June 26, 2003

People's Bank Awards 15 Scholarships
to Local Students

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - People's Bank continued its commitment to investing in the youth of the communities it serves by awarding scholarships to 15 local students at its Norwich Region office on June 16.

Dr. Jeremiah J. Lowney Jr, a member of People's board of directors, Mary-Jo Wlodecki, first vice president and growth manager in the bank's Norwich Region, and Dianne Kent, senior administrative assistant, Norwich Region, presented 15 high school seniors with scholarships of $1,000 each.

"We are delighted to provide financial assistance to these deserving students," Lowney said. "We take pride in the fact that People's is continuing to honor this long-standing community tradition."

Wlodecki highlighted the importance of these scholarships in light of the rising costs of college tuition. "At People's Bank, we realize that these students are future leaders. We are honored to play a small role in their career development," she said.

This year's recipients are: Corrine Artale, Plainfield, Plainfield High School;Camden Avery, Mystic, Fitch Senior High School;Christian Banker, Norwich, Norwich Free Academy;Victoria Brownlee, Canterbury, Griswold High School;Sean Dyer, New London, New London High School;Matthew Frederick, Woodstock, St. Bernard High School;Sikoka Frett, New London, New London High School;Kimia Holland, Uncasville, Montville High School;Jennie Kersaint, Norwich, Norwich Free Academy;Tyler Kwolek, Colchester, Bacon Academy;Daniel Maryeski, Waterford, Waterford High School;Victoria Masterson, Gales Ferry, Ledyard High School;Adelle Olewnik, Griswold, Academy of the Holy Family;Allison Phillips, Ledyard, Ledyard High School;and Molly Thorkelson, Storrs, E.O. Smith High School.

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 assets of $12 billion, 155 branches and more than 230 ATMs. People's is a leader in consumer and commercial banking, residential lending, insurance sales, supermarket banking and is the nation's 19th-largest issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. People's subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.