October 26, 2005

PEOPLE'S BANK OPENS FIRST BRANCH IN BERLIN

New Branch Introduces Seven-Day In-Person Banking to Berlin Consumers

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - People's Bank will open a new, full-service branch in the new Berlin Super Stop & Shop at 1163 Farmington Avenue, on Thursday, November 3. It is the bank's first office in Berlin.

This is People's 70th supermarket branch, and it will provide seven-day, in-person banking to Berlin area residents. The branch will have four customer service stations, a night deposit box, a television to watch financial news 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, work or shop in Berlin," said Michael Casparino, a People's Bank first vice president responsible for the Greater Hartford market. "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 -- 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 Berlin customers seven days a week."

M. Brooke Nedza will manage the new branch. She was formerly a customer service manager at People's office in West Hartford Center.

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.

With the Thanksgiving season nearing, People's Bank will make a $1,000 donation to the Berlin Food Pantry to help those less fortunate during the upcoming holiday season.

The new Berlin 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.

If you have interest in working at a People's branch within the greater Hartford area, please visit www.peoples.com for more information.

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, 70 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's 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.