Banking & Finance

Fidelity Bank has promoted a well-known name in Central Massachusetts business, Sherri Pitcher, to a newly created role of chief LifeDesign officer to oversee a program that prioritizes client and community relations.

Public companies across the country – as well as others in Central Massachusetts including TJX Cos. and Hologic – have been spending more money than ever buying their own shares.

State government is awash in surplus cash, so much so that the state savings account balance is surpassing $3 billion and Gov. Charlie Baker, who looms as a potential obstacle to tax increases, is now openly pressing the Legislature to deliver tax relief to Massachusetts residents.

Oxford-based bankHometown doesn't have a Worcester banking branch today but is focused on growth in the city following a merger with Millbury Savings Bank that's expected to close next month.

Clinton Savings Bank has promoted its senior vice president, finance chief and treasurer Richard Hayward, Jr. to executive vice president. 

After a career in education administration in two states, Michael Welch became the CEO of Whitinsville-based UniBank for Savings July 15, starting in a new industry and moving back closer to home.

Five states so far this year have passed new laws aimed at protecting student loan borrowers, with three more "steps away" from doing so and similar bills filed in a handful of others, including Massachusetts.

Worcester wealth management firm Bartholomew & Co. has acquired Auburn financial planning firm Newton Financial. 

The former headmaster of St. John’s High School has been named the new CEO of Whitinsville-based UniBank, and the former interim president will step into the permanent role. 

Avidia Bank, headquartered in Hudson, is renovating its Main Street location into a full-time corporate office center and moving those branch operations to its financial center just down the street.