Wainwright defines domestic partner as a person of the same or opposite sex as the eligible employee with whom that employee has entered into an exclusive domestic partnership.

In 1992 Wainwright Bank offered both same-sex and opposite sex internal benefits to employees.

Same sex health and dental benefits were secured in 1994, which resulted in the entire Massachusetts Bankers Association being able to offer the same benefits to member banks (approximately 160 banks with 9,000 employees).

In 1996 the Bank was able to offer opposite sex health and dental benefits, and again the entire Massachusetts Bankers Association was able to offer the same to member banks.

In 1996 the Bank, along with Lotus Development Corporation and Apple Computer, was featured in a Balance Sheets newsletter regarding Domestic Partner Benefits. In December, 1996 the Bank was invited to participate in a New England Work & Family Association (NEWFA) conference on Domestic Partner Benefits Insights from Organizations. As a member of the roundtable, along with Lotus and Polaroid, the Bank shared its experiences and success in obtaining domestic partner benefits. Balance Sheets is a publication produced by the joint efforts of Boston University’s Center on Work & Family and One Small Step