'Spanish for Bankers' helps Greylock Better serve the Berkshires

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Early in 2026, Greylock will offer its fifth cohort of Spanish for Bankers, a free class offered to all Greylock employees who wish to gain and improve Spanish language skills. 
 
The 16-week course is taught during business hours to allow for convenience and flexibility, beginning with eight weeks focused on vocabulary and punctuation, followed by eight weeks of cultural perspectives shared by native speakers and real-world scenario practice. 
 
"When you better understand your members, you're better able to serve them. Spanish for Bankers gives our employees fundamental basics for simple interactions while also taking a deeper dive into Hispanic and Latin cultures," said Lowenstein. "It's been really successful."
 
Recent graduates have experienced ongoing benefits both professionally and personally, stated a press release.
 
"I spoke very minimal Spanish," said Branch Specialist Antonio Cimini who was in the last cohort. "The class 100 percent helped. It's strengthened my relationships with our Spanish-speaking members. I have one member who will always wait for me to handle his transactions. Sometimes I see him out in the community, and we'll say hello to each other. That connection has been the greatest benefit."
 
This initiative is part of Greylock's ongoing commitment and service to Hispanic and immigrant communities. Four Greylock branches hold the national designation Juntos Avanzamos, meaning "Together We Advance." The designation is bestowed on credit unions who serve and empower Hispanic and immigrant consumers, helping them navigate the U.S. financial system while providing safe, affordable, and relevant services. Greylock's four Juntos Avanzamos-designated branches include West and Kellogg streets in Pittsfield, Lee, and Greenport-Hudson, N.Y.
 
"As Greylock continues to see an increase in Spanish-speaking members, and as our outreach and engagement with immigrant communities continues to grow, we've seen a true need to bring enhanced language access to Greylock," said Vice President, Culture and Brand Rachel Mabee.
 

Tags: Greylock Federal,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield ConCom OKs Stairs at Pontoosuc Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Shoreline access stairs are coming to the south side of Pontoosuc Lake. 

Last week, the Conservation Commission approved an amendment to the Order of Conditions for work at Pontoosuc Lake Park.  There will be two stair sets on the south shoreline, and additional bank stabilization. 

In 2025, the park's south side saw new stairs from the parking lot, a boardwalk, and other improvements.  Later phases of the project will enhance the north side of the park for swimming, and remedy a concrete barrier wall that is partially underwater. 

"Generally, what we're looking to do at Pontoosuc Lake Park is install some stair sets in two locations to help folks access from up above the bank, over the bank, and into the water," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained during the July 23 meeting. 

"We're sensitive to some of the issues that are currently existing on the bank, and we're also sensitive to some of the needs for lake recreation out there."

Stairs for water access will be placed on the shoreline at the beginning of the boardwalk, where it is highly eroded, and the second staircase will be at the extreme western end of the project area, which has around 100 feet of highly eroded bank. 

Additional brush layering will also stabilize the bank. 

An area near the boat ramp where live stakes were vandalized will see them replanted after the ConCom found some of the bank erosion was worse than believed on a site visit last year. 

The city originally proposed not replanting the area where live stakes were removed. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories