MountainOne Holds 176th Annual Meeting

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MountainOne held its 176th Annual Meeting on April 7, 2025, bringing together Corporators, Trustees, Officers, Employees, and Community Partners to reflect on another year, and set the stage for 2025.
 
The meeting began with a welcome from Board of Trustees Chair Daniel Bosley, followed by financial highlights shared by Steve Owens, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Information Officer. 
 
Owens reported that MountainOne ended 2024 ahead of budget, with financial results that surpassed many local and national peers. While elevated interest rates and an inverted yield curve presented challenges across the industry, MountainOne remained resilient, bolstered by strong non-interest income, continued loan growth, and disciplined expense management. Owens highlighted MountainOne's significant investment in its people, operations, and communities. Charitable giving more than doubled in 2024, with multi-year commitments to organizations like MCLA and Mass MoCA underscoring MountainOne's commitment to the region.
 
Jonathan Denmark, Executive Vice President of MountainOne Bank and President and Chief Operating Officer of MountainOne Insurance, highlighted another year of expansion and strategic investment for the insurance division. In 2024, MountainOne Insurance completed acquisitions of G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency and McClure Insurance Agency, expanding its presence to the Pioneer Valley. Denmark also spoke to a challenging but stabilizing insurance environment, noting volatility in the home and auto market while expressing optimism for what's to come.
 
Jill Amato, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Community Banking Officer, shared updates on the evolution of MountainOne's award-winning brand campaign, which earned eight industry awards in 2024 alone. Amato also announced the release of "Something to Save," the second in a series of children's storybooks featuring Mo the MountainOne Spokesgoat. The storybook series is aimed at promoting early financial literacy and life skills. Storybook events and classroom visits featuring "Something to Save" as well as the first book of the series, “How to Climb a Mountain,” are planned for spring 2025 across the Berkshires and South Shore.
 
Robert Fraser, President and CEO of MountainOne, provided the annual CEO address, which included an update on the proposed Mutual Holding Company merger between MountainOne Financial, MHC, and Mechanics Bancorp, MHC. The merger of equals will bring together two strong, like-minded community institutions. Fraser shared the combined holding company structure, key benefits and provisions, emphasizing the company's commitment to mutuality. The merger is slated for a Corporator vote in May, followed by a regulatory review later in the year.
 
Fraser concluded the meeting by recognizing Mountaineers celebrating promotions, milestone anniversaries, and those who have graduated from MountainOne's Emerging Leaders Program, underscoring the company's commitment to professional development and internal growth.

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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