Members of the Maine Bankers Association collectively contributed $78,100 to the Lewiston Auburn Chamber Foundation for victims of the recent mass shooting in the city. In addition, members on their own contributed another $738,500 to various funds set up for the same purpose, for a total exceeding $800,000.
“Banks are embedded into the fabric of virtually every community in Maine. When one community suffers, we all feel the pain,” said Steve deCastro, chair of the board of the Maine Bankers Association and president/CEO of Gorham Savings Bank. “I’m gratified our industry responded to help the victims of this terrible incident in such a meaningful way,” he added.
Two MBA members are headquartered in Lewiston, one in Auburn, and 9 others operate branches or conduct banking operations in the city. MBA member banks employ hundreds of people in the Lewiston-Auburn area. Overall, 30 retail banks are members of the Maine Bankers Association and operate 443 offices in nearly every community in the state and employ over 9,000 residents. Four trust companies are also MBA members.