Heather Arbour Earns Prestigious Emerging Leader Award from Massachusetts Bankers Association
Monson Savings Bank was proud to celebrate with Heather Arbour for her achievement. Left to right: Dina A. Merwin, Senior Vice President, Chief Risk & Senior Compliance Officer; Dan Moriarty, President and CEO; Heather Arbour, Vice President, BSA, Fraud, & Compliance and the Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA) 2026 Emerging Leader Award recipient; and Terri Fox, Senior Vice President, Chief Retail Officer.
Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to announce that Heather Arbour, Vice President, BSA, Fraud, & Compliance, has been named the 2026 Emerging Leader Award recipient by the Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA).
The Massachusetts Bankers Association announced the 2026 recipients of its prestigious Women in Banking Achievement Awards at the recent Annual Women and Allies in Banking Conference, recognizing leaders who embody the values of vision, mentorship, and empowerment that elevate the entire industry. The Emerging Leader Award is bestowed upon one individual each year to honor a woman under 40 who is a rising star in her institution and demonstrates the qualities of a forward-thinking, driven leader.
“Heather’s career is a true testament to dedication, growth, and leadership,” said Dan Moriarty, President and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “From her early days as a teller to her current role, Heather has been instrumental in strengthening our organization. Her leadership, expertise, and forward-thinking approach have had a profound impact across the Bank and in the communities we serve. We are incredibly proud of her and this well-deserved recognition.”
During her nearly 20-year tenure at Monson Savings Bank, Arbour has demonstrated a clear and consistent trajectory of advancement, taking on increasing levels of responsibility and leadership. In her current role, she oversees enterprise-wide BSA/AML compliance, fraud prevention, and compliance program management, playing a critical role in protecting both the Bank and its customers.
Arbour has been instrumental in building and enhancing the Bank’s fraud prevention programs, developing proactive risk-based frameworks that strengthen reporting, training, and overall risk mitigation. She has also successfully led the implementation of enterprise-level fraud detection and AML technologies, guiding complex, cross-functional initiatives that have significantly advanced the Bank’s operational capabilities.
While accepting her award, Arbour shared:
“I’ve been fortunate to spend 19 years at Monson Savings Bank, an organization that has created a space for me to learn, grow, and lead. This recognition is not simply a reflection of individual achievement, but of the many people who have invested in me—mentors, colleagues, and role models who have shaped how I think about leadership: not as a title, but as a responsibility to support others, lead with integrity, and contribute to something larger than ourselves. Thank you again for this incredible honor.”
Heather Arbour, Vice President, BSA, Fraud, & Compliance of Monson Savings Bank, addressed the attendees of the Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA) Annual Women and Allies in Banking Conference after being announced as the recipient of the 2026 Emerging Leader Award. (Photo credit: David Fox Photography)
Recognized as a trusted advisor, Arbour provides guidance to senior and executive leadership on evolving fraud trends, regulatory developments, and risk management strategies. Her influence extends across the organization, where she serves as a mentor, role model, and valued resource to colleagues.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Arbour is deeply committed to continuous learning and personal growth. She earned her associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees while working full time, achieved her Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation, and recently completed the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Her dedication to lifelong learning reflects her commitment to expanding her knowledge and strengthening her leadership.
Arbour’s impact extends beyond the Bank and into the community. She actively volunteers with organizations including the Salvation Army, where she serves as co-treasurer, as well as local school initiatives and mentoring programs. She frequently volunteers in the communities and is also passionate about educating customers and community members on fraud prevention and cybersecurity awareness.
“Heather exemplifies what it means to be an emerging leader,” Moriarty added. “Her commitment to excellence, her passion for mentoring others, and her dedication to making a meaningful difference, both within our organization and throughout our communities, truly set her apart.”
Monson Savings Bank congratulates Heather Arbour on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to her continued leadership and positive impact for years to come.
To learn more about Monson Savings Bank, please visit: https://www.monsonsavings.bank/
ABOUT MONSON SAVINGS BANK
Incorporated as a mutually chartered community bank in 1872, Monson Savings Bank has one of the longest tenures of service and stability in its market. Civic leaders chartered the bank with the intent to give working men and women the opportunity to save, which – incredibly, they could not do prior to the bank’s inception. Today, Monson Savings Bank retains its legacy of empowerment through savings but has expanded to serve its customers with a variety of innovative financial services, including digital banking, online mortgage applications and business banking, and commercial lending. The bank has expanded on its promise of “where people save, businesses prosper, and communities benefit” by opening offices in Hampden, Wilbraham, Ware, and most recently East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. The bank also opened a retail and business loan operations center in Wilbraham in 2020. Member FDIC, Member DIF, Equal Housing Lender. Monson Savings Bank's National Mortgage Licensing System unique identifier is 613363.
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Carla N. Carnevale Community Relations Manager
“Heather is a tremendous asset to our organization and a role model for so many of her colleagues,” said Dina Merwin, Monson Savings Bank Sr. Vice President and Chief Risk & Sr. Compliance Officer. “Her ability to lead with both technical expertise and genuine care for others sets her apart. She approaches every challenge with thoughtfulness, integrity, and a commitment to doing what’s right, not only for the Bank, but for our customers and community. This recognition is incredibly well-deserved.”