The banks will retain their current identities and independent community focus while operating as "A Division of MountainOne Bank."  The integration is subject to regulatory approval and is targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2013. 

 

"We will preserve the heritage of three fine institutions," said Thomas S. Leavitt, president and CEO of MountainOne.  "We are fulfilling a commitment to a common platform that will drive efficiency and allow us to focus our programs on outstanding customer care. South Coastal Bank CEO Robert Fraser and I have worked with our teams to assure that we will honor the history of deep community connections in the Berkshires and on the South Shore of Massachusetts. MountainOne's ten years of development has led us to this opportunity to achieve integration of products, services, and systems."  

 

Leavitt said that he will serve as CEO of the unified bank and that Fraser will become chief operating officer.

 

"Our South Coastal board, management team, and staff are all excited to be part of a larger banking presence in the Commonwealth," Fraser said. "We will come together with new customer initiatives supporting a strong identity and local decision making in each of our communities. 

 

"As I have visited North Adams, Williamstown, and Pittsfield over the past year, I have been pleased with the strength of the MountainOne name and the strong ties that Hoosac Bank and Williamstown Savings Bank have forged for well more than a century. I look forward to working with Tom and our banking teams in eastern and western Massachusetts to advance all of MountainOne."

 

"We are decidedly leaning into the 21st Century with our MountainOne Financial Center in Pittsfield," Leavitt said. "This new facility in an important market brings the best of our banking, insurance, and investment advisory services together in a compelling way. Our communities can expect to see this model advanced as we bring our three banking brands into alignment and innovate with both our physical and digital delivery channels."

 

The action to consolidate Hoosac Bank, Williamstown Savings Bank (a division of Hoosac Bank) and South Coastal Bank under one bank charter has been approved by the board of directors of each of the banks and by MountainOne Financial Partners. Formal applications will be filed with the Massachusetts Division of Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.