Laconia Savings Bank is now Bank of New Hampshire!

Laconia Savings Bank is proud to announce that they have changed their name to Bank of New Hampshire. “Laconia Savings Bank was established in 1831, right here in Laconia, the heart of New Hampshire.  Over the past 181 years we have grown into a statewide organization with 21 banking offices throughout the state.  We are very proud of our roots and needed a name that reflects who we have become.” explained K. Mark Primeau, President & CEO.

Laconia Savings Bank began as Meredith Bridge Savings Bank and changed its name to Laconia Savings Bank in 1869.  In 1999, Laconia Savings Bank purchased nine Fleet branches, primarily north and west of Laconia.  Since that time, Laconia Savings Bank has opened two new offices in Concord and offices in Bedford, Dover, Rochester and Manchester.  The bank also acquired two Ocean Bank branches in Antrim and Hillsboro in 2008.  “It is important for our customers and our communities to understand that we are not changing our corporate structure.  We are still a mutual bank and we will not be sold. We are only changing our name.” K. Mark Primeau stated.

A brand equity study was conducted to measure the Bank’s brand awareness in different regions of the state and also the perception of the name Laconia Savings Bank outside of the Lakes Region. The results indicated that the name Laconia Savings Bank can imply that the bank is a “small bank on the lake” and the word “savings” suggests a small retail savings bank.  In some cases, the name prevented consideration with businesses or individuals interested in wealth management products and services.  Laconia Savings Bank, now Bank of New Hampshire, offers full service personal banking, business banking and wealth management products and services.

Bank of New Hampshire customers will not need to take any action as their existing checks and debit cards will continue to work as they always have.  In the coming weeks, customers will see a new, yet similar logo. The Bank has retained the existing logo mark, the color and the tagline, New Hampshire’s Local Bank. Customers will see the same friendly faces, in the same convenient locations with the same products and services. The only thing that is changing is the name. The Bank will not relocate its headquarters outside of Laconia, which is centrally located within the Bank’s 21 offices.

Bank of Hampshire is the oldest and largest independent bank in New Hampshire.  The bank has $1.1 billion dollars in assets yet maintains a community bank culture.  Laconia Savings Bank was named Business of the Year in May 2011 by Business NH Magazine and has been named one of top 20 Best Companies to Work for three times, also by Business NH Magazine. “We believe that our customers are proud to be a part of New Hampshire.  There is a long list of reasons to live here and we are proud to have chosen a name that reflects who we are, The Bank of New Hampshire.  We intend to be here for another 181 years or more!” explains K. Mark Primeau.