Village Bank wins award from Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce

The Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce has selected The Village Bank as the recipient of its 2010 Chairman's Award. Kenneth Brennan, president and CEO of The Village Bank, accepted the award from Chamber chairman Pat Palmer at the Annual Achievement Award Breakfast at the Newton Marriott. The Chairman's Award recognizes a member's outstanding contributions and support of the Chamber, community involvement by employees and corporate leadership, and socially responsible business practices that inspire others to similar action. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, The Village Bank has been a member of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce for the past five decades. Donating at the Platinum level, the Bank has been the single largest sponsor of the Chamber for the past three years, and their representatives have served the Chamber in roles ranging from Chairman, Board Member, and Ambassador, and as members of various committees. Community Leader "This year's Chairman's Award winner has consistently helped to build the community that has contributed to its success," said Palmer. Palmer noted The Village Bank's dedication to the community, and the fact that in the past seven years alone, the Bank has donated over $1 million in support of local charitable and community initiatives. The Bank's charitable donations each year approach $200,000, supporting a broad cross-section of the community from children to seniors, and from social service agencies to cultural organizations. Members of staff and management serve on over two dozen local non-profit boards and standing committees, and nearly 84 percent of the Bank's employees volunteer in the community. -more- The Village Bank wins 2010 Chairman's Award from Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce Page 2 of 2 In the past 12 years, the Village Bank has awarded $300,000 in college scholarships to 100 local students. In addition, the Bank's annual Food Drive results in truckloads of donations for the Newton Food Pantry and, as the primary sponsor of Newton's Holiday Gift Drive, the Bank helps brighten the holidays for over 200 deserving local families each year. They also adopt a family from The Second Step, providing toys, gifts and essentials to a needy family at holiday time. "The Village Bank's involvement in the community truly inspires others to follow suit — that's how meaningful their endorsement is," said Palmer. "Everybody wants to follow a leader!" The Village Bank, chartered by the state in 1910, has seven full-service offices in Newton and Wayland and a Village Loan Center in Auburndale. The Bank also offers online banking services at village-bank.com. The Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and a member of the Share Insurance Fund (SIF). All deposits are insured in full. ###