October 30, 2002

People's Names New High-Tech Security Chief

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
Frank Cassano, an information technology security expert with 17 years experience, has been named vice president, Information Security, at People's Bank. He is responsible for setting strategy and direction for the information security program as well as its day-to-day oversight. These duties include directing information security awareness and overseeing technologies that protect customer information and privacy.

Cassano joins People's with 17 years of experience in information security, audit and information technology, including more than four years as head of Information Security for Prudential Securities. His addition to People's Information Technology team is a key element in People's sustained focus on customer privacy.

Immediately prior to joining People's, Cassano was senior consultant at Vigilinx, a security consulting firm in New York City. He has also held the roles of manager of Information Technology Audit for Prudential Securities and of supervisor in Information Technology Audit for Coopers & Lybrand.

"We're very pleased to have a professional of Frank's caliber and with his depth of financial services experience on our team as we continue to build our customers' trust and loyalty through secure systems that protect privacy," said Jaci Coleman, executive vice president and chief information officer.

A graduate of Pace University, with a BA degree in Management Information Systems, Cassano also is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

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 $13 billion, 153 branches and 230 ATMs. People's is a leader in commercial banking, residential lending, life insurance sales, supermarket banking and ranks 16th nationally as an issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. People's subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.