Volunteer Business of the Year in Ellsworth
Ellsworth, Maine – Franklin Savings Bank is proud to share that it has been named Volunteer Business of the Year by the City of Ellsworth. The recognition was presented during the April 20, 2026, Ellsworth City Council meeting as part of the City’s first Volunteer Appreciation Week awards. City officials recognized the Bank for its consistent support of local initiatives, events, and community programs.
The City specifically highlighted Franklin Savings Bank’s support of Heart of Ellsworth events and programming in the Franklin Street Parklet, along with the Bank’s investment in scholarships and local initiatives that support businesses, students, and residents across the community.
“For us, being part of a community means more than having a location there, more than writing a donation check. It means showing up, volunteering your time, listening, and building relationships,” said Tim Thompson, President and CEO of Franklin Savings Bank. “As we approach the one-year mark since opening the doors to our full-service Ellsworth branch, this recognition means a lot to us. To be acknowledged for our compassion and commitment to being part of the Ellsworth community is something we take great pride in.”
Volunteer Recognitions:
The award reflects the Ellsworth team’s ongoing involvement in the community and the many ways they give back throughout the year. Team members volunteer their time across the greater Ellsworth area, whether serving on local boards and committees, supporting community events, or pitching in for local service efforts.
To name a few examples, Crystal Richards, VP Commercial Loan Officer, serves on the Chamber of Commerce board and is active in Rotary. Holly Archer, VP Residential Loan Officer, serves as Treasurer of the Ellsworth High School Alumni Association Board. Laurel Fraley, Banking Specialist, volunteers with Heart of Ellsworth’s promotions committee. Over the last year, the team has also supported local causes like the Autumn Gold Kids Carnival, community concerts, food drives, local sponsorships, and most recently the Annual Citywide Roadside Cleanup, where employees picked up trash from the branch down Shore Road toward the elementary school.
That commitment extends beyond volunteerism. Since opening the Ellsworth office in 2016, the team has demonstrated over a decade of continued investment – with funding going towards education, food access, community support and downtown vitality. To date, Franklin Savings Bank has donated more than $100,000 to local organizations, schools, programs, and events across the Ellsworth community specifically.
“When I joined the Bank, one thing stood out to me right away: community is not just a core value written on a wall. Community is the core of Franklin Savings Bank,” said Holly Archer, VP Residential Loan Officer. “It is how we show up for our customers, our business partners, and our coworkers. It goes beyond a value statement, it is something you can feel.”
Franklin Savings Bank also invests in local students through two annual scholarships in the Ellsworth area. Each year, the Bank provides a $3,000 scholarship to Ellsworth High School for a graduating senior pursuing a business-related degree, and a $3,000 scholarship to Hancock County Technical Center for a graduating senior pursuing a career in the trades.
About Franklin Savings Bank:
Franklin Savings Bank has served the Ellsworth community since 2016, originally as a business lending office. In 2025, the Bank expanded its presence with the opening of a new full-service branch at 181 State Street. Today, the office is home to nine team members and offers a full suite of banking services, providing greater access and local support for customers across the Downeast region.
Founded in 1868, Franklin Savings Bank is a community-focused financial institution serving Maine’s western, central, and Downeast regions. With over $765 million in assets and 146 employees, the Bank offers personal, business, and municipal banking services and is known for strong customer service and deep local involvement.
