March 16, 2005

PEOPLE'S BANK OPENS NEW BRANCH IN RIDGEFIELD

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - People's Bank will open a new full-service branch in the Ridgefield Super Stop & Shop at 125 Danbury Road on Monday, March 21.

This is the bank's 67th supermarket branch and it will provide seven-day, in-person banking to Ridgefield area residents. The branch will have three customer service stations, a night deposit box and an office in which customers may apply for a mortgage or home equity loan, invest funds or open a checking or savings account.

"We're pleased to offer seven-day banking to our customers who live or shop in Ridgefield," said Stephen F. McDonough, who will manage the new branch. "People's customers enjoy the convenience supermarket banking provides. True convenience is having a branch near you that offers full-service banking -- from education or retirement planning to investments -- wherever and whenever you need it. Since all of us must shop for groceries, we couldn't think of a better venue in which to open a branch that will be available to Ridgefield customers seven days a week."

To celebrate the opening of the new office, People's Bank will hold a grand opening sweepstakes for three weeks beginning the day the branch opens. The grand prize will be $500 in free groceries. In total, 150 prizes will be awarded.

The office will be staffed by seven financial services professionals: a manager, three full-time and three part-time service associates.

Stephen F. McDonough who will manage the new branch is currently the assistant service manager for People's Mill Plain Stop & Shop office.

The new Ridgefield office will be open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Founded in 1842, People's Bank (peoples.com) is one of Connecticut's largest banks with assets of $11 billion, more than 240 ATMs and 154 branches, 67 of which offer convenient seven-day banking in Super Stop & Shop locations across the state. A diversified financial services company, People's Bank provides consumer, commercial, insurance, retail investment and trust services to personal and business banking customers. People's Bank is the official banking partner of the University of Connecticut Division of Athletics. For more information about People's, its products and services, please call 800-772-1090, visit peoples.com or any of People's branches.

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