HOMETOWN FINANCIAL GROUP, MHC and HOMETOWN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. (Petitioners), Easthampton, Massachusetts, have petitioned the Board of Bank Incorporation (Board) pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 167A, sections 2 and 4 for approval to acquire PILGRIM BANCSHARES, INC. (Pilgrim), Cohasset, Massachusetts in a multi-step transaction. Pilgrim is the holding company for PILGRIM BANK, Cohasset, Massachusetts. The Petitioners are the mutual holding company and mid-tier holding company, respectively, for Easthampton Savings Bank, Easthampton and Hometown Bank, Oxford, Massachusetts. As a result of this transaction, Petitioners will control Pilgrim Bank in addition to their existing subsidiary banks, Easthampton Savings Bank and Hometown Bank.
In determining whether or not to approve this petition the Board must decide whether competition among banking institutions will be unreasonably affected and whether public convenience and advantage will be promoted by this proposal. A public hearing will be given to all interested parties on the petition before the Board on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., 1000 Washington Street, First Floor, Hearing Room 1E, Boston, Massachusetts.
All comments concerning these petitions, however, must be filed with the Board by the close of business on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at the following address. The applications and all communications relative to this matter are available for public inspection at the Division at 1000 Washington Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02118-6400.
Board of Bank Incorporation:
Merrily S. Gerrish
Acting Commissioner of Banks
Deborah B. Goldberg
Treasurer and Receiver-General
Christopher C. Harding
Commissioner of Revenue
