My Backyard

Sharon Credit Union dedicated its newly acquired North Attleboro branch to former North Attleboro Federal Credit Union President Edward G. Lambert Jr. at a dedication and grand opening ceremony at the branch on July 31 at 7 p.m.

The North Washington Street branch officially became part of Sharon Credit Union’s five-branch network at the ribbon-cutting on July 31st, the day North Attleboro Federal Credit Union completed its merger with Sharon Credit Union. The Sharon Credit Union Board of Directors chose to dedicate the new North Attleboro branch to Lambert in recognition of Lambert’s pivotal role in building the Credit Union’s financial strength and for his deep commitment to the community.

“Ed Lambert was always committed to community service, and his work for the Credit Union was a perfect match,” says Kerry Vigorito, President of the North Attleboro Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. “He wanted people in the community to be better served by the banking system, to help people who fell through the cracks. ‘People helping people,’ the Credit Union motto, was how he lived his life.”

A local businessman, Lambert held the volunteer position of President of the North Attleboro Federal Credit Union Board of Directors for almost 30 years, from 1979 until his death in 2008. During that time, the Credit Union grew from 800 members and assets of $500,000 to more than 3,000 members and $17 million in assets.

Equally important to Lambert, the Credit Union provided a local alternative to large regional and national banks. “We were a small enough institution back in the ’70s that you could get a $200 loan for the car you needed to get to a job,” recalls Vigorito. “It’s the small things that make a difference, and Ed was always proud that we were able to help people who would not ordinarily get credit.”

Lambert will also be remembered for his active roles in a number of civic organizations, including the Downtown Associates of North Attleboro, where he served as Board Member and President, and also ran the organization’s Santa Parade for more than a decade. His reward, he often said, was the look of joy on children’s faces as they watched Santa ride into town.

“Dedicating this branch to Ed Lambert recognizes the important contributions Ed and the North Attleboro Federal Credit Union have made to this community,” says James L. Carson, President of Sharon Credit Union. “We are proud to have been chosen to continue North Attleboro Federal Credit Union’s legacy, and we look forward to being a source of community support and development for years to come.”

Sharon Credit Union has retail locations in Sharon, Walpole and Mansfield, and will soon open a new Foxboro branch. After the merger, the combined credit unions will have assets of more than $340 million and approximately 35,000 members.