Robert J. Fraser Elected 120th Chair, New Officers and Board Members Also Elected at MBA Annual Meeting

Robert J. Fraser, President and CEO, MountainOne Bank has been elected 2024-2025 Chair of the Mass Bankers Association (MBA) at its Annual Meeting, a post he will assume on July 1, 2024. Founded in 1905, the MBA is the only Association representing FDIC-insured community, regional and nationwide banks serving consumer and business clients across the Commonwealth.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bob as the new chair of the Mass Bankers Association,” said Kathleen Murphy, President and CEO of MBA. “He provides expertise and experience that enable us to achieve our priorities of promoting a strong and diverse banking industry, achieving exceptional advocacy representation on Beacon Hill and in Washington, D.C., and being the premier partner for the Association’s 120+ member institutions in Massachusetts and across New England.”

Fraser leads a bank that is known for being a strong community partner and has continually supported the efforts of MBA across the Commonwealth.  He is committed to continuing the strategic efforts to harness the good work that banks are doing to propel the industry forward.

“I am honored to be elected to the position of Chair by my peers. I look forward to working with our members and with the Mass Bankers professional staff team to achieve the strategic priorities for the association. Key focus areas this year include creating greater awareness of the role of banks and their positive impact on communities across the Commonwealth, as well as expanding our engagement with the industry’s emerging leaders,” said Fraser.

At its annual meeting, the Association also elected the following officers and directors:

Vice Chair:

Martin Connors, President & CEO
Rollstone Bank and Trust, Fitchburg

Treasurer:

Anne Tangen, President & CEO
BankFive, Fall River

Rosemary Picard, President & CEO
Savers Bank, Auburn

Immediate Past Chair:

Meg McIsaac, President & CEO
Bluestone Bank, Raynham

Matthew Burke, Chairman and CEO
Cape Cod 5, Hyannis

James M. Dunphy, President & CEO
South Shore Bank, Weymouth

Matthew S. Sosik, President & CEO
BankESB, Easthampton

Marianne Smith, President & CEO
Cape Ann Savings, Gloucester

Patrick B. Thorpe, President & CEO
BankGloucester, Gloucester

These distinguished banking leaders join fellow Board members whose terms continue:

Ping Yin Chai, President & CEO
SalemFive, Salem

Harold M. Horvat, President & CEO
Centreville Bank, West Warwick, RI

Kathleen C. Marcum, President & CEO
Millbury National Bank, Milbury

Lisa R. Murray, Massachusetts President
Citizens Bank, N.A., Boston

Lisa J. Oliver, President & CEO
The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, Hyannis

Thomas W. Senecal, President & CEO
PeoplesBank, Holyoke

Denis K. Sheahan, President & CEO
Cambridge Trust Company, Cambridge

Richard Spencer, President & CEO
North Easton Savings Bank, North Easton

Jeffrey A. Worth, President & CEO
Wakefield Cooperative Bank, Wakefield

According to Murphy, “This group of talented and accomplished banking leaders is well-positioned to lead the Massachusetts banking industry during this dynamic time.  The new and returning members of the board provide considerable experience and expertise, as well as market knowledge in serving a large consumer and business footprint across the Commonwealth.”