First Niagara and New Haven, Conn.-based NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:NAL) announced that they will combine in a cash and stock transaction worth $1.5 billion. NewAlliance shareholders will receive 1.10 shares of First Niagara stock for each NewAlliance share they own.

The company released its 2010 Closing Costs Survey on Monday. The survey found that New York led the nation with average origination and closing costs of more than $5,600. Arkansas was the least expensive area with average fees of more than $3,000.

Home Funding Finders, which also has an office in Syracuse, will become a subsidiary of SEFCU when the transaction closes Sept. 1. Terms were not disclosed.

The reason is unclear

ONEONTA — Douglas C. Gulotty has left Wilber Corp. (NYSE Amex: GIW), where he served for 25 years, most recently as president and CEO.

Wilber announced the news Aug. 6 but did not say if Gulotty retired or left the company for some other reason. Gulotty, whose Facebook profile lists his current occupation as "self employed," could not immediately be reached for comment.

ROME - Rome Savings Bank gave Charles Sprock a summer job in 1960.

In June, Sprock will celebrate his 49th year with the company - the last 29 of them as president and CEO.

"The summer job grew into an i

Since 2004, identity theft has victimized over 27 million Americans or one-tenth of the total U.S. population, according to Credit Union Magazine. Of that 27 million, almost 10 million Americans were victimized in 2008 alone.