Why Choose The Bank of Bennington
Culture & Philosophy
The Bank of Bennington is proud to be a full-service mutual community bank headquartered in Bennington with branches in Manchester, Bennington, Arlington and Rutland Vermont. We are known for our customer service, financial strength, and community involvement. Bauer Financial, an independent bank-rating service, has awarded The Bank of Bennington their 5-star “superior” rating for thirty consecutive years. The bank employs nearly 60 individuals across four offices. The average employee has been with the bank for more than ten years.
Our success has always been rooted in our communities. Working together with residents and businesses on a local level, we are privileged to help so many achieve their goals of home ownership, saving for college or retirement, or owning their own business.
As a testament to the bank’s culture and the strong men and women who founded the organization, not only has the bank’s size grown over the years, so too has its reputation as a local business that gives back to its community. The bank generously donates time and money to volunteer groups and community organizations in and around Bennington County.
Our current board is comprised of 10 community leaders: (pictured left to right) Jason Morrissey, Justin Salem, Florence Belnap, Mike Kilburn (retired), Jim Brown, Mark Donavan (retired), John Ahearn (Chairman of the Board), Pam Nemlich, Chip Chamberlin (retired), Billy Brownlee. Board member Laurie Cohen is not in photo.
Our History
May 14, 1917—The Bennington Cooperative Savings & Loan is founded with the mission to raise $10,000 to solve the problem of insufficient housing for workers in the town. The Bank operates out of a corner office on Main Street with a board comprised of local notables including William H. Wills, George M. Hawks, Hiram Hall, Edward A. Booth, and William P. Hogan
Our current board is comprised of 10 community leaders: (pictured left to right) Jason Morrissey, Justin Salem, Florence Belnap, Mike Kilburn, Jim Brown, Mark Donavan (Chairman of the Board), John Ahearn, Pam Nemlich, Chip Chamberlin, Billy Brownlee.
October 5, 1917—The first mortgage is issued to Clarence D. Wilson for the purchase of a Grove Street residence.
1979—Under the leadership of President Wes Mook, the bank builds a new facility and moves to North Street.
1983—The first branch office opens in Manchester.
1994—Jerry Keneally becomes President and recognizes that a new corporate structure is necessary for the bank to remain competitive into the 21st Century.
1999—Community Financial Mutual Holding Company is formed to serve as the parent organization for The Bank of Bennington.
Today—Under the leadership of President & CEO James D. Brown, the Bank’s total assets have grown to exceed $400 million and include offices in Bennington, Arlington, Manchester and Rutland.
The Board of Directors is still comprised of local residents. The Board and management are charged with the responsibility to enhance the original philosophy of the bank: to provide high quality, competitive financial products and services to meet the needs of customers.
We firmly believe that keeping money local is the surest way to a brighter, more secure future. Here are many other compelling reasons to choose us.
We’re a Mutual Bank!
We don’t have shareholders to answer to, only customers.
Local Banks Grow the Local Economy.
We invest in local businesses and individuals with loans and we employ local people
Decisions are Made Right Here.
Our world headquarters are right here in Bennington County so there is no waiting for answers from across the region or country.
We Have What You Need in a Bank.
Savings, Checking, Home Equity Loans, Mortgages, IRAs, CDs, Holiday Clubs, Online Banking, Telephone Banking—the list is practically endless!
Trained IRA Professionals to Help You
Our Customer Service staff is experienced and knowledgeable about Roth and Traditional IRAs, as well as other retirement funding accounts.
Checking Plus & NOW Checking!
We offer checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fee when you maintain a minimum balance!
We Support Area Non-profits by Donating Staff Time & Money.
We believe that the non-profits in our area enrich all of us every day, so we donate dollars and staff hours to a number of community organizations.
Very Low Employee Turnover
Our average employee tenure is over 10 years, because we like our jobs.
We are one of The Best of Bauer
The 5-Star rating is the highest level of strength and performance a bank can receive from Bauer and we’ve earned this rating for 30 years! Learn more at www.bauerfinancial.com.
Free Online Banking and Bill Payment
Save stamps, save hassles, pay bills online for free!
Kids’ Savers Accounts Earn a Special Rate.
We want to help young people learn how to take care of their money, so we provide special incentives for them.
We’re an SBA Preferred Lender.
This is the highest distinction a bank can receive from the SBA. As a preferred lender, we can approve loan applications internally – which means the process moves more quickly.
Free Telephone Banking.
Call up your account and find out how it’s doing! Check balances, verify transactions, and transfer money 24/7 by calling 1.800.216.1103.
We’re Committed to Investing in Small Businesses in the Community.
We are passionate about helping the businesses in our communities thrive.
We Employ More than 60 People.
That’s a significant number for our area—each of them shopping, dining, and buying services in the area, keeping the money local.
Loan Officers Who Know the Area
Whether you’re buying a home or a business, it helps to work with someone who knows the territory. Our lenders have 135 combined years of experience and they will help you through the
borrowing process.
More Convenient than Most!
You won’t find an easier bank to get to. With 5 nearby locations and generous hours (extended hours on Fridays and most branches open Saturday), we’re simply at your service. Our branches have easy-in, easy-out access, and all have drive-up windows and ATMs. There are additional ATMs in Shaftsbury and Bennington. And of course, we are always available online.
