By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Grafton – For nearly 50 years, the Grafton Suburban Credit Union has served the banking needs of thousands of local residents as well as businesses. On Feb. 11, the bank started a new chapter, as it officially changed its name to Homefield Credit Union (HCU).
Credit Union officials, as well as members of the business community and town officials, joined Lloyd Hamm Jr., the bank’s president and CEO, for the official unveiling of the new sign in a short ceremony in the parking lot of the Credit Union’s 86 Worcester Road location.
According to the bank’s website, Grafton Suburban was originally chartered to have a field of membership for those in the greater Grafton area. HCU has grown to include membership encompassing all of Worcester and Middlesex counties. The change in name, as well as its increased services, was a reflection of that expansion. Hamm joined the bank in April 2013 as the president and CEO.
Hamm thanked those in attendance at the ceremony for their willingness to adjust their schedules to be present for the unveiling, which had been rescheduled several times due to snowstorms.
“We began this journey just over 20 months ago to re-energize the Grafton Suburban Credit Union and to make ourselves a significant financial partner for both our current members and our potential new members for decades to come,” he said. “It has been an extraordinary amount of work on behalf of our board and most notably all of our associates.”
Although the bank was changing its name, it would be continuing he said, to make “significant strides in our lending products” as well as launching KASASA checking products and enhancing Internet-based services and electronic banking delivery channels.
Hamm also acknowledged the late Charlie Bolack, who founded the bank in 1966.
“He was an original founder, first executive, spiritual leader and inspiration that made Grafton Suburban Credit Union so crucial in meeting the financial needs of this community these past nearly 50 years,” Hamm said.
Marianne Rososky, Bolack’s sister, was present for the unveiling but Ted Misiaszek, one of the last remaining founders of the bank, was unfortunately unable to attend, Hamm said.
Andrew Nelson, chair of the Board of Directors, also spoke at the ceremony.
“On behalf of our board we would like to thank the management team for moving aggressively to make Homefield Credit Union the best local opportunity for member-driven financial services throughout all the communities we serve,” he said.
He then invited three of the bank’s longest-serving associates – Maureen Wojnar, Carol Bagdis and Estelle Peters – to pull the cord and reveal the new Homefield Credit Union sign.
Bagdis has been with the bank 30 years as of February, Peters will celebrate her 30th year in August, and Wojnar will celebrate her 28th year in June.
For more information on Homefield Credit Union, visit www.homefieldcu.com.