Eastern Bank Earns Top Score For 12th Consecutive Year In Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2026 Corporate Equality Index

Eastern Is Recognized As A Leader In LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion And Equality

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eastern Bank announced today that for the twelfth consecutive year, it received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. Eastern joins 534 U.S. businesses being honored as leaders in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

“Eastern is proud to once again earn top marks on the Corporate Equality Index, underscoring our belief that inclusion is critical to a winning workplace culture and strong business performance,” said Bob Rivers, Executive Chair and Chair of the Board of Directors of Eastern Bank. “Creating an inclusive workplace is an ongoing effort, and we appreciate the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s work in supporting and advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion.”

Eastern’s long‑standing approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion is reflected in both its workplace culture and its community engagement efforts. For example, Eastern’s Equality Under the Blue Employee Resource Group engages regularly with senior leadership on issues of importance to the LGBTQ+ community and plays an active role in advancing inclusive workplace practices as well as coordinating community events, including Pride activities each June across the communities Eastern serves.

The 2026 Corporate Equality Index is a leading benchmarking tool for evaluating a company's LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion practices. The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

• Non-discrimination policies across business entities;
• Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;
• Supporting an inclusive culture; and,
• Outreach and engagement.

Eastern’s efforts in satisfying all the CEI’s criteria earned a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion. The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

About Eastern Bank

Founded in 1818, Eastern Bank is Greater Boston’s leading local bank with more than 125 branch locations serving communities in eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. As of December 31, 2025, Eastern had approximately $30.6 billion in assets. Eastern provides a full range of banking and wealth management solutions for consumers and businesses of all sizes including through its Cambridge Trust Wealth Management and Private Banking Divisions, which include the largest bank-owned independent investment adviser in Massachusetts with $9.6 billion in assets under management. Eastern takes pride in its advocacy and community support that includes more than $240 million in charitable giving since 1994. An inclusive company, Eastern is comprised of deeply committed professionals who value relationships with their customers, colleagues and communities. Join us for good at www.easternbank.com and follow Eastern on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq Global Select Market: EBC) is the holding company for Eastern Bank. For investor information, visit investor.easternbank.com.