New York

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. of Buffalo, N.Y., has shifted its small-business banking focus away from individual branches to a newly created business unit that will be solely dedicated to attracting and retaining small-business customers.

Provident New York Bancorp in Montebello said in a shelf registration that it may raise up to $75 million through the sale of various securities.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. expects to close 35 branches after it completes its acquisition of HSBC Holdings Plc's branches in mid-May.

Carver Bancorp Inc. in New York reported a loss of $700,000 for its fiscal third quarter, as the recapitalized company took steps to mark down its problems assets.

Evans Bancorp Inc. in Angola, N.Y., has reported that fourth-quarter income more than doubled from a year ago, to $1.3 million, due to higher net interest income and a lower provision for loan and lease losses.

Sterling Bancorp's fourth-quarter profit rose 51% from a year earlier, to 5.3 million, as loan volume and net interest income improved.

Dime Community Bancshares Inc. in Brooklyn, N.Y., said that fourth-quarter profit rose, despite a decline in net interest income, because of a lower loan-loss provision.

The Ithaca, N.Y., bank has been scouting for deals and said Thursday it has agreed to buy VIST Financial in southeastern Pennsylvania for $86 million in stock.

Suffolk Bancorp in Riverhead, N.Y., said late Wednesday that it has a new accounting firm.

Astoria Financial Corp. in Lake Success, N.Y., said late Wednesday that its fourth-quarter profits fell 50% from a year earlier, to $11.8 million, because of decreases in average interest-earning assets.

Tompkins Financial Corp. in Ithaca, N.Y., reported higher quarterly and annual earnings on Wednesday despite mounting pressure in its net interest margin.

New York Community Bancorp Inc. in Westbury, N.Y., reported Wednesday that fourth-quarter profits fell more than 21% from a year earlier, to $117.7 million, due largely to a decline in noninterest income.

Fueled by balance sheet growth, Signature Bank’s fourth-quarter profits rose 32% from a year earlier, to $40 million.

Community Bank System Inc. in Syracuse, N.Y., is planning to raise $50 million in a stock sale primarily to fund its acquisition of 19 upstate New York branches from rival First Niagara Financial Group Inc.

Provident Bank president and chief executive Jack Kopnisky wasted no time in making good on his promise to hire bankers away from his competitors.

Consolidation in the market has prompted Bridge to seek capital fast to fight back, the CEO says.

State Bancorp Inc. in Jericho, N.Y., said Wednesday that it redeemed $36.8 million of preferred stock issued to the Treasury Department as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Shareholders for Herald National Bank of New York have until Dec. 21 to decide how they want to get paid in the proposed merger with BankUnited Inc. of Miami Lakes, Fla.

Citigroup Inc. told regulators that 413 employees may be dismissed in locations across New York City as the firm starts 4,500 reductions announced last week.

Bridge Bancorp Inc. in Bridgehampton, N.Y., said late Monday that it will raise up to $10 million by selling common stock.