July 6, 2006

People's Office at Wethersfield Super Stop & Shop Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Grocery Shopping Spree

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - In Connecticut, many people are accustomed in 2006 to seeing branches in supermarkets. That was not the case in 1995.

This month, the People's Bank branch in the Wethersfield Super Stop & Shop celebrates its tenth anniversary. In addition to its 83 traditional offices, People's has 72 full-service branches conveniently open seven days a week in Super Stop & Shop markets statewide. In these supermarket branches, customers may apply for a mortgage, open an investment account, apply for a home equity loan, or do anything they might do in one of People's traditional branches.

"Ten years ago, we took a chance on a relatively new concept. We wanted to be in locations which offered customers convenience, but also offered our bank ready access to thousands of potentially new customers each week," said Jeremy Coute, financial services manager of the Wethersfield Stop & Shop branch. "Today over 1.5 million people shop weekly at Super Stop & Shop locations in Connecticut, providing People's with great opportunity to attract new customers and to serve our existing customers."

To celebrate the tenth anniversary, the bank's Wethersfield Stop & Shop branch will hold a customer appreciation day, with free cake and coffee for all who visit the branch on July 27. Visitors also may register to win a $100 grocery shopping spree at Super Stop & Shop. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age.

"Our supermarket branches complement our traditional branch network," said Erika Interlande, customer service manager for the bank branch. "These in-store branches are much more than check-cashing facilities. True customer convenience means providing people all the services they need when and where they want to do business. Our Stop & Shop branches do exactly that."

"People's is a great partner," said Lou Zarrella, manager of the Wethersfield Stop & Shop supermarket. "Stop & Shop shares People's business strategy of providing an extraordinary experience and true convenience to customers. With a People's branch inside each of our Connecticut Super Stop & Shop stores, people can do their banking and shop in the same visit. That is true convenience by any measure."

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 155 branches, 72 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, brokerage, financial advisory and trust services to personal and business banking customers. For more information about People's, its products and services, please call 800-772-1090, visit peoples.com or any of People's branches.