Bow, New Hampshire – Following the announcement by the NH Department of Justice that the newly passed operating budget for the State of NH provided significant additional resources to the Elder Abuse and Exploitation unit, Linda Lorden, Chair of NH Bankers and President of Merrimack County Savings Bank, issued the following statement.

 “We commend the Legislature and Governor Sununu for the significant additional resources to combat elder abuse and exploitation. As bankers we continue to see ongoing levels of fraud, targeting the elderly, with increasing sophistication. This important dedication of resources follows recent legislation that gives bankers the ability to place a temporary hold on a transaction when exploitation of vulnerable adults is suspected. The additional manpower within the Department of Justice is particularly meaningful in protecting our senior citizens and vulnerable adults.”

NH Department of Justice Press Conference – Attorney General John Formella speaks at the press conference. Behind him left to right: District 3 Executive Councilor, Janet Stevens; Commissioner Lori Weaver, NH Department of Health and Human Services; Brad Kulacz, Regional Vice President, Merrimack County Savings Bank; Detective Rochelle Jones, Portsmouth Police Department; Senior Assistant Attorney General, Bryan Townsend, NH Department of Justice; Christa Clapp, Elder Abuse Program Specialist, NH Department of Justice; Sunny Mulligan Shea, Victims Witness Advocate, NH Department of Justice.