Few people better understand the challenges that potential homeowners face than the bankers who help arrange mortgage loans. That’s why we’re proud that our corporate supporters include several local bank foundations. Among them is BankFive Charitable Giving, which has provided general support of $10,000 per year to Housing Assistance since 2023.
“At BankFive, we believe that housing is the foundation of thriving communities,” said Charlie DeSimone, Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending at BankFive. He is a commercial lender who primarily serves the Hyannis area and has long-standing ties within the community.
“Over the past three years, our partnership with Housing Assistance has allowed us to directly support families in securing safe, stable, and affordable homes. Whether through grant funding, financial education, or collaborative development efforts, we’re proud to stand alongside an organization that shares our commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening neighborhoods across the region.”
BankFive was founded in 1855 as Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank, with a focus on providing banking services to mill workers who could open an account with a handful of pennies.
Charlie DeSimone and Andrea Rodrigues of BankFive.
“We’ve been able to grow and evolve but always stayed true to the original reason for opening, which is to meet our customers where they’re at,” said Andrea Rodrigues, First Vice President and Director of Marketing Programs & Community Relations at BankFive. “We have all the offerings that any other big bank has, but we still have that human touch, which is something that’s important to us.
“To celebrate our 170th anniversary, we launched the Five Sense Program, dedicated to providing our customers and community with educational resources, workshops, and customized banking products for their unique needs.
“Buying a home can be overwhelming, and it’s not something that’s taught in schools, unfortunately. You need a lot of support and sometimes that means having somebody to guide you. Providing support for organizations like Housing Assistance, which has direct connections with homebuyers, clearly aligns with our mission of helping people throughout their financial journey.”
