FDIC’s highest rating
We’re proud that we’ve achieved the FDIC’s highest “Outstanding” rating for lending, service, and investment for the three most-recent three-year Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) assessment periods.
We achieved this rating because of our strong record of helping to meet the credit needs of the communities we serve, including individuals and small businesses in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
The FDIC deemed us Outstanding in not only making significant investments in affordable housing and economic development, but also community lending, with excellent penetration in our market area. The examiners noted we deliver innovative and flexible lending and financial solutions while achieving compliance with all federal and state community reinvestment, fair lending, equal credit opportunity, and consumer protection regulations.
The FDIC reconfirmed our excellent performance in the Accessibility of Delivery Systems and Community Development Services, and cited our leadership in community development and financial education initiatives.
Giving back to our communities
Through financial assistance, sponsorships, and volunteerism, Norway Savings Bank is proud to expand possibilities for non-profit organizations in Maine and New Hampshire, including over 400 charitable contributions and more than 3,050 volunteer hours by team members in 2025!
Geographic priorities
We direct our resources first to organizations located in our branch communities, and secondly to organizations serving Androscoggin, Cumberland, Oxford, Sagadahoc, and York Counties in Maine, and Carroll and Coos Counties in New Hampshire.
Target Categories
Our financial resources are focused on the following four categories:
Education & Financial Literacy
We support programs that provide pathways for educational success through the promotion and sharing of knowledge and financial literacy to people of all ages and learning abilities.
Economic, Workforce, and Housing Development
We support programs that help small businesses thrive, connecting individuals with jobs that will support themselves and their families, and revitalizing communities one neighborhood at a time.
Civic, Cultural, and Environmental Initiatives
We support community and cultural organizations that encourage creativity, offer access to the arts, and inspire community building, as well as programs striving for and promoting healthy communities through environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Essential Needs
We support organizations that are dedicated to helping individuals obtain basic necessities, including food, clothing, and housing, as well as programs that aim to guide people in need towards employment and community inclusion.
Restrictions
Our Community Giving program generally does not provide support for individuals or individuals raising money for a cause (e.g. walkathons); political organizations or candidates for political office; religious organizations or activities for sectarian purposes, unless they are for the benefit of a community service that we would otherwise support; or organizations that are national, international or that cannot designate funds to stay within our geographic region.
Donation designations and project selection guidelines
Our goal is to supply resources to projects and organizations that provide long-term benefits to our community. The challenge we face is that we consistently receive more requests than can be supported. Because of that, we prioritize our giving to ensure that our dollars are invested wisely.
We review each request and select projects and causes that:
- Offer direct relevance to our Community Contributions and Investment Program focus
- Impact our geographic target
- Impact one of the four key categories
- Stimulate community awareness and involvement and increase support from both public and private sectors
- Support community reinvestment
Types of contributions
Norway Savings Bank provides support to community organizations in two ways:
- Donations are grants made to non-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Norway Savings Bank does not receive any tangible benefit (e.g. advertising, entertainment, banner or booth display, etc.) for the gift.
- Sponsorships are grants to help organizations raise money and promote our presence in the community. Sponsorships may include purchasing tickets to fundraising events; purchasing a hole in golf tournament fund-raiser; or advertising in newsletters, event programs or playbills.
To apply
Submit a written request for consideration via email or your request can be delivered to a local NSB branch, or mailed to:
Norway Savings Bank
Attn: Marketing
PO Box 347
Norway, ME 04268
