Massachusetts

Richard Marotta, who became Berkshire Hills' CEO after his predecessor's abrupt resignation, says his top priorities are squeezing more profit from existing operations and improving corporate culture.

Rheo Brouillard, the head of SI Financial, finally had a solid offer in hand after more than two years of searching for a buyer. But the resignation 10 days later of the man who made him that offer — Berkshire Hills’ Michael Daly — sent Brouillard scrambling.

Hometown Financial will merge Abington Bank into Pilgrim Bank. The combined bank will be run by Andrew Raczka, Abington's CEO.

The process involved a charter conversion and took nearly a year to complete.

The Boston company reported a quarterly profit despite special charges, mortgage headwinds and lost SBA revenue tied to the partial government shutdown.

Bob Mahoney, CEO of Belmont Savings, called Jack Barnes after People's United agreed to buy a Connecticut bank. The banks announced their own merger agreement five months later.

HarborOne Bancorp — led by James Blake, one of our five community bankers to watch in 2019 — is a former credit union that recently made its first bank acquisition and has Boston and other markets in its sights.

The Massachusetts-based institution has paid out over $10 million to its members since 1996.

The $180 million acquisition is the first for Berkshire since the sudden departure of CEO Michael Daly.

The Massachusetts bank has offered wealth management services in the state for several years.

New president Lyndon Matteson is expected to also eventually take on the CEO role once Edward Lopes retires in late 2019.

Bernie Winne has been named temporary leader as the trade group searches for a successor to Paul Gentile.

The Bridgeport, Conn., company is developing a specialty in banking technology businesses. Like so many other small regionals with ambitious growth plans, it faces a tricky balancing act: how to take creative risks without getting in over its head.

As the industry relies more on digital products, credit unions are looking for ways to update their financial literacy programs to become more interactive and reach a broader audience.

Michael Daly's resignation may have been precipitated by an anonymous letter last month describing the workplace as “toxic” and in dire need of change.

The Connecticut regional bank will pay $327 million for the parent of Belmont Savings Bank.

Michael Daly had been the Boston company's president and CEO since 2002. It did not say why he left.

City of Boston Credit Union also expanded its field of members earlier this year. The moves are part of a long-term growth strategy to remain competitive.

After incorporating big data, tweaking existing products and reducing barriers for new members, the Mass.-based credit union saw increased checking usage, more deposits and higher PFI levels.

Brenda Kerr will be responsible for creating a strategy for the bank's retail operations.