BOSTON–Eastern Bank announced that Senior Vice President Yongmei Chen has been promoted to Commercial Group Director of Community Development Lending, marking a significant leadership transition within the bank’s commercial lending division.
Chen succeeds Pamela Feingold, who led the group until her passing on March 16, 2026. The appointment reflects Eastern Bank’s continued commitment to affordable housing, nonprofit financing, and community revitalization initiatives across the region.
Based in Boston, Eastern Bank said Chen brings more than three decades of banking experience to the role and has been a key leader within the organization since joining the bank in 2007. Over the past 15 years, she worked closely alongside Feingold as Senior Vice President and Team Leader of the Community Development Lending Group, helping expand the portfolio from less than $600 million to more than $2 billion.
Chen has built a reputation for her expertise in financing nonprofit organizations, particularly projects focused on affordable housing and economic development. In addition to her banking leadership, she is deeply involved in civic and nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Her community roles include serving on the Executive Committee of the Asian Community Development Corporation, chairing the Finance and Audit Committee of the Preservation of Affordable Housing, and serving as Board Treasurer of the English for New Bostonians. She also serves on the board of the Massachusetts Housing and Investment Corporation and on the Policy Leadership Council of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association.
“We are fortunate to benefit from Yongmei’s deep experience, significant relationships, and extensive knowledge in both community development lending and the nonprofit sector to carry forward Pam’s incredible legacy,” said Greg Buscone. He added that Chen’s leadership within Eastern’s Asian American Professional Employee Collective and her extensive community involvement make her well-positioned to guide the lending team forward.
Chen said she was honored to continue the work established by Feingold and the broader team.
“Eastern’s Community Development Lending Group is very well-positioned to continue its leading work in doing what’s right and smart for our business and our communities,” Chen said. “I am honored and humbled to carry Pam’s legacy forward.”
Eastern Bank’s Community Development Lending Group provides financing solutions that support affordable housing construction, nonprofit organizations, tax credit projects, and community investment efforts. Its services include construction and real estate financing, working capital lines of credit, tax-exempt bond financing, and treasury management solutions designed to strengthen community-focused development initiatives.
