Meetinghouse Bank Co-Sponsors 3rd Annual Boston’s Best NeighborAward

Taste of Dorchester and Boston's Best Neighbor teamed up on April 28, 2011 at The IBEW Hall in Dorchester to honor residents Phil Carver, Patricia Westwater and Michael Skillin recipients of the 3rd Annual Boston's Best Neighbor Award.

This year's Grand Prize winner, Phil Carver, was selected after an overwhelming number of nomination letters were received from his fellow Dorchester residents. Mr. Carver was awarded a plaque and a $2000 check from sponsors Vargas & Vargas Insurance, Meetinghouse Bank, Cedar Grove Gardens, Law Offices of Dolan & Connly, Norfolk Hardware, Tierney Realty, Flat Black Coffee and Tax Sense. This year both Patricia Westwater of Hyde Park and Michael Skillin of Dorchester were selected as the runners-up based on the nomination letters written by Barbara Baxter and David Mabel respectively. Ms. Westwater and Mr. Skillin were each awarded $250.

Due to the increasing response in past years, this year Vargas & Vargas expanded the contest to include 2 runners-up as well as a Grand Prize winner. Mr. Vargas was quoted as saying,"It wonderful to see such positive participation to this event! Each year we have seen the nominations grow and it becomes more and more difficult to choose the winner."

Meetinghouse Bank employees enjoy a night out at the 3rd Annual Taste of Dorchester.

Anthony Paciulli Receives Community Impact Award

The Elizabeth Seton Academy Community Impact Award is given to individuals in the Boston area who have demonstrated a noteworthy impact in our community and whom are not typically highlighted. ESA volunteers, Advancement Committee members and the School principal select the recipient. The 2010 award was presented at the ESA Spring event to Anthony Paciulli, President of Meetinghouse Bank.

"I was pleased and proud to be selected for such an award and take great pride in being actively involved in the Dorchester Community," said Mr. Paciulli.

Meetinghouse Bank Donates to Local Schools

In keeping with its belief in giving back to the community, Meetinghouse Bank was an Honors Sponsor of the Boston Collegiate Charter School's 3rd Annual Collegiate Cup Trivia Challenge. Boston Collegiate has two campuses in Dorchester, serving Boston area students in grades 6 through 12. For the seventh consecutive year, 100% of Boston Collegiate seniors were accepted into college.

Meetinghouse Bank also donated to the Milton Foundation for Education's "Big Backyard Bash," an annual gala that raises money for Milton public schools. The Foundation raises funds to improve the quality of education in Milton.

Meetinghouse Bank is proud to sponsor these shining examples of educational success.

Meetinghouse Bank Employees Enjoy Dot Park Annual Gala

Meetinghouse Bank employees attended the annual Dot Park Gala. The Bank was a participating sponsor with all proceeds being used to make improvements to the park. The recent improvements have included new trees, resurfacing of the pathways, and most recently new benches for all to enjoy.

This year’s event also included an Auto Show on Sunday:

The First annual Dot Park auto show co-sponsored by Meetinghouse Bank was a huge success. Meetinghouse Bank co-sponsored the event which had over 50 vintage cars and trucks on display. The event was a great family day which helps raise the awareness of Dot Park featuring food Vendors, live music, a 50-5- raffle and hundreds of residents having a good time.

Meetinghouse Bank President named "Merchant of the Year."

The Lower Mills Merchant Association (LMMA) has named Meetinghouse Bank president Anthony Paciulli their 2010 "Merchant of the Year." The LMMA gives this award to an area merchant who not only contributes to the Lower Mills area quality of life, but who also has earned the respect of their peers, achieved success in business and contributes to the community. Mr. Paciulli was chosen as the first recipient of this award because of both his active participation in local endeavors and for Meetinghouse Bank's involvement in the area.

Meetinghouse Bank President presents second annual “Merchant of the Year” Award to Larry Marino

Larry Marino (center) of Lower Mills Web Designs receives the second annual LMMA merchant of the year award presented by Carlos Vargas of Vargas & Vargas Insurance and Anthony Paciulli, last year’s winner. Carlos was proud to recognize Larry for his hard work in the Community and successful efforts making our LMMA website a success. Anthony Paciulli thanked Larry for his efforts on Holiday Stroll Committee as well as raising awareness of the Merchant’s association. Larry is thrilled and proud to be a part of such a vibrant and productive association.

Meetinghouse Bank is Dorchester Historical Society's "Save Our Barn" Sponsor

The Dorchester Historical Society has identified the Clapp Family Barn as a priority for preservation, as it is an unmatched resource for the study of Dorchester's agricultural past. Meetinghouse Bank helped sponsor their "Save Our Barn" Gala Fundraiser, which generated donations enabling the DHS to begin restoring the Clapp Barn to its former condition.

2011 Holiday Stroll Draws Hundreds

The fourth annual Holiday Stroll drew hundreds of local residents to Lower Mills, Milton Village and the Central Avenue, Milton business districts. Over forty merchants participated in the event, keeping their businesses open late to welcome their neighbors. The Stroll was jointly sponsored by the Lower Mills Merchants Association and the Lower Mills Civic Association. It was held the Thursday before Thanksgiving.

The Bank opened its doors to the Community and bank employees pictured above and below played games with local children and provided popcorn and cookies to all.

Fourth Annual Food Drive a Tremendous Success

Henry Borgerson son of Bank V.P. Steve Borgerson makes his donation.

The fourth annual food drive was a tremendous success thanks to the continued generosity of our customers, employees and local merchants. Local businessman Chris Oroczzo of Milton Hill Sports and Spa once again offered a free Holiday aerobics class to anyone making a food donation. Total donations provided enough food and gift certificates to provide a week's worth of food and gift certificates to several needy families in the area.

Dorchester Police Toy Drive

For the fifth year in a row, Meetinghouse Bank employees have donated over 100 toys to the Area C Police Drive's Annual Christmas Party. The happy recipients of books, remote controlled cars, and dolls ranged in age from toddlers to early teens. Our employees are proud to play a role in supporting the Community and the efforts of the local police.

Anthony Paciulli Speaks at Pierce Middle School Annual Career Day

Anthony Paciulli, president of Meetinghouse Bank, was one of the speakers at the Pierce Middle School Annual Career Day.

Mr. Paciulli spoke to the children about careers in banking and the different areas within the field. He explained to them what they would need to know and how important good work habits were to be successful. This was Mr. Paciulli's second year as a speaker.

The Pierce Middle School Career Day is an annual event, featuring over 40 speakers. Speakers at this year's event included a broad spectrum of careers, including District Attorney William Keating and a

Italian Home for Children Clothing Drive

On "casual dress" days, Meetinghouse Bank employees donate one dollar each to wear jeans and a bank shirt. The total donations were then matched by the Bank. We used the proceeds to purchase clothing for the Italian Home for Children in Jamaica Plain. This organization provides services to emotionally disturbed children. This year, we donated many bathing suits, so the children could take advantage of the Italian Home's pool.

Meetinghouse Bank Participates in the Home for the Brave mortgage program

Meetinghouse Bank has committed up to $ 5 Million in residential lending for military veterans as part of the Home for the Brave mortgage program, announced July 2 by Gov. Deval Patrick.

The Home for the Brave program was developed by MassHousing, the state's affordable housing bank, in consultation with the Veterans Housing Sub-Committee of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Veterans Services.

When MassHousing asked for the financial institutions to participate, Meetinghouse Bank was one of the first to sign on, according to Bank President Anthony A. Paciulli.

"Once we heard about this idea from MassHousing about three months ago, we told them we definitely wanted to participate. We are very pleased to offer this program to veterans."

Under the program, veterans will have access to a low- or no-down payment mortgage. Meetinghouse Bank and 41 other lending institutions have committed $187 million in private funding. Fannie Mae has provided a $300,000 grant to assist with closing costs for the first 200 veterans who take advantage of the program.

"For all the sacrifices they make on our behalf, it is critical that we do everything we can to help Massachusetts' veterans reach the dream of home ownership," Lt. Governor Tim Murray, who chairs the Governor's Advisory Committee on Veterans Services. "The Home for the Brave mortgage shows our appreciation to our veterans while also providing them with the peace of mind of knowing they will have assistance if they are redeployed."

To be eligible for a Home of the Brave mortgage, one must be a veteran as defined under Mass General Laws. Borrowers must also have good credit and meet other underwriting standards. There are an estimated 400,000 veterans in Massachusetts, according to the Department of Veterans Services.

Meetinghouse Bank Employees attend The Dorchester Board of Trade Centennial Celebration

For 100 years, the Dorchester Board of Trade has remained committed to strengthening businesses and enriching the community. Along with celebrating 100 years of hard work, the group also honored Mayor Thomas Meninno and City Councilor Maureen Feeney. The centennial celebration also recognized the 100 year anniversaries of Carney Hospital, Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dolan Funeral Home, Dorchester Historical Society, Dorchester House and Fitzpatrick Brothers.

Pictured above are several meetinghouse employees who attended the event to support the Board of Trade and enjoyed a fabulous evening amongst several other local community members.

Meetinghouse Bank supports Ella J. Baker House Holiday Efforts

Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency and Meetinghouse Bank gave back to the Dorchester Community on 12/19/11 by donating toys and food for those in need. Reverend Eugene Rivers and Boston City Councilor Ayana Pressley distributed food and toys at the Ella J Baker house in Dorchester!

Meetinghouse Bank Holds a Holiday Open House

The Bank second annual Holiday Open House was a huge success. Bank customers, vendors and fellow Lower Mills Merchant were all invited for a night of good food and Holiday Cheer. The event was catered by LEDGE and over 100 people attended and made a donation to the food drive.

Meetinghouse Bank partners with the Treasurer’s Office to Support Small Business Lending

December 2011: In December Meetinghouse Bank signed an agreement to become a part of the State Treasurer’s Office Small Business Banking Partnership. The agreement creates a partnership with the Treasurer’s office and Meetinghouse Bank to provide loans to Small Businesses. In accepting State funds placed on deposit in the bank, Meetinghouse agreed to use the funds to promote its small business lending activities.

The bank has committed to lending these funds to local businesses to help create jobs. The bank already has its first loan already in process and is looking forward to its closing at the end of the month. The loan is to a local businessman who will be building and opening a restaurant in Boston, creating a number of short term construction jobs, and approximately 15 permanent jobs.

“As a local Community Bank we are excited about this partnership and the opportunity to support local small businesses and help create some needed jobs” Commented the banks President and CEO, Anthony A. Paciulli.

For more information on Meetinghouse Banks Small Business Lending programs please contact Steve Borgerson, Vice President and Lending Officer at 617.298.2250 x 233 or visit us at 2250 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester MA.