For the fourth consecutive year, Rockland Trust is running its "Reading Makes Cent$" program, a summer reading initiative to encourage literacy and fiscal responsibility among young people across the bank’s footprint in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Beginning today, students in Rockland Trust’s market area who participate in the program can earn $2.50 in a Rockland Trust savings account for each book they read, up to a maximum of 10 books for $25. 

The program allows Rockland Trust to engage young people in communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts in reading during the summer months. The bank’s program also gives students an invaluable opportunity to learn the importance of saving and personal finance.

Students entering grades one through eight in the fall of 2012 are eligible to participate in the program.  Participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enroll at the bank and will be required to keep a Rockland Trust summer reading journal outlining each book they read.  Rockland Trust will open new accounts for participants who have not previously worked with the bank. In addition to savings deposits, each student who reads a minimum of four books will receive a Rockland Trust pencil case filled with supplies at the program’s conclusion.   

Last year, more than 1,100 area readers participated in the program, which will run through Aug. 10 at all Rockland Trust locations.