Come December, it will be 170 years since BayCoast Bank opened its doors, so it seems fitting that we announce this significant occasion on the pages of a publication that champions the news, events and stories of the SouthCoast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
BayCoast Bank was originally named simply “The Savings Bank” and at the time of its establishment in 1851 was chartered in Rhode Island, operating at a location on the boundary line of Fall River, Massachusetts and Tiverton, Rhode Island. After more than a decade of successful service, the bank was mandated to apply for a new charter in Massachusetts, per a ruling by the Supreme Court. The boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island was then defined, placing “The Savings Bank” on the Massachusetts side of the line.
And while our presence in Massachusetts is robust, our commitment to the communities we serve in Rhode Island is equally strong, with locations in Little Compton, Tiverton, Providence, Bristol, and Cranston. Speaking of Little Compton – the people we have met and the connections we have made there make us feel a true part of this beautiful coastal community – and we mean community, in every sense of the word.
There is an obvious spirit of identity among Little Compton residents, many of whom we have come to know not only as customers, but as friends.
We’re humbled by and proud of the fact that more than 1,000 Little Compton residents have chosen BayCoast Bank for their personal accounts – and some 100 businesses in the town hold accounts with us.
Giving back to the communities we serve is a hallmark of BayCoast Bank; we feel privileged to be able to support several of the non-profit organizations based in Little Compton through a series of grants, including a donation toward the rehabilitation of the Town Landing, an oceanfront property that over time has experienced erosion and the need to restore natural habitat.
This property holds special importance to the Little Compton community. It was bequeathed by Hester B. Simmons, a former summer resident, who upon her death in 1948 willed the tract to the town “for the use, pleasure, and benefit of the people in the community, in perpetuity.”
Simmons made it clear that the property should not be commercialized in any way, but “shall always be used for recreational purposes – free to all.”
In recent years, the Town Landing has experienced a significant increase in public usage, from kayaking and fishing to biking, walking and as a spot for wedding and church services. Its improvised parking area lacked appropriate drainage, creating surface erosion and unsafe parking conditions. The grant from BayCoast Bank will be used to rehabilitate the Town Landing by creating a permeable parking area that will improve drainage, expand natural habitat with native species, restore eroded turf and improve the visitor experience.
In addition to helping to renovate and restore the Town Landing, we are also proud sponsors of the Congregational Church Fair and the Little Compton Road Race. In fact, Dan Briand, President and CEO of BayCoast Mortgage, a long-time distance runner, has participated in the Road Race numerous years.
“It’s a great event,” said Dan, noting that he has also made it a point to visit the Church Fair on the near dozen times he has run the Little Compton Road Race.
“Little Compton has the ocean, farm lands, a strong sense of community – it is the quintessential New England town.”
We’ve become aware of Little Compton’s rich history – from the town common’s place in the National Register of Historic Places, to the World War II coastal defense Fort Church, from the town common cemetery being the resting place of Elizabeth Pabodie (the eldest daughter of John Alden and Pricilla Mullins of The Mayflower fame) to Pastor Sylvester Graham, namesake of the graham cracker!
We have also been introduced to and happily explored many of the recreational and dining pleasures Little Compton has to offer.
Our ties to the community are strong – just ask Xenia Ledoux, our Little Compton branch manager and Senior Universal Banker Peggy Gil.
Peggy, a resident of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, has been in the banking industry for 32 years and joined BayCoast Bank in 2017.
“The bank I was working for closed its Little Compton branch and BayCoast came into the building,” she said.
Aware of her reputation for outstanding customer service, Nicholas M. Christ, President and CEO of BayCoast Bank, reached out to Peggy personally and offered her a post.
“So, here I was, back in the same building – I feel like part of the furniture here!” said Peggy, noting that she joined BayCoast Bank in large part because of its mission to “treat customers like family.”
“We make the effort to get to know people and we do it because we genuinely care about customers.”
That observation is echoed by Xenia, a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island whose experience in the banking industry spans 18 years.
“Everyone is so close here – that small town feel is wonderful,” said Xenia. “And that sense of community was very apparent during the pandemic.”
Although technology carried the weight of customer service, customers were happy knowing staff was in the building.
“It was a different means of servicing, but our customers were grateful for the technology in place,” said Xenia.
“We came through the past year and a half like a family – and that is exactly what we are here in Little Compton,” said Peggy.
We look forward to many more years of serving Little Compton, a town that feels like home.
As BayCoast Bank continues to grow, we look to expand our presence in Rhode Island even more. Rhode Island is an integral part of our past, our present and most certainly our future.
And as our 170th anniversary approaches and plans made to commemorate, we hope that the many consumers, businesses, non-profits, and municipalities that call BayCoast Bank their bank will help us celebrate.
