New York Bankers Association Names 2011 Officers

NEW YORK, NY (02/10/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York Bankers Association (NYBA) today announced the election of its new officers for 2011. John R. Buran, President & CEO of Flushing Financial Corporation (Lake Success), parent of Flushing Savings Bank, FSB and Flushing Commercial Bank, has been elected Chairman of NYBA for 2011.

Martin A. Dietrich, President & CEO of NBT Bancorp Inc. (Norwich), was elected Vice Chairman, and Gail E. Cohen, Vice Chairman and General Trust Counsel of Fiduciary Trust Company International (New York City) was elected NYBA Treasurer and Chairman of the New Century Investment Fund. The new officers were elected at NYBA's Annual Meeting and Legislative Conference in Albany this week.

"As New York State continues to emerge from the recession, the banking industry looks forward to playing a vital role in helping our state's economy to strengthen and grow. While the banking industry – as well as other financial services companies – faces many challenges from Albany, Washington and the global economy, we are committed to serving our millions of personal and business customers located in every city, county and hamlet of the Empire State," said Mr. Buran. "I am honored to serve as Chairman of NYBA this year."

Mr. Buran has been President & CEO of Flushing Financial Corp. since 2005. A banker for nearly three decades, Mr. Buran has held a variety of different responsibilities at several banks, including Citibank, NatWest Bank, Fleet Bank, and Carver Bank. He currently serves as a Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. He also currently or has previously served as a board member of numerous charitable and not-for-profit organizations on Long Island and in New York City.

Mr. Dietrich began his career at NBT Bank in 1981. He became president and chief operating officer of NBT Bank in 2000 and advanced to the position of chief executive officer in 2004. His current duties as NBT Bancorp president and chief executive officer were added in 2006. A Norwich native, Mr. Dietrich is involved in a number of professional and community organizations, including serving on the boards of Chenango Memorial Hospital and United Health Services.

"I am looking forward to working with my fellow bankers on issues that affect the business of banking and the economic health of the State of New York. We are also, as an industry, eager to play a role in the revitalization of the State," said Martin Dietrich.

Ms. Cohen joined Fiduciary Trust in 1994 and has more than 30 years of experience in the area of trusts and estates. In addition to her roles as Vice Chairman and General Trust Counsel at the New York City headquartered wealth management firm, she is also a member of Fiduciary Trust's Board of Directors. Ms. Cohen, following the traditional path from Treasurer to Vice Chairman, will likely become the first woman chairman in NYBA's 117-year history.

"Given the special concerns of the State's trust industry, I am especially pleased to be helping to lead the banking industry's goal of strengthening the trust industry in New York and attracting new business," said Gail Cohen.

NYBA is the primary banking trade group in New York State, representing independent, community, regional, and money center commercial banks and thrift institutions operating across New York State. NYBA members have aggregate assets in excess of $9 trillion and more than 250,000 New York employees.

"NYBA will certainly benefit from the leadership, experience and vision of John Buran, Marty Dietrich and Gail Cohen. They bring a diverse array of talents, expertise and knowledge of all facets of the banking industry. I look forward to working with them and all NYBA members – who unanimously elected our 2011 leadership team – to strengthen our industry and continue to collectively serve New Yorkers," said NYBA President & CEO Michael P. Smith.

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