Bangor Savings Bank Claims Top Honors in Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Diversity Workforce Coalition (DWC) announced that Bangor Savings Bank is the winner of the 2021 Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award.  The other three finalists were BAE Systems, Mascoma Bank, and Port City Pretzels. The award was announced at DWC’s fifth annual DEI conference, Moving On and Moving Forward, held virtually March 9 – 11.

“All the finalists demonstrated their commitment to promoting DEI in the workplace and understand the importance of acquiring, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce,” said DWC Board President Tina Sharby.  “The Selection Committee felt Bangor Savings Bank was exemplary in how it exhibited strong leadership and commitment in advancing and advocating for DEI in its workplace and community.”

With more than $6 billion in assets, Bangor Savings Bank offers retail banking to consumers as well as comprehensive commercial, corporate, payroll administration, merchant services, and small business banking services to businesses.

“Diversity is inherent to our culture and is one of our eight core values,” said Bangor Savings Bank SVP/Director of Talent, Diversity & Inclusion David Pease, who accepted the DEI Award on his company’s behalf.  “I’m proud of our ongoing, bank-wide conversations and programs; the efforts to support our communities through actions such as raising awareness of organizations dedicated to racial equity work; and the role DEI plays daily in our plans, policies, practices, and values.”

Given the significant events transpiring across the country, the Bank’s DEI efforts increased in 2020.  Notable accomplishments include a high level of employee engagement, multiple initiatives on race and equity, robust professional development programs, pay equity, and virtual DEI training programs in light of the pandemic.  The Bank has also created an employee DEI Council with 17 members from different backgrounds and departments across the organization.  The Council’s goal is to build upon Bangor Savings Bank’s experience-focused culture to reflect who employees are—and what they want to be—while creating an environment where all employees feel that they belong and can thrive.

Prior to the announcement of the DEI Award, the finalists participated on a panel with last year’s winner, Eastern Bank.  The session was moderated by Tina Sharby and panelists were David Pease, Eastern Bank’s Tye Graham, BAE Systems’ Leah Brokhoff, Mascoma Bank’s Melissa Carson, and Port City Pretzels’ Katherine Errecart.

The Diversity Workforce Coalition is comprised of employers and other community members whose purpose is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace through education, training, enhanced networking opportunities, and to identify and connect resources to its members and the public. To learn more, please visit diversityworkforce.org