North Weekly: Mergers Are Giving Local Banks a Boost
Boston Globe (07/30/00) Vol. 28, No. 15 p.North Weekly-1; McCabe, Kathy
In the wake of the overflow of megabank mergers at
FleetBoston, Citizens, and Sovereign BankCommunity, community
banks in Greater Boston have an enormous opportunity to gain new
customers. To undercut the competition, many community banks are
offering lower fees, free checking, and even freebies, such as a
$50 bonus check, baseball caps, or binoculars. Banking analysts
agree that community banks are in a good position right now
because they provide local service and can give quick responses,
especially to small businesses. According to the Massachusetts
Bankers Association, gains in deposits and loans are being posted
by banks in Essex and Middlesex counties. Julie Ganong, a
Provident Bank spokeswoman, said the mergers offer the
opportunity for the community banks to show that they offer the
same products as the large banks, but with better service.