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

M&T Bank donates $100,000 to OCC’s applied learning program
ONONDAGA, N.Y. — M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) has donated $100,000 over five years to support the applied learning program of Onondaga Community College’s (OCC) career

Pictured is the new branch office that Empower Federal Credit Union is getting ready to open in Central Square. The new office, located at 3056 East Ave. (Route 49) in the village of Central Square, is slated to open in March, Empower said in a recent newsletter to its members. Empower currently has 22 branches
Tompkins Financial to pay quarterly dividend of 52 cents a share on Feb. 18
ITHACA — Tompkins Financial Corp. (NYSE: TMP) recently announced that its board of directors approved payment of a regular quarterly cash dividend of 52 cents a share for the first quarter. The dividend is payable on Feb. 18, to common shareholders of record on Feb. 10. It’s the same amount that Tompkins Financial paid in

SyracuseFirst urges consumers to “Think Local First”
“The mission of SyracuseFirst is to educate the community about the importance of buying local and supporting local and independently-owned businesses in our community,” Shannon Fults, strategic programs and events coordinator, tells CNYBJ in an email. Before joining CenterState CEO as an organizational partner, SyracuseFirst functioned as a member-based organization, Fults notes. Now, as a

The Taste of Honey captures top prize in KeyBank Business Boost & Build event
SYRACUSE — The Taste of Honey, a family-owned catering company, captured the top prize of $5,000 in the KeyBank Business Boost & Build pitch competition. The local company prevailed over four other businesses in the event held Feb. 6 at SALTspace at 103 Wyoming St. on Syracuse’s Near Westside. “I have a mobile school bus,

NBT subsidiary acquires Illinois firm
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — EPIC Retirement Plan Services (EPIC RPS), a subsidiary of NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBT), announced it has agreed to acquire the assets of

Man charged with cashing forged checks, topping $1,000, at Rome banks
ROME, N.Y. — New York State Police announced Tuesday that they have arrested a Rome man after he allegedly seven checks from a family member,

Tompkins Financial launches news stock buyback program
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Financial Corp. (NYSE: TMP) announced Friday that its board of directors has authorized a new stock repurchase program of up to

Otsego County woman arrested after running up $2,300 in charges on victim’s debit card
RICHFIELD SPRINGS, N.Y. — New York State Police announced on Friday that they recently arrested Crystal G. Ray, age 38 of Richfield Springs, for the

Visions Investment Services acquires Glen Wood Financial Group
ENDWELL — Visions Investment Services (VIS), the wealth management arm of Visions Federal Credit Union (FCU), announced it has acquired the Glen Wood Financial Group, Inc. The transaction closed on Dec. 31, Mandy DeHate, associate VP of marketing at Visions FCU, tells CNYBJ in an email. The acquisition comes as Glen Wood prepared for retirement,
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.