Community Banking Month Begins Today April 1  

IBANYS has provided a "News Release" to numerous media outlets throughout the state. The release speaks to the value of community banks and the communities they serve. We will continue this trend throughout the month and eventually year round, every year! Please pass along a copy to your local media outlets as well.   

 

http://readme.readmedia.com/Independent-Bankers-Announce-April-as-Community-Banking-Month/2251539 

 

Community Banking Month Programs and Good News Stories

Tell us what your bank is doing this month to promote community banking month.  We will print your stories, giving your bank credit and utilize the information in articles promoting community banking as the "Financial Cornerstone of Communities in New York".

 

Please send us your local media contact information so we may alert them directly of our community banking news and press releases in the future.  

2011-2011 New York State Budget 

The Legislature adopted an on-time budget, closing a $10 billion gap early yesterday morning. The $132.5 billion budget did not include any major new taxes. Several budget issues impacted community banks.

 

The Legislature has adopted the Governor's budget proposal to merge the Banking Department and the Insurance Department into a new Department of Financial Services. This legislation has been significantly improved through the input of IBANYS and the financial services industry from its initial version. The initial proposal submitted by the Governor incorporated the Consumer Protection Board within the new consolidated Department. The final bill has transferred the Consumer Protection Board to the Department of State. This is a significant change because of the different objectives of the regulatory mission of the Banking Department and the consumer protection mission of the Consumer Protection Board. The potential for conflict with the regulatory mission has been avoided by not including the Consumer Protection Board. Read More 

   

IBANYS Chairman appointed to Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC) 

Paul Mello, President and CEO, Solvay Bank and IBANYS Chairman was recently appointed to the CDIAC. Council members are representatives from commercial banks, thrift institutions and credit unions in the Second District. The purpose of the council is to provide information and insight to the New York Fed from the perspective of community depository institutions. The council will replace the New York Fed's Thrift Institutions Advisory Panel.

 

ICBA Chairman, Sal Marranca Address Convention Attendees 

On Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Sal Marranca, President and CEO of Cattaraugus County Bank in Little Valley, was appointed to his new role during the group's national convention in San Diego.

 

In his address, Sal outlined the key legislative focus for his twelve month tenure - the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, housing finance, mortgage reform.

 

Buhrmaster moderates discussion on Government Controlled Interchange

John Buhrmaster, President, 1^st National Bank of Scotia, and IBANYS Vice Chairman, acted as moderator during a session entitled Operating in a Government Controlled Interchange Environment during ICBA's annual convention.  The program outlined the Durbin Amendment which imposes government price controls on debit card interchange. The program was well received, as this provision remains one of the most controversial and misguided provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.