Furthering its commitment to community development, Tompkins Community Bank (Tompkins) has appointed Christian Yunker to its Community Bank Board for Tompkins Western New York. Yunker brings an extensive background in agriculture and economics to his new role. Before returning to his family’s business in 2008, Yunker served as a credit officer and relationship manager at Farm Credit East; currently, he is the managing partner of CY Farms, Batavia Turf, CY Heifer Farm and CY Properties, all operated out of Elba.
“Christian’s agricultural and economic expertise, in addition to his background in public service, will be an asset to our Board,” said Diane Torcello, president, Tompkins Western New York Market. “His knowledge of the area and extensive network will also benefit our board as we continue to expand how we support the communities we serve.”
A dedicated member of the community, Yunker is heavily involved in the Genesee County Legislature. He is a member of several committees, sharing his expertise on agricultural and rural affairs, public service, ag and farmland protection, soil and water conservation and more; Yunker is also a member of the Genesee Association of Municipalities Committee. Most recently, Yunker volunteered as president of the Genesee County Farm Bureau. A graduate of Cornell University, Yunker resides in Elba with his wife and three daughters.
In an expansion of its team and its offerings, Tompkins Community Bank (Tompkins) has appointed Rijad Karabegovic to commercial cash management group leader and Chris McCormick to commercial relationship manager. Karabegovic will execute strategies that work to ensure Tompkins’ cash management products and services continue to meet clients’ evolving needs, while delivering world-class service to this important client base; McCormick will be responsible for business development across the Rochester region, strategically fostering new commercial banking relationships.
Bringing more than 20 years of industry expertise to his new role, Karabegovic will lead Tompkins’ commercial cash management group under President of Tompkins Community Bank, John McKenna. Previously, Karabegovic served as manager of commercial deposits, payments and cash management at ESL Federal Credit Union; before that, he worked as a senior vice president at HSBC Bank/HSBC Securities in Rochester. Committed to giving back to his community, Karabegovic is a board member and treasurer for The Monroe Plan for Medical Care and YourCare Health Plan, two New York-based not-for-profits.
McCormick comes to Tompkins with over 13 years of experience in the banking and finance industry. Chris is an accomplished banking professional who prioritizes assisting his clients in the growth and success of their business enterprises by serving as a strong and collaborative partner. He has assisted business entities of varying sizes in a wide range of industries and at each stage of development. With his expertise in commercial lending, credit analysis and treasury management, he’s able to advise and provide financial solutions to businesses to best meet their specific needs. McCormick holds a master's in business administration from the University of Charleston, WV.
“A comprehensive approach to cash management and a strong commercial lending team are essential for Tompkins to contribute to our customers’ success and drive our growth as a company,” said President, Tompkins Community Bank, John McKenna. “The skills and expertise Rijad and Chris bring to their new roles will only enhance the already robust commercial banking team Tompkins has dedicated to the Rochester area.”
The addition of McCormick completes the growth of the Rochester Commercial Banking Team, enhancing client experience and services. The full team is comprised of:
Don Cortina, Rochester Region Commercial Banking Leader
Chris McCormick, Commercial Relationship Manager
Brett Owen, Commercial Relationship Manager
Scott Pittinaro, Commercial Relationship Manager
Karabegovic will lead the Tompkins’ Commercial Cash Management Group across Tompkins enterprise, including supporting the Rochester Commercial Banking Team’s efforts locally in Rochester, where Karabegovic will be based.
As part of the expansion of its mortgage originations team, Tompkins Community Bank (Tompkins) has appointed Marie Hensley as residential mortgage originator for Tompkins’ Western New York market. Hensley, bringing 18 years of experience in mortgage lending, will help Tompkins’ clients navigate the homeownership journey, whether it be home purchases or refinances.
“As a community bank, we are constantly searching for ways to better serve our clients,” said Stacy Merrill, senior vice president, residential mortgage lending manager. “We are confident that Marie’s dedication to customer service and extensive experience within banking and specifically dealing with mortgage will be an asset to our team.”
A graduate of the University of Buffalo, Hensley has held roles at Community Bank, NA and Five Star Bank before joining Tompkins. In addition, Hensley has volunteered her time across a number of organizations including, the Brockport Rotary, Pathstone and the Urban League of Rochester. She currently resides in Rochester, New York.
Photo of Joseph Fruscione. Courtesy of Tompkins Community Bank.
Demonstrating its commitment to strengthening commercial lending services, Tompkins Community Bank (Tompkins) has appointed Joseph Fruscione as vice president and commercial banking relationship manager.
Before joining Tompkins, Fruscione was a senior business banking relationship manager at Northwest Bank.
Bringing 25 years of banking and financial industry expertise to his new role, Fruscione will oversee an expanded commercial lending team responsible for business development across the Buffalo region while strategically fostering new business relationships, including lending and deposits.
“Joe’s extensive leadership capabilities, particularly cultivating employee engagement, will add another layer of depth to our commercial lending team,” said Sean Quinn, commercial banking regional manager at Tompkins. “We look forward to seeing him expand our impact across Tompkins’ Buffalo-based markets.”
A graduate of Niagara University, Fruscione holds an Executive Leadership Professional Development Training Certification from Furman University. He resides in Orchard Park, New York, with his wife and two children.
Demonstrating its commitment to fostering internal growth, Tompkins Community Bank (Tompkins) has promoted Stacie Mastin to senior vice president, director of human resources. Bringing nearly three decades of financial and banking industry experience to her new role, Mastin will align human resources practices with the organization’s overall goals, while also providing guidance and support to employees. She succeeds Bonita Lindberg, who retired from the role this May.
“Throughout her 16 years at Tompkins, Stacie has consistently demonstrated her commitment to our employee's well-being, and the company’s overall goals,” said Steve Romaine, president and CEO, Tompkins Financial. “Stacie has shown an impressive ability to enrich our corporate culture and we look forward to her bringing that talent to her new role.”
Previously, Mastin served as vice president, manager of human resources, at Tompkins; during this time, she led several strategic initiatives that created a welcoming environment in which employees, and clients, felt valued. In addition, Mastin previously served as a Wealth Advisor with our partners at Tompkins Financial Advisors. A graduate of Post University with a bachelor's degree in human services and a concentration in human resources management, Mastin worked as a multi-site branch manager at M&T Bank before joining Tompkins in 2008. Currently, she serves as the president of The Society for Human Resource Management of Tompkins County (SHRMTC) and is a former community fund committee member of United Way.
Today, Mastin resides in Lansing, New York with her husband Greg and their son.
An expansion of its commercial lending services, Tompkins Community Bank (Tompkins) has welcomed Don Cortina as senior vice president and commercial banking regional manager. Before joining Tompkins, Cortina worked as a senior relationship manager, global and commercial banking, at Bank of America.
Bringing over 20 years of banking and financial experience to his new role, Cortina will oversee the commercial lending team across Monroe County, focused on developing and expanding new client relationships, while strategically working to enhance commercial services for Tompkins’ business clients.
“Don’s extensive industry knowledge and experience, particularly in terms of new business development, will be an asset to our organization, and our clients,” said Steven Beardsley, SVP and commercial lending division manager at Tompkins. “We look forward to seeing Don strengthen the capabilities of our commercial lending team and further expand Tompkins’ impact in Monroe County.”
A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, Cortina is a seasoned veteran of the banking and financial industry, having previously held roles at KeyBank, Five Star Bank, M&T Bank, and JP Morgan Chase, in addition to his recent leadership role at Bank of America. Cortina sits on the Junior Achievement of Central New York’s Board of Directors and resides in Fairport, New York, with his wife, and two children.
An expansion of its small business lending (SBL) team, Tompkins Community Bank has appointed Todd Ferrara to a newly created role, SBL business line manager. Ferrara will oversee Tompkins’ SBL underwriters, lending assistants, and market-based managers across New York and Pennsylvania, working to drive growth among target segments while delivering a top-notch customer experience.
“Small Business Lending is an area that is critical to the success of Tompkins and our local communities. We are focused on delivering high-quality products and experiences to the small business customers we serve,” said Thomas Evans, enterprise credit administration officer at Tompkins. “As part of fulfilling that mission, establishing a dedicated leadership position and filling it with a high-caliber individual is a critical step. Todd is a demonstrated leader with proven capabilities in this regard. It is with high conviction that we put Todd in this position and look forward to him delivering for Tompkins and our customers.”
Previously, Ferrara served as the business development officer for Tompkins’ Philadelphia footprint. A 25-year veteran of the banking industry, Ferrara has ample experience leading teams in small business and cash management.
“Todd joined Tompkins just over a year ago and has since established himself as a dynamic, capable leader,” said Ginger Kunkel, president of Tompkins’ Pennsylvania market. “His dedication to a supportive and collaborative work environment embodies the values that Tompkins holds paramount and we all look forward to watching Todd grow in this new role.”
A graduate of Juniata College, Ferrara currently serves as board secretary for the Boys and Girls Club of Chester, Pennsylvania, a position he has held for the past three years. He and his family are also longtime supporters of Speranza Animal Rescue and have fostered and rescued several from the organization. He lives in Royersford, Pennsylvania with his wife, Jill, and is father to one daughter and two stepchildren.
If buying a home for the first time is a goal for 2024, take note. Tompkins Community Bank recently announced its participation in the 2024 Homebuyer Dream Program (HDP). The program, offered through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY), provides up to $20,000 in assistance for eligible first-time homebuyers with the purchase of their first home.
“As a community bank, helping people thrive in the areas that we serve is at the heart of everything we do,” said Stacy Merrill, Vice President, Residential Mortgage Lending Manager. “Purchasing a home is a big personal milestone and one with several benefits, including wealth accumulation and stability. It is our honor to be a part of that process. The Homebuyer Dream Program can help to improve access to homeownership opportunities and remove potential hurdles with down payment & closing cost assistance.”
To apply for the HDP, borrowers must be in good standing with the FHLBNY, be a first-time homebuyer, and have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for the county in which the home will be purchased. Additionally, awardees will need to complete a homeownership counseling program. Tompkins is proud to assist our customers as they move through the application process.
To learn more about this opportunity, visit your nearest Tompkins Community Bank and connect with one of our mortgage consultants (www.tompkinsbank.com). Applications are now open through August 30, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.
An expansion of its commercial banking team, Tompkins Community Bank has appointed Sean Quinn as regional manager, of commercial banking. With 23 years of experience in the banking industry, Quinn most recently served as the senior vice president and relationship manager at M&T Bank. In his new role, Quinn will oversee Tompkins’ present and prospective banking relationships within the Buffalo market.
“Sean’s dedication to enhancing customers’ experience is reflective of our mission as a community bank,” said Diane Torcello, president of Tompkins’ Western New York market. “We are confident that his industry experience and strong leadership abilities will be an asset to our Buffalo team, for both Sean’s colleagues and clients.”
Quinn holds degrees in finance and management from SUNY Fredonia and St. Bonaventure University. He resides in Hamburg, New York with his wife and three children.
In a celebration of professional growth, Tompkins Community Bank has announced the promotion of Laura Geary to vice president, community banking division manager. A 30-year veteran of the banking industry, Geary will be responsible for overseeing the operations and strategies of 16 retail branches throughout Western New York (WNY), ensuring that the needs of customers in the community are met.
“During her 17 years at Tompkins, Laura has been instrumental in the continued development of our employees and the experience they provide to our customers,” said Diane Torcello, president of Tompkins’ WNY market. “Her strategic thinking is an asset to our clients and the community at large, and we can’t wait to see her continued positive impact in this new role.”
A graduate of SUNY Fredonia, Geary previously served as the training and retail banking manager at Five Star Bank before joining Tompkins in 2006. Most recently, Geary served in the role of vice president, organizational development manager at Tompkins. An active member of her community in Piffard, New York, Geary serves as vice president of the York Central School Board, Secretary of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance, and is a volunteer for Odyssey of the Mind.
Tompkins Community Bank announced that Diane Torcello has been promoted to president of the bank’s Western New York (WNY) market. Previously, Torcello served as senior vice president and community banking manager. In her new role, she is responsible for the bank’s growth, community and client engagement and stakeholder relations throughout its Western New York market as well as fostering relationships with clients of Tompkins insurance and wealth affiliates.
“Diane has a proven record of leadership expertise and excellence as a community banker throughout the region, from Rochester to Batavia to Buffalo and their surrounding communities,” said John McKenna, president of Tompkins Community Bank. “Having witnessed first-hand her dedication over the past ten years, I know that her vast knowledge of financial services and commitment to collaboration makes her the ideal leader to build on our success in Western New York.”
A veteran of the banking industry, Torcello is well-known throughout the community for her expertise in retail, commercial, operations, and branch management. She began her career as a teller at The Pavilion State Bank and steadily rose through the company’s ranks into the position of commercial lender.
Torcello began her 18-year tenure with Tompkins as vice president and branch manager before being elevated to senior vice president and community banking manager in 2013, a position she has held for the past decade. In this role, Diane is responsible for the leadership of all staff and operations of the Western New York branch network, as well as the direct involvement and management of the largest deposit relationships. She also interacts routinely with the Tompkins WNY bank board on business development and strategy.
Most recently, Torcello was named one of the Rochester Business Journal’s Women of Excellence in the publication’s 2023 awards announcement. She is also a past recipient of the Women in Business Award from the Batavia Daily News and the 40 Under 40 from Buffalo News.
“Diane’s impact on both the Tompkins community and the community at large has been immeasurable over her remarkable career,” said Jim Fulmer, board chair of Tompkins Community Bank. “Her dedication to the professional growth of her team, and the economic health of her community, is emblematic of our mission to its core.”
Active in the community, Torcello has served as a board member and volunteer for several nonprofit organizations throughout her career, including the Genesee County Chamber Business Development Committee, Mary Immaculate Finance Committee, Children’s Home Committee, United Way, St. Mary’s Parish Council and Junior Achievement. She has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Genesee Community College for 14 years, including two as Chair. An upcoming graduate of Roberts Wesleyan University, Torcello resides in Pavilion with her husband, Ralph, although is frequently in Rochester and Buffalo visiting her two sons and their families.
In its ongoing dedication to bettering the communities it serves, this Thanksgiving Tompkins Community Bank gifted a total of $15,000 to local nonprofits across western New York in celebration of its annual “Banksgiving” holiday donation. This year, Tompkins’ Banksgiving featured $1,000 donations to nonprofits whose focus is food insecurity and local to each of its fifteen branches across Erie, Cattaraugus, Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming, Monroe and Orleans counties. This is the third year Tompkins has supported local nonprofits through the Banksgiving program.
“The holiday season can prove to be a difficult time of year for many folks, and even more so as we continue to encounter aftereffects of the pandemic as well as rising costs of goods,” said John McKenna, president of Tompkins’ Western New York market. “It’s our hope that these gifts will make a meaningful difference in all of these communities, because we’re a part of those communities, too.”
The Banksgiving donations round out a year of community-focused initiatives for Tompkins. Throughout 2022, the bank has continued to offer free, virtual seminars on topics ranging from first-time homebuying to fraud protection, as a means of cultivating financial education and independence in the communities we serve.
“Giving back and supporting the communities serve is central to our mission as a community bank,” continued McKenna. “We have the unique privilege of seeing the impact of our actions first hand, as our employees also live and work in these communities as well. Our efforts are inextricably linked to the community’s well-being, and this is what inspires us to continue evolving to meet the needs of the counties we serve.
Submitted photo: Mickey Hyde (Tompkins in Le Roy), Judy Ridley (LeRoy Food Pantry), and Wendy Holmes (Tompkins).
