Meet Our Business Lenders

Bill has over 30 years of banking experience in commercial lending. Most recently he was Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Team Leader at United Bank. He had also worked as a Commercial Banking Team Leader at People’s United Bank. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA, majoring in Finance, from Bryant University.

Fontes is extensively involved in Community Service including being the Director of the South Hadley Baseball Association and a coach with the South Hadley Recreation Department and St. Patrick’s CYO basketball. He is the Founding Director of the Promoting Downtown Amherst Inc.

Chris joined the bank as a Vice President of Commercial Lending. He has more than 12 years of experience in Commercial Lending at TD Bank. Chris was an active-duty member of the United States Coast Guard from 2004 – 2006 and was honorably discharged in 2008. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Chris is on the Executive Board of Directors for the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for the Friends of the Holyoke Public Schools, and a Conservation Commissioner for the City of Holyoke.

Melissa supports the commercial banking team at bankESB in maintaining and growing relationships, performing financial analyses, and providing input to the loan decision process. She has over 20 years of experience in banking, most recently as VP Commercial Portfolio Manager at TD Bank. She held previous positions at People's United Bank and Hampden Bank.

Melissa holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from American International College and an Associate’s Degree from STCC. She is a graduate of the Mass Bankers School for Financial Studies.

Trent joined the bank as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending. He brings over 40 years of experience in banking, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending at Westfield Bank, managing a $270 million portfolio. Trent spent three years with Chicopee Savings Bank prior to its merger with Westfield Bank in April 2016. He also worked as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending at Polish National Credit Union.

In his role as a senior commercial loan officer, Trent is responsible for growing the commercial loan portfolio with a concentration on Hampden County. He is based at bankESB’s loan center located at 241 Northampton Street in Easthampton, MA.

Trent is a graduate of Springfield Technical Community College and Holyoke Community College. He served four years in the U.S. Navy, having one tour in Vietnam. Taylor resides in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Mike is the Vice President of Commercial Lending. He brings over 15 years of experience in banking, most recently serving as the Vice President of Commercial Lending Officer for Westfield Bank, managing a $25+ million portfolio. Before Westfield Bank, Mike was the Assistant Vice President, Business Banking Officer at United Bank based in West Springfield, MA. Mike's main objective is to originate and develop commercial lending relationships involving construction projects, business acquisition financing, investment real estate, equipment financials, business lines of credit, and lending relationships for the bank.

Mike holds a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. He has a strong commitment to serving our surrounding communities, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club.

Originally from Southampton, Mike and his family reside in West Springfield, MA.

Joe has twelve years of banking experience including his most recent roles as AVP, business banking officer at People’s Bank, and AVP, credit officer. He holds a master’s degree in communication from Bay Path University, and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and finance from Westfield State University. He serves as the president of the East Longmeadow Baseball Association, as well as Treasurer of the East Longmeadow Housing Authority.