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Message From the President
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By John Witkowski, President & CEO
Change is a frequent occurrence in life, however it is not managed the same by all organizations. Adaptability is essential, especially within the legislative landscape. With Democrats now holding an extensive majority in the State Senate and Assembly - in addition to Governor Cuomo returning for his third term in office -
IBANYS is actively focused on this new challenge. We are contacting various individuals to ensure they have a firm understanding of New York community banks and their significance.
IBANYS recently met with the new Chairman of the State Senate Banks Committee, Senator James Sanders (D-Queens) to discuss the industry, our members, and the important role community banks have within state and local economies. We also spoke with Senator Sanders about community banks' legislative priorities in detail.
He expressed that he was eager to meet with community banks throughout the state and learn more about the industry. More specifically, Senator Sanders wanted to know about the business model, mission, and role of community banks.
IBANYS will be scheduling a series of meetings for Senator Sanders soon
with our member banks
in an effort to assist him in gaining additional knowledge about our industry and its purpose. IBANYS will also be meeting with Assembly Banks Committee Chairman Ken Zebrowski (D-Rockland County) and plans to contact the new State Financial Services Superintendent Linda Lacewell.
Furthermore, IBANYS has plans to extend our efforts federally -
we will be in Washington, D.C. for a series of meetings with our New York Congressional Delegation
at the
ICBA Capital Summit in April
. We encourage our members to attend with us as well as
reach out
to their local State Senators, Assembly Members and Congressional Representatives, especially those that are new.
In addition to our legislative efforts, IBANYS continues to keep our audience informed through our educational conferences.
Full brochures and registration forms are available for our Compliance Conferences in Rochester, NY and Troy, NY in March - along with our Directors Conferences in Rochester, NY and Poughkeepsie, NY
(new location!)
in April. Brochures and registration forms will soon be released for our Security and Lending Conferences in May, our Annual Convention in June, and our Banking Executive Symposium in September, so be sure to save the dates!
We also have two special events coming up: the 2019 CEO Forum and Compliance Conference in New York City. The CEO Forum is for
IBANYS member banks only and will be held April 2 at the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY. The forum is also
limited to 15 participants - spots are filling fast for this extraordinary opportunity so
submit your registration soon! IBANYS is also excited to add another location to our Compliance Conference: New York City on April 9. This program is slightly different from our other two locations, however it offers the same valuable learning experience with timely topics from expert speakers. Gain insight into hot topics within Compliance while in one of the biggest financial capitals in the world!
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If there is someone at your bank who is not currently receiving the e-newsletter, send us their names and email addresses and we will add them to our list! Email Linda Gregware or Natalie Rowan to add additional recipients or for more information. In addition, ensure everyone is following IBANYS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date with all IBANYS news.
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Follow IBANYS On Social Media!
Connect With Us Today!
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Get Ready For 2019 Annual Convention!
SAVE THE DATE
When:
June 10-12, 2019
Where:
5218 Patrick Rd, Verona, NY 13478
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Attend One of Our Educational Meetings!
Our 2019 Meeting dates and locations are now available! These educational conferences cover various subjects that are important within the community banking industry, spoken by the experts.
T
hey are also a great opportunity to network and earn CPE credits. Here is what we have planned for 2019:
March 12, 2019 March 13, 2019
1111 Jefferson Road 235 Hoosick Street
Rochester, NY 14623 Troy, NY 12180
CPE Credits Available = 7.5
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April 2, 2019
145 Killbourn Road
Rochester, NY 14618
*This forum is limited to 15 participants
**This forum is for IBANYS member banks only
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April 9, 2019
1185 Avenue of Americas, 38th Floor
New York, NY 10036
CPE Credits Available = 6
April 16, 2019 April 17, 2019
5257 W.
Henrietta Road
2361 South Rd.
Henrietta, NY 14467 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
CPE Credits Available = 7
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May 7, 2019 May 8, 2019
5257 W. Henrietta Road 2361 South Rd.
Henrietta, NY 14467 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
CPE Credits Available
= 7
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May 21-22, 2019
16 North Franklin Street
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
CPE Credits Available
= 7
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Banking Executive Symposium
September 9-11, 2019
200 Riverside Drive
Clayton, NY 13624
CPE Credits Available
= TBD
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Have an idea for one of our meetings? Want to see a meeting or forum on a different subject? We want to hear from you!
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IBANYS Education/Webinars
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The 2019 Webinar is now available!
The Independent Bankers Association of NYS (IBANYS) partners with CBWN to bring you more than 150 webinars each year covering compliance, lending, regulations, security, operations, new accounts, collections, fraud, security and other topics. Even better, each time you purchase a webinar, you support IBANYS, because a portion of your registration comes directly to us. Thank you!
You can view the 2019 Webinar Schedule here or by category here. In addition, CBWN has made some recent updates to provide better service to its consumers. Unfortunately, some changes may have caused you to miss important webinar announcements. Please read the IBANYS letter to view the updates and ensure that you do not miss another webinar.
NEW WEBINARS ADDED FOR 2019
CBWN has added more than 140 webinars to the IBANYS webinar calendar, covering all the essential topics. Start the new year off right by gaining the knowledge and tools to make 2019 the best year yet!
CBWN and IBANYS thank you for your continued support of the education in the community banking industry.
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2019 Webinar Series - Available Now
6 Webinars
for the Price of 5
or
10% off a 4-Part Series
Choose From The Following:
4-Part Series 6-Part Series
6-Part Series 6-Part Series
4-Part Series 6-Part Series
4-Part Series 4-Part Series
4-Part Series 4-Part Series
4-Part Series
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Protecting Against Potentially Dangerous Decreasing Rates
When: February 26, 2019
Time: 2:00-3:00 P.M. EDT
Scott Hildenbrand, with the Financial Managers Society, will discuss the emerging theme of down risk and its impact on community banking. Tactical balance sheet repositioning, off-balance sheet hedging, and liability restructurings will be covered, among other actionable ideas.
If you have any questions, please contact your Sandler O'Neill representative or email us at
[email protected].
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FREE WEBINAR: ICS & CDARS
What the New Law Means for Banks
Thanks to the newly signed regulatory relief bill, most reciprocal deposits are no longer brokered. This comes as banks face intense and increasing competition for deposits.
Join Us for a Webinar
Join Promontory Interfinancial Network-- the nation's leading provider and inventor of reciprocal deposit placement services-- for a free webinar that outlines key provisions of the new law and the impact ICS®, or Insured Cash Sweep®, and CDARS® can have on banks' balance sheets. The webinar will also cover how banks can use ICS and CDARS to capitalize on the opportunities at hand; presenters will discuss cost-effective ways to use the services to attract high-value relationships (even as deposit competition intensifies) and to lock-in more low-cost funding (even as interest rates continue to rise.) This webinar is a "must" for decision-makers at banks of all sizes, especially for community banks that utilize collateralized deposits and/or listing services.
Choose a date and time that works for you!
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Reg relief makes most reciprocal deposits nonbrokered, providing banks the opportunity to attract even more deposits. Thanks to the newly signed regulatory relief bill, most reciprocal deposits are no longer brokered. This comes as banks face intense and increasing competition for deposits.
Join Promontory Interfinancial Network - the nation's leading provider and inventor of reciprocal deposit placement services - for a free webinar that outlines key provisions of the new law and the impact ICS®, Insured Cash Sweep®, and CDARS® can have on banks' balance sheets. The webinar will also cover how banks can use ICS and CDARS to capitalize on the opportunities at hand; presenters will discuss cost-effective ways to use the services to attract high-value relationships (even as deposit competition intensifies) and to lock-in more low-cost funding (even as interest rates continue to rise). This webinar is a "must" for decision-makers at banks of all sizes, especially for community banks that utilize collateralized deposits and/or listing services.
Numerous new banks are joining the Promontory Network. In order to give these newly on-boarded banks an opportunity to begin transacting, we have decided to extend this incentive program through March 31, 2019.
Choose a date and time that works for you!
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| Albany |
State Legislature Now On Winter Recess Until February 26
The State Legislature is out on recess for its annual winter break. When the Legislature returns return to Albany on February 26, budget negotiations are expected to heat up considerably.
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IBANYS Meets With New Senate
Banks Committee Chairman Sanders
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Senator James Sanders
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IBANYS President & CEO John Witkowski and Legislative Counsel Bill Crowell met recently the new State Senate Banks Committee Chairman, Senator James Sanders (D-Queens). The meeting was an important step, as his district does not include a significant community bank presence, but does have a credit union presence. He expressed a desire to meet with and visit community banks in order to learn more about them. IBANYS will arrange a number of these sessions. (We will also be holding a meeting with Assembly Banks Chairman Zebrowski, D-Rockland County.) Chairman Sanders indicated the Senate Banks Committee's focus will include addressing the problem of unbanked and underbanked communities, as well as the lack of financial services in many areas. (Federal Reserve Chairman Powell raised similar concerns last week week at a forum in the Mississippi Delta region coordinated by
a credit union.)
Budget Amendment Would Move Internet Sales Tax
Collections Up To June
 Among the amendments to Governor Cuomo's 2019-20 State Budget introduced last week is one that would let collections on all internet sales begin in June instead of September, as originally
proposed.
It is estimated that the earlier effective date could be worth more than $60 million, and is likely a response to the
state's unexpected revenue shortfall that has the Governor's office seeking ways to save money and generate additional revenue.
The state budget initially forecast $125 million in revenue for the state with a September rollout, and $250 million annually moving forward.
State Legislative Activity
With the State Legislature out on its annual February recess until next week, and Congress also out on break, IBANYS' Government Relations Committee met last Friday to discuss recent legislative and regulatory developments in Albany and Washington.
- S. 2106 Sanders would require banks to disclose negative consequences of establishing alternative payment schedule on a loan (e.g., due to renegotiation, default). For example, providing a disclosure that the transaction could have a negative consequence on their credit score. IBANYS will work with the legislature to seek modifications to the bill, such as restricting the application to consumer mortgages and consumer loans, not commercial loans, and perhaps inserting the disclosure as an add-on. There is no companion bill in the Assembly.
- S. 727 Montgomery would permit state and federal credit unions to participate in the State Business Development District Program. This legislation has passed the Assembly in previous years, but never the Senate. IBANYS will again submit our Memo in Opposition based on the fact that credit unions pay no income taxes to NYS, and should receive the benefits funded by taxpayer dollars. There is no companion bill yet in the Assembly.
- S. 2880 Sanders/A. 4453 Miller would require banks and credit unions to have a notary public available during business hours. IBANYS will submit a Memo in Opposition. This should be a business decision by the bank, not mandated by law. That could prove problematic for community banks. Many already have notaries available, but requiring one at each location could be a challenge due to illness, staffing, etc. Some community banks also have multiple limited services offices.
IBANYS Members: Have You Reached Out To Your New State Legislators
&
Members Of Congress?
There are 39 new members of the State Legislature and 5 new members of the new York Congressional Delegation. IBANYS has provided lists of all the new State Senators, Assembly Members and Congressional Representatives, as well as talking points to help them understand and appreciate the importance of community banks to New York's state and local economies and communities (see below) as part of our
outreach program to all member banks and encouraged you to meet with your new members of the State Senate, State Assembly and New York Congressional Delegation. The program materials include:
- Talking points for your use in your meetings, emails and phone calls to introduce yourselves and to help inform them about New York's community banks.
Please contact your new state and federal lawmakers, then let us know the results by emailing John Witkowski and Steve Rice.
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Washington, D.C.
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Latest From House Financial Services, Senate Banking Committees
ICBA testified before a subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee late last week on behalf of the community banking industry r
egarding
banking cannabis-related businesses.
ICBA supports a safe harbor from federal sanctions for financial institutions that serve cannabis-related businesses in states where cannabis is legal.
ICBA - which does not advocate the legalization of cannabis - supports the policy to enhance public safety and address regulatory compliance concerns by opening the traditional banking system to cannabis-related businesses. The policy was introduced in the last Congress under the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act.
While this legislation may well pass the House Financial Services Committee and the full House at some point this year, it appears unlikely it will gain traction in the Republican controlled Senate Banking Committee or in that chamber in general.
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Maxine Waters (left) & Mike Crapo (right)
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The agenda of the House Financial Services Committee under Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) will likely address affordable housing, homelessness, regulatory oversight, large bank oversight, FinTech oversight, GSE reform, and a few "must do" measures such as reauthorizing the national flood insurance and the terrorism insurance programs. The
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Mark Calabria
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Senate Banking Committee agenda under Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) will also address GSE reform (the administration has also indicated plans to do so). Chairman Crapo is also increasingly focused on the privacy aspect of big data collection and security.
Meanwhile, the
Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Mark Calabria, chief economist to Vice President Pence, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). He testified before the Committee and vowed to lead the agency and make it a "world class regulator." (He had previously been critical of it at different times before his nomination.)
Fed Chairman Powell To Report To Congress On Monetary Policy & State Of Economy
The Federal Reserve is accountable to Congress, and twice a year submits an extensive report on recent economic developments and its plans for monetary policy. Next week, the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs will each hear from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who will deliver "The Semiannual Report to Congress on "Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy." The Senate hearing will be Tuesday, February 26, while the House hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27.
Trump To Cuomo: No Promises
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President Trump (left) & Governor Cuomo (right)
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After meeting with Governor Cuomo last week at the White House, President Trump offered
no assurances
he would take action on complaints and concerns raised by the Governor regarding the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limit. Cuomo is strongly critical a critic of the impact that the cap has had on New York's economy. according to a statement by the White House, the President Trump "listened to the governor's concerns" but did not promise any action.
U.S. Treasury: Federal Tax Revenue & Tax Returns Down,
Spending & Budget Gap Up
 According to the U.S. Treasury Department, federal tax revenue
fell
0.4 percent in 2018 to $3.33 trillion in the first full year under the new federal tax overhaul. Federal spending rose 4.4 percent, to $4.2 trillion. The U.S. budget gap increased 28.2 percent to $873 billion.
Tax refunds continued to
decline
in the second week of filing season, compared to the same period last year. The average return declined 8.7 percent, to $1,949. Treasury cited tax cuts that took effect in 2018 for the decline, and noted workers received larger paychecks throughout the year instead of receiving larger refunds after filing.
13 New York Counties On CFPB's Rural, Underserved Counties Lists
 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published the
2019 list of rural and underserved counties (and a separate 2019 list that includes only rural counties) and updated the rural and underserved areas website tool for 2019.
A creditor that makes a first-lien mortgage loan secured by a property located in a rural or underserved area during 2019 meets the requirements to be a creditor that operates in rural or underserved areas during 2020, as well as for loan applications received before April 1, 2021.
In New York State, 13 counties are on both the "rural and underserved" and "rural only" lists: Allegany, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Lewis, Otsego, Sullivan, Wyoming.
Meet With the New York Congressional Delegation at the
ICBA Capital Summit
The 2019 ICBA Capital Summit will be held April 28 - May 1 in Washington. Community bankers from around the nation will travel to Washington to meet with their Members of Congress in their offices "on the hill" and hear federal financial regulators to discuss key issues. We'll hear firsthand from financial and policy leaders, and influence the policy-making process. New York community bankers: Mark your calendars and hold the dates. U.S. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, a champion of the S.2155 regulatory relief bill that provided the most comprehensive relief for community banks since Dodd-Frank's enactment in 2010, will be a featured speaker at the Capital Summit.
IBANYS will be scheduling meetings with members of the New York congressional delegation. With a Democratic House of Representatives, a new agenda in the House Financial Services Committee,
five new Representatives from New York and
six New Yorkers on the House Financial Services Committee, it is more important than ever to
bring our New York community bankers' voices, priorities and stories to the forefront. Email
John Witkowski or
Steve Rice
to confirm your participation and indicate which Representatives with whom you would like us to arrange meetings with.
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Industry Trends & Updates
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FDIC: Community Bank Growth Leads The Way For Sixth Straight Year
 According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC's)
newly issued 2018 Annual Report
, community bank loan growth has exceeded growth at non-community banks for six consecutive years.
The report notes banking consolidation has done little to diminish the role of community banks: three-quarters of those that merged in 2017 and early 2018 were acquired by other community banks. On a merger-adjusted basis, community bank loan growth exceeded that at non-community banks between 2012-2017. Community banks also reported net gains in total offices (unlike non-community banks) -they had more than 700 additional offices between June 2017 and June 2018, while non-community banks ended up with 384 fewer offices over the same time period. The FDIC report also includes sections on the agency's Community Bank Advisory Committee, de novo banks, regulatory relief efforts, and other agency initiatives.
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OCC Failed To Enforce Ethics Rule
 According to the White House Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) failed for 15 years to properly enforce an ethics rule that bars federal officials from having a financial interest in the industries they regulate.
The OSC wrote to President Trump to note
the lapse ran from 1996 to 2011, the year that the OCC fixed the error. The failure came to light due to the efforts of an agency whistleblower and investigations from the Treasury Department's inspector general.
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Another Data Security Concern
The
American Banker highlights a key security vulnerability that many banks reportedly still need to address: how to keep data safe when it is being used by an application - often called "data in memory."
The issue is apparently becoming particularly urgent for those financial institutions eager to promote innovation by extending access to outside developers and fintechs trying to work on new applications.
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New York Fed's Williams Talks Rates, Balance Sheet Reduction
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John Williams
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New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams said yesterday that U.S. monetary policy is "where it should be" and sees no need to raise interest rates again unless economic growth or inflation suddenly rises.
Williams is Vice Chairman of the Fed's rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, said policymakers are "in a very good place," with rates around neutral, the economy growing and price pressures subdued.
"Monetary policy is where it should be. It's around my view of what neutral interest rates are." The Fed increased interest rates three times in 2017 and four times last year, pushing them up to between 2.25 percent and 2.5 percent at its final 2018 meeting in December. Fed policymakers are finalizing plans on how they would end the reduction of their balance sheet, which includes holdings of bank reserves bulked up in part by the Fed's need for cash to buy bonds to halt the global financial crisis a decade ago. Williams estimated the "balance sheet rolloff" could end when bank reserves get to "maybe $1 trillion of reserves or somewhat more than that" -- approximately $600 billion less than current levels.
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Industry Updates By The Numbers
- Consumer sentiment gained more than expected in early February, as U.S. spending confidence recovered following the end of the longest federal government shutdown in history. The University of Michigan "consumer sentiment index" rose to 95.5 this month, up from 91.2 in January, according to preliminary data. The consumer sentiment data indicate that personal consumption expenditures will remain the strongest sector in the national economy in 2019.
- According to the the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) monthly survey, home builder sentiment rose 4 points to 62 in February. The survey stood at 71 in February of 2018. Anything above 50 on the index is considered positive. NAHB Chairman Randy Noel commented: "Ongoing reduction in mortgage rates in recent weeks coupled with continued strength in the job market are helping to fuel builder sentiment. In the aftermath of the fall slowdown, many builders are reporting positive expectations for the spring selling season.
- Economists slashed fourth-quarter GDP forecasts last week and are forecasting growth closer to 2 percent than 3 percent following a "surprise" drop in December retail sales - which fell 1.2 percent compared with an expected gain of 0.2 percent. The CNBC/Moody's Analytics Rapid Update found that economists in its survey see growth tracking at a median 2.4 percent pace, down 0.7 percentage point. However, Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers, reiterated that he expects the U.S. economy should grow by another 3 percent in 2019, despite some disappointing indicators that kicked the year off. "We're sticking with our guns. We think we're going to have another 3 percent year," he said.
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Vining Sparks & ICBA Securities Balance Sheet Academy
Registration is now open for Vining Sparks and ICBA Securities' Balance Sheet Academy seminar in Memphis, Tennessee from Monday, April 29 to Tuesday, April 30 2019. This
advanced seminar is designed to expose seasoned community bank portfolio and balance sheet managers to advanced products and concepts. The objective is to enable the attendees to consistently outperform their peers. The dynamics of a community bank balance sheet require an investment professional to be versed in a wide range of topics.
Balance Sheet Academy
provides discussion and practical classroom exercises to equip the attendees for these demands. Examples of these topics include:
- Advanced interest rate risk management strategies;
- Low cost funding strategies; and
- Strategies for serving bank customers while managing interest rate risk.
Attendees will learn how the changing economic data impacts market interest rates from Vining Sparks' Chief Economist. The Balance Sheet Academy is structured for more experienced investment managers, particularly those who have attended Bond Academy.
It incorporates balance sheet strategies into the day-to-day management of an institution's investment portfolio, wholesale funding and interest rate risk management. Bank personnel with an intermediate level of understanding of investments who are integral to the investment and balance sheet management process will benefit the most from this advanced course. New directors serving on the investment or asset-liability committee will also find this course beneficial.
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CEIS Quarterly Newsletter - Q1
New
York,
February 15, 2019
- CEIS Review Inc. is a Commercial Loan Portfolio Consulting firm serving the needs of Commercial Lending Institutions. In this issue of our newsletter, we discuss
potential areas of concerns as observed throughout our Loan Review findings 2019 and how hybrid
asset-based
loans involve a unique credit structure designed to solve certain credit needs of customers by combining cash flow and
asset-based
lending in one credit facility.
ON MY MIND ...
Indicators available to CEIS show that credit quality is generally sound, in planning for 2019 we see issues from our perspective that are potential concerns. Specific areas of concern based on our reviews are - a modest but gradual rise in criticized and classified assets, general loosening in underwriting standards for many loan types as evidenced in the increased level of policy waivers, the level of interest only transactions on stabilized properties, increased covenant compliance violation rates, and an observed complacency in managing portfolio risk and its potential direction. These observations and others may show an accumulated risk in portfolios that contain a notable level of borrowers that are not yet tested in adverse scenarios beyond the statistical models.
Read the full newsletter.
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Hybrid Asset Based Lending: Controls Are Necessary
Senior Consultant With CEIS Review, Inc.
John has over 35 years' experience in the commercial banking industry and is an experienced manager and senior credit officer.
As an independent loan review provider to approximately 150 foreign and domestic lending institutions, CEIS Review has the benefit of being able to gain insights towards the emerging and prevalent developments within the banking arena regarding commercial lending activities. One such is the entrance or expanded interest of some banks to engage in hybrid asset-based lending operations with varying levels of success and effectiveness. While portfolio and income fee diversification is important, the increased activity should be fully vetted before the additional risk is added to the portfolio.
Hybrid asset-based loans involve a unique credit structure designed to solve certain specific credit needs of customers by combining cash flow and asset-based lending in one credit facility. While the portion of the loan approved on a cash flow coverage basis is often managed with financial covenants, the asset-based loan portion is supported by collateral coverage that is monitored with a monthly borrowing base. Read the full article.
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Further Your Education at Barret Graduate School of Banking
Barret and IBANYS are aligned with a common interest: to represent the interests of the industry through effective advocacy and high quality educational offerings.
Located in Memphis, TN, Barret Graduate School of Banking offers a comprehensive graduate learning program for professionals in the financial services field. IBANYS has established partnerships with key industry educators including the Barret Graduate School of Banking. The school provides community bankers with an opportunity for a graduate degree in banking.
We are currently endorsed by ICBA, ICBA Securities, Arkansas Community Bankers, CBAofGA, Indiana Bankers Association, CBAofKS, MIBA, CBAofOH, CBAofWV - with a couple more on the way.
To learn more about Barret Graduate School of Banking, please visit
www.barret.ws.
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Keep The Door Open For Your Small Business Customers
Excelsior Growth Fund (EGF) is NYBDC's nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution and IBANYS' exclusive online lending partner. Join the growing number of banks that work with EGF to offer their customers an affordable and responsible option when they do not qualify for traditional financing. EGF offers loans up to $500,000 with a convenient, digital process. Loans under $100,000 are disbursed within 5 business days.
EGF's experienced team can work hand-in-hand with yours to develop a customized process to make referring seamless. To learn more about offering your customers a second look through EGF contact Bryan Doxford, SVP, at [email protected] at at (212) 430-4512.
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Spotlight Bank of the Week
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Generations Bank traces its heritage back to 1870, since that time we have been serving the financial needs of people and businesses across the Finger Lakes region. In addition to being a full service bank, Generations Agency provides insurance services to families and businesses. We employ a unique blend of traditional service and technology to deliver an experience available when, where and how the customer wants to do their banking.
 Our products and services often go beyond what you might expect. For example, our MyGenMortgage is specifically designed to help enable home ownership in our communities. The GO PREMIUM and GO PREFERRED checking accounts offer extra benefits to customers by delivering value added features like ID Theft Aid / Credit Monitoring, Roadside Assistance, Cell Phone Protection and EZ Saver account rounding at no additional cost. GO PREMIUM and GO PREFERRED customers also have access to discounts at retailers, shops and restaurants locally and nationally.
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2018 "Right to Run" 19k
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Generations believes it is important to give back to the communities where we work and live, we support many local causes and charities with special emphasis on affordable housing and benefitting children. In addition to financial support, bank employees donate their time to charitable causes with more than 62% participating.
Headquartered in Seneca Falls, one of our neighbors is the National Women's Hall of Fame. For the past three years, the Bank has been the organizing sponsor of the "Right to Run" 19k - celebrating the women's movement. The race's unusual distance - 19 kilometers, is a nod
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2017 "Tastes and Tunes"
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to the 19th Amendment whereby women secured the right to vote. Proceeds from the event support the Women's Hall of Fame. Generations also hosts "Tastes and Tunes" an annual event featuring Finger Lakes wineries, breweries, food and music. The event supports local food banks and charities that fight hunger in our community.
The Bank also takes pride in being named one of Central New York's "Best Places to Work" each of the last four years.
As Generations continues to grow, we never lose focus on opportunities to strengthen our communities - through the products and services we offer as well as corporate involvement.
To learn more about Generations Bank, please visit www.mygenbank.com.
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About Spotlight Bank of the Week
 Spotlight Bank of the Week is a new feature that we have added to our website and e-newsletter. It is an opportunity to promote anything about your organization, such as fun facts, organization news, special events, etc. The Spotlight Bank of the Week will be featured on our homepage slider, e-newsletter, and our social media platforms for one week. So don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to showcase your bank to thousands of people!
View banks that have been featured as our Spotlight in the past!
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IBANYS Spotlight Is On...
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EscapeWire Solutions is a managed IT Solutions service provider that has been servicing clients across multiple industries for over 13 years. They have built their reputation on trust, expertise and dedicated customer service. EscapeWire works closely with each client to assure they have a program to meet their IT needs.
Managing technology and mitigating risk is a complicated, often expensive and time consuming, part of day-to-day operations. It's often not cost-effective to maintain a dedicated IT staff to address every challenge. EscapeWire Solutions' Managed IT model provides comprehensive, proactive management, implementation and support of your systems and networks - minimizing downtime and allowing your employees to focus on your core business.
For more information, contact CEO Chris Hart-Nova at:
Phone: (716) 893-4984
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IBANYS identifies offers products and services that provide value to your banks, companies, employees communities. These brief summaries provide links for information. Please contact IBANYS President John Witkowski with questions.
Health & Wellness
My Wellness Resource & TELADOC 
The health and wellness landscape continues to evolve. "My Wellness Resource" can be a nice addition to your existing benefit package.
Teladoc can save your banks time and money, and provide real value to your employees as this testimonial from a New York community bank CEO proves:
HERE'S WHAT YOUR FELLOW NEW YORK
COMMUNITY BANKER SAYS. . .
"I wanted to let you know that some of our employees and I have been using "Teladoc" and it is one of the best things we have done for the bank. We all love it: We are saving time, avoiding waiting in an urgent care center or a doctor's waiting room for non-emergency related illnesses
. . .and it is easy to use and convenient. Once you use it, you are hooked! This was a great find! Would recommend it to all banks."
Mario Martinez
Chairman & CEO
Catskill Hudson Bank
Contact Alan Justin: (716) 907-5500.
"Cure the Blue" Helps Banking Industry Battle Prostate Cancer!
The "Cure the Blue" program sponsored by the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation allows New Yorkers to participate in one of the most comprehensive efforts to help promote prostate cancer awareness and research in the United States.
Lake Shore Savings Bank has provided prostate cancer literature and Cure the Blue information at all eleven of its  branches and their headquarters in Dunkirk. The bank also offered Cure the Blue ceramic lapel ribbon pins for a $5.00 donations to Cure the Blue to all their customers. "We fully understand the severity of this disease and the devastating effect it can have on families" said Lake Shore Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Reininga. "Our support of the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation's "Cure the Blue" initiative is something that we are taking very seriously and are proud to support." Buffalo Bills Wall of Famer and Alumni Foundation President Booker Edgerson, a two time prostate cancer survivor, said the bank has been a tremendous longtime supporter, noting: "They have really stepped up to the plate with their unwavering support of our Cure the Blue initiative."
IBANYS urges all of our member banks, associate members and allies to join the effort. Cure the Blue" raises funds and awareness regarding prostate cancer in New York State. Visit
curetheblue.com
to get involved! Of all new cancer cases in the nation, prostate cancer represents 9.6%. In 2017, there were an estimated 161,000 new cases, and more than 26,000 fatalities due to the disease. Support IBANYS' "Cure the Blue" campaign to help New Yorkers participate to promote prostate cancer awareness and research.
Secure, Enhanced Internet Presence
The .bank program by fTLD operates trusted, verified, more secure, easily-identifiable internet locations for financial companies and
customers. www.icba.org
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. . .That some of the earliest significant
events in the history of computer technology - or what came to be known as "the IT industry" - date back nearly 74 years?
- June 30, 1945: John Von Neumann published the First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC, the first documented discussion of the stored program concept and the blueprint for computer architecture to this day.
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New York community banks play a key role in our state and local economies. Help spread the good news among our customers, business, elected leaders and the media!
John J. Witkowski
President & Chief Executive Officer
Stephen W. Rice
Director of Government Relations & Communications
Linda Gregware
Director of Administration & Membership Services
William Y. Crowell III
Legislative Counsel
Natalie Rowan
Marketing & Social Media Assistant
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