Welcome to the GRBblog! Get to know GRB, Rochester's only locally owned and managed commercial bank. A commercial bank, but also a community bank, with an entrepreneurial spirit about everything we do. We're committed to Growing Rochester Business and making our community a better place to live and work.
The GRBblog is where we post bank news and information, stories about the great organizations we support, and share relevant local and national business news.
New York State “Business Person of the Year” Steven Olschewski of The Clubhouse Fun Centers.
During National Small Business Week, we are thrilled to extend our sincere congratulations to Steven Olschewski, owner of Clubhouse Fun Centers in Greece and Henrietta. Mr. Olschewski was named U.S. Small Business Administration district and New York State “Business Person of the Year” during this year’s celebration of National Small Business Week. This is the first time in 25 years the SBA award has been received by a Rochester, N.Y. business.
County Executive Adam Bello, Congressman Joe Morelle, and Victoria Reynolds, SBA Deputy District Director, presented the award to Mr. Olschewski and his wife, Marsina. The award recognizes Mr. Olschewski’s perseverance during the pandemic and the subsequent recovery of his family fun center business. After purchasing the Greece location in 2018 with an SBA loan from GRB, Mr. Olschewski ended 2021 with both locations having their best year yet. Mr. Olschewski was nominated for the award by Lydia Birr, Sr. Economic Development Specialist with the Monroe County Economic Development Office.
“Small business owners like Steven are tough as nails. Their drive, determination and ability to take calculated risks while also tapping into a pool of resources available for help, build a better economy in Western New York and we salute them during National Small Business Week,” said SBA Buffalo District Director Franklin J. Sciortino. Congratulations, Steven and Marsina!
At GRB, we celebrate small business every day. We’re a small business and we are deeply engaged with the small business community here in the Greater Rochester region.
We know this community and understand its unique needs and opportunities. GRB has been the top U.S. Small Business Administration lender in Greater Rochester the last two years. We are proud of the hundreds of commercial clients whose innovative ideas and hard work fuel our local economy. We are grateful for their role in providing quality jobs and supporting charitable needs.
Entrepreneurship is the foundation of this community. We are proud to share the stories of some of our small business customers on our Customer Stories page.
Congratulations to our business owner clients and to all those who have had made the bold move to turn their vision into reality. To celebrate, we are offering a number of activities this week:
Check out our social media channels for small business facts. Please, feel free to share! #NSBW
Talk to your relationship manager about the latest GRB tools, products and services. We are happy to help you reduce costs, guard against fraud, and enhance your operations.
We are pleased to announce GRB has ranked no. 5 in the the medium employer (100-250) category for “Best Companies to Work For New York.” This is a significant achievement and we are incredibly proud of our employees for making GRB a great place to work and a great place to bank.
Awards for the “Best Companies” are based on feedback provided through employee surveys, which focus on:
Leadership & Planning
Corporate Culture & Communications
Role Satisfaction
Work Environment
Relationship with Supervisor
Training, Development & Resources
Pay & Benefits
The survey process is managed by Best Companies Group (BCG) and winners are published by New York State SHRM (NYS-SHRM).
This year marks the ninth time GRB has secured a spot on the Best Companies list.
The idea of “sustainability” is linked to a lot of local activities these days. We reuse and recycle products, make purchases at a local bakery, and choose to buy American-made products. We know this supports our national economy. In turn, there are plenty of reasons why eating, dining, and banking locally makes good economic sense. Community Banking Month is the perfect time to reflect on banking locally.
If you’ve ever wondered if it matters where you deposit your hard-earned money, let me assure you it does. Banking locally certainly supports small businesses. But that’s not its only contribution. As a locally owned and operated business, community banks are part of the economic engine that creates 62 percent of new jobs annually.
Community banks put people first
Community banks like GRB take in deposits and distribute loans that feed into a self-sustaining micro-economy. Our deposits and loans keep funds right here in Upstate New York. And the proceeds from those businesses employ residents, fund municipalities, and continue the cycle of locally based economic growth.
And if you need more proof, just consider the community bank response to the coronavirus pandemic. Community banks were the economic first responders. They made 60 percent of total Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses. During Community Banking Month, it’s important to note that as a group, community banks are:
The preferred small business lenders. Community banks maintain an 81 percent net satisfaction score. This compares to 68 percent for large banks and just 43 percent for online lenders.
Responsible for funding more than 60% of small business loans and more than 80% of agriculture loans.
Often operating in areas abandoned by others—serving as the only physical banking presence in nearly one in three U.S. counties.
Local benefits every day
But it is not just about stats. At GRB, our employees are empowered to find solutions to meet our customers’ goals. And when our employees log volunteer hours or when GRB contributes to local charitable organizations, we help ensure economic prosperity and quality of life.
April is Community Banking Month, and we thank our customers for putting their trust in us for their banking needs. For our neighbors who may be considering a switch, take a closer look at GRB. We pledge to never lose sight of the all-important “relationship” and the personalized service our customers expect. For more information, visit our Business Banking, Personal Banking and Home Mortgage pages.
Remember, we are all in this together. Community banks are only successful if our customers and communities are, too. We know what it takes to create successful local economies. Join us in helping to build a more sustainable, vibrant economy here at home! Bank local with GRB and celebrate Community Banking Month!
Follow our social channels for special Community Banking Month features throughout the month of April.
Financial advice is everywhere, but much of it falls into the realm of rumor, half-truth and speculation.
When talking about your finances, it helps to identify your goals and establish a plan that brings those goals closer to fruition. If you need help, look for qualified individuals (accountants, legal counsel, financial planners, etc.) to provide guidance. But in the end, the money is yours and you need to be comfortable with your plan.
Although financial decisions are not one-size-fits-all, there are some best practices. In honor of April Fool’s Day – and the beginning of U.S. National Financial Literacy Month – see if you can tell which of these statements are financial fact or a financial fool’s errand.
Fool. Saving is definitely a situation where every little bit counts. Saving just 15% of pretax income (including your employer’s contribution) can go a long way towards maintaining your lifestyle in retirement. Use the GRBbank Online Banking My Budget feature to track your monthly expenses and set savings goals.
Fact. A budget is the first step to financial success. Without a budget, spending can easily begin to outpace earning and leave the user in debt. A budget provides a benchmark that can be used for ongoing planning and to help meet financial goals. Check out the My Budget tool on GRBbank Online Banking.Add Accordion Item
Fool. While a good credit score does provide potential borrowers with more options, there are programs for credit-challenged individuals. Many lenders, like GRB, also provide credit repair services to help borrowers take the right actions to raise their credit score. While it still may require some time and patience, home ownership can still become a reality.
Fool. While easy and convenient, person-to-person payment apps have a couple of shortcomings. First, they are not insured. Financial institutions insure accountholders for up to $250,000. If the app goes down and your money disappears, there is no recourse. Apps also do not offer interest on the money left in user accounts. Look for high-yield accounts, like GRB’s Reward Checking account, and make your money really work for you.
Fool. Having a credit card and making timely payments can help build a favorable credit history. But carrying a balance is not part of that equation. A balance is considered revolving debt and factors in to your credit utilization, which can actually hurt your score., and make that interest work for you.
Fact. Why? Keeping a zero balance on a card improves your credit utilization ratio (revolving credit used divided by revolving credit available). As long as you aren’t being charged significant fees for the card, it may be more beneficial to keep it active.
Fool. Traditionally, home mortgages and student loans have the lowest interest rates and may even be tax deductible. Paying off higher-interest debt or even using that extra money to save for retirement is often more financially sound. Not sure? Talk to a financial planner or accountant.
How did you do? If you need some additional information, go to our Financial Wellness page for resources and tips for saving, credit repair, home buying, and more.
A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is one of the lowest-cost sources of funding available to homeowners. Unlike a loan, which provides a lump sum of funds and a fixed interest rate, a home equity line of credit is a revolving credit line. It allows the borrower to take out money against the credit line up to a preset limit, make payments, and then take money out again as needed. The rate is variable.
Despite some rumblings about increases, interest rates remain low. So securing a HELOC may be a good way for homeowners to reach other personal or financial goals. Homeowners regularly use them to:
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a HELOC is a good borrowing option. Think about how you will use the money, what might happen to interest rates, your long-term financial plans, and your tolerance for risk with a HELOC’s adjustable rates.
Stacey MichaelsWednesday, March 9, 2022GRB Mortgage
As a bank, GRB is able to work with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) to provide grant assistance to qualified first-time homebuyers. The Homebuyer Dream ProgramTM provides grants of up to $10,000 towards the purchase of a home in New York. This is a program that is only available to banks, mortgage brokers are not able to access grant funds for this program.
The FHLBNY uses an allotment program, providing lenders with a set amount of funding.
The program begins accepting applications for funds on March 21, 2022. The program ends on Nov. 30, 2022.
Have a household income at or below 80% of area median income (i.e., in Monroe and Onondaga county, 1 or 2 person households, up to $69,680. In households of more than 3 people, the maximum income level is now $80,132)
Complete an accredited homeownership course
Meet the income and credit requirements for the program
Have the minimum equity contribution of $1,000 toward purchase of the home
Remain in the home for five years or repay a portion of the grant funds back to FHLBNY
Important information
Up to $9,500 in grant funding is available to be applied to down payment and closing costs
Up to $500 in grant funding is available to offset the cost of the homeownership course
Please note, the information in this post refers to the 2022 HDP. The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York assesses the HDP on an annual basis and the program is subject to change. Please go to our Mortgage Loans page for more information on the HDP and other grant and lending options.
* Homebuyer Dream Program is a trademark of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.
** First-time homebuyer as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), is an individual who meets any of the following criteria:
An individual who has had no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of the purchase of the property. This includes a spouse (if meets the above test, they are considered first-time homebuyers).
A single parent who has only owned a principal residence with a former spouse while married.
Individual who is a displaced homemaker and has only owned a principal residence with a spouse.
An individual who has only owned a principal residence not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with applicable regulations.
An individual who has only owned a property that was not in compliance with state, local or modelbuilding codes and could not be brought into compliance for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has included cyber-attacks. In the wake of sanctions imposed by the U.S. and our allies throughout the world, every individual and organization should take additional steps to improve their cyber readiness and help mitigate the risk of a cybersecurity threat.
GRB’s Regulatory Compliance and Cyber Readiness
Protecting your information and accounts is a top priority at Genesee Regional Bank (GRB). The bank has 24/7/365 automated monitoring platforms to detect cyber threats. Our operations, risk management, and IT teams are all engaged in additional awareness and prevention activities. Management receives briefings regularly.
As a financial institution, GRB is regulated by both the New York State Department of Financial Services and The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). As such, both organizations require GRB to have policies and programs in place to mitigate risk as much as possible. GRB also complies with New York State’s Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies, one of the most comprehensive cybersecurity regulations in the country.
Additionally, we conduct external and internal penetration and social engineering tests and provide ongoing training to employees. We also consistently monitor communications and recommendations from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and take action as needed.
Consumer Cybersecurity Tips
In addition, we are asking all of our customers to be more aware of their cyber surroundings and take extra steps to protect their personal financial information.
Beware of phishing attacks from fraudulent not-for-profit organizations. Always make donations through established and reputable organizations.
Change and create more complex passwords for critical apps and systems.
Ensure your personal anti-virus and anti-malware programs are current.
If you haven’t set up automated notifications and alerts on your bank account(s), it would be a good time to enact those additional protections.
Avoid conducting banking and financial transactions on public WiFi.
Report any suspected fraudulent activities on your accounts immediately. If you believe you may have been the victim of fraud on your GRB account, you can call us or submit a report 24/7/365 to the Fraud Reporting page on our website.
We are proud to announce that GRB Founder and Chairman E. Philip Saunders and President and CEO Philip L. Pecora were both named to the Rochester Business Journal’s Power 100 List for 2022. The Power 100 recognizes community leaders making a positive impact on the Greater Rochester region.
President and CEO Philip L. Pecora
According to RBJ Associate Editor and Publisher Ben Jacobs, “As with last year, the mix of industries represented is no surprise.”
“The health care industry and the nonprofit sector, which are heavily intertwined in Rochester, played critical roles in helping our community get through two years of COVID-19 and many leaders from these areas appear on this list.
“Banking and finance, education, law, manufacturing, technology, and real estate and construction also have a significant presence here and in our local economy.”
Jacobs goes on to note, “We are optimistic that the people and organizations listed here will play a large role in helping Rochester continue to move forward and shape its ‘new normal.’”
Saunders and partner Dan Gullace founded GRB in 1996. Their goal was to re-establish a community bank presence and grow small business in the Rochester area. Since that time the bank has continued on a consistent growth path, increasing its assets more than ten-fold since 2003.
Under Pecora’s leadership, GRB spent the last two years focusing on bringing financial stability to small businesses and consumers. The bank supported the small business community during the Paycheck Protection Program. It also earned a spot as the top U.S. Small Business Administration lender in the Rochester region for the second year in a row.
We are proud of GRB’s community commitment and proud to have Saunders’ and Pecora’s efforts recognized as part of the Power 100.
This week is Identity Theft Awareness Week. Identity thieves have been busier than ever during the pandemic. Scammers are out to steal personal information and use it to apply for credit, unemployment benefits, file taxes, buy things, or get medical services – on your dime.
The FTC reports that the median amount of money lost to identity theft is $800. Unfortunately, 21% of identity victims reported losing more than $20,000 to identity thieves in 2020.
The Federal Trade Commission has assembled a number of resources to help consumers learn more about trending issues in identity theft and how to keep their information safe and secure.
Identity Theft Can Take a Number of Forms
Scammers continue to find new ways to find and use your personal information. The FTC has resources to help prevent specific types of identity theft:
Learn what child identity theft is and how to detect it. Find out ways to protect your child’s personal information and how to take action if someone steals your child’s identity.
Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of stolen personal information. Learn what they do and how to place them.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), identity theft can also be a serious threat to business, partnership, estate, and trust filers. Learn how to protect your business and employees from thieves trying to steal sensitive information. Once they have the information, they can use it to file a fraudulent tax return for a refund or to commit other crimes.
Need Help? Get a Personalized Plan from the FTC
The FTC also provides the www.IdentityTheft.gov website. The site offers consumers who are victims of identity theft with a way to report their issues and receive a personalized recovery plan.
We hope you’ll spend some time looking over the resources from the FTC and IRS. Take extra time to think about ways to secure personal and business data during Identity Theft Awareness Week.
