MAY 7, 2001

People's Bank Brings Revolutionary
Financial Superstore to Torrington

TORRINGTON, CONN.
People’s Bank is looking to expand its success in Torrington by opening the newest of its revolutionary People’s Financial Centers at 1692 East Main Street. To celebrate the opening of the new financial superstore, a grand opening celebration has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, at 6 p.m.

The People’s Financial Center is the bank’s second branch in Torrington. Its office at the Torrington Super Stop & Shop, opened in 1996, was recently voted “Best Bank” by readers of the Register Citizen.

“It is truly rewarding that we were able to achieve this recognition with our Stop & Shop branch in Torrington,” said Robert R. D’Amore, executive vice president, Marketing and Regional Banking, at People’s. “Our staff is committed to providing the best customer experience in the marketplace. Our decision to establish a People’s Financial Center in Torrington is reinforced with this recognition.”

The People’s Financial Center brings together the bank’s diversified array of financial products and services in one convenient location. The concept is intended to make it easy for customers to do everything from personal banking to financial planning to stock trading to insuring their homes, families, vehicles and businesses. The Torrington office is the sixth People’s Financial Center in the bank’s network;the first one opened in Trumbull in 1999.

“This is a hands-on branch where customers can get answers to any financial questions from experts on the premises,” D’Amore said. “Anything and everything customers need to manage their finances can be found at this People’s Financial Center.”

The People’s Financial Center’s expansive design has many additional features. At the Welcome Desk, customers can determine where to take their business within the center, or get their questions about banking, borrowing and insurance answered. In the teller area, customers can perform all their banking transactions. And at the Investment Desk they can meet with a specialist from People’s Securities, Inc., People’s brokerage subsidiary, to get advice or buy and sell stock.

The People’s Financial Center’s expansive design has many additional features. At the Welcome Desk, customers can determine where to take their business within the center, or get their questions about banking, borrowing and insurance answered. In the teller area, customers can perform all their banking transactions. And at the Investment Desk they can meet with a specialist from People’s Securities, Inc., People’s brokerage subsidiary, to get advice or buy and sell stock.

All of these banking and investment features and services are available in the Torrington People’s Financial Center Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.;Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a drive-up window open Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.;Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The People’s Financial Center also has a drive-up ATM available for 24-hour banking.

The public is invited to visit People's Financial Center Manager Doug Hallowell and learn about People’s wide range of products and services, including banking, investing and borrowing.

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 managed assets of $14 billion, 143 branches and 220 ATMs. People’s is a leader in commercial banking, residential lending, insurance sales and supermarket banking. A leading credit card issuer, it ranks 16th nationally as an issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. People’s subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.