling ceremony, Monson Savings' team members will fill a Time Capsule with mementos, artifacts, and reminders of the year 2022. The capsule will be buried at the Monson Branch during the ceremony and is planned to be excavated at the Bank’s 175th Anniversary in 2047.

To learn more about Monson Savings Bank’s 150^th Anniversary, the Bank’s historical timeline, and to view a full schedule of events visit www.monsonsavings.bank/anniversary

150^th Community Support

To further honor the Monson Savings Bank 150^th Anniversary, the Bank is pledging to show extra support to non-profits and have an extra level of community participation throughout the year. This will be in addition to the typical non-profit support and community participation that the Bank generously gives each year.

Monson Savings Bank will be launching a 150^th Build a Bike Campaign. The Bank will be purchasing over $15,000 of children’s bicycles and helmets from the Family Bicycle Shop in East Longmeadow. Monson Savings' team members will then partner up with five local non-profits, YMCA of Greater Springfield, YWCA of Western Massachusetts, I Found Light Against All Odds, Educare Springfield, and the South End Community Center (SECC), to assemble the bikes for local children.

For community support, Monson Savings Bank will be a major sponsor of the Spirit of Springfield World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast taking place on May 14th, will host their annual Shred Days, and support various other large scale community events throughout the year.

To learn more about Monson Savings Bank’s 150^th Anniversary, the Bank’s historical timeline, and to view a full schedule of events visit www.monsonsavings.bank/anniversary