Taunton, MA: Mechanics Cooperative Bank Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team are proud to announce the appointment of Jillian Back as Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer. The Bank is proud to welcome Ms. Back and excited to add her wealth of experience, knowledge and business development skills to our team.
President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank, Joseph T. Baptista Jr., commented “On the importance of having experienced and qualified commercial lenders to support the diverse needs of our business customers. Jillian’s past banking and lending experiences at larger institutions will provide an excellent perspective that will directly benefit our clients. We welcome Ms. Back to our team and are confident her appointment will help continue to grow and expand the Bank.”
Jillian Back joins Mechanics Cooperative Bank with several years of banking experience on both the retail and lending side of the industry. She began her banking career working for Bank of America in Framingham, MA as an Assistant Banking Center Manager before being promoted to Banking Center Manager II in 2007. This enhanced role, working out of Attleboro, MA, was due to her success as a team leader and in sales as represented with the 2017 Core Products Sales Award and the 2008 Regional Annual Award of Excellence for the South Central Market.
In 2010 Ms. Back moved to a Branch Manager role with Sovereign Bank in Smithfield, RI where she effectively managed the branches lending, deposits, brokerage, and capital market services to consumer and commercial clients. Jillian was also engaged in a broad spectrum of business development efforts and the creation of tools and resources to aid communications and outreach to prospects and existing clients. It was this work that showcased her abilities and allowed her to be recognized with the 2010 Small Business Lending Award for the Rhode Island District.
In 2011 Jillian was promoted to Small Business Area Manager for Santander Bank in Dorchester, MA where she managed a team of fourteen (14) professionals engaged in relationship management for small business clients across 51 branch locations. In this role she helped create the framework that governed Small Business banking at this institution and the foundation of procedures, hiring processes, sales models, and marketing strategies.
From there Jillian was hired by Citizens Bank in Plymouth, MA in 2015 as their Business Banking Market Manager where was responsible for an eleven (11) member team aimed at effectively and consistently driving revenue in lending and deposit activity. Ms. Back led client acquisition and portfolio growth through strategic and developmental leadership of retention and prospecting tactics. She also implemented disciplined sales routines and activities while monitoring effectiveness through in conjunction with Relationship Managers.
Michael A. Ferrara, Jr., Senior Vice President of Lending for Mechanics Cooperative Bank said “Mrs. Backs’ appointment is an exciting opportunity for Mechanics Cooperative Bank and our customers. Her past experience and success are a direct result of Jillian’s lending knowledge, expertise and commitment to her organization. We are confident we have the right team member in Jillian to help serve and advise our business customers for their future. We are thrilled to have her onboard.”
With total assets over $500 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business deposit and loan products. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second oldest co-operative bank with eight conveniently located branches in Bridgewater, Taunton, North Dighton, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River and Westport. For more information, call 1-888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit Mechanics-Coop.com. Member FDIC. Member SIF. Equal Housing Lender.
