ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, November 13, 2006… East Cambridge Savings Bank’s new Broadway Office grand opening was an exciting and fun-filled day for everyone – a great success.

Ceremony
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at which Bank President and CEO, Arthur C. Spears explained that as a Community Bank, East Cambridge Savings Bank brings over 150 years of community banking expertise to Arlington. “We’re thrilled to extend our banking services and community involvement to Arlington,” said Spears.

Present at the ceremony on Saturday, November 11th, were representatives from the Bank’s Board and management team, Arlington Town Officials, Arlington Food Pantry, Housing Corporation of Arlington, Salvation Army, others associated with construction of the new facility and members of the community.

“I am pleased to be able to welcome to the Town of Arlington, East Cambridge Savings Bank, a bank with a strong record of community involvement. We look forward to the Bank’s active participation in and support of the community,” stated, Town Manager, Brian F. Sullivan,

Donations Announced
President Spears announced the East Cambridge Savings Charitable Foundation had approved donations for the Housing Corporation of Arlington and the Salvation Army’s Wellington house to assist with their affordable housing efforts in the Town of Arlington. “Creating and maintaining affordable housing is very important to East Cambridge Savings Bank and we are pleased to be able to help support the dedicated efforts of the Housing Corp of Arlington and the Salvation Army,” said Spears. Additionally, a donation from the Bank was announced for the Shutt Detachment of the Marine Corps League, who were on hand to commemorate Veteran’s Day and to kick-off the Bank’s participation in its Toys for Tots campaign.

Assisting the Community
The emphasis on “Community” was evident in many aspects of the grand opening, including a holiday food drive of non-perishable food items for the Arlington Food Pantry (which runs through 11/18) and customers who opened certain types of accounts were given a coupon for a Free Holiday Turkey which some chose to donate to the food drive. The Bank partnered with the Marine Corps League as a collection point for its Toys for Tots campaign (which runs through 12/22); and parents brought their children in for a photo ID and safety education program, Project Kid Care, developed by Polaroid and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Festivities
Customers enjoyed refreshments and were welcomed by Branch manager, Natercia Calisto and her staff, while a clown entertained children as they explored the child-friendly play area in the lobby of the bank. Radio personality Gregg Daniels of Mix 98.5 was also on hand to give away great prizes and entertain the crowd.

Getting Down to Business
Adding to its already solid customer base from Arlington, the Bank generated many new deposits with customers taking advantage of the grand opening specials. Several new mortgage and home equity loan applications were taken and investment consultations were held.

Lobby banking hours at the Broadway Office, 105 Broadway, are Monday – Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday 8:30 – 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Drive-up teller hours are Monday – Wednesday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m and Saturday 8:30 – 1:00.

The new, two-story Broadway Office built on the former Friendly’s Ice Cream site, features two drive-up tellers, 2 ATMs (1 drive-up), night deposit box, safe deposit boxes and 15 on-site parking spots.