News & Views

GRB's Pittsford branch this week unveiled extensive renovations, updating the interior finishes and creating better usable space. Many thanks to NH Architecture for the design work, and West Construction for the renovation work.

We are pleased with our updated branch, which will offer clients more privacy during transactions, a more comfortable waiting area, and increased conference room space.What hasn't changed is the free coffee and our welcoming, helpful branch staff!  Stop by for a visit soon.

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Rochester's small business community is highlighted in a recent Democrat & Chronicle article. Three technology startups are spotlighted, exemplifying the shift in our local economy from a few large-scale manufacturers to smaller, high tech-firms. These firms, and others, have been supported by business development centers, incubators, and professional development groups that make up a regional infrastructure conducive to small business.

Read the full article here.

GRB has been the headline sponsor for the Greece Chamber's annual Small Business of the Year Award since its inception four years ago. The award has been a great way to highlight the real success stories of Greece's business community.

The winners of both the Small Business and Microenterprise categories are entered into a national small business competiton sponsored by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. Two Greece businesses have been recognized in this competition.

PetSaver Healthy Pet Superstore and The Victors Gymnastics, Inc. have been named 2013 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners. Additionally, PetSaver has been named the Eastern Region Finalist for the 2013 Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award.

From the Democrat & Chronicle article (read full article here):

Jodie Perry, president of the Greece Chamber of Commerce, said it is thrilling to have two businesses from the town recognized by the national Chamber.

“I think it shows that our businesses are really doing some innovative things, and really delivering high levels of customer service,” she said. “It’s exciting to hear that even though our economy is still flat, some businesses are doing really well and doing really great things. It’s a great thing for our community.”

Congratulations to both PetSaver and The Victors Gymnastics!

GRB is a table sponsor at a benefit for the families of the West Webster firemen and the Lake Road families this Sunday. Organized by Flaherty's Three Flags Inn, a portion of each tab will be donated to the WWFD and the Lake Road families. Prizes, a raffle, and live music round out the event. Check out their Facebook page for more information.

Details:

Sunday, February 11

Starting at noon

Flaherty's Three Flags Inn

1200 Bay Rd., Webster

GRB Community Relationship Manager Dave Rossi has generously volunteered his time to be a business mentor to the Greece Chamber of Commerce's YEA! class. YEA!, or the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, offers students a year long class that transforms them into entrepreneurs. Founded locally, YEA! now offers programs in 17 states.

Rossi and the other volunteers provide feedback for the kids' business plans and help them along the process of establishing their business. Stay tuned for updates as this class establishes their businesses and competes agains other local YEA! programs.

Image from the Greece Chamber of Commerce February Newsletter.

Joe Cassara and his new business, YouNeedMyGuy.com, is highlighted in this Democrat & Chronicle article. The Webster native combines business and social media so that a search on You Need My Guy will turn up providers recommended by friends.

Joe Cassara, 30, of Webster is the founder and CEO of You Need My Guy,

a company provides reviews about a community's best service providers.

/ MARIE DE JESUS/Democrat & Chronicle staff photographer

Read the full article here.

Mark Gentile, a senior technical director at Symantec Corp., is highlighted in a Democrat & Chronicle article about entrepreneurship. Gentile sold his company, Odyssey Software, to Symantec last year.

From the article:

Back in the mid-1990s, when Mark Gentile was starting his software business, potential investors reminded him that many startups fail. They asked about his backup plan.

“Naively, I said, ‘Failure is not an option.’ And everyone kind of chuckled,” said Gentile [...].

His attitude epitomized the confidence and spirit that permeates the world of entrepreneurship, where men and women risk everything to pursue their dream. They have a drive and a decisive ability that separates them from the rest of us nine to fivers, according to experts.

Gentile goes on to talk about the persistence and passion that drove his success.

Read the full article here.

In early January, GRB fielded a team at the Second Annual Rochester-area CPA Firms Sand Volleyball tournament. We got the added benefit of supporting our client, Hot Shots Volleyball Club. Proceeds benefitted Flower City Habitat for Humanity.

Our team lost a close match in the first round of playoffs, but nonetheless had a fun day. Thanks to Ami Panipinto for organizing GRB's team!

GRB was deeply saddened by the shooting of four West Webster firefighters and the displacement of a number of Webster residents whose homes were destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve. A number of our employees and clients live and work in Webster, so we wanted to do something to show our support for that community.

The weekend of the funerals for Firefighters Chiapperini and Kaczowka, GRB donated eight hotel rooms at the Webster Holiday Inn Express for firefighters attending the funerals. Clients of GRB, including Zeller Corporation and Progressive Machine also donated rooms.

Our thoughts continue to go out to the families of the firefighters and everyone affected by this tragedy.

#WWFD is the hashtag that has permeated social media sites to mark information about the West Webster Fire Department. Our donation was mentioned on a Facebook page that serves as a clearinghouse for those wanting to help.

Congratulations to the 2012 winners of the Greece Chamber's Small Business of the Year Awards!

Small Business of the Year: Caring for Cats Veterinary Hospital

Microenterprise of the Year: The Victors Gymnastics, Inc.

Winners were announced at the annual award luncheon, held today at the Greece Marriott. GRB is proud to be the presenting sponsor of this event since its inception four years ago.

The Empire State Lyric Theatre announced expansion plans last week, becoming Rochester Lyric Opera.

GRB is a proud supporter of Rochester Lyric Opera, and we look forward to this newly formed organization putting on an even more exciting Chamber Opera Festival in April, 2013.

Tickets for all Rochester Lyric Opera events can be purchased at the three GRB locations.

The Greece Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 4th Annual Small Business of the Year and 2nd Annual Microenterprise awards.

Finalists for Small Business of the Year:

• American Custom Exteriors & Interiors
• Caring for Cats Veterinary Hospital
• Deborah L. Fox, DDS

Finalists for Microenterprise of the Year:

• Bansbach, Zoghlin, P.C.
• Benefit Representatives of America
• The Victors Gymnastics & Cheerleading

GRB is proud to be the presenting sponsor of these awards, as we have been since their inception four years ago. This event highlights outstanding business owners in Greece, and celebrates the strong business community there.

The luncheon and awards ceremony is Friday, November 16 from 11:45am - 1:30pm at the Greece Marriott. Register online here.

GRB is pleased to announce that we have received a Silver Award from the Small Business Administration (SBA), for the fiscal year ending Septemebr 30, 2012. This places us third among local banks who participate in SBA programs. 

The Silver Award recognizes instutitions who have produced over $5 million in SBA-guaranteed loans.

Partnering with lenders and providing loan guarantees, SBA programs provide much needed capital to small businesses. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for more information on how GRB can utilize the SBA to grow your business.  

The Rochester Top 100 recognizes the fast-growing privately held companies in the Rochester region. GRB is proud to have been included in the Top 100 for the past 3 years, ranking 41st in 2011. CEO Phil Pecora discusses GRB's strategy and the current banking environment in a recent interview with the Democrat & Chronicle.

Read the Democrat & Chronicle interview here.

Congratulations to Leann Hicks, CFO at Pharos Systems. She was honored today with the award for Financial Executive of the Year - Small Business Category at today's annual luncheon.

Co-presented by the Rochester chapter of Financial Executives International and the Rochester Business Journal, the award recognizes financial executives who have made outstanding contributions to their organizations and to the community during the past year.

Read the RBJ's article here.

Loans to Rochester small businesses are alive and well, reports the Democrat & Chronicle. Small Buiness Administation (SBA) lending in Rochester has been climbing, with 406 made in fiscal 2011, surpassing the 360 made in fiscal 2010.

For the current fiscal year, GRB was one of the banks that has doubled SBA loans made in the same time period last year.

April is Community Banking Month, and GRB is getting the word out about the benefits of banking locally. This article, from the Institute of Local Self-Reliance, lists the top five reasons to choose a community bank (or credit union).

GRB lives up to all of these reasons, and proves that banking locally supports the Rochester community in many ways.

Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Community Bank or Credit Union

Midtown Athletic Club's member magazine, Spirit, recently interviewed GRB Chairman Phil Saunders. In part one of a two-part article, Phil talkes about his first business, making water skis at age 16, and other ventures in transportation, distribution, and energy businesses. Part two will be published in next quarter's issue.

Read the full article here.

April is Community Banking Month, and Genesee Regional Bank (GRB) is celebrating the vital role that community banks serve in the economic, civil, and cultural life of their communities. This commemorative month is a program of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). 

“It is GRB’s mission as a community bank to help grow Rochester business,” said Phil Pecora, GRB President & CEO. “With our stable assets and local decision making, we have the flexibility to find creative solutions to small businesses’ financing needs. Building deep-rooted relationships with clients by offering highly personalized service and local economic expertise is part of the unique banking experience we provide.”

Thanks to a stable regional economy and a local customer base well-known to lenders, regional commercial lending standards have stayed the course since the 2008 financial crisis, reports the Rochester Business Journal.

Dave Halladay, senior vice president and GRB's chief lending officer, is quoted extensively in the article. "Customers who put expansions on hold are now looking to grow." He adds that GRB is making loans in sectors from manufacturing to sevices.