Peter Brown
The Massachusetts Bankers Association has elected a new chair and seven new members to its board of directors.
Peter Brown, president and CEO of Dedham Savings, was chosen as the trade association’s 2021-2022 chair. His term began July 1.
“Peter is a highly respected and impactful leader in the banking industry, not only through his community support but also in leading a $1.8 billion mutual savings bank with nine branches serving Eastern Massachusetts,” Kathleen Murphy, the MBA’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “Peter will lead the association during a time of tremendous change as well as opportunity as banks continue to expand access to financial services through digital channels.”
Brown has had leadership roles in the banking industry for more than four decades, Dedham Savings said in a separate statement. He was president and CEO of Walpole Cooperative Bank before becoming Dedham Savings’ president and CEO in 2009.
“I am humbled to be elected to chair our industry’s association, which has stood the test of time since founding 116 years ago,” Brown said in the MBA’s statement. “Banks across the Commonwealth have been there for their clients and communities through the pandemic and are providing counsel and support as the economy continues its expansion.”
Murphy said the MBA had also formed a diversity, equity and inclusion steering committee that would harness the work that banks are doing to promote an inclusive industry. Brown added that expanding social and economic access and equality was one of the MBA’s top priorities.
“Banks are in different stages of their diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and it is imperative that the association harness those efforts through the board of directors and our DE&I Steering Committee as we examine how to be an even greater support for bank DE&I initiatives into the future,” Brown said.
The MBA elected Mark O’Connell, president and CEO of Hudson-based Avidia Bank, as the board’s vice chair, while Meg McIsaac, president of Raynham-based Bluestone Bank, was elected treasurer. Bristol Savings Bank’s president and CEO, Patrick Murray, is the board’s immediate past chair.
Seven directors were added to the MBA’s 20-member board:
- Ping Yin Chai, president and CEO of Salem Five Cents Savings Bank
- James Dunphy, president and CEO of South Shore Bank, Weymouth
- Robert Fraser, president and CEO of MountainOne Bank, North Adams
- Harold Horvat, president and CEO of Centreville Bank, West Warwick, Rhode Island
- Shimna Sameer, managing director, Northeast Division, Bank of America, Boston
- Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of BankESB, Easthampton
- Patrick Thorpe, president and CEO of BankGloucester
“This is a terrific group of officers and directors to lead the Massachusetts banking industry during this dynamic time,” Murphy said. “The new and returning members of the board provide considerable experience and expertise, as well as market knowledge in serving a very large consumer and business footprint across the Commonwealth.”
Dunphy of South Shore Bank said in a separate statement that he was pleased to join the board “at a time when there is so much positive change in our industry.”
“Serving on the board which has stood the test of time since its founding 116 years ago will enable me and South Shore Bank to continue the work of strengthening the industry as we advance the future of banking,” Dunphy said.
