Maine Banking News

DATE: April 2, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Roche
jroche@mainebankers.com
(207) 791-8401

Banks in Maine Help Prevent Fraud Against Customers

Banks in Maine helped stop well in excess of $46 million in fraud attempts against customers last year, according to recent survey results from the Maine Bankers Association (MBA). “Preventing this level of fraud against customers takes commitment and tremendous resources,” said MBA Board Chair and CEO of Androscoggin Bank, Neil Kiely. “It’s a top priority because customers’ financial security is a top priority.”

An invaluable tool banks use to fight fraud is to provide customer education to help spot phishing scams like romance fraud. In fact, bank tellers have become front-line defenders against financial scams using in-person interaction to detect suspicious withdrawals, elder financial abuse, romance scams, check fraud, and more.

“Banks operating in Maine know their customers,” said MBA President Jim Roche. “In our increasingly digital world, face-to-face relationships where bankers are familiar with their customers are becoming increasingly important in the fight against fraud.”

The Federal Trade Commission received 3 million consumer fraud reports in 2025. Common types of bank-related fraud are imposter scams where criminals pretend to be bank or government officials, investment scams, check fraud, and romance scams. Consumers can help prevent fraud by staying vigilant, use strong passwords with two-factor authentication, use secure payment methods, beware of high-pressure tactics, and verify callers/senders.

Good information about consumer fraud awareness and protection can be found at the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency:  https://www.occ.gov/topics/consumers-and-communities/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/types-of-consumer-fraud.html

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DATE: November 18, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Roche
jroche@mainebankers.com
(207) 791-8401

Bankers Association President to Step Down in June  

Maine Bankers Association (MBA) President Jim Roche announced to his board this week that he plans to retire at the end of June 2026. Roche will have led MBA for nearly five years upon his departure.

MBA provides advocacy, education, and resources to safeguard and advance the interest of banks in Maine. Thirty-four member banks and trust companies operate 438 offices in nearly every community throughout the state and employ over 8,000 residents. With assets exceeding $44 billion, Maine’s banking industry provides the fuel to power the state’s economic engine.

“I’ve been a working professionally for 44 years, I’m a new grandfather, and have other interests I’d like to pursue in retirement,” said Roche. “It’s time.”

MBA Board Chair and President/CEO of Androscoggin Bank Neil Kiely said, “Jim has provided tremendously valuable leadership to the MBA enabling Maine banks to navigate wide ranging changes in the economic and regulatory landscape.  His effective leadership allowed Maine banks to keep our focus on serving the interests of our clients and our communities for which we all are appreciative.  We’ll miss Jim’s leadership and wish him a successful and fulfilling retirement.”

Kiely and Chair-elect Dan Walsh, president & CEO of Norway Savings Banks, have initiated discussions with the executive committee about the search process to ensure a seamless transition.

“The position of ‘president’ of the Maine Bankers Association is a highly desirable position in an organization with a very strong reputation, a decidedly skilled staff, and a solid and engaged board of directors and executive committee. We’re very confident we will fill the position with an exceptionally well qualified candidate to lead the organization upon Jim’s departure next summer,” concluded Kiely.

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DATE: September 9, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Roche
jroche@mainebankers.com
(207) 791-8401

Maine Bankers Association Applauds Restrictions on Mortgage ‘Trigger Leads’

The Maine Bankers Association applauds passage of the bipartisan “Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act” which will help protect the financial privacy of mortgage applicants. The bill was signed into law by the President recently.

The Maine Bankers Association lobbied heavily for H.R. 2808, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, and was pleased to secure support from Maine’s two U.S. Senators, Collins and King, as well as Maine’s two U.S. Representatives, Pingree and Golden. Senator King co-sponsored the legislation. The bill will restrict credit reporting agencies from selling consumers’ contact information when they apply for a residential mortgage. Up to now, when a bank checked on the credit from a credit reporting agency for a customer requesting a mortgage, the process “triggered” a deluge of inquiries to prospective homebuyers from unscreened and unsolicited enterprises. This led to hassles and confusion for consumers. Borrowers received unwelcome phone calls, texts, and mailers from other companies, creating confusion about which lender they were working with. Public support for this policy change— restricting credit reporting agencies from selling customer contact information when they apply for a residential mortgage— showed wide support in recent polling data.

“Maine’s banking community thanks our leaders in Congress for passing this important law which provides additional consumer protections, mitigating potential scams and harmful sales tactics,” said Maine Bankers Association President Jim Roche. “Thanks to this bipartisan effort, consumers will now have more control over their private financial details and will be shielded from incessant solicitation as they apply for a mortgage.”

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DATE: June 16, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Roche
jroche@mainebankers.com
(207) 791-8401

Maine Bankers Association Elects New Officers, Executive Committee Members

Members of the Maine Bankers Association (MBA) elected the following officers at its Annual Business Meeting & CEO Summit in Southport, Maine, last week. The one-year terms commence July 1, 2025:

Chair: Niel Kiely, President & CEO, Androscoggin Bank
Vice Chair: Dan Walsh, President & CEO, Norway Savings Bank
Immediate Past Chair: Larry Barker, President & CEO, Machias Savings Bank

MBA members also elected the following individuals to serve as new members of the executive committee:

New Executive Committee Members
Mark Jones, President & CEO, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution
Lex Meagher, President & CEO, Kennebunk Savings

And MBA members elected the following individuals to continue serving on the executive committee:

Returning Executive Committee Members
Steve deCastro, CEO, Maine Community Bank
Tony DiSotto, Maine Market President, KeyBank
Glenn Hutchinson, President & CEO, Bath Savings Institution
Tony McKim, President & CEO, First National Bank
Curt Paterson, President & CEO, Aroostook County Federal Savings & Loan
Tim Thompson, President & CEO, Franklin Savings Bank

Commenting on the election of board officers and executive committee members, MBA President Jim Roche said, “These individuals are leaders in their communities, and indeed stand out as statewide business leaders. Their financial institutions provide the fuel that runs Maine’s economic engine. I couldn’t be prouder of the stature of MBA’s leadership.”

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DATE: June 9, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Roche
jroche@mainebankers.com
(207) 791-8401

Maine Banks Give!
Recent survey shows Maine banks’ impact on their communities

A recent survey by the Maine Bankers Association reveals the significant impact banks have on their communities in the Pine Tree State. From over 125,000 volunteer hours logged by bank employees, to $15.3 million in charitable donations, from $3.6 billion in loans to businesses, to $2.3 billion in residential and commercial real estate loans, banks provide the support and economic fuel that keeps Maine’s economy prosperous.

“Our success as bankers is measured not just in numbers, but in the lives we touch,” said Larry Barker, president & CEO of Machias Savings Bank and chair of the board of the Maine Bankers Association. “By investing in our communities—whether through volunteerism, philanthropy, or partnership—we’re helping build a Maine that’s stronger, more resilient, and full of opportunity. It’s a privilege to be part of an industry that leads with heart and purpose,” he concluded.

Maine’s banking industry employs 9000 working men and women across the state. Twenty-nine (29) retail banks operate 438 offices in nearly every community, assisting Maine citizens and businesses with financial decisions that improve the quality of life for everyone. With assets exceeding $44 billion, the Maine banking industry provides the financial fuel that powers the state’s economy.

Highlights from Maine banks community involvement: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:e89e954f-9b4f-4bf4-b6ef-c126cb0a76ec

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