Community News

Mr. St. Onge is a graduate of University of Connecticut, began his career in banking in 2013 and has been adding retail banking and branch management to his experience since then. In his own words, he is “customer-focused and committed to being involved in the community.”

Among his volunteer activities, Mr. St. Onge is currently a board member of Farmington Valley VNA and Granby Chamber of Commerce. He has had previous involvement with the Plainville Rotary Club, Junior Achievement and CAHS: Money School. He is a resident of Avon.

Northwest Community Bank is a mutually owned state-chartered bank, headquartered in Winsted, Connecticut since 1860. The bank has branches in Avon, Granby, New Hartford, Simsbury, Torrington, and an academic branch at Northwestern Regional High School in Winsted. Collinsville Bank – A Division of Northwest Community Bank has branches in Collinsville, Canton and Farmington; and Litchfield Bancorp – A Division of Northwest Community Bank has branches in Litchfield, Lakeville, Torrington, Watertown and Washington Depot.

The campaign for the construction of the Adaptive Wellness Center by Favarh, the Arc in the Farmington Valley, recently received a $35,000 donation from Collinsville Bank, A Division of Northwest Community Bank. The Center is being created to provide the individuals Favarh serves more opportunities to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. The Center will include a large multi-use floor to be used for a variety of mindfulness activities, sports, recreation, and theater programs.

President and CEO of Connecticut Mutual Holding Company and Northwest Community Bank Stephen Reilly says, “Along with Gary Roman and everyone at Collinsville Bank, A Division of Northwest Community Bank, we are so pleased to continue to support the work of Favarh. We know that the new facility will expand Favarh’s capabilities, be beneficial to their clients and become an asset to communities throughout the Farmington Valley region. We look forward to seeing the Center as it adds another great range of valuable services to Favarh.”

Collinsville Bank was established in 1853. Collinsville Bank, A Division of Northwest Community Bank, has branches in Canton, Collinsville and Farmington, Connecticut.

Northwest Community Bank is a mutually owned state-chartered bank, headquartered in Winsted, Connecticut since 1860. The bank has branches in Avon, Granby, New Hartford, Simsbury and Torrington. The main office and an academic branch at Northwestern Regional High School are in Winsted. Northwest Community Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Connecticut Mutual Holding Company. In January 2021, Northwest Community Bank assumed operations of Collinsville Bank, A Division of Northwest Community Bank and Litchfield Bancorp, A Divison of Northwest Community Bank.

Litchfield Bancorp was founded in 1850. Litchfield Bancorp, A Division of Northwest Community Bank, operates in Litchfield, Lakeville, Torrington, Washington Depot and Watertown, Connecticut.

(Litchfield) – Litchfield Bancorp along with Collinsville Bank and Northwest Community Bank have teamed up with Miller Farms to provide turkeys to all its employees. For every turkey handed out to an employee, one is donated to a local community food pantry.

“It’s a small thank you to our staff for all their hard work this year and in turn helps provide meals to those in need. Some of our employees graciously paid it forward and donated their turkey for a grand total of 210 turkeys distributed to the local food pantries.” said Thomas Villanova, President and CEO of Litchfield Bancorp. “This year has been especially challenging for everyone in our communities, but Litchfield Bancorp as well as Collinsville Bank and Northwest Community Bank has weathered difficult times since 1850 and we will continue to be there for our employees, customers and community for many more years to come.

(Litchfield, CT) – On March 31, 2020, Robert Teittinen was due to retire from Litchfield Bancorp. As the Litchfield Bancorp family geared up to wish Bob a happy farewell into this next chapter of his life, we learned that he planned to stay on board and work with the rest of the Commercial Team to help process the Payroll Protection Program loans during the last few months surrounding the Covid-19 Pandemic. Although we had some unexpected extra time with Bob, it is now time to say those farewells after an unforgettable 9 years with Litchfield Bancorp.

(Litchfield, CT) – Thomas Villanova, President & CEO of Litchfield Bancorp is pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Murphy to Branch Manager of the Torrington office, as of March 9, 2020. Laura Murphy began her banking career as a Teller in 2008 and since then has held multiple positions in retail banking, including Creative Marketing. Starting her career with Litchfield Bancorp, Laura has called the Torrington office her home for the last eleven years, successfully climbing through the ranks to this position.

“Tom and I are so proud to announce this promotion. Laura’s work ethic, interpersonal skills, intelligence, incredible knack to get things done, and her desire to take on any new assignment made this an easy decision.” Paul McLaughlin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Litchfield Bancorp said when making the announcement.

Laura is a 2014 graduate of “Investing in People,” a leadership development program through Learning Dynamics, as well as a 2015 graduate of “Leadership Northwest,” a program through the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce designed to develop resourceful, motivated business leaders. Laura is currently attending the Connecticut School of Finance and Management, a two-year program sponsored by the Connecticut Bankers Association, with an expected graduation to be held in 2021.

Laura is active in the community, volunteering with the United Way of Northwest and a member of Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Organization.

(Litchfield, CT) – Thomas Villanova, President & CEO of Litchfield Bancorp is pleased to announce the promotion of Christine Bascetta-Gath to Chief Lending Officer for the bank, as of January 31, 2020. Christine Bascetta-Gath began her banking career in 2010 and since then she has worked in multiple areas of commercial banking.

Christine Bascetta-Gath began her banking career in 2010 and since then she has worked in multiple areas of commercial banking. Prior to Litchfield Bancorp, Christine was Vice President & Commercial/Wholesale Banker at United Bank. Christine was responsible for determining the lending needs and banking services for existing and potential customers. Prior to that, she was VP, Manager in Commercial Lending & Administration with Torrington Savings Bank. Christine began her employment with Litchfield Bancorp in late 2018 as Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer. This promotion comes to Christine, as Bob Teittinen announces his retirement as of March 31, 2020.

(Litchfield, CT) – Jane Hinkel has been elected Chairman of Litchfield Bancorp’s Board of Directors. Mrs. Hinkel has been a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors since 1994. She has also been a director of The Connecticut Mutual Holding Company, which consist of Litchfield Bancorp, Northwest Community Bank and Collinsville Bank since 2006 in addition to serving as Chair of Litchfield Bancorp’s Finance Committee as well as serving on the Executive, Strategic, Compensation and Loan committees.