Eastern Bank Adds to Mass. Insurance Base with Howland Agency

Eastern Insurance Group today has acquired Howland’s Insurance Agency in Rockland, Mass.

For Eastern Insurance, the acquisition increases its customer base south of Boston, where it already has seven locations. In all, Natick-based Eastern Insurance has 18 locations in eastern and central Massachusetts, making it one of New England’s largest insurance agencies.

“We’re pleased to be welcoming Howland’s Insurance and its customers to our team, which is dedicated to providing consumers and businesses with a superior range of insurance products and services,” said Hope Aldrich, president of Eastern Insurance, a subsidiary of Eastern Bank.

“Howland’s Insurance has a great reputation in the industry,” Aldrich said. “We will continue Howland’s tradition of providing top-notch service to customers.”

Owner Doug Cole will remain with Eastern Insurance, as will full-time employees Geraldine Munroe and John Priest. The team will ultimately join the existing Eastern Insurance staff at Eastern’s location at 300 Union St., Rockland.

Howland Insurance’s roots date back to 1851. Cole purchased the agency in 1979. Combined, Cole, Munroe and Priest have 60 years of experience in the insurance industry, serving both consumers and businesses.

Founded in 1935, Eastern Insurance Group, LLC is one of the largest insurance agencies in New England, serving approximately 80,000 consumers and businesses. A subsidiary of Eastern Bank, Eastern Insurance provides a full range of personal and commercial insurance products, and employee benefits services including group health and life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) planning.

Topics Massachusetts