Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Schunck to lead Key Investment Services field organization in CNY, Rochester
Kevin Schunck recently joined KeyBank as senior VP and market leader for Key Investment Services. In this role, he will lead the local Key Investment Services field organization in Central New York and Rochester, working to grow revenue, increase market share, and provide clients in the mass-affluent segment with exceptional service, according to a KeyBank news release. […]

State begins work on starting retirement program for private-sector employees
New York State has started work on establishing a retirement-savings plan for employees in New York’s private sector “who are not offered a retirement plan through their workplace,” per the program’s website. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Jan. 26 announced the convening of the New York Secure Choice Savings Program board, representing the first phase in

Strategic’s lead advisor earns CFP designation
UTICA, N.Y. — Melissa Fernalld, a lead financial advisor at Strategic Financial Services, Inc., a Utica–based wealth-management firm, has achieved her CFP designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. This designation is awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial exams, then continue ongoing annual education programs to sustain their

Community Bank’s wealth-management revenue rises in Q4
DeWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) reported wealth-management revenue of $8.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, up 13.4 percent from $7.5 million in the year-ago quarter, and up 2.4 percent from $8.3 million in the third quarter of 2021. The rise in wealth-management revenue was primarily driven by increases in investment

Petranchuk joins Key Private Bank as portfolio strategist
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Eric Petranchuk has recently joined Key Private Bank as a portfolio strategist in its Syracuse office, the bank announced. In this role, Petranchuk evaluates client goals and objectives and constructs investment portfolios to execute team and client strategy, Key Private Bank noted. He has more than 20 years of experience in financial

Investors overexposed to risk as market experiences correction
Investors have taken on too much portfolio risk in a rate environment that has distorted stock values and decreased bond yields at a time when market volatility is expected to continue, according to a recent study by Natixis Investment Managers. Market forces that drove stocks to record highs in 2021 are now calling for changes with

Berkshire Bank’s parent company to pay quarterly dividend on Feb. 24
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), parent of Berkshire Bank, recently announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents a common share. The dividend will be payable on Feb. 24, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Feb. 10. At Berkshire Hills Bancorp’s current

Hoeller joins NBT Bancorp and NBT Bank boards of directors
NORWICH, N.Y. — NBT Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: NBTB) said that Heidi M. Hoeller has recently joined the boards of directors of NBT Bancorp and its community bank subsidiary, NBT Bank, N.A. Hoeller is a retired partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), with more than 25 years of experience as a leader in audit and financial services.

People news: Hedge joins Tompkins Financial Advisors
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Financial Advisors announced it has hired Ithaca native Matthew Hedge as assistant VP and wealth advisor. In this role, Hedge is

Ulrich joins NBT agricultural banking team
April Ulrich has joined NBT Bank’s agricultural banking team as VP and senior ag banking relationship manager at the bank’s Capital Regional Financial Center on
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.