Eastern Bank announces grant program

Eastern Bank Corp. said today that its Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation is accepting nominations from the public to help it award grants totaling $50,000 to not-for-profit organizations.

Grants will be distributed in $2,500 increments to 20 organizations, said the bank, which added the program was developed to mark its recent acquisition of MASSBANK Corp.

According to Eastern Bank, the acquisition enhances its abilities to serve consumers and businesses in Middlesex County.

Eastern said it is accepting grant nominations for not-for-profit organizations headquartered in communities served by a MASSBANK office: Chelmsford, Dracut, Everett, Lowell, Medford, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Westford, and Wilmington.

People can learn more about the nomination process by clicking on this link.

Founded in 1818 and based in Boston, Eastern has $7 billion in assets and almost 90 branches.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)