TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUSTCO INC
PRE 14A, 1999-03-19
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                         TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUSTCO, INC.


                                                                  March 29, 1999

                                  PRELIMINARY
                 NOTICE OF 1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUSTCO, INC.

     The Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  (the  "Meeting")  of Tompkins  County
Trustco, Inc. (the "Company") will be held on Wednesday,  April 28, 1999 at 7:30
p.m.,  in the  ballroom,  Clarion  University  Hotel &  Conference  Center,  One
Sheraton Drive, Ithaca, New York, for the following purposes:

1.   To elect four (4) Directors for a term of three years  expiring in the year
     2002 and one (1) Director for a term of one year expiring in the year 2000;
2.   To  approve   the   proposal   to  change  the  name  of  the   Company  to
     TompkinsTrustco, Inc.;
3.   To increase the number of authorized  shares of the Company's  common stock
     from 7,500,000 shares to 15,000,000 shares, and
4.   To transact such other  business as may properly come before the Meeting or
     any adjournment thereof.

     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 15, 1999 as
the record date for determining  stockholders  entitled to notice of and to vote
at the  Meeting.  Only  stockholders  of record at the close of business on that
date are entitled to vote at the Meeting.

    Enclosed with this notice are the attached proxy statement, a proxy card and
return envelope, and our 1998 Annual Report.

    Your vote is important  regardless  of the number of shares you own. WE URGE
YOU TO READ AND  CAREFULLY  CONSIDER THE ATTACHED  PROXY  STATEMENT AND TO MARK,
SIGN,  DATE, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WITHOUT DELAY WHETHER OR NOT YOU
PLAN TO ATTEND  THE  MEETING.  A  self-addressed  postage  prepaid  envelope  is
enclosed for your  convenience.  You may vote  personally  on each matter at the
Meeting even though you have returned the proxy card.


By Order of the Board of Directors,



James J. Byrnes, Chairman,                  John E. Butler
President & Chief Executive Officer         Vice President & Corporate Secretary

<PAGE>
                          TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUSTCO, INC.

                                   PRELIMINARY
                                 PROXY STATEMENT
            ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 28, 1999

     This Proxy  Statement is being mailed to stockholders on or about March 29,
1999 in connection  with the  solicitation by the Board of Directors of TOMPKINS
COUNTY TRUSTCO, INC. (the "Company") of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders  (the "Meeting") of the Company to be held Wednesday,  April 28,
1999 and any adjournment thereof.

VOTING

     Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 1999 will
be entitled to vote. On March 15, 1999,  there were  4,857,984  shares of Common
Stock  of  the  Company,  par  value  $0.10  per  share  (the  "Common  Stock"),
outstanding.  Unless  otherwise  noted,  all  share  numbers  and  share  prices
reflected in this Proxy  Statement have been adjusted to reflect a 3-for-2 stock
split effective  March 15, 1998 (the "Stock Split").  Each share of Common Stock
is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the Meeting.

     Shares covered by any proxy that is properly executed and received prior to
the  close of  business  on the day of the  Meeting  will be voted  and,  if the
stockholder  who executes such proxy shall specify therein how such shares shall
be voted on such proposals,  the shares will be voted as so specified.  Executed
proxies  with no  instructions  will be voted "FOR" each  proposal  for which no
instruction is given. It is not  anticipated  that any matters other than as set
forth in the Notice of Annual  Meeting will be brought  before the Meeting,  but
the persons named in the accompanying  proxy will vote the shares represented by
all  properly  executed  proxies on any such  matters  that may come  before the
Meeting in such manner as shall be  determined  by the  majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company.

     The presence of a stockholder at the Meeting will not automatically  revoke
the stockholder's proxy. A stockholder may, however,  revoke a proxy at any time
prior to its exercise by: (1)  delivering to the  Corporate  Secretary a written
notice of  revocation  prior to the Meeting,  (2)  delivering  to the  Corporate
Secretary a duly  executed  proxy  bearing a later date,  or (3)  attending  the
Meeting and filing a written  revocation  with the  Corporate  Secretary  at the
Meeting prior to the vote and voting in person.

     The  presence,  in person or by proxy,  of at least a majority of the total
number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  and entitled to vote is necessary
to  constitute a quorum for the conduct of business,  and in the event there are
not  sufficient  votes on any matter,  the Meeting may be  adjourned.  Directors
shall be  elected  by a  plurality  of the  eligible  votes  cast and such other
business,  whether or not set forth in this Proxy Statement as may properly come
before the Meeting, will be determined by a majority of the eligible votes cast.
Abstentions, in person or by proxy, and broker non-votes shall be counted toward
a quorum,  but abstentions and broker  non-votes are not deemed to be votes cast
and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote, which requires either a
plurality or majority of the "votes cast,"  depending  upon the proposal.  Votes
withheld in  connection  with the  election of one or more of the  nominees  for
director  will not be counted as votes cast.  Accordingly,  votes  withheld will
have a negative impact on the outcome of the vote.

     The proposed  amendments to the Certificate of  Incorporation  changing the
name of the Company to  Tompkins  Trustco,  Inc.  and  increasing  the number of
authorized  shares  from  7,500,000  to  15,000,000,  which are the other  items
proposed for  consideration  and voting as set forth in the  attached  Notice of
Annual Meeting of Shareholders,  each require the affirmative vote of at least a
majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

<PAGE>

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

The total cost of  solicitation  of proxies in connection with this Meeting will
be borne  by the  Company.  In  addition  to  solicitation  by mail,  directors,
officers and employees of the Company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tompkins
County Trust Company ("Trust  Company";  as the context may require,  references
herein to the "Company"  include the Trust Company) may solicit  proxies for the
Meeting  personally  or  by  telephone  or  electronic   communication   without
additional remuneration.  The Company will also provide brokers and other record
owners holding shares in their names or in the names of nominees, in either case
which are beneficially  owned by others,  proxy material for transmittal to such
beneficial  owners and will  reimburse  such record owners for their expenses in
doing so.  Although the Company has not yet retained a proxy  soliciting firm to
aid in the  solicitation  of proxies for the  Meeting,  it may do so at any time
prior to the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. In such event, the Company will
pay the fees and expenses of any such proxy solicitation firm.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table and notes thereto set forth certain information with respect
to the beneficial  ownership of Common Stock of the Company as of March 15, 1999
by (i) each of the chief  executive  officer and the  Company's  four other most
highly compensated  executive officers in 1999 (the "Named Executive  Officers")
and each director of the Company,  (ii) all executive  officers and directors of
the  Company  as a group and (iii)  all  beneficial  owners of 5% or more of the
Common  Stock  of the  Company.  Except  as  otherwise  indicated,  each  of the
stockholders  named below has sole voting and  investment  power with respect to
the outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned:

                                                     COMMON STOCK
                                                   BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                   ------------------
                                                                    PERCENT OF
                                         NUMBER OF                  OUTSTANDING
NAMES                                     SHARES                     SHARES(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   John A. Alexander+                     8,221 (2)                    **
   James J. Byrnes*+                     74,612 (3)                  1.50
   Reeder D. Gates+                      79,351 (2) (4)              1.59
   William W. Griswold+                   2,270 (2)                    **
   Carl E. Haynes+                          764 (2)                    **
   Edward C. Hooks+                       3,920 (2) (5)                **
   Robert T. Horn, Jr.+                   3,210 (2) (6)                **
   Bonnie H. Howell+                      3,682 (2)                    **
   Lucinda A. Noble+                      2,569 (2)                    **
   Hunter R. Rawlings, III+                 652 (2)                    **
   Thomas R. Salm+                        1,632 (2) (7)                **
   Michael D. Shay+                       5,626 (2)                    **
   Peggy R. Williams+                        22 (8)                    **
   Richard D. Farr*                      22,370 (9)                    **
   Thomas J. Smith*                      22,718 (10)                   **
   Donald S. Stewart*                    44,105 (11)                   **
   Lawerence A. Updike*                  31,234 (12)                   **
   All Directors and executive
   officers as a group (19 persons)     327,138                      6.56


                                       2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           COMMON STOCK
                                                                        BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                                        ------------------
                                                                                       PERCENT OF
                                                                  NUMBER OF            OUTSTANDING
NAMES                                                               SHARES              SHARES(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>                  <C>  
   Trust  and  Investment  Services
   Department  of  the  Trust  Company
   in the fiduciary capacity indicated:
   - Executor, Trustee or Co-Trustee                                931,558 (13)         18.69
   - Trustee for the Company Investment
      and Stock Ownership Plan                                      433,290 (13)          8.69
   - Agent or Custodian                                             143,045 (13)          2.87
   * Named Executive Officer
   + Director of the Company
   ** Less than 1 percent

</TABLE>

(1)   The number of shares of Common  Stock  deemed  outstanding  includes:  (i)
      4,857,984 of Common Stock outstanding as of March 15, 1999 and (ii) shares
      of Common Stock subject to outstanding stock options which are exercisable
      by the named individual or group in the next 60 days.
(2)   Includes  322 shares held in trust  pursuant to the  Company's  1996 Stock
      Retainer  Plan for  Non-Employee  Directors.  Directors  have no voting or
      investment power with respect to such shares.
(3)   Includes  42,792 shares  issuable upon the exercise of  exercisable  stock
      options.
(4)   Includes  64,882  shares held in the R. D.  Gates,  Ltd.  Employee  Profit
      Sharing Fund and 1,988 shares owned by the spouse of Mr. Gates.
(5)   Includes 328 shares which Mr. Hooks holds as Custodian, under the UGMA for
      his children.
(6)   Includes 723 shares which Dr. Horn holds as Trustee for his children.
(7)   Includes 493 shares owned by the spouse of Mr. Salm.
(8)   Includes 22 shares  held in trust  pursuant  to the  Company's  1996 Stock
      Retainer  Plan for  Non-Employee  Directors.  Directors  have no voting or
      investment power with respect to such shares.
(9)   Includes  10,141 shares  issuable upon the exercise of  exercisable  stock
      options. Includes 450 shares owned by the spouse of Mr. Farr.
(10)  Includes  9,940 shares  issuable  upon the exercise of  exercisable  stock
      options.
(11)  Includes  6,038 shares  issuable  upon the exercise of  exercisable  stock
      options. Includes 10,516 shares owned by the spouse of Mr. Stewart.
(12)  Includes  13,499 shares  issuable upon the exercise of  exercisable  stock
      options. Includes 4,573 shares owned by the spouse of Mr. Updike.
(13)  As of March 15, 1999, the Trust and Investment Services Department of the
      Trust  Company held  1,507,893  shares  representing  30.26% of the Common
      Stock  of the  Company.  Of such  shares,  931,558  shares  are  held in a
      fiduciary  capacity as Executor,  Trustee or  Co-Trustee.  Where the Trust
      Company is sole executor or trustee, such shares will be voted only if the
      legal  instrument  provides  for voting the stock at the  direction of the
      donor or a beneficiary and such direction is in fact received. When acting
      in a co-fiduciary capacity,  such shares will be voted by the co-fiduciary
      or  fiduciaries in the same manner as if the  co-fiduciary  or fiduciaries
      were the sole fiduciary.  Of the 1,507,893 shares mentioned above, 433,290
      shares  or  8.69%  of the  outstanding  stock  is  held  by the  Company's
      Investment  and  Stock  Ownership  Plan,  with  424,373  shares  or  8.52%
      allocated to  participant  accounts.  These shares are voted by individual
      plan  participants.  In  addition,  143,045  shares  are  held as Agent or
      Custodian  with the  voting  power  retained  by the  owner.  Such  shares
      represent 2.87% of the Common Stock outstanding.

                                       3

<PAGE>

                                 PROPOSAL NO. 1

                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     The purpose of the Meeting is the election of four  directors for a term of
three years  expiring in the year 2002 and the  election of one  director  for a
term of one year  expiring in 2000.  The Bylaws of the Company  provide that the
stockholders  elect  directors  to  serve a three  year  term to  succeed  those
directors  in the class  whose  terms of office  expire at the  Meeting or for a
shorter  period  as the  Board  of  Directors  determines  for the  purposes  of
equalizing the classes of directors.

     The persons  named in the Proxy to  represent  stockholders  at the Meeting
are:  ANTON J. EGNER and WILLIAM T.  PRITCHARD,  both of Ithaca,  N.Y. They will
vote  Proxies as  directed  and in the  absence of  instructions,  will vote the
shares  represented  by the Proxies in favor of the  election of nominees  named
below.  If any one or  more  of such  nominees  should  become  unavailable  for
election by reason of death, or unexpected occurrence, they will vote the shares
for the  election  of such  substitute  nominees as the Board of  Directors  may
propose.

     The following table sets forth each nominee and continuing director's name,
age,  the year he or she first became a director and the year in which such term
will expire.  Biographies of the nominees and the directors continuing in office
follow the table.

                                                        YEAR FIRST
                                                          ELECTED    TERM TO
NAME                                           AGE       DIRECTOR    EXPIRE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOARD NOMINEES FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE IN 2002
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   John E. Alexander                            46           1993      2002
   Edward C. Hooks                              49           1990      2002
   Hunter R. Rawlings, III                      54           1996      2002
   Michael D. Shay                              57           1989      2002

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOARD NOMINEE FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Peggy R. Williams                            51           1999      2000

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   William W. Griswold                          41           1996      2000
   Carl E. Haynes                               53           1996      2000
   Robert T. Horn, Jr.                          51           1995      2000
   Thomas R. Salm                               58           1981      2000

   James J. Byrnes                              57           1989      2001
   Reeder D. Gates                              53           1985      2001
   Bonnie H. Howell                             51           1982      2001
   Lucinda A. Noble                             67           1985      2001

                                       4

<PAGE>

JOHN E.  ALEXANDER  has served as a director of the Trust Company since 1993 and
of the Company since 1995. He is President of The CBORD Group,  Inc., a computer
software company.

EDWARD C. HOOKS has served as a director of the Trust  Company since 1990 and of
the  Company  since  1995.  He is an  attorney  and a partner of Harris  Beach &
Wilcox, LLP. Mr. Hooks also serves as counsel to the Company.

HUNTER R.  RAWLINGS,  III has served as a director  of the Company and the Trust
Company since 1996. He is the 10th President of Cornell University. Dr. Rawlings
was previously President of the University of Iowa.

MICHAEL D. SHAY has served as a director of the Trust  Company since 1989 and of
the Company since 1995.  Mr. Shay is Chairman of the Board of  Evaporated  Metal
Films Corp., a company engaged in optical coatings.

PEGGY R.  WILLIAMS  was elected a director of the Company and the Trust  Company
effective  January 26, 1999.  She replaced Frank H. T. Rhodes who retired August
31, 1998. Dr. Williams is the seventh President of Ithaca College having assumed
the  position on July 1, 1997.  Previously,  she was  President  of Lyndon State
College, Lyndonville, Vermont.

WILLIAM  W.  GRISWOLD  has  served as a director  of the  Company  and the Trust
Company since 1996. He is President and Chief  Operating  Officer of the Ontario
Telephone Company,  Inc. and the Trumansburg Home Telephone Company where he has
been employed since 1979. Mr. Griswold serves on the Board of the New York State
Telephone Association.

CARL E. HAYNES has served as a director  of the  Company  and the Trust  Company
since 1996. He is President of Tompkins  Cortland  Community College having been
appointed  to that  position  in 1995.  Dr.  Haynes has been with the College in
various capacities since 1969.

ROBERT T.  HORN,  JR.  has served as a  director  of the  Company  and the Trust
Company  since  1995.  Dr.  Horn is a  physician  and has a private  practice in
dermatology.

THOMAS R. SALM has served as a director of the Trust  Company  since 1981 and of
the Company  since 1995.  Mr. Salm is Vice  President  for  Business  Affairs at
Ithaca College.

JAMES J.  BYRNES  has been the  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  and a
director  of the Trust  Company  since 1989.  Mr.  Byrnes has also served as the
Chairman of the Board of  Directors  since 1992.  He was elected to serve in the
same capacities for the Company in 1995.

REEDER D. GATES has served as a director of the Trust  Company since 1985 and of
the Company since 1995.  Mr. Gates is President of R.D.  Gates,  Ltd., a company
engaged in community pharmacies.

BONNIE H. HOWELL has served as a director of the Trust Company  since 1982.  She
has also  served as Vice Chair of the Board of  Directors  since  1992.  She was
elected to serve in the same  capacities  for the Company in 1995. Ms. Howell is
President and Chief Executive Officer of Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca. She is
also a Trustee of the Hospital Association of New York State and a member of the
Board of Directors of Central New York Hospital Association.

LUCINDA A. NOBLE has served as a director of the Trust Company since 1985 and of
the  Company  since 1995.  Ms.  Noble is a retired  Director of the  Cooperative
Extension System at Cornell University.

                                       5

<PAGE>

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The  corporate  reorganization  pursuant  to which the  Company  became the
parent bank  holding  company of the Trust  Company (the  "Reorganization")  was
consummated  on January 1, 1996.  The Boards of Directors of the Company and the
Trust  Company  are  identical,  and  consequently,  in  an  effort  to  provide
stockholders  with meaningful  disclosure,  set forth below is information  with
respect to the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees  thereof of the
Company and the Trust Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.

     The Board of Directors held 17 meetings during 1998. Each director attended
75% or more of the  aggregate  number of meetings of the Board of Directors  and
the  committees  of which  such  director  was a member,  except  for  Directors
Alexander with 70% and Rawlings with 58%.

     During 1998,  directors who were not employees of the Company  received for
their  services a  quarterly  retainer  of $750 in the form of Common  Stock (as
described  below),  plus a fee of $500  for  each  Directors  meeting  attended.
Directors  who are also  committee  members  received  $275  for each  committee
meeting attended. Directors who chaired a board committee received an additional
annual fee of $1,000.  Members of the Board who are  salaried  employees  of the
Trust  Company are not  compensated  for their service on the Board or any Board
committee. Aggregate fees paid to the twelve non-employee directors in 1998 were
197,850.43.  Director  Howell  does not receive the fees  described  above,  but
instead  receives an annual retainer for her services as Vice Chair.  The amount
paid to her in 1998 was $25,500.

     Under the 1985 Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors,  each director may
elect to  defer  all or a  portion  of his or her cash  compensation  until  the
individual  ceases to be a director.  During  1998,  four  directors  elected to
participate in such plan.

     The 1996 Stock  Retainer Plan for  Non-Employee  Directors (the "Plan") was
approved  by the  Company's  stockholders  on April 24,  1996.  Since that date,
non-employee  directors  of the  Company  have  received,  in lieu  of the  $750
quarterly cash retainer  referenced above (the "Quarterly  Fee"), that number of
whole shares of Common Stock  (rounded up to the nearest  whole number) equal to
the  Quarterly  Fee divided by the fair market  value of the Common Stock on the
date the Quarterly Fee was otherwise payable.  At their election,  each director
participating in the Plan may defer receipt of the stock retainer.  During 1998,
1,180 shares of Common Stock were issued to non-employee  directors or placed in
a trust account with respect to deferred shares.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The Company has a standing Executive Committee,  Audit/Examining Committee,
Compensation/Personnel  Committee and  Nominating  Committee,  each of which was
constituted  after the  consummation of the  Reorganization.  Consequently,  set
forth below is information with respect to the committees of the Company and the
Trust  Company and meetings  thereof held during the fiscal year ended  December
31, 1998.

TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUSTCO, INC.

     EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

         The Executive Committee serves as the long-range  planning,  compliance
         and marketing committee of the Board of Directors.

         The Committee  held 7 meetings in 1998, and its members at the close of
         business on December 31, 1998 were:  Bonnie H. Howell,  Chair;  John E.
         Alexander;  James J.  Byrnes;  Reeder D.  Gates;  William W.  Griswold;
         Edward C. Hooks; Thomas R. Salm and Michael D. Shay.

                                       6

<PAGE>

     AUDIT/EXAMINING COMMITTEE

         The  Audit/Examining  Committee  represents  the Board of  Directors in
         supervising  audit  activities  and is  responsible  for  conducting an
         annual examination of the Company.

         The Committee  held 6 meetings in 1998, and its members at the close of
         business on December 31, 1998 were: William W. Griswold, Chair; Carl E.
         Haynes; Lucinda A. Noble and Michael D. Shay.

     COMPENSATION/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

         The Compensation/Personnel  Committee reviews employee compensation and
         benefit policies.  Annual compensation and benefit actions are reviewed
         and recommended for action by the Board. The Committee also administers
         the Company's equity-based plans.

         The Committee  held 8 meetings in 1998, and its members at the close of
         business on December 31, 1998 were:  Thomas R. Salm,  Chair;  Reeder D.
         Gates; William W. Griswold and Lucinda A. Noble.

     NOMINATING COMMITTEE

         The Nominating  Committee recommends to the Board of Directors nominees
         for election as directors.  The Committee will consider recommendations
         from  stockholders  if submitted in a timely  manner and will apply the
         same criteria to all persons being considered.

         The Committee  held 3 meetings in 1998, and its members at the close of
         business on December 31, 1998 were: John E. Alexander,  Chair; James J.
         Byrnes and Bonnie H. Howell.

TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUST COMPANY

     TRUST COMMITTEE

         The Trust Committee has general supervision of the Trust and Investment
         Services Department, including its general and operating policies.

         The Committee  held 7 meetings in 1998, and its members at the close of
         business on December  31, 1998 were:  Reeder D. Gates,  Chair;  John E.
         Alexander; James J. Byrnes; Carl E. Haynes and Robert T. Horn, Jr.

     CREDIT COMMITTEE

         The Credit  Committee  reviews credit  applications  presented to it by
         management and makes  recommendations  to the Board on credit policies.
         The Committee also monitors the Trust Company's Community  Reinvestment
         Act Plan.

         The Committee held 29 meetings in 1998, and its members at the close of
         business on December 31, 1998 were:  Michael D. Shay,  Chair;  James J.
         Byrnes; Edward C. Hooks; Robert T. Horn, Jr. and Lucinda A. Noble.

     PENSION ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

         The  Pension/Administration  Committee is appointed by the Board and is
         responsible for the  implementation,  operation and  administration  of
         employee pension plans and trusts.

         The  Committee  held 4 meetings in 1998,  and its Board  members at the
         close of business on December 31, 1998 were:  James J.  Byrnes,  Chair;
         Hunter R. Rawlings,III and Thomas R. Salm.

                                       7

<PAGE>

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The Compensation/Personnel  Committee (the "Committee") is composed of four
outside directors. Among its duties, the Committee is responsible for monitoring
the compensation of the Company's executive officers. A goal of the Committee is
to maintain executive compensation which is fair and reasonable, given the size,
nature and performance  goals of the Company.  The Committee also strives to see
that  compensation  and benefits are  competitive in order to attract and retain
qualified   management.   The  financial   services   industry  is  increasingly
competitive  and the board  believes  that strong  management  is essential  for
continuing the Company's record of financial performance.

     The Committee regularly surveys  compensation  practices,  base salary, and
total compensation,  including incentives, in the banking industry. In 1998, the
Committee utilized a self selected survey of ten comparable banks, mostly in New
York, as well as the 1998 Northeast Banking Industry Compensation Survey and the
SNL Executive  Compensation  Review for Commercial Banks.  These surveys provide
the Committee  with  comparable  information  regarding  the three  compensation
components used by the Company to motivate executive performance,  namely annual
base salary,  incentive bonuses and equity-based incentive  compensation.  Based
upon these  surveys,  the committee  believes  that the  Company's  compensation
practices  are well  within  normal  range,  particularly  given  the  Company's
historical and 1998 record of results.

     Each of the Named  Executive  Officers has an annual base salary at a level
the  Committee  believes is comparable  to companies in the  commercial  banking
industry with similar  marketplace  geography and  demographics.  In addition to
base salary, each executive officer participates in the Company's profit sharing
plan and receives an  incentive  cash bonus at the end of each fiscal year based
upon corporate performance and that officer's individual performance.  Corporate
performance is measured by the Company's strategic and financial  performance in
that fiscal year, with particular  reference to net income and profitability for
the  year.  In making  recommendations  to the  Board,  the  Committee  does not
emphasize  year-to-year  changes in stock price in its  evaluation  of corporate
performance because the Committee does not believe that short-term  fluctuations
in stock price necessarily  reflect the underlying  strength or future prospects
of  the  Company.  Individual  performance  is  measured  by the  strategic  and
financial performance of the particular officer's operational  responsibility in
comparison  to  targeted  performance  criteria.  As  reported  in  the  Summary
Compensation  Table,  the  bonuses  granted  with  respect  to 1998 to the Named
Executive  Officers,  including Mr.  Byrnes,  reflect the Company's  strong 1998
results.

     While the  Committee  recognizes  that the  Company  can exert very  little
influence on short-term  fluctuations in stock price, the Committee does believe
that long-term stock price appreciation  reflects achievement of strategic goals
and objectives.  Accordingly,  the Company seeks to create long-term performance
incentives for its key employees by aligning  their economic  interests with the
interests of long-term  stockholders  through the equity-based  component of its
compensation program. Stock options are granted periodically to key employees at
a price  equal to the fair  market  value on the date of grant,  and  awards are
based on the performance of such employees and anticipated contributions by such
employees to the achievement of strategic  goals and objectives.  In addition to
stock options,  employees,  including the Named  Executive  Officers,  are given
incentives to invest in Common Stock through the profit sharing component of the
Company's  Investment  And Stock  Ownership  Plan.  During 1998, no options were
granted to the Named Executive Officers.

     With respect to the above  matters,  the  Compensation/Personnel  Committee
submits this report.

         Compensation/Personnel Committee
           Thomas R. Salm, Chair
           Reeder D. Gates
           William W. Griswold
           Lucinda A. Noble

                                       8

<PAGE>

     The following tables set forth information  concerning  compensation of the
Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly compensated  executive officers
for services in all capacities to the Trust Company during the years  indicated.
In connection with the consummation of the  Reorganization,  the Named Executive
Officers were elected to identical positions of the Company. However, all of the
Named Executive Officers receive compensation only from the Trust Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
                                                                                        LONG-TERM
NAME AND                                             ANNUAL COMPENSATION              COMPENSATION                 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL                                                             OTHER ANNUAL                   ALL OTHER
POSITION                           YEAR     SALARY        BONUS(1)   COMPENSATION(2)   OPTIONS(#)   COMPENSATION(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>       <C>          <C>              <C>                <C>       <C>    
JAMES J. BYRNES                   1998      $293,000     $130,000         $6,262            -0-        $43,880
Chairman of the Board,            1997       273,000      115,000          4,785         18,000         40,812
President & Chief                 1996       250,000       85,000          7,276         22,500         37,435
Executive Officer

DONALD S. STEWART                 1998      $118,000      $36,000         $5,959            -0-        $17,429
Executive Vice President &        1997       108,077       30,000          5,876          5,250         15,964
Senior Trust Officer              1996       100,000       27,000          6,416          6,300         14,957

THOMAS J. SMITH                   1998      $110,250      $27,000         $4,490            -0-        $16,284
Senior Vice President &           1997       105,000       25,000          4,665          3,750         15,509
Senior Credit Officer             1996       100,000       23,000          4,880          6,300         14,957

RICHARD D. FARR                   1998      $100,000      $26,000         $1,870            -0-        $14,771
Senior Vice President &           1997        95,000       22,500          1,771          3,750         14,032
Chief Financial Officer           1996        90,000       20,700          1,086          6,000         13,461

LAWRENCE A. UPDIKE                1998      $100,000      $26,000         $2,812            -0-        $14,771
Senior Vice President             1997        95,000       21,500          2,801          3,750         14,032
Operations & Systems              1996        90,000       19,800          2,875          6,000         13,461

</TABLE>

(1)   These  amounts  represent  cash  awards  made  under  the  Senior  Officer
      Incentive  Compensation  Plan,  which may be deferred  under the  Deferred
      Compensation Plan for Senior Officers.
(2)   Includes amounts for cost of applicable life insurance,  club dues and use
      of company vehicle or reimbursement for use of personal vehicle.
(3)   Includes  amounts paid by the Trust  Company and deferred  pursuant to the
      Company's Investment and Stock Ownership Plan.

                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

There were no option grants to executive officers in the last fiscal year

                                       9

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                      AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1998
                           AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
                                                                                 VALUE OF
                                                              NUMBER OF         UNEXERCISED
                                                             UNEXERCISED       IN-THE-MONEY
                                                               OPTIONS            OPTIONS
                                                            AT YEAR END (#)     AT YEAR END ($)
                                                            ---------------    ---------------
                       SHARES ACQUIRED        VALUE          EXERCISABLE/        EXERCISABLE/
NAME                   ON EXERCISE (#)      REALIZED ($)    UNEXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE (1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>              <C>           <C>    <C>          <C>      <C>     
James J. Byrnes             9,438            $272,644      37,167/24,750       $683,736/$320,826
Donald S. Stewart           8,993            $157,607       5,040/ 7,087       $ 70,691/$ 91,553
Thomas J. Smith             5,293            $100,732       8,365/ 5,962       $134,788/$ 79,216
Richard D. Farr             3,358            $ 73,122       8,641/ 5,812       $135,419/$ 76,912
Lawrence A. Updike           -0-                -0-         11,999/5,812       $214,045/$ 76,912

</TABLE>

(1)   The average  price for the  Company's  Common Stock on the American  Stock
      Exchange on  December  31,  1998,  the last  trading day of the year,  was
      $34.625 per share.

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
     The Company has an agreement with James J. Byrnes, Chairman,  President and
Chief  Executive  Officer,  which  provides  for  severance  payments  equal  to
approximately  three  times his  annualized  tax-includable  compensation  under
certain  circumstances.  This agreement  would be operable should certain events
take  place  which  seek to  effect a  change  of  control  (as  defined  in the
agreement) of the Company.  Payments  would be due to Mr. Byrnes in the event of
his  termination  (as defined in the agreement)  within two years of a change of
control.

DEFERRED PROFIT-SHARING PLAN
     The Company has an Investment and Stock Ownership Plan (the "ISOP"),  which
covers  substantially  all employees and has an employer  funded profit  sharing
component and an employee funded 401(k) component.  The ISOP allows employees to
elect to defer a portion of their  profit-sharing,  as well as receive  monetary
contributions  as determined by the Board of Directors.  The ISOP further allows
for contributions in the form of Common Stock of the Company.  Contributions are
determined  by the Board of  Directors  and are  limited to a maximum  amount as
stipulated in the ISOP.  Amounts accrued for the accounts of the Named Executive
Officers are included in the Summary Compensation Table.

RETIREMENT PLANS
     The Company has a  noncontributory  defined  benefit  pension plan covering
substantially  all of its  employees.  The  assets  of the  plan  are  held in a
separate  trust  and  administered  by  the   Pension/Administration   Committee
appointed by the Board of Directors.

     The  benefits  are  based on  years  of  service  and a  percentage  of the
employees'  average  compensation for the five highest  consecutive years in the
last ten years of employment.  Under the plan,  normal retirement age is 65 with
reduced  benefit  payments  for early  retirement  following  age 55 through 61.
Currently, Messrs. Byrnes, Stewart, Smith, Farr, and Updike have 10, 27, 34, 14,
and 31 years of service under the plan, respectively.

                                       10

<PAGE>

                               PENSION PLAN TABLE

                                Years of Service
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Average Final
    Earnings           15         20         25          30          35
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    $ 50,000.00     $12,572    $16,762    $20,953     $25,143     $29,334
    $ 75,000.00     $20,072    $26,762    $33,453     $40,143     $46,834
    $100,000.00     $27,572    $36,762    $46,953     $55,143     $64,334
    $125,000.00     $35,072    $46,762    $58,453     $70,143     $81,834
    $150,000.00     $42,572    $56,762    $70,953     $85,143     $99,334
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The  Company  also  has a  Supplemental  Employee  Retirement  Plan  (SERP)
covering James J. Byrnes.  The Plan provides for a retirement  benefit at age 65
equal to 50% of earnings as defined in the SERP,  averaged over the highest five
consecutive years. Benefits under the SERP are reduced by payments due under the
Company's basic pension plan and Social  Security.  Reduced benefits are payable
in the event of retirement prior to age 65.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  requires
the Company's  directors and executive  officers,  and persons who own more than
ten percent of a registered  class of the Company's equity  securities,  to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") initial reports of ownership
and reports of changes in ownership  of Common  Stock of the Company.  Officers,
directors  and  greater  than  ten  percent  stockholders  are  required  by SEC
regulation  to furnish the Company  with copies of all Section  16(a) forms they
file.

     To the Company's knowledge,  based solely on a review of the copies of such
reports  furnished  to the  Company and  written  representations  that no other
reports were  required,  during the fiscal year ended  December  31,  1998,  all
Section 16(a) filing  requirements  applicable  to its  officers,  directors and
greater than ten percent beneficial owners were satisfied.

     In making the above  statements,  the  Company  has relied on copies of the
reports that have been filed with the SEC.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     Directors  and  officers  of the  Company  and the Trust  Company and their
affiliated  companies  were customers of, and had other  transactions  with, the
Company  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  during  1998.  All  loans  and
commitments were made on substantially the same terms,  including interest rates
and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with
other  persons and did not involve  more than normal risk of  collectibility  or
present other unfavorable features. As of December 31, 1998, the balance of such
loans included in total loans was  $3,621,000,  and borrowings of no director or
officer exceeded 10% of stockholders equity.

     Edward C. Hooks,  a director of the  Company  and the Trust  Company,  is a
partner of Harris Beach & Wilcox,  LLP, a law firm which provides legal services
to the Company.

                                       11

<PAGE>

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
     The  following  graph  sets forth  comparative  information  regarding  the
Company's  cumulative return on its common stock over the five year period ended
December  31,  1998.  Total  shareholder  return is measured  by dividing  total
dividends (assuming dividend reinvestment) plus the change in share price during
the  measurement  period by the share price at the beginning of the  measurement
period.  The Company's  cumulative  shareholder  return for the five year period
based upon an initial investment of $100 is compared to the cumulative return of
the Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S. Companies) and the SNL Securities L.P. Bank Index.
The stock prices on the  performance  graph are not  necessarily  indicative  of
future stock price performance.

    (INSERT GRAPH HERE]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        PERIOD ENDING
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEX                                       12/31/93     12/31/94     12/31/95     12/31/96     12/31/97     12/31/98
- ---------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        
Tompkins County Trustco, Inc.            $    100.00  $    105.65  $     89.32  $    113.10  $    150.11  $    186.55
NASDAQ - Total US                             100.00        97.75       138.26       170.01       208.58       293.21
SNL Bank Index                                100.00        97.73       152.16       212.31       321.73       348.02

</TABLE>

                                       12

<PAGE>

                                 PROPOSAL NO. 2

                             CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME

     The Board of Directors of the Company proposes that the name of the Company
be changed from Tompkins  County  Trustco,  Inc. to TOMPKINS  TRUSTCO,  INC. The
Board  believes  that  this  would  better  reflect  the fact  that  many of the
Company's  products and services are marketed  outside of Tompkins  County,  and
that it would facilitate future expansion.  The name of the Company's  operating
subsidiary, Tompkins County Trust Company, will remain unchanged.

    VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION

     The  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common
Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting is required to approve the
proposed  amendment  to  change  the  Company's  name.  THE  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS  A VOTE "FOR"  ADOPTION  OF PROPOSAL  NO. 2.  SHARES OF COMMON  STOCK
COVERED BY EXECUTED  PROXIES  RECEIVED BY THE BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  WILL BE VOTED
"FOR"  PROPOSAL  NO.  2,  UNLESS   STOCKHOLDERS   SPECIFY  A  DIFFERENT  CHOICE.
Abstentions and broker  non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the
proposal.

                                       13

<PAGE>

                                 PROPOSAL NO. 3

                  INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES FROM
                     7,500,000 SHARES TO 15,000,000 SHARES

     The Board of Directors  recommends that the authorized  number of shares of
Common  Stock which may be issued by the  Company be  increased  from  7,500,000
shares to 15,000,000  shares.  As of March 15, 1999, there were 4,857,984 shares
of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

     The Board has  adopted a  resolution  seeking to amend the  Certificate  of
Incorporation of the Company for this purpose,  and if this proposal is approved
Article  IV of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  will be  amended  to read as
follows:

         "The  aggregate  total  number  of shares of  capital  stock  which the
         Corporation  shall have authority to issue is 15,000,000  shares with a
         par value of $0.10 each, all of which shall be common stock of the same
         class."

     The  additional  shares of Common Stock for which  authorization  is sought
will have the same  rights  and  privileges  as the  shares of Common  Stock now
authorized.

     The  Board  of  Directors  believes  that it is  desirable  and in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders that there be a substantial number
of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock in order to assure flexibility
of action in the future.  The Board also believes that an increase in the number
of shares of Common  Stock is  necessary  in order that a  sufficient  number of
shares is available for issuance from time to time if needed for such  corporate
purposes as may be deemed appropriate by the Board. For example, such additional
authorized  shares may become  necessary in connection  with  acquisitions,  the
declaration of stock dividends or stock splits,  future  financings,  investment
opportunities,  other distributions,  or other corporate purposes.  From time to
time in the course of its operations,  the Company  considers,  investigates and
evaluates  proposals  for the  acquisition  of  other  banks,  savings  and loan
associations or other companies. It is possible that certain of the additionally
authorized  shares of Common  Stock  may be issued in  connection  with any such
transactions.

     The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock by the Company may have a
dilutive  effect on  earnings  per share and book value per share,  as well as a
dilutive effect on the voting power of existing shareholders.  The Company would
expect that any such  dilutive  effect on earnings  per share  and/or book value
would  be  relatively  short-term  in  duration.  Shareholders  do  not  possess
preemptive rights and thus will not have a first right or right of first refusal
to purchase any  additional  shares.  Unless  required by applicable  law or the
American Stock Exchange  (which  effectively  requires  shareholder  consent for
acquisition  transactions  involving a 20% or greater  increase in the number of
the  Company's  listed  shares),  no  further   authorization  or  vote  of  the
shareholders  will be  solicited  for the issuance of the  additional  shares of
Common Stock.  The increase in the number of  authorized  shares will not affect
the preferences,  qualifications,  limitations, restrictions and the special and
relative rights of any shares of the Company.

     The issuance of  additional  shares of Common Stock by the Company also may
potentially have an  anti-takeover  effect by making it more difficult to obtain
shareholder  approval of various actions,  such as a merger or other acquisition
of the Company.  The  proposed  increase in the number of  authorized  shares of
Common Stock could  enable the Board of  Directors  to render more  difficult an
attempt  by  another  person or entity to obtain  control  of the  Company.  The
proposed  amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is not being recommended
in response to any specific effort of which the Company or the Board is aware to
obtain control of the Company,  nor does the Board of Directors presently intend
to issue additional shares to impede any such takeover efforts.

                                       14

<PAGE>

     VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION

     The  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common
Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting is required to approve the
proposed amendment to Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation.  THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS  RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR"  ADOPTION OF PROPOSAL NO. 3. SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK  COVERED BY EXECUTED  PROXIES  RECEIVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  WILL BE
VOTED "FOR"  PROPOSAL  NO. 3, UNLESS  STOCKHOLDERS  SPECIFY A DIFFERENT  CHOICE.
Abstentions and broker  non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the
proposal.

                                       15

<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     On recommendation of its Audit/Examining  Committee, the Board of Directors
of the  Company  engaged  the firm of KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP  ("KPMG")  as its
independent auditors for the year ended December 31, 1998.

     KPMG has served as the independent  auditors of the Company since 1995. The
Board of Directors has retained KPMG to continue as independent  auditors and to
audit the consolidated  financial  statements of the Company for the year ending
December 31, 1999, and further to report the results of their examination.

     A representative of KPMG is expected to attend the Meeting and will have an
opportunity  to make  statements  and  respond  to  appropriate  questions  from
stockholders.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     If any stockholder  desires to have a proposal  formally  considered at the
2000 Annual  Meeting and included in the Proxy  Statement for that meeting,  the
proposal  must be received in writing by the  Corporate  Secretary no later than
December 1, 1999.

FORM 10-K

     A COPY OF THE  COMPANY'S  ANNUAL  REPORT ON FORM 10-K FILED WITH THE SEC IS
AVAILABLE  WITHOUT CHARGE BY WRITING TO: TOMPKINS COUNTY  TRUSTCO,  INC.,  ATTN:
RICHARD D. FARR, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,  P.O. BOX 460,
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14851.

OTHER MATTERS

     The   management   knows  of  no  business  which  will  be  presented  for
consideration  at the  Meeting  other  than that  stated in the Notice of Annual
Meeting. If any additional matters should be presented,  it is intended that the
enclosed  proxy will be voted in  accordance  with the judgment of the person or
persons acting under the proxy.

     It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Therefore,  stockholders
who do not expect to attend in person are urged to MARK,  SIGN,  DATE AND RETURN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD in the accompanying postage prepaid envelope.


Dated: March 29, 1999                      By Order of the Board of Directors



                                           John E. Butler
                                           Vice President & Corporate Secretary


                                       16

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  PRELIMINARY

1. Election of four (4) Directors for a term of three years expiring in the Year
2002 and one (1) Director for a term of one year expiring in the Year 2000.

___ FOR all nominees listed below
___ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below.
___ *EXCEPTIONS

Nominees:  John E.  Alexander  (3  yrs.),  Edward C.  Hooks (3 yrs.),  Hunter R.
Rawlings,  III (3 yrs.),  Michael D. Shay (3 yrs.),  Peggy R.  Williams (1 yr.).

(INSTRUCTIONS:  TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL  NOMINEE,  MARK
THE "EXCEPTIONS" BOX AND WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)

*Exceptions: __________________________________________________________________

2. To  approve  the  proposal  to change  the name of the  Company  to  Tompkins
Trustco, Inc.

_____  FOR  _____  AGAINST  _____  ABSTAIN

3. To increase the number of  authorized  shares of the  Company's  common stock
from 7,500,000 shares to 15,000,000 shares.

_____  FOR  _____  AGAINST  _____  ABSTAIN


4. In their  discretion,  the  proxies  are  authorized  to vote upon such other
business as may  properly  come before the meeting or any  adjournment  thereof.
(Management  at  present  knows  of no other  business  to be  presented  at the
meeting.)

Change of Address and or Comments Mark Here       _____


(Name of stockholder should be signed exactly as it appears to the left.)

Date _________________________________, 1999

____________________________________________
                Signature

____________________________________________
      Signature, if held jointly

Votes must be indicated
(x) in Black or Blue ink.          [X]

PLEASE MARK,  SIGN,  DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY  USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

                                   PRELIMINARY

                          TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUSTCO, INC
           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

          The  undersigned  holder of common stock of Tompkins  County  Trustco,
     Inc.  hereby  appoints  Anton J. Egner and William T. Pritchard and each of
     them his attorneys,  agents and proxies to represent the undersigned and to
     vote and act upon the shares of common  stock  standing  in the name of the
     undersigned  which he/she would be entitled to vote if personally  present,
     as specified  below,  at the Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  to be held on
     Wednesday,  April 28, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. or at any adjournment thereof, with
     full power of substitution and revocation.

          THIS  PROXY,  WHEN  PROPERLY  EXECUTED,  WILL BE VOTED  IN THE  MANNER
     DIRECTED  ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS CARD.  IF NO  DIRECTION  IS MADE,  THIS
     PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3.

                                            (Signature on reverse side required)


                                     TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUSTCO INC
                                     P.O. BOX 11289
                                     NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0289




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