Bristol County Savings Bank acquires interest in Farrell Backlund Insurance Agency.

TAUNTON, MA, USA (SANEPR.com) July 3, 2008 -- Bristol County Savings Bank has acquired a substantial interest in the Farrell Backlund Insurance Agency, LLC according to Dennis Kelly, President of Bristol County Savings Bank and Farrell Backlund principals Russel Martorana and Don Backlund. Farrell Backlund, one of the region’s largest property and casualty insurance agencies with 48 employees and four offices in Bristol County, will continue to operate independently under the management of owners Martorana, Backlund, Thomas Rogers and Gregory Arnold.

“As a full service community bank we are committed to constantly broadening the base of products and services we offer our customers and to increasing the convenience with which we deliver them” says Kelly. “Joining with Farrell Backlund allows us to further this strategic initiative while partnering with a company of impeccable professional reputation that also shares our commitment to community involvement.”

According to Don Backlund and Russel Martorana, the partnership will allow both the bank and the agency to better serve their respective customers by making it easier and more efficient for them to address a broader range of financial needs through the bundling of products. “Bristol County Savings Bank is the perfect partner for our agency for the future,” says Martorana. “Our management team and staff are excited about the opportunities that will be developed through this innovative partnership.”

“The Bank’s focus on customer service, charitable giving and community service is a perfect match to the culture that has been cultivated at our agency since its formation over 50 years ago,” adds Backlund.

The new partnership will be seamless to the customers and clients of both companies. The management structure and servicing of customers of each will be unchanged.

Both Bristol County Savings Bank and Farrell Backlund are headquartered in Taunton and enjoy long histories in the region. The Bank was founded in 1846 and has grown to over $1.1 billion in assets with 10 full service banking offices and two loan production offices. Farrell Backlund traces its roots to two agencies formed in the 1950’s by Phil Farrell and Rudy Backlund and now has four offices and 48 employees.

Bristol County Savings Bank
Bristol County Savings Bank is a full service financial institution offering commercial lending, personal and business banking, and mortgage services. The key words at Bristol County Savings Bank are: "Commitment, Stability, and Community," values that are combined with state-of-the-art technology to meet the needs of its customers. A dedicated local community bank for over 160 years, Bristol County Savings Bank is actively involved in giving back to all the communities it serves both through financial support and the volunteerism of its people.

Founded in 1846, Bristol County Savings has $1.1 billion in assets, with 244 employees in Southeastern MA and RI. The Bank has 10 full service banking offices located in: Taunton, MA (2); Raynham, MA (2); Rehoboth, MA; Attleboro, MA; North Attleborough, MA; Franklin, MA; Dartmouth, MA; and Pawtucket, RI; two loan production offices located in Taunton and Fall River, MA; and two Educational Branch Offices located at Taunton High School and Attleboro High School.

The Main Office and Corporate headquarters of Bristol County Savings Bank are located on Broadway in Taunton, MA. For additional information please call 508-824-6626, or visit www.bristolcountysavings.com.

Farrell Backlund Insurance
The Farrell Backlund Insurance Agency enjoys the prestigious Five-Star Agency Designation(SM) from the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. The firm offers a comprehensive range of personal and commercial insurance products and enjoys contracts with over 25 national and regional insurance companies. Farrell Backlund is committed to providing customers with the best insurance value and service available, while maintaining the highest ethical standards and credibility with clients, carriers, and the public.

Farrell Backlund offices are located in Taunton, Rehoboth and Dighton. For more information please call 508-824-8666 or visit www.fbinsure.com.