Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
Berkshire Bank parent company to merge with another Boston–based bank, change names
BOSTON — Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) — parent company of Berkshire Bank, which has a significant presence in the Mohawk Valley and Capital

Smith Brothers Insurance acquires Ithaca firm
ITHACA, N.Y. — Smith Brothers Insurance, LLC, a Connecticut–based firm with offices in Owego, Vestal, Waverly, and Albany, has acquired Moscato & Associates of Ithaca,

Women–owned businesses in Oneida and Herkimer counties can pursue $5,000 grants
CLINTON, N.Y. — A total of five grants, each worth $5,000, are available for women–owned business in Oneida and Herkimer counties. The Women’s Fund (WF)

Pathfinder Bancorp posts small Q2 profit as it sells nonperforming loans
OSWEGO, N.Y. — Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBHC), the holding company for Pathfinder Bank, on Wednesday, July 30, reported net income of $31,000, or less

NBT Bancorp boosts quarterly dividend by nearly 9 percent
NORWICH, N.Y. — NBT Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: NBTB) announced on Monday that its board of directors has approved an increase of its quarterly cash dividend

Berkshire Bank Foundation invests nearly $400,000 in local nonprofits during Q2
Berkshire Bank Foundation says it invested nearly $400,000 in communities through grants and other giving in the second quarter of the year. Several Central New York organizations were among the 100 nonprofit organizations in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont that the foundation invested in from April to June. Berkshire Bank Foundation is

Local group 9 Fresh buys Cazenovia College campus
CAZENOVIA, N.Y. — A group of local investors that calls itself 9 Fresh says it has purchased the former Cazenovia College campus, which shuttered on

SUNY Oswego launches new real-estate minor, after campus club’s popularity
OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego says it has added a real-estate minor to its academic offerings, becoming one of the first SUNY campuses to do

SUNY announces $4 million increase for startup fund Upstate Biotech Ventures
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr. on Wednesday announced a $4 million increase in Upstate Medical University’s startup biotech fund for a total

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