NBT Bank was named 2015 Financial Institution of the Year at the 12th annual LPL Financial Institution Services Program Leadership Conference held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
NBT Bank was nominated by LPL growth consultants and selected from more than 750 financial institutions based on quantitative and qualitative factors, including year-over-year growth, thought leadership and innovation
The annual conference is one of the industry’s largest gatherings of financial institution investment program leaders, with more than 250 bank and credit union program managers and executives in attendance this year. The conference provided attendees with the opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities in today’s financial services environment and the importance of wealth management for the long-term growth of community banks and credit unions and to network with peers.
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The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association will be sponsoring a Networking Breakfast on Tuesday, May 17, from 7:30-8:30 a.m., hosted by Community Emergency Corps, 78 Thompson St. in Ballston Spa.
Community Emergency Corps, which celebrates 50 years of service in 2016, is a nonprofit, emergency medical service organization that serves the Village of Ballston Spa, the Town of Milton, part of the Town of Ballston. The breakfast falls will include a demonstration of life-saving equipment, as well as a discussion about the world of EMS.
Cost for the breakfast is $5 with advance reservation or $10 that morning, both payable at the door. Business and community members are welcome.
The BSBPA sponsors networking breakfasts every month at different locations in Ballston Spa. For more information or to RSVP, call 885-2772 or email info@ballston.org.
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Saratoga Casino Hotel announced the second national brand that will be featured inside its new hotel expansion. The new Perks Café will be proudly serving Starbucks coffee and signature drink items.
Perks Café, located in the hotel lobby next to Morton’s The Steakhouse, will also offer a menu with grab-and-go breakfast, salads, sandwiches, soup and a variety of fresh baked pastries and bread available seven days a week, said Tom Wiedmayer, general manager of Saratoga Casino and Raceway.
Set to open this summer, the casino’s $40 million hotel expansion will feature 117 rooms. Amenities include Morton’s The Steakhouse, a swimming pool with a spa whirlpool, an outdoor terrace, lobby bar and 3,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
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Saratoga Hospital is the only Capital Region facility to be recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Spine Surgery for meeting both quality and cost-effectiveness measures, Blue Cross officials said.
Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.
“As an objective indicator of quality, Blue Distinction gives our patients yet another reason to choose Saratoga Hospital,” said Mary Jo LaPosta, senior vice president of patient care and organizational excellence and chief nursing officer. “Blue Distinction affirms our commitment to provide the highest quality care and achieve the best possible outcomes–and that means a great deal to our patients and the Saratoga community.”
To earn Blue Distinction designation for a particular specialty, hospitals must demonstrate expertise that results in fewer patient complications and readmissions compared to other hospitals. Designated hospitals also must maintain national accreditation. Those recognized as Blue Distinction+ Centers meet national quality thresholds and are on average 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other hospitals.
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The Saratoga Women in Business (SWIB) group will hold its next bi-monthly meeting 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the Hall of Springs, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, in the Jazz Bar area.
The evening will be hosted by Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC).
SWIB targets female business leaders in the greater Saratoga Springs area and offers free bi-monthly fellowship opportunities. Wine and light snacks, sponsored by area businesses, will be provided and door prizes will also be awarded. Voluntary cash contributions will be collected at the door in order to help fund future SWIB events.
Every SWIB meeting includes a 5-minute presentation by a local woman-led nonprofit organization. The May spotlight will be on SPAC, which celebrates its 50th year this season.
To learn more about SWIB or to register for the May 25 event, visit their website at www.saratogawomeninbusiness.com. The registration deadline is Friday, May 20.
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On Saturday, May 14, the Saratoga National Historical Park will present a bike summit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Saratoga Battlefield, located between Route 4 and Route 32, just north of Stillwater.
May is National Bike Month. As part of the celebration, cyclists will be get free entrance to the park for the entire weekend. Saratoga NHP staff will join with LL Bean and local bike outfitters and bike clubs to help cyclists get themselves and their gear up to speed for spring and summer cycling.
Events will include bike tune-ups, helmet fittings, safety checks, and a five-mile ranger-guided bike tour of Saratoga Battlefield at 3 p.m.
Participants should dress for the weather, and bring lunch, snacks and water. Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended. Bike helmets are required.
Rain date is Sunday, May 15.
For more information call the Visitor Center at 670-2985 or visit www.nps.gov/sara. There are also Facebook and Twitter sites.
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Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. was recognized in March as a 5-Star Superior bank by BauerFinancial Inc., a bank rating and research firm. Saratoga National has earned the designation for the past 28 consecutive quarters.
To earn 5 Stars, banks must excel in areas of capital quality, asset quality and profitability, according to Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial.
Based in Coral Gables, Florida, BauerFinancial has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983.
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Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte CPAs, PC, was named a “Top Workplace” by the Times Union, for the fifth consecutive year.
It is one of nine companies to be a five-year winner. In order to be considered for the award, employees must nominate their employer and then complete work place satisfaction surveys.
Out of the 25 companies who were awarded a Top Workplace in the small employer category (99 or fewer employees), TBC was ranked in fourth place.
TBC has focused on serving local businesses since its formation in 1971. The Times Union began recognizing exceptional Capital Region employers in 2012, and TBC has been on the list since the beginning.
This year is TBC’s 45th anniversary. The firm now employs almost 90 full-time professionals, and the number grows with their seasonal employees as well.