Biddeford, Maine-based Biddeford Savings Bank and Auburn, Maine-based Mechanics Savings Bank merged under a single banking charter on Jan. 1 to become Maine Community Bank.

Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings, which will retain their names as divisions of the new Maine Community Bank, are units of Maine Community Bancorp Inc.

The merger creates a bank with assets of almost $1 billion, according to a news release.