Supporting communities through service.
Our Five Star Bank team members are dedicated to making a difference where they live and work. By contributing time, skills and lending hands, we work to support local organizations and improve lives across our communities.
Our Annual Work of Heart Week
Each year, hundreds of Five Star and Courier Capital associates participate in our Work of Heart week – a company-wide volunteer initiative dedicated to supporting local organizations that positively impact our communities. Throughout the week, our associates take part in a variety of activities, including packaging meals, organizing donations, cleaning up public spaces, gardening, painting, assisting with financial literacy and so much more.
During our 2024 Work of Heart week, 550+ associates volunteered 1,500+ hours with 43 local organizations. |
“One of the highlights of the year is participating in our annual Work of Heart week. It’s not just about giving back – it’s about being part of something bigger and knowing that the work we’re doing has deep meaning,” shared Maria DeMareo, Training and Employee Relations Supervisor.For our Five Star Bank associates, Work of Heart week reflects our core values – Humble, Empowered, Ambitious, Resilient, and Transparent. Through community service, we put these values into action.
“Our community has supported us for over 200 years, and it’s our honor to return that support,” said Five Star Bank President and CEO Marty Birmingham. “Work of Heart week is just one of the many ways we demonstrate our values, giving back to the communities we’re proud to serve.”
In 2024, our associates spent over 6,000 hours volunteering for more than 200 different organizations. |
Star Volunteers
Our associates are proud to support local non-profit organizations through volunteer efforts across our footprint. Our Star Volunteer program provides all associates with eight hours of paid time off to volunteer for events and non-profits in their communities. Among the organizations supported by Five Star Bank associates over the past 12 months are:
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In 2024, 39 of our associates spent more than 1,200 hours serving on the boards of 60 local organizations. |
Making a meaningful difference.
Explore the positive impact we’re creating in our communities.





Among the organizations Five Star Bank is proud to support is the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. Our partnership with the United Way is longstanding, with our associates supporting the organization’s annual Day of Caring, workplace campaigns and more. In addition, Five Star’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Jack Plants serves on its Investment Subcommittee and our President and CEO Marty Birmingham is serving as the 2025 Chair of the Tocqueville Society, the non-profit’s premier giving network.