December 4, 2006

People's Bank Celebrates 50 Years in Westport with New Branch

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - Almost 50 years to the day it opened its first office in Westport in December 1956, People's Bank will open its fourth office in Westport during the week of December 4. Located on Post Road West, directly adjacent to the Wild Oats supermarket, the new People's branch will occupy one of three storefronts in the White Birch Plaza shopping center. John's Best Pizza, a Westport institution that occupied the site prior to the new construction, will be one of the tenants. The third tenant has yet to be announced. The plaza is named for the White Birch Restaurant which occupied the site for years before being demolished several decades ago.

People's new 2,800-square foot office will feature two convenient drive-up lanes, two 24-hour vestibule ATMs and safe deposit boxes. The branch also features a free self-service coffee bar, coin counting machine and plasma television that will continuously air financial news.

The new office will be home to Brian Noccioli, vice president and market manager, who oversees branches in Norwalk, Darien and this new location in Westport. Noccioli has 25 years of banking experience. The new office will be managed by Jaclyn Thorsson, assistant vice president and financial services manager. Thorsson is a licensed life insurance agent and holds her Series 6 and 63 securities licenses from the National Association of Securities Dealers.

To celebrate the opening of this new branch, People's will donate $1,500 to Westport Field of Dreams. Because more and more Westport young people are participating in town sports, Westport sports fields are in constant use. With the increase in sports participation, the town has reached a saturation point in field usage. Westport Field of Dreams will build new synthetic turf fields to accommodate everyone young sportsperson.

"We can't think of a better investment than one that helps Westport's young people," said Vincent Santilli, first vice president and growth manager for People's Greater Fairfield County Market. When People's renovated its office at 371 Post Road East earlier this year, the bank donated $1,000 to Westport Field of Dreams.

"People's has been known for its superior customer service throughout Fairfield County for over 164 years. We have the number one market share in Fairfield County and are pleased to make this our 63rd branch in the county," Santilli said. "We've been serving the citizens of Westport for 50 years and are proud to offer Westport and its residents a branch of this quality, with all the convenience our customers have come to expect from People's Bank."

The new branch will be open Monday throough Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive-ups will be open the same hours, expect on Saturday they will open one-half hour earlier than the branch, at 8:30 a.m.

People's three other Westport branches are located at: 1800 Post Road East in the Greens Farms Super Stop & Shop;1800 Post Road & Bulkely Avenue;and at 371 Post Road East. The branches within Super Stop & Shop stores are open on Saturdays and on Sundays.

People's Bank is a diversified financial services company providing consumer and commercial banking services, in addition to insurance, trust and financial advisory services. Through its subsidiaries, People's provides brokerage and financial advisory services, asset management, equipment financing and insurance services.