Citizens Bank, 450 Paradise Rd, Salem, MA, US

Founded in 1818, Eastern Bank is one of the largest independent, mutually owned banks in New England. Eastern is a mutual bank with more than $5 billion in assets and more than 50 branches stretching from Newburyport to Brockton in Massachusetts. The bank offers a range of financial products for consumers, businesses, investors, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, including checking and savings accounts, online banking, an array of loan options, insurance and certificates of deposit. It advises businesses both large and small in areas of finance, including capital markets activities, equipment leasing, cash management, commercial real estate, international trade and foreign exchange. Eastern Bank s subsidiaries are Eastern Insurance, one of New England s largest insurance agencies, and Fantini & Gorga, a commercial mortgage and real estate investment-banking firm. Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation supports hundreds of nonprofit groups, donating more than $1.2 million in 2004. The bank employs 1,400 people and is headquartered in Boston.