New York

Community Bank System Inc. in DeWitt, N.Y., said Monday that it has received shareholder and regulatory approval to acquire Wilber Corp.

Chemung Financial Corp. in Elmira, N.Y., has cleared one of the final hurdles in its bid to buy Fort Orange Financial Corp. in Albany, N.Y.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. in Buffalo, N.Y., said it has hired a former Ally Financial Inc. executive as its chief financial officer.

The $958.3 million-asset company named Bruce Boyea a director. Boyea is the chairman, president and chief executive of Security Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York.

Financial Institutions Inc. in Warsaw, N.Y., plans to raise $40 million of fresh capital through a public stock offering.

Sterling Bancorp in New York City said Friday that it plans to sell $33.6 million of common stock in a public offering.

Hudson Valley Holding Corp. in Yonkers, N.Y., said the chief of staff for former New York Gov. George Pataki has joined its board.

Carver Bancorp Inc. in New York said Monday that one of its units has received $25 million in tax credits to spur investments in low-income communities.

Alma Bank in Astoria, N.Y., said Friday that George Katsiaunis will become its president. Katsiaunis is to succeed Luis Rebatta, who has been president of the $497.2 million-asset bank since it opened in 2007.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union has started an interactive marketing campaign that tells people, "It's time to give your bank a pink slip."

Carver Bancorp Inc. in New York is trying to raise its capital levels after receiving a cease-and-desist order from its regulator.

Bridge Bancorp in Bridgehampton, N.Y., said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy Hamptons State Bank of Southampton, N.Y., for $6.3 million.

For all the excitement generated by mergers and acquisitions across the Northeast, there is little else in the region to arouse bankers' enthusiasm.

First of Long Island Corp. in Glen Head, N.Y., said Monday that 2010 earnings increased 36.6%, to $18.4 million. The $1.7 billion-asset company also said earnings per share increased 25% for the year, to $2.30 from $1.84 in 2009.

Sterling Bancorp in New York said its net income grew 75% in the fourth quarter, from a year earlier, as noninterest income grew and credit costs declined.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. in Buffalo reported a 58.8% increase in fourth-quarter net income Thursday. The $21 billion-asset company said its profit rose by $17 million from a year earlier, to $45.9 million, or 22 cents a share.

Astoria Financial Corp. in Lake Success, N.Y., has announced that its chief executive officer will retire at midyear.

Signature Bank in New York said Tuesday that it had earned $30.3 million in the fourth quarter, up 44% from a year earlier.

The Federal Reserve Board said Thursday it reached a written agreement with Intervest Bancshares Corp. of New York.

Suffolk Bancorp in Riverhead, N.Y., on Tuesday reported lower quarterly earnings as credit costs stayed high. The $1.62 billion-asset company's said fourth-quarter earnings fell 22.2% from a year earlier, to $4 million, or 41 cents a share.