Reading Co-operative Bank has hired a 30-year banking executive to join its ranks.

Maureen Bernard, who spent the last 30 years at now-defunct Danvers Bank as vice president of residential lending, will now lead Reading Co-Operative as assistant vice president and residential loan officer.

Previously, Bernard was responsible for customer relations, residential lending, financial services and the effective delivery of all banking services for Danvers, now People’s United.

"I chose to work for Reading Co-operative Bank for both its variety of home financing products and its traditional relationship banking," Bernard said in a statement. "While other banks have drifted from relationship banking to transactional banking, Reading Co-operative Bank remains committed to a high touch model that is supported by local decision making which will result in a quick easy loan process for my customers."

Bernard is a lifelong resident of Danvers and is active in her local Kiwanis club, North Shore Women in Business, Danvers Youth Hockey, Danvers Youth Cheering and North Shore Association of Realtors. She is an avid volunteer in many of the surrounding communities.