Pittsfield’s Legacy Banks has been designated a "basic banking for Massachusetts" bank by the Massachusetts Community & Banking Council.

Basic Banking for Massachusetts was designed to expand access to bank products and services and to encourage those with modest incomes to establish banking relationships.

Banks participating in Basic Banking for Massachusetts voluntarily provide low-cost checking and savings accounts that meet the guidelines. The checking and savings products provided by Legacy Banks meet the criteria, which includes minimum opening deposit requirements, minimum monthly fees if any fees, and no other conditional requirements. Legacy offers several accounts with no monthly fee and $10 minimum to open.

According to Angela Motler, senior vice president of retail banking, making banking accessible is a fundamental responsibility of financial institutions.

"We work hard to make our products and services available to the under-served, and we are pleased to partner with the MCBC on the Basic Banking for Massachusetts Program," she said.

Legacy Banks operates 11 branches in Berkshire County and one in Haydenville as well as seven in New York.