Bram Berkowitz
Banker & Tradesman StaffBram Berkowitz was a reporter covering finance and banking for Banker & Tradesman from 2017 to 2019.
by Bram Berkowitz | Aug 23, 2020
Condominiums are flooding the market in several of the city’s neighborhoods across several price ranges, threatening price declines in some of Boston’s hottest neighborhoods for the first time in many years.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 19, 2020
Only about a third of Black households in Greater Boston own their homes, while roughly 79 percent of area white households own their homes, thanks to decades discrimination.
by Bram Berkowitz | Feb 16, 2020
Amid a strong market in 2019 – stronger still in Greater Boston – that keeps sending prices worryingly higher, places like Brockton and Springfield that once had a hard time attracting attention saw healthy growth.
by Bram Berkowitz | Oct 6, 2019
Unlike many architects, Jamie Kelliher started his career in the building trades. Now his firm, Axiom Architects, is starting to specialize in historic restorations and smaller mixed-use buildings scaled for town centers.
by Bram Berkowitz | Sep 22, 2019
In a digital world, you might be forgiven for thinking sensitive paper documents are a thing of the past, but Rick Carey has made a career out of helping keep those files safe.
by Bram Berkowitz | Sep 8, 2019
The investment management arm at Rockland Trust recently hit a huge milestone when it reached $4 billion in assets under management. That number will likely grow as Rockland continues to tap into new customers from its recent acquisitions. Leading the charge is Rockland Trust’s managing director and chief investment officer since 2005, David Smith.
by Bram Berkowitz | Aug 25, 2019
Prior to joining the South Shore Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO, Peter Forman spent over 20 years in government as a member of the House of Representatives, sheriff of Plymouth County, undersecretary of administration and finance under former Gov. Paul Cellucci and chief of staff to former Gov. Jane Swift.
by Bram Berkowitz | Aug 25, 2019
There’s growing interest in the region from large industry players, which will only increase competition in an already extremely competitive market and one of the most banked states in the country.
by Bram Berkowitz | Aug 11, 2019
Roxann Cooke is the New England regional director of JPMorgan Chase, which recently made a big splash in the state by pledging to open 50 retail branches in the Greater Boston area. Approximately 30 percent of branches will be in low- to moderate-income communities.
by Bram Berkowitz | Aug 4, 2019
William McGurk, one of the largest private shareholders in United Bank, has been outspoken about his disappointment in People’s United Bank’s planned $759 million purchase of United. But he faces a difficult path to blocking the merger.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 30, 2019
For the first time in over two years, Randolph-based Envision Bank has had a profitable quarter. The bank attributed declining mortgage rates and four new loan production offices in Central and Western Massachusetts for the success.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 28, 2019
In a few days, Brookline Bank will no longer be a member of the state’s Deposit Insurance Fund, a private, industry-sponsored insurance fund that insures all deposits above FDIC limits at member banks. It’s only the fourth such departure since 1934.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 28, 2019
After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Sam Hanna figured the best way to leverage his finance degree would be to start a career in banking. Three decades later, Hanna is still in the industry and is now senior vice president and director of middle market banking for Webster Bank, where he has worked for the last eight years.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 26, 2019
Boston Private has begun the process of consolidating one of its last wealth affiliates, KLS Professional Services, as the company continues to forge a new path ahead.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 26, 2019
After its leaders spent months trying to fix workplace culture issues that came to light at the end of 2018, Berkshire Bank received an award for how it has engaged its employees.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 25, 2019
Berkshire Bank has completed its acquisition of the parent company of Willimantic, Connecticut-based Savings Institute Bank & Trust, a deal first announced last December and valued at $180 million.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 24, 2019
The parent company of Rockland Trust spent most of the second quarter integrating the parent company of Blue Hills Bank into its fold.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 22, 2019
Amid a recent spate of M&A activity among Massachusetts banks, Webster Bank’s leaders don’t expect to be joining in.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 21, 2019
While many financial institutions have seen success originating loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and Federal Housing Administration, the products face competition and challenges from rising home values and similar products created by other entities.
by Bram Berkowitz | Jul 21, 2019
Seeing a need for bankers and other industry professionals to improve their communication and presentation skills, Stacey Shipman in 2006 launched the company now known as Engage The Room. Shipman said she never intended to be in this particular line of business – rather it chose her.