Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Bankers Association Recognize Watertown Savings Bank for Its Dedication to a Healthy Workplace

BOSTON — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) in concert with the Massachusetts Bankers Association announced today that Watertown Savings Bank received the inaugural Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Banking on Wellness Award for their dedication to wellness initiatives to improve employee health. The award, along with a $5,000 wellness grant, was presented to the Watertown Savings Bank at the Massachusetts Bankers Association’s Annual CEO Conference in Waltham, MA.

The Banking on Wellness Awards highlight the innovative wellness programs instituted at five Massachusetts banks that are part of the Mass Bankers Association health insurance program, which consists of 140 banks around the Commonwealth. Watertown Savings Bank was selected as the Step-It-Up Award honoree for high employee engagement in the individual and team wellness “steps” challenges. As part of the program Watertown Savings Bank offered employees a Fitbit Zip wireless activity tracker to monitor their progress during fitness challenges – resulting in a 65% participation rate. The bank awarded fitness-themed prizes to the highest steppers, including Kettlebells, yoga mats, and Fitbit Flex trackers.

Watertown Savings Bank President, Brett Dean, said “We are dedicated to the well-being of all our employees. The bank made a commitment to encourage our employees to become more active by increasing the number of steps they took each day. Receiving this award is a nice recognition of our employees’ efforts.”

Kevin F. Kiley, Executive Vice President, Massachusetts Bankers Association praised the management and staff at Watertown Savings Bank. “They have made a serious commitment to improving the wellness and overall health of bank employees. Watertown Savings Bank has distinguished itself for its work in embracing the Association’s Banking on Wellness Campaign,” explained Mr. Kiley.

“The individual and team walking challenges had Watertown Savings Bank employee participants averaging over 8,000 steps per day – that’s something to be proud of,” said Larry Croes, Vice President of Commercial & Municipal Markets for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “We applaud the work they are doing to make health and wellness a priority.”

Other recipients of the 2015 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Banking on Wellness Awards include: Bristol County Savings Bank, Easthampton Savings Bank, Marlborough Savings Bank, and the Provident Bank.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are the trusted health plan for more than 31,500 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we are rated among the nation’s best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google+.