APRIL 11, 2002

Kosturko Honored For Community Service

Receives Samuel W. Hawley Public Service Award From People's Bank

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
William T. Kosturko, executive vice president and general counsel for People's Bank, was presented the bank's prestigious Samuel W. Hawley Award during the Annual Hawley Award Dinner at People's headquarters here.

The Samuel W. Hawley Public Service Award was established in 1983 to honor Hawley, a former president and chief executive officer of the bank, who was a pioneer in Bridgeport-area civic and corporate commitment. It is granted each year to a member of the People's family who, through personal commitment and activity, has demonstrated the qualities of community service and citizenship that exemplify Hawley's illustrious career.

"Bill embodies leadership," said People's President and Chief Executive Officer John A. Klein who presented the award. "He sets a high standard as a person who, with very demanding professional responsibilities, takes the time to make a difference in his community. And that's what the Hawley Award and People's are all about."

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Kosturko demonstrates exemplary citizenship and contribution to community. He has devoted volunteer time to an impressive array of organizations, including serving as:

• a long-term member of the Board of Directors of the Regional Youth/Adult Substance Abuse Project, and as chairman since 1995. Kosturko received a Community Builders Award earlier this year from the United Way for his work with this organization.
• a founding member of "The Cove," an organization dedicated to assisting children grieving the loss of a parent or sibling, and currently serving on the Board of Directors.
• a member of the Board of Regents at Sacred Heart University.
• an advocate for legal services for the poor, Kosturko was instrumental in creating the Interest on Lawyer's Trust Accounts program in the 1980s. Since 1989, the IOLTA has provided more than $71 million in grants to legal service agencies in Connecticut.
• a member of the Board of Directors of Connecticut Legal Services and the Connecticut Bar Foundation, which administers the IOLTA program.
• a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven, and a former director of the Hartford Stage Company.
• a former chairman of the Connecticut State Elections Commission, and an active member of the Connecticut Bar Association.

A native of Bridgeport, Kosturko directs People's state and federal legislative efforts and its relationships with state and federal administrative agencies. Kosturko is also responsible for People's compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) efforts, for the Corporate Governance, Audit, Loan Review and Real Estate Services functions.

Kosturko joined People's in 1991 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel and was promoted to Executive Vice President in 1994. Prior to joining People's, he served as Executive Vice President and Counsel at Society for Savings in Hartford. Prior to joining the Society in 1979, he was an associate for the law firm of Day, Berry & Howard in Hartford.

Kosturko lives in Guilford with his wife and two children.

Samuel W. Hawley served with great distinction as President, Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the executive Committee of People's Bank during a 70-year affiliation with People's. The award dinner included a resolution to honor Hawley's contributions to the bank and the Bridgeport community by People's Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees of People's Mutual Holdings. Hawley passed away on February 28,2002.

People's (peoples.com) is a diversified financial services company providing commercial, consumer, insurance and investment services. Founded in 1842, it is the largest state-chartered bank in Connecticut with managed assets of $14 billion, 150 branches and 230 ATMs. People's is a leader in consumer and commercial banking, residential lending, insurance sales, supermarket banking and is the nation's 15th-largest issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. People's subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.

For a digital photo of Mr. Kosturko, please contact Deb MacDonnell at dpmacdo@peoples.com