People's Bank Names New VP In Commercial Banking

Jim Wood to Manage Community Lending in Hartford

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
People's Bank has named Jim Wood vice president, Community Lending. Wood is based in Hartford and will manage relationships with close to 150 small business customers in a $16-million portfolio. His territory extends from Hartford south to Meriden, and from Torrington to Tolland.

In addition, Wood is responsible for business development, which includes working closely with the 34 People's Bank branches located in his area. He will oversee administration of the portfolio and be deeply involved in the communities he serves.

Wood's career in banking began in 1985 when he joined the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston as an examiner trainee. While with the FHLB, he rose to the position of commissioned federal bank examiner.

In 1988, Wood joined People's Bank as a senior loan review analyst. He was named loan officer/underwriter in 1997. Most recently, Wood was assistant vice president in Community and Small Business Lending in Bridgeport.

Wood earned both an associate's degree in business and a bachelor of science degree in financial accounting from the University of New Haven. He has a master's of science in management from Albertus Magnus College.

A board member of the Community Economic Development Fund, LLC in Hartford and the United Way of Meriden/Wallingford, Wood also serves on the advisory board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Meriden and Wallingford. Wood is a Rotarian and also belongs to several Chambers of Commerce, including the Metro Hartford Regional Economic Alliance and the Quinnipiac Chamber. He works with Literacy Volunteers of America, and several other non-profit organizations.

Wood and his wife, Toni, live in Wallingford with their son.

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, 155 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 16th-largest issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. People's subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.