As Tax Day Approaches, Bankers Urge New Yorkers to Review Their Finances & Update Their Planning

ALBANY, NY (03/25/2008)(readMedia)-- As Tax Day – April 15 – approaches, there is no better time for New Yorkers to take a close look at their personal finances, according to Michael P. Smith, President and CEO of the New York Bankers Association, and Melinda Sartori, NYBA Trust Marketing Committee chair and Executive Vice President of Chemung Canal Trust Company (Elmira). And there is no better time for the media to help educate their readers and viewers about long-term financial planning issues.

“In the weeks leading up to April 15, that most infamous day of the year, millions of New Yorkers will be giving close scrutiny to their personal finances. There is no better time for people to reexamine, or look for the first time at their long-term financial issues,” Smith said. “People look at the year past and the taxes they owe – or if they are lucking enough to get a refund – but it is an ideal time to also look to the future and do financial planning.”

Smith reminded all media news outlets – television, radio, newspapers, magazines, websites and blogs – that in times of economic uncertainty, stories that remind their viewers, listeners and readers to examine their personal and family financial planning issues are an important service for their audience.

“We know that this is a time when families all across the state are pulling out their financial records and we urge them to keep them out and think about long range financial planning issues – trusts, estate planning, tax planning, insurance, long term care for loved ones, educational goals for children and grand children. These are crucial issues that all too often get put off till tomorrow. We urge people – and the media – to realize that tomorrow is here and now is the time to look into these issues,” Sartori said.

NYBA recently updated its media resource guide entitled, “Financial Planning Professionals: Leaders In Their Field.” It is a resource for members of the media who need background information and/or on-the-record analysis of issues such as trusts and estates, financial planning, retirement planning, wealth management, tax planning, and elder law.

“The individuals listed in the resource guide – from every corner of New York State – are leaders in their field,” Sartori said. “They are available to talk to members of the media on the record or for background and can provide the analysis and expertise journalists seek when presenting stories on estate, tax or financial planning, trusts or other important financial issues.”

A copy of the resource guide can be found online at the New York Bankers Association website (www.nyba.com), or by clicking http://www.nyba.com/press/TrustMediaKitOctober%2007.pdf. Please feel free to contact the financial planning experts listed in the resource guide at your convenience.

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