TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS: The Mechanics Cooperative Bank Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team are pleased to announce the appointment of Sonia Estrela to Branch Manager of their New Bedford location at 1238 Kempton Street.  The Bank is proud to add Ms. Estrela’s wealth of experience and customer service knowledge to their Branch Management Team.

Executive Vice President of Mechanics Cooperative Bank, Deborah A. Grimes commented “Sonia’s superior customer service skills and prior banking experience will add immediate value to our management team. We are excited to have her in New Bedford to support the growing needs of our customers.”

Ms. Estrela began her career with the Fall River Herald News in 1998 where she worked for over 14 years.  Sonia was responsible for running the insertion and distribution operation for two daily newspapers including coordinating operations from prepress through final distribution of the finished product.

From there Ms. Estrela joined Kelly Services Inc. out of Raynham, MA in July of 2014 as a data input clerk.  This position required her to verified accurate data input, managed confidential and legal information, and contribute to organizational and filling efficiencies.

In December of 2016 Sonia then became the Branch Manager of Santander in Fall River, MA.  In her role as branch manager Ms. Estrela excelled at retail customer service including consumer loan applications and origination and her ability to lead, train, motivate and develop her staff.

President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank, Joseph T. Baptista Jr., commented “Ms. Estrella has extensive customer service and banking experience to support the diverse needs of our New Bedford customers. We welcome Sonia to our management team and are confident she will help us to continue to grow the Bank.”

Ms. Estrela is graduate UMass Dartmouth with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and currently lives in Westport with her family.

About Mechanics Cooperative Bank

With total assets over $675 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business deposit and loan products. As a Massachusetts co-operative bank, 100% of customers’ deposits are always fully insured. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second-oldest co-operative bank with nine conveniently located branches in Bridgewater, Taunton, North Dighton, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford, and Westport. For more information, call 1-888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit Mechanics-Coop.com. Member FDIC. Member DIF. Equal Housing Lender.

Branch Manager Sonia Estrela against white background wearing a blue blazer smiling