Last Message from the President

 

To our valued employees, customers, and community,

After 22 years with Partners Bank, it is both a privilege and a deeply emotional moment to share that I will be retiring at the end of this year. While I will continue in my role as CEO until September 30, and serve in a consulting capacity through December 31, I officially stepped down as President on June 30. It’s hard to put into words what this Bank and all of you have meant to me over the years.

When I joined Partners Bank in 2003 as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending, I couldn’t have imagined the journey ahead. Over two decades, we’ve grown not just in size—doubling our assets in less than eight years—but in strength, resilience, and community impact. We’ve weathered economic shifts, regulatory changes, and evolving customer needs, always with the same focus: serving our communities with integrity and care.

Together, we expanded into new markets, strengthened our risk management and credit functions, and built a commercial lending platform that supports local businesses and the families behind them. We’ve worked hard to modernize the Bank while staying grounded in the values of a true community institution. I’m proud of the work we’ve done, and even prouder of how we did it—collaboratively, thoughtfully, and with our customers and communities at the heart of every decision.

To our employees: You are the lifeblood of this organization. Your dedication, warmth, and unwavering commitment to doing right by our customers has made this Bank what it is today. Thank you for showing up every day with purpose and pride.

To our customers: Thank you for placing your trust in us. Whether you’ve been with us for generations or just joined our community, you are the reason we exist. I’ve always believed community banking is about relationships, not transactions—and your continued support has affirmed that belief every step of the way.

I also want to express my gratitude to the Board of Directors for their guidance, confidence, and commitment to the long-term health of the Bank.

As for the future, I couldn’t be more confident or more at peace. Anthony Cataldi has officially stepped into the role of President and will take on the CEO position later this fall. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Anthony for many years. He is a leader of deep integrity, intelligence, and care. From managing core conversions to overseeing nearly every operational area of the Bank, Anthony has consistently demonstrated the foresight, humility, and determination needed to lead in today’s landscape. Just as important, he cares deeply about the people—inside and outside the Bank.

Anthony is not just a colleague; he’s a friend. I trust him wholeheartedly to carry the mission of Partners Bank forward.

Finally, on a personal note, I’d like to thank my family, mentors, and all those who have supported me along the way. Any success I’ve had is a direct reflection of the people who stood beside me and believed in our shared vision. You made me look good, and I’ll always be grateful.

I look forward to watching this next chapter unfold from a new vantage point but with the same affection and admiration I’ve always had for this Bank. The name “Partners” has never been just a name—it’s been our promise. And I have no doubt that promise will only grow stronger in the years ahead.

 

With deepest gratitude,

Blaine A. Boudreau