Greylock and Credit Union of the Berkshires Agree to Merger

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Greylock Federal Credit Union and Credit Union of the Berkshires (CUB), both of Pittsfield, have reached a definitive merger agreement subject to the approval of the CUB membership and regulatory agencies.
 
"We are pleased that Greylock and Credit Union of the Berkshires have reached this merger agreement," said Greylock President and CEO John L. Bissell. "We know that the credit union difference remains strong in Berkshire County. We look forward to completing the merger and
combining the resources of CUB and Greylock to help the community thrive."
 
With final approval of the merger, Greylock will assume CUB's nearly $23 million in assets.
 
"Credit Union of the Berkshires has taken great pride in serving our community and our membership for over 80 years. We are confident our members will receive the highest quality of service they are accustomed to and deserve at Greylock. Greylock's mission and core values align perfectly with Credit Union of the Berkshires and that's why we have chosen Greylock as our merger partner," said CUB CEO Melissa Morin.
 
CUB has approximately 2,000 members and operates one branch on Williams Street in Pittsfield. 
 
"Upon completion of the merger, CUB members will enjoy full use of Greylock's 12 public branches (one is currently closed due to the pandemic) and 21 local ATM locations. Greylock also offers 60,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, access to over 5,800 shared branch locations nationwide, a 24/7 member contact center, significant online and mobile banking services, and all of the resources of the Community Empowerment Center on Kellogg Street in Pittsfield. CUB members will also enjoy access to business banking services, investment services, and insurance products," added Bissell in a press release.
 
Having negotiated a definitive merger agreement, both credit unions will now seek regulatory approval from the National Credit Union Administration, Massachusetts Division of Banks, and Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation. CUB will also seek approval from their membership. The merger is expected to be completed in late fall of 2021.

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New Bedford Installing Sculpture of Melville Based on 'Moby-Dick'

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — New Bedford's installing a statue of Herman Melville based on his epic "Moby-Dick," the story of a whaling captain and his nemesis the white whale, inspired by Mount Greylock. 
 
An illustration of the statue titled "Melville and Jonah's Journey" was unveiled on Friday morning at the Seaman's Bethel in New Bedford, where it will be installed on the grounds. 
 
The work by sculptor Stefanie Rocknak shows Melville amidst waves and three whale ribs "representing Melville's own journey into and out of the whale. Yet, Melville rises above them, his mouth open, as though beginning to speak — to tell the story of Moby Dick, this truth," the artist wrote in her proposal
 
"Melville, like Jonah, was on a journey of transformation. Just as Jonah was cast back to shore to fulfill his divine purpose, Melville returned from his own voyages to write 'Moby-Dick' — a novel that immortalized not only his personal journey but also New Bedford's whaling heritage." 
 
The elements of the statue come from the sermon in Chapter 9 about Jonah and the whale, and the hymn that begins "The ribs and terrors in the whale, arched over me a dismal gloom, while all God’s sun-lit waves rolled by, and lift me deepening down to doom."
 
"Moby-Dick" was the story of Melville's experiences in whaling but was written in Pittsfield during the 13 years he and his family lived on Holmes Road. He could see Mount Greylock, the state's tallest summit, from his window and it was said to have inspired his concept of Moby Dick the whale. The house that he dubbed "Arrowhead" is now the headquarters of the Berkshire County Historical Society.  
 
A New Bedford committee comprised of artists and city planners selected Rocknak's proposal out of 41 submitted by American and international artists. Mayor Jon Mitchell unveiled the design and introduced Rocknak on Friday at Seamen's Bethel, which is the inspiration for Melville's Whaleman's Chapel in the novel.
 
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