Client Spotlight: Bristol County Savings Bank

Tell us all about Bristol County Savings Bank?  Your vision and values, market area, and strategic focus?  Why is BCSB a great place to bank and a great place to work? 

Bristol County Savings Bank is a 180-year-old, $3.1 billion community-oriented mutual bank. With 15 branches and growing, we pride ourselves on supporting the financial needs of local businesses, nonprofits, consumers, and municipalities across Bristol County, Massachusetts, Providence County, and Rhode Island. 

As a mutual bank, our communities are our stakeholders, and we like to give back in meaningful ways. In 2025, we committed approximately $3 million to community support and logged over 8,000 hours of employee volunteerism. We encourage our employees and officers to serve local nonprofits through volunteering, leadership, and board roles.  

Strategically, like many community banks, we are focused on growth, operational efficiency, and developing our team. What sets BCSB apart is our commitment to staying local and building long-standing relationships with businesses and organizations in our market. Our strong balance sheet allows us to make thoughtful, long-term strategic decisions. Simply put, our customers can count on us. 

What is the leadership culture at BCSB and how do you hope it continues to evolve? 

Over the past year, we have undergone a significant leadership transition, welcoming a new CEO and several new executive leaders. Succession planning is taken seriously at BCSB, meaning we placed these new leaders six to twelve months ahead of the January 2025 transition. 

Our leadership culture continues to evolve towards ownership and empowerment, which is why we focus on hiring talented people and then giving them room to lead. The results have been very positive, with the leadership team stepping up to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. 

You assumed the President and CEO position in January 2025.  As you reflect on your first year in the role, what have been your greatest pleasures, successes, challenges, and surprises? 

What a year it has been!  Moving from Chief Lending Officer to CEO was a major transition with significantly expanded scope of responsibility. Fortunately, I had an exceptional team in place, including our first EVP and COO, a 30-year BCSB veteran, and our former CEO and current Chair of the Board, whose mentorship has been invaluable. 

I did not go it alone. The support of the board, executive team, and employees has been extraordinary.  I have found it deeply rewarding to work alongside such a collaborative and committed group. 

We were financially well positioned due to prior balance sheet decisions and improving market conditions, which allowed us to navigate both external and internal challenges with confidence. I am proud of how the team managed the transition without losing focus. The biggest surprise came when reflecting on the year’s accomplishments and realizing just how much we achieved.  

You’ve been working with Wade Shows the past few years.  Tell us about your experience, and the impacts and outcomes of the Leadership Development / Executive Coaching / Group Facilitation engagement. 

Wade’s coaching and facilitation have been invaluable to the development of our executive team and overall team cohesion. I firmly believe that we wouldn’t be where we are in our executive team development in the areas of mutual accountability, trust, transparency, and team support without his help.   

Wade’s work was especially impactful during the complicated CEO transition process. He worked closely with our team and the two internal candidates to guide us through a thoughtful and smooth transition process. Using the book Managing Transitions by William Bridges, we explored the three phases of transition through bi-weekly one-on-one coaching sessions, followed by facilitated group Zoom sessions that allowed us to openly address challenges and important issues.  

Wade also introduced tools like DiSC assessments and led offsite facilitation sessions, to allow us to focus on team dynamics without day-to-day distractions. At our recent meeting in December, I was musing about how comfortable we all felt with one another as we went around the room to discuss individually the accomplishments that we were proud of.  What a difference it was from that first offsite in February where we were still getting accustomed to one another. 

Community banking is in the midst of generational succession.  Why should young professionals consider a career in community banking, and what advice would you have for them? 

Community banking offers a rewarding, relationship-driven career rooted in service. While technology will continue to reshape the industry, the heart of community banking remains unchanged.  

Building trust, supporting local businesses, serving communities, and doing the right thing are areas where people make the difference. My advice is to stay curious, adaptable, and engaged. Learn from others, get out in the community, and don’t hide behind a keyboard. 

What is the best piece of advice you could give to a new CEO?  To an emerging leader?   

You aren’t in this alone. With a strong team, a sound transition plan, a supportive board, and a trusted executive coach, challenges become manageable. Stay the course, work hard, take time to rest and recover, and trust that persistence pays off. 

Outside of work, what are your greatest interests and passions? 

In the off-hours I love to travel with my family, especially to visit National Parks in the summer.  I love to get out in nature, and I find it recharges me to spend time outdoors. I also enjoy fishing in Narragansett Bay whenever I get the chance.