Machias, Bangor savings banks awarded

    Machias Savings Bank and Bangor Savings Bank were recently named to the prestigious Best Places to Work in Maine list along with 24 other businesses in the state.
    The Best Places to Work in Maine Program was established two years ago to recognize employee focused businesses in Maine. One crucial step in the application process is a questionnaire employees complete regarding their employer; the second step is a benefits questionnaire completed by the employer.
    The assessment process, aimed at recognizing companies that have established and fostered an outstanding workplace environment, is administered by the Best Companies Group. The group evaluates each company’s employee policies and procedures along with responses from  the company’s employees.
    Machias Savings Bank, founded in 1869 and has a staff of 220 employees in Washington, Hancock, Aroostook, Penobscot and Knox counties.  
    “Our consistent rate of growth is not directly related to any one product we offer, but rather the customer service we strive to provide; our customer service remains our most important focus,” said Edward Hennessey, president of Machias Savings Bank.
    Bangor Savings Bank, Maine’s largest independent bank, has grown from 14 branches and 244 employees concentrated in eastern Maine, to 51 branches and 624 employees statewide, over the past five years.
    “My  colleagues and I are extremely proud of this recognition,” said Jim Conlon, CEO of Bangor Savings Bank. “Our  Executive Team and our Board of Directors both are very pleased to  offer employment to more than 600 Maine citizens, in an environment where people thrive and our customers are very satisfied.  Bangor Savings Bank has worked to develop a culture where we deliver not  only to our employees, but to our customers and where every  individual who is associated with our bank knows we are sincere about  our brand – You Matter More.”
    Bangor Savings Bank was ranted fifth in the large employers division while Machias Savings Bank was rated ninth in the small employer category of the 2008 Best Places to Work in Maine report. A full listing of all recognized companies is available at www.bestplacestoworkinme.com
    According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 26 companies were named to this year’s list.  The third annual presentation was made in conjunction with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Department of Labor, The Maine Job Council, Employment Times and Mainebiz.