Danbury, CONN. (June 3, 2020) – Cynthia C. Merkle, President and CEO of Union Savings Bank, and chair of the board of directors for the Connecticut Bankers Association, was recently named a winner of Hartford Business Journal’s 2020 “Women in Business” awards.
In its 18th year, the highly coveted award program recognizes the region’s most talented women in leadership roles throughout central Connecticut. The winners are nominated by readers and chosen by a panel of independent judges. Merkle is among 15 honorees.
According to Hartford Business Journal, the award recognizes women who are making a significant difference within their organizations and the community. The honorees are senior level executives and entrepreneurs who demonstrate business savvy, confidence in themselves and their organizations, and a strong track record of professional success. For the complete HBJ article, click here.
“I’m truly honored that the readers of Hartford Business Journal nominated me, grateful to the panel of judges, and humbled to receive this important recognition,” said Merkle. “I’m also thrilled to be included with this great group of highly-respected women. The number of women in leadership roles has increased dramatically, but there is more work to be done. It’s important to encourage all women…especially our youth…to set their goals high. This award helps shed some light on this important topic.”
Merkle has nearly forty years’ experience in the banking industry, starting her career as a teller at Old Stone Bank in Rhode Island, and serving in leadership positions at a number of prominent banks including as Executive Vice President at Eastern Bank in Massachusetts, the largest independent and mutually-owned bank in New England. She joined Union Savings Bank in 2013 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 2014, and was elected President and Chief Executive Officer in 2015.
Merkle serves as chair of the board of directors for the Connecticut Bankers Association and is the first woman to hold this position; chair of trustees at Endicott College; and vice chair of the board of directors for the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce. She also is the former board chair of the United Way of Western Connecticut.
A graduate of Bryant University, Smithfield, RI, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in management, Merkle holds an associate of science degree from Endicott College, Beverly, MA.
Due to the Coronavirus, rather than an in-person award ceremony, the honorees will be celebrated in a series of webinars hosted by Hartford Business Journal on June 4 and June 9. To register, click here.
About Union Savings Bank
Established in 1866 and headquartered in Danbury, Conn., Union Savings Bank is a $2.2 billion mutual bank dedicated to being the bank of choice. As a full-service financial institution, Union Savings Bank provides banking, mortgage, investment, trust and insurance products throughout western Connecticut with 25 offices in Bethel, Brookfield, Canton, Danbury, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Marble Dale, Monroe, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Southbury, Torrington and Washington Depot. The bank provides financial services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and government entities through its commercial, residential and consumer lending, corporate services, retail banking and wealth management divisions. Please visit www.unionsavings.com for more information. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Community Relations Contact:
Michele Bonvicini
Union Savings Bank
203.830.6045
mbonvicini@unionsavings.com