NEWPORT – BankNewport has announced that Mapleville resident Mary Leach, executive vice president and director of consumer relationships, has been honored as an industry leader in the financial services sector as part of the Providence Business News’ 2021 Business Women Awards.
Leach has more than 35 years of banking experience, and in her current role, oversees the operations and sales at the bank’s 17 branches statewide, as well as its 90 bankers and a 12-person call center and was recognized for her commitment to innovation within the Rhode Island banking industry.
Her initiatives include the addition of interactive personal teller machines, which combine the convenience of ATM services and face-to-face service from a personal banker via a secure video communication; developing the “universal banker” model, in which each BankNewport banker is trained to provide the full array of banking services, such as depositing or withdrawing money, getting new loans and opening accounts, rather than requiring customers to engage with multiple bankers; and establishing the bank’s first Premier Banking group.
“Mary has been an incredible asset to the bank, especially as we expanded our offerings and our physical footprint to become a truly statewide bank,” said Wendy Kagan, BankNewport Executive Vice President and Director of Employee and Community Engagement. “She is continuously researching and developing innovative ways to do business, and always with customer experience at the forefront.”
“I’m thrilled to have been recognized with this award and have to thank the entire BankNewport team, who is willing to join me in taking some risks, to support new projects and implement them in a way that is meaningful for our customers,” said Leach.
An active civic and business leader according to a release on the award, Leach is a member of the board of directors of Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Justice Assistance, and the Providence Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. She is a past advisory board member of the School of Management at Rhode Island College, a past member of the board of directors for House of Hope Community Development Corporation, and a former member of the Finance Committee for Saint Patrick’s Church in Harrisville. Leach holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Rhode Island College and is also an alumna of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking Program.
