Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
VIEWPOINT: Community Bank, Credit Union Strategies for Building Brand Reputation
Reputation is the cornerstone of trust in community banking, and it is essential for local banks and credit unions to maintain a positive, pristine reputation in their local communities. Here are a few ways to accomplish this critical goal: 1. Prioritize transparency and communication: Maintaining open communication with your community is vitally important, as it […]
Ask Rusty: Can I Switch to a Taxi Driver Job Without Hurting my Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I I opted to draw my Social Security (SS) retirement benefit early and work part time. The company I work for has decided to pull me from field work due to my age and health. Although they are great keeping me at 20 hours per week running for parts and doing office work,
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Syracuse Boat Tours – Making Waves in The Community
During the summer of 2024, a new boat tour company made its way onto the waters of the Seneca River and Onondaga Lake. Syracuse Boat Tours provides locals and visitors the opportunity to gain an appreciation for the Central New York area and the beauty it has to offer. Annette Peters, the company’s owner, is
VIEWPOINT: Community Banks, Credit Unions Need to Market Local, Build Trust
Community banks and credit unions hold a unique position in the financial-services marketplace. As vital members of their local communities, these organizations serve an essential role in fostering economic growth, giving them an inside track in building and maintaining trust with their customers and members. However, the financial landscape is rapidly evolving. With changing demographics
VIEWPOINT: From Burden to Breeze: Redefining Compliance with AI-Powered Solutions
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are steadily transforming the way businesses approach risk, regulation, and operational oversight. With an ever-evolving cyber ecosystem, compliance is regularly playing catch-up. Revelations regarding zero-day attacks, where no prior knowledge of the exploitation exists, promote additions and amendments to what defines a “secure environment.” New software and breakthroughs in industry
VIEWPOINT: Supreme Court Sets Legal Standard for Students Claiming Disability Discrimination
The Supreme Court recently issued a unanimous decision in A. J. T. v. Osseo Area Schools, Independent School Dist. No. 279 that changes the standard for students pursuing disability-discrimination claims against schools under Section 504. The case was initiated by the parents of a teenager with epilepsy that caused her to be unable to attend
Ask Rusty: Can My Husband Work Part Time and Collect SS?
Dear Rusty: I am writing to you on behalf of my husband. His intentions are to go part time as of Jan. 1, 2026, working 30 hours a week and take Social Security (SS) benefits as supplemental income. How can we determine what his SS benefit would be with him still working part time? He
VIEWPOINT: When the Map No Longer Matches the Terrain
Last year at the [XLoD Global – New York] conference, I spoke about how interconnectedness across markets, functions, and geographies challenges the illusion that risks could be managed in isolation. That view still holds true. But this year I want to go deeper. Because what’s emerging now is not just a more interconnected world
VIEWPOINT: The Failure of Raise the Age: A Gift to New York’s Gangs
Raising the age of criminal responsibility in New York state has created a nightmare scenario that opened statutory loopholes which prohibit law enforcement and prosecutors from doing their job. As a result of this reckless policy failure, youth violence in New York has skyrocketed while gangs recruit those under 18 to do their bidding knowing
Ask Rusty: Social Security Questions Asked Over Coffee
Dear Rusty: My coffee conversations among a group of friends have resulted in several questions about Social Security, including the following: 1. What happens to the Social Security account of someone who dies before retirement age? What happens to that money and where does it end up? 2. How does the decreased birth rate of
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.