Banking on Our Community
Our region’s banks, insurance experts, credit unions, and financial professionals play a vital role in keeping our community strong. They’re more than the smiling faces behind the counter or the advisors behind the desk—they’re trusted partners in our financial journeys. From helping us save for life’s milestones to guiding us through major investments, they make it possible for individuals, families, and businesses to plan, grow, and dream bigger right here in the Mohawk Valley.
While national headlines often focus on mergers and branch closures, local institutions here continue to thrive—offering personalized service, meaningful community reinvestment, and innovative products that rival any big bank. Whether it’s a credit union sponsoring youth sports, a loan officer volunteering at a food pantry, or a CEO rolling up their sleeves to support a charity gala, these professionals remind us that banking here is personal.
This month, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the Mohawk Valley’s best financial institutions and leaders—those who not only manage assets, but also invest in the very heart of our community.
Spotlight: Adirondack Bank – 127 Years of Community Banking Excellence
For more than 127 years, Adirondack Bank has been woven into the financial fabric of Upstate New York—growing from a small two-branch savings association into a billion-dollar, full-service community bank serving five counties across the Mohawk Valley, Adirondack North Country, and Central New York.
Founded in 1898 as the Saranac Lake Savings and Loan Association, the bank began its transformation in 1990, when entrepreneur H.T. “Tom” Clark, Jr. purchased and rebranded it as Adirondack Bank. At the time, it held just $29 million in assets. Today, that figure has grown to approximately $1 billion, with 20 locations and about 200 employees—all while remaining locally owned and operated.
Local Leadership with Lasting Impact
Guided by President & CEO Rocco F. Arcuri, Sr. since 2013, Adirondack Bank blends relationship-focused service with forward-thinking technology. Arcuri’s four decades in financial services, combined with his deep ties to regional economic development, healthcare, and education, keep the bank rooted in the values that matter most to the communities it serves.
“Adirondack Bank’s success is built on its foundation of trust and strong community relationships,” says Arcuri. “We understand that our customers are our neighbors, local businesses, and partners in building thriving communities. Our focus is to continue to provide the very best solutions, combined with the personalized service and local decision-making that only a true community bank can provide.”
Alongside him is Robert B. Clark, Executive Chairman of the Board, who stepped into the role in 2024 following more than two decades with the bank. Carrying on his family’s legacy, Clark focuses on strategic growth, innovation, and preserving Adirondack Bank’s community-first mission.
“Adirondack Bank has grown by staying true to its community-first mission,” says Clark. “I’m proud to carry on my father’s legacy by ensuring we continue to offer personalized financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of our local customers. As we move forward, we’re focused on fostering sustainable growth, embracing new technology, and deepening our impact in the communities we serve because we believe a strong bank can help build stronger neighbors.”
A True Community Partner
What sets Adirondack Bank apart is its commitment to local decision-making and economic reinvestment. The bank donates roughly 8% of its net income annually to local causes, supports over $160 million in community economic impact each year, and has earned national recognition for its strength and stability. Adirondack Bank has appeared on BauerFinancial’s Most Recommended Banking List for an impressive 74 consecutive quarters, and in the past six consecutive quarters has also received BauerFinancial’s coveted 5-Star Superior Rating.
Local Roots, Full-Service Reach
Adirondack Bank is proudly locally owned and operated, yet offers the full-service capabilities and competitive products you’d expect from a modern financial institution. Customers get the best of both worlds: world-class financial tools and the personal touch of a community bank that knows them by name.
Invested in Your Success
Whether it’s helping a young adult open their first checking account, guiding a family through a home purchase, or supporting a business expansion, Adirondack Bank is all in on helping its customers succeed. Here, customers aren’t just account numbers—they’re neighbors, friends, and partners in building stronger communities.
Values You Can Count On
Every decision and interaction is grounded in the bank’s core values:
- Respect – Embracing differences and treating everyone with professionalism and kindness.
Integrity – Always doing what is right.
Generosity – Giving back through both financial contributions and hands-on volunteerism.
Helpfulness – Going the extra mile for customers and colleagues alike.
Teamwork – Collaborating across departments to deliver the best possible service.
Expert Tip
When choosing a bank, look beyond just rates and fees. While national banks may have more locations, they may not be the best fit for your needs or your community. Community banks like Adirondack Bank bring something extra to the table: local decision-making, personalized relationships, and a commitment to reinvesting in the neighborhoods they serve. Every charitable dollar stays here at home, and employees are active in the community—volunteering, mentoring, and supporting local causes—because banking here is about more than transactions; it’s about building a stronger Mohawk Valley together.
Looking Ahead
In the next decade, Adirondack Bank will remain exactly what its customers value most, a locally based community bank that knows their names, understands their needs, and invests where it matters most. The team will continue serving retail, business, and municipal customers with the same relationship-focused approach that has defined the bank for more than a century, while embracing emerging technologies, expanding competitive products, and staying ahead of evolving customer preferences to make banking easier, faster, and more connected than ever before.
But no matter how banking changes, one thing will stay the same: Adirondack Bank’s deep commitment to the communities it calls home. With roughly 8% of net income given annually to local causes and thousands of volunteer hours contributed by its employees, the bank will continue to champion the organizations, events, and initiatives that strengthen the Mohawk Valley and beyond. From boardrooms to ballfields, from sponsorships to hands-on service, Adirondack Bank’s future is about more than financial growth—it’s about building stronger communities, one relationship at a time.
