Cornerstone Bank is proud to announce the sixteen recipients of their scholarship awards program for local high school graduates. Each chosen graduate is awarded $2,000 to assist with college expenses.
The recipients of the 2020 Scholarship Program are:
Brian Riel - Tantasqua Regional High School
Bryce Meizen - Douglas High School
Colleen McCarthy - Wachusett Regional High School
Danielle Schmeling - Auburn High School
Elyse Whittemore - Auburn High School
Jack Larson - Leicester High School
Joshua Brunelle - Doherty Memorial High School
Kaden Wells - David Prouty High School
Katherine LeBrun - Tantasqua Regional High School
Kurstin Burnham - Tantasqua Regional High School
Kylee Inthirath - Tantasqua Regional High School
Lauren Alicea - Shepard Hill Regional High School
Olivia Graves-Witherell - Westborough High School
Stefanie Del Rosario - Shrewsbury High School
Timothy Moore - Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School
Will Akerson - Wachusett Regional High School
Cornerstone Bank is honored to help high school graduates throughout the community pursue higher education. This scholarship was open to 2020 high school graduates who plan to attend an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education as a full-time student.
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These sixteen students best demonstrated achievement and high standards in academics, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
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“Congratulations to this year’s recipients,” stated Todd M. Tallman, President and Treasurer of Cornerstone Bank. “We are honored to be able to support students throughout our community, and we are excited to see what their futures hold.”
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For more information on the Cornerstone Bank scholarship awards program, please visit any of our convenient locations, our website, or call us at 800-939-9103.
Cornerstone Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee is pleased to announce its recent donation of $2,500 to the Worcester Together Fund. Once again, the Bank has provided support to assist those in our community impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Worcester Together Fund is a partnership between the United Way of Central Massachusetts, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and the City of Worcester. The fund was created to address urgent needs resulting from the impact of the coronavirus public health crisis and will address immediate and long-term needs of the local community.
To date, the Worcester Together Fund has provided over $3 million in grants, focusing on areas of food and shelter, health, economic security, child nutrition, mental health, arts and culture, and enhancing operations to local non-profit organizations.
“The Worcester Together Fund has provided vital support to our local community during such an uncertain time,” stated Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman. “We are pleased to give back to our community at a time when it’s needed most.”
For more information or to contribute to the Worcester Together Fund, please visit www.unitedwaycm.org or www.greaterworcester.org, or by texting worcestercovid19 to 243725.
Featured here with Cornerstone Bank employees are representatives from the United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge, and Charlton (UW SSC). From left: UW SSC Executive Director Mary O’Coin and UW SSC 2019 Campaign Chair Dawna Dagenais, Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman; UW SSC Board President April Parzych; and Cornerstone Bank VP/Controller and UW SSC Treasurer Scott M. Dungey[/caption]
Cornerstone Bank is pleased to announce its recent donation of $49,312 to three local United Way organizations. This donation reflects an employee gift of $24,656, with a matching contribution from the Bank.
The United Way is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the educational, economic and healthcare needs of people worldwide. The $49,312 donation raised through the Bank campaign will support three different United Way organizations: United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge, and Charlton; United Way of Webster and Dudley; and United Way of Central Massachusetts.
“I am extremely proud to be associated with both organizations,” stated Cornerstone Bank VP/Controller and UW SSC Treasurer Scott M. Dungey. “Cornerstone Bank has such caring and generous employees and the corporate match demonstrates the Bank’s commitment to giving back to the community. With being on the United Way Board of Directors, I know these funds are being stretched as far as they can to touch as many people in our community as possible.”
“United Way has been helping people in need for such a long time, its reputation and charitable services are impeccable,” commented Cornerstone Bank President and Treasurer Todd M. Tallman. “Cornerstone Bank is pleased to play a role in supporting its efforts, and I am so proud of all the people here who were instrumental in making this happen.”
For more information on the local United Way organizations, please visit 
Pictured here, L to R: Cornerstone Bank AVP/Business Development Sales Manager and DCEF Vice President Sabrina L. Webb; DCEF Board Member Kate Pesa; DCEF President John Grondalski; Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman.[/caption]
Cornerstone Bank is pleased to announce its recent donation of $2,500 to the Dudley-Charlton Education Foundation (DCEF), in support of its mission to provide innovative and creative learning opportunities for the district’s seven public schools.
The Dudley-Charlton Education Foundation promotes educational excellence by strengthening community support and funding programs that encourage innovation and enrichment throughout the district. DCEF offers grants to create programs that foster leadership, creativity and advanced problem-solving skills.
“Every student deserves to have access to as many learning opportunities as possible,” said Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman. “We are pleased to assist the Dudley-Charlton Education Foundation and help them continue their mission of funding programs for our local schools.”
For more information about the Dudley-Charlton Education Foundation, please visit: 
Cornerstone Bank is pleased to announce that Robert Peritz has been appointed the new VP, Mortgage Loan Officer of its new Loan Center located at 45 Lyman Street, Suite 20, Westborough.
Mr. Peritz joins Cornerstone Bank with over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, most recently serving as VP, Sales Manager for the Central and Western Massachusetts markets at United Bank. Prior to that, Mr. Peritz spent 15 years with Citizens Bank in positions of increasing responsibility, holding the titles of Senior Loan Officer, Sales Manager and CRA Loan Officer.
A graduate of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut, where he earned a BA in Finance, Mr. Peritz has strong personal and community ties to the Central Massachusetts area. A sports enthusiast and hockey coach, he particularly enjoys taking family vacations with his wife and three children.
“Bob has a solid background in mortgages; it’s an area he’s focused on for much of his career,” said Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer Todd M. Tallman. “We look forward to having him as part of our team in helping customers choose the mortgage that best meets their homebuying needs and financial situation.”
“I’m extremely excited about joining the team at Cornerstone Bank,” said Mr. Peritz. “I consider it a great opportunity to help members of the community achieve their homeownership dreams in ways that are most beneficial to them.”
Pictured here, L to R: Tri-Community Exchange Club Board Member Brenda Lacaire; Cornerstone Bank AVP/Senior Business Development Sales Manager and Exchange Club President Sheri A. Bibinski; Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman; Exchange Club Board Members Russ Penney and Miguel Cepeda; and Exchange Club Secretary Susan Cepeda.[/caption]
Cornerstone Bank recently made a $2,000 donation to the Tri-Community Exchange Club. This donation will benefit the Exchange Club’s many programs of service that support local children and families in need.
The Tri-Community Exchange Club is a local service club that gives back to the communities of Charlton, Sturbridge, and Southbridge. The Exchange Club’s programs include the ACE Program (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) recognizing high school seniors that have overcome obstacles, Young Citizenship Awards Program recognizing 6th grade students who give back to their community, and a Holiday Program that provides gifts to local children and families in need during the holiday season.
“The Tri-Community Exchange Club gives back to our local communities in many ways,” stated Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman. “We are pleased to support their mission and help fund their programs of service.”
The Exchange Club’s largest fundraising event, their 11th annual Chowder Fest, will take place on Sunday, February 23, 2020, from noon to 3:00pm at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center. All proceeds will benefit families in need living in Charlton, Sturbridge and Southbridge. For more details, please contact Tri-Community Exchange Club President Sheri Bibinski at [email address= "SBibinski@cornerstonebank.com"].
Pictured, L to R: Worcester Chapter of StandUp for Kids Co-Executive Director Donna Katsoudas and Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee (CDC) Todd M. Tallman[/caption]
Cornerstone Bank recently made a $1,000 donation to the Worcester chapter of StandUp for Kids, an organization whose mission is to end youth homelessness.
The Bank’s donation will be used for youth services provided by the organization. These services include things such as bus passes, meals, hygiene items, ID fees, testing and training fees, clothing for interviews, pantry items, etc.
StandUp for Kids is a national non-profit organization that strives to provide life-saving and outreach services to homeless and at-risk youth. They support and guide them by providing counseling, mentoring, and life-skills training. The organization, run almost entirely by volunteers, has local programs in many states across the country.
“StandUp for Kids has always played an important role in our community,” said Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman. “We are pleased to support this organization and their mission to end youth homelessness and improve the lives of children.”
To learn more about the Worcester chapter of StandUp for Kids or to become a volunteer, please visit them online at 
Pictured, L to R: Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Charitable Donations Committee (CDC) Todd M. Tallman with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester Executive Director Elyse Waksman. Literacy Volunteers of South Central MA Executive Director Holly Christo; Cornerstone Bank Administrative Assistant and Literacy Volunteer Debbie Twigg; and Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the CDC Todd M. Tallman.[/caption]
Cornerstone Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee (CDC) is pleased to announce its recent donations of $2,500 to both the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester and the Literacy Volunteers of South Central MA. These funds, totaling $5,000, will support the organization’s educational programs that provide English language literacy skills to hundreds of adult students hoping to fulfill their communication, citizenship, and career goals.
Literacy Volunteers is an adult educational program that provides free, one-to-one and group literacy assistance instruction and services to students. Volunteers and staff give their time to local residents to help them improve and advance their English language skills in the areas of speaking, pronunciation, comprehension, grammar, reading, and writing. With this support, these individuals can become active participants in society, learning the skills they need to become successful citizens.
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester was established in 1973 as a one-to-one English language tutoring program in Worcester. Since then, they have served over 11,000 adults in need of English language literacy education.
Literacy Volunteers of South Central MA was founded in 1975 and provides free, confidential one-to-one English language tutoring, adult basic education, and citizenship test preparation to residents 16 years and older from Southbridge, Webster, Dudley, and surrounding towns.
“We are pleased to support such an important organization that provides educational programs to so many individuals in our communities,” stated Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman. “Literacy Volunteers truly make a difference in the lives of local literacy students and we are honored to help them continue their mission.”
If you would like to learn more about the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester and South Central MA, or are interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit: 
Today, Cornerstone Bank opened its new Loan Center in Westborough. The office is located at 45 Lyman Street, Suite 20, Westborough, MA.
Cornerstone Bank is a trusted financial institution with established and experienced lenders who understand the financial needs of the MetroWest market and its customers. The Loan Center is conveniently located in Westborough to provide customers in the MetroWest area easier access to its full team of mortgage lenders. “We are extremely excited to welcome customers and team members to the Westborough Loan Center,” stated Cornerstone Bank SVP of Retail Lending Scott L. Auen. “Cornerstone Bank delivers a customer experience based on a foundation of trust. We still value a personal touch in the lending process, centered on quick local decision-making and customized solutions.”
“We are thrilled to officially open our doors in Westborough,” stated Cornerstone Bank President and Treasurer Todd M. Tallman. “Expanding into the MetroWest area was a natural progression for our bank.”
In addition to the Loan Center, the Bank currently has thirteen branches across central MA and offers full-service banking for their customers’ deposit and lending needs.
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