You asked, we listened:  

Regional Meetings move to fall  

We have heard from our members, and they tell us they would like us to move our upcoming Regional Meetings into the fall because of summer scheduling conflicts. We want every one of our bankers to be able to experience these highly successful free events, so we have pushed them back into October to accommodate all. The agenda will more than likely stay the same for both meetings but we will send out more information as the date nears. Please plan to join us! 

Buffalo Regional Meeting - Wednesday, October 17, 2012 

Lancaster Country Club,

Lancaster, NY  

Finger Lakes Regional Meeting  - Thursday, October 18, 2012

Ramada Geneva Lakefront Hotel 

Geneva, NY  

"...with a lever long enough...single-handed I can move the world." -Archimedes

Well old Archimedes may have wanted to move the world on his own, but associations, successful ones, move the world when the members work as one to achieve something worthwhile. Something of lasting value through the building of a shared vision - a shared picture of the future they seek to achieve. Peter Senge, in his masterful work on building learning organizations, "The Fifth Discipline" writes, "One is hard pressed to think of an organization that has sustained some measure of greatness in the absence of goals, values and missions that become deeply shared throughout the organization."

IBANYS, you the members, associate members and business partners have envisioned for a very long time an association that is single focused on the health, welfare and preservation of community banking in New York State. That vision has never wavered...it may have set dormant for a period of time, but it is has been renewed and re-energized as the 300 pound canary. Thanks to your efforts, our membership has grown over the last 18 months by 39%; our peer councils are thriving; seminars are busting at the seams with attendees; our start-up of regional meetings around the state continue to grow; our government relations agenda in 2012 was/is a triumph; our public relations efforts to educate the media, the public, and our lawmakers about the community bank difference has been a triumph worth repeating year over year; and our addition of new services for you via business partners like "BITS" continue to expand.

Rest assured we will supply you with a full report on the successes of IBANYS at the Convention on September 9,10, & 11. However, we cannot rest on our "leverage"! We must continue to extend the length of the lever and press down together to bring more perspective members into the fold. We must continue to pound the drum of our shared vision, that IBANYS is the only New York community bank association laser focused on the continued welfare, protection and preservation of YOU and YOUR community bank...nothing else, nothing less, nothing more. IBANYS, your community banking association, is On the Grow! Come join us celebrate your Vision. 

The Pioneer Bank Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the results of its search for a leader to succeed Eileen C. Bagnoli, President and CEO, upon her retirement in mid 2013.  After a diligent and thorough search and evaluation process, Thomas L. Amell was selected and will initially join Pioneer next month as President and Chief Operating Officer, with Mrs. Bagnoli continuing to serve as CEO until her retirement.  Mr. Amell has an extensive background in Capital Region financial services management, having served as Senior Vice President/NY Business Banking Director for Citizen's Bank, Eastern NY Regional President for First Niagara and President of Commercial  Services at SEFCU.  Mr. Amell earned his Associates Degree from Hudson Valley Community College, his Bachelor's Degree from Siena College and his MBA from SUNY Albany.  He serves on the Board of numerous local organizations, including Northeast Parent & Child Society, the Center for Economic Growth, Siena College, Make-A-Wish Foundation, 15 Love and the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"Tom's reputation of honesty and integrity, along with his extensive background in both commercial and consumer banking services certainly made him an ideal selection. In addition, his dedication to serving the individuals, families, businesses and municipalities of the Capital Region, as well as his abiding commitment to community service, uniquely qualified him for this opportunity to be Pioneer's next leader", says Pioneer Bank Board Chair Don Fane, who chaired the Bank's search committee. CEO Bagnoli states, "I am very excited to work with Tom over the course of the next year to ensure a smooth leadership transition and feel strongly that the mission and values of Pioneer as a community bank are perfectly aligned with the ideals that Tom has represented throughout his life and professional career." 

Mr. Amell indicated, "I am honored to have been selected by the Board of Trustees of Pioneer Bank to succeed Eileen Bagnoli.  I have long admired Pioneer as an organization and deeply respect their underlying corporate values.  I have been preparing for this opportunity for my entire career and believe that this is the ideal fit for me and my family.  I will work closely with Eileen during this transition to make sure that we all remain focused on our employees, customers and our communities."

One of our longest standing board of directors members was honored by his community in late June. Bill Ryan's recognition dinner was held on Thursday, June 28th in Auburn. The dinner was to recognize and congratulate Bill on nearly 52 years of service to the banking industry and his community of Union Springs, NY.  

IBANYS had the special chance to congratulate Bill with a framed certificate presented by friend and fellow IBANYS board member and First National Bank of Dryden President and CEO Ron Denniston. The certificate congratulated Bill on his commitment to the association and dedication to the IBANYS board of directors for more than 25 years. We could not have been happier to be a part of this special dinner and recognition for a great advocate and champion of community banking.  

Other IBANYS members in attendance included Evans Bank's Dave Nasca, Adirondack Bank's Gary Kavney, First National Bank of Dryden's Mike Shattuck, and more.  

CommuNitY is coming to a mailbox near you! We'll be sending out the inaugural issue of the official IBANYS magazine very soon. Be on the lookout for it in the coming weeks. We think you are really going to enjoy it!  

By Jeff Gerhart, Chairman of ICBA

As kids growing up in Newman Grove, Neb., my friends and I would use tin cans connected by string to swap stories and jokes. If ever apples or blackberries were mentioned, our thoughts would turn to homemade pies. Part of that memory was waiting for the pies to cool down a bit, so we could enjoy a slice with ice cream and a cold glass of milk.  

Today, Apples and BlackBerrys don't just involve desert; they're now synonymous with technology and an integral part of the present, future and ever-increasing opportunities for community banks.  

Customers now can bank online through a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet device, a cellphone-well, the list of options goes on and on. Technology has always been an advantage for community banks and will continue to be an important advantage for us.  

I still have a Boston Ledger sitting on top of a bookshelf. Those of you over 50 know what...       ...read the rest here.