Rockland Trust Launches Customer-Focused Fall Marketing Campaign

ROCKLAND, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rockland Trust, a full-service Massachusetts-based community bank, today announced that debit card users will earn double cash rewards on debit card transactions through 2011. Expanding on its “freeness” pledge to retail customers, the bank will credit customers with Free Eco Checking accounts 20 cents for each debit card transaction. Customers can earn up to $300 a year through this program. The bank’s announcement coincides with the launch of its fall customer acquisition marketing campaign, and extends Rockland Trust’s promise of “freeness” – or the notion that Rockland Trust customers don’t have to worry about unreasonable or hidden fees – which the bank introduced during its spring 2011 marketing campaign.

“People shouldn’t have to pay to access or spend their own money.”

“At Rockland Trust, we continue to advocate on behalf of our customers, treat them fairly, and reward them for doing business with us. At a time when many banks are increasing fees and eliminating rewards, we continue to show customers that we appreciate and value their business,” said Mark Gibson, Rockland Trust’s Chief Marketing Officer. “People shouldn’t have to pay to access or spend their own money.”

Rockland Trust offers its customers three free checking account options: free personal and business checking, as well as Free Eco Checking, a checking account that offers debit cash rewards for customers who choose to receive online statements.

The new double cash debit rewards program, part of an ongoing partnership with MasterCard, is Rockland Trust’s most recent addition to a growing slate of customer service enhancements. The bank has also worked aggressively to roll out new and expanded e-services for its retail and business customers. Launched last spring, the bank’s free mDeposit app allows both retail and business customers to scan and deposit checks by phone.

“The interest in our mDeposit app has been tremendous,” said Jane Lundquist, Executive Vice President, Retail Banking, Business Banking, and Residential Lending. “Customers with smart phones have shown us that they like the ease and convenience provided by our digital services – it’s smart banking. We now have close to 7,000 mobile banking users, and are still one of only a few financial institutions nationwide to offer a smartphone mobile deposit service.”

Other no-charge e-services at Rockland Trust include mobile banking apps, browser and text-based banking, “person-to-person” payments powered by PayPal, and the ability to open an account via Facebook.

Rockland Trust also remains on the forefront for customer service in commercial lending, and the fall campaign promotes its unique approach to business banking. The bank’s commercial lending team offers the highly personalized service of a community bank with the technical expertise and capabilities of a global financial institution, a rare combination in the Massachusetts market. While other banks may be reducing their lending, Rockland Trust’s commercial lending rose 6% in the first half of 2011. Part of the campaign touts the fact that Rockland Trust has money for commercial loans and isn’t afraid to lend it.

Created in partnership with VOX Marketing, the tone of the creative materials is humorous and light, building on Rockland Trust’s message of “freeness” from its spring campaign. The campaign reinforces the fact that Rockland Trust will not charge hidden and unreasonable fees and will continue to be fair to customers.

A comprehensive portfolio of media materials from Rockland Trust’s fall campaign are available upon request.

Rockland Trust Company, the sole bank subsidiary of Independent Bank Corp., (NASDAQ:INDB), is a full-service community bank headquartered in Massachusetts, with approximately $4.8 billion in assets. Rockland Trust provides a wide range of consumer, business, investment, and insurance products and services. Rockland Trust’s network consists of 67 retail branches, nine commercial lending centers, four mortgage banking centers, and three Investment Management Group offices located throughout Eastern Massachusetts. To find out why Rockland Trust is the bank “Where Each Relationship Matters®”, please visit www.RocklandTrust.com.