TRUSTCO BANK CORP N Y
PRE 14A, 1997-03-24
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                        SCHEDULE 14A
                                       (Rule 14a-101)

                           INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                                   SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                 Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                          Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )
Filed by the Registrant   |X|

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   |_|

Check the appropriate box:

|X|      Preliminary Proxy Statement      |_| Confidential, for Use of the Com-
                                              mission Only (as permitted by
|_|      Definitive Proxy Statement           Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

|_|      Definitive Additional Materials

|_|      Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12


                          TrustCo Bank Corp NY
                 (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 |X|   No fee required.

 |_|   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

       (1)      Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:



       (2)      Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:



       (3)      Per  unit   price  or  other   underlying   value  of
                transaction  computed  pursuant to Exchange  Act Rule
                0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
                calculated and state how it was determined):



       (4)      Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:



       (5)      Total fee paid:



       |_|      Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.



<PAGE>



         |_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as  provided by Exchange
Act Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting  fee was
paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

         (1)      Amount Previously Paid:



         (2)      Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:



         (3)      Filing Party:



         (4)      Date Filed:







<PAGE>









                    TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                      320 State Street
                  Schenectady, New York 12305

             NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS


To Shareholders Of
TrustCo Bank Corp NY:

     Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  of TrustCo
Bank Corp NY  ("TrustCo"),  a New York  corporation,  will be held at  TrustCo's
Trust  Building,  192 Erie  Boulevard,  Schenectady,  New York 12305, on May 19,
1997, at 10:00 a.m. local time for the purposes of  considering  and voting upon
the following matters:

 1.   Election of directors.

 2.   Adoption of an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of
      Incorporation of TrustCo to change the minimum and maximum numbers of 
      Directors.

 3.   Ratification of the appointment of independent auditors for 1997.

 4.   Any other business that properly may be brought before the meeting or
      any adjournment thereof.

                                    By Order of the Board of Directors



                                    William F. Terry
                                    Secretary




April 3, 1997



PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER
YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING OR NOT.  YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AT
ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE MEETING, OR IF YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY
WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AT THAT TIME IF YOU WISH.

<PAGE>



                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                               PROXY STATEMENT FOR
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                                  May 19, 1997

     This proxy  statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation by
the  Board  of  Directors  of  TrustCo  Bank  Corp NY  ("TrustCo"),  a New  York
corporation,  of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders  (the
"Annual  Meeting") to be held at 10:00 a.m. local time on Monday,  May 19, 1997,
at TrustCo's Trust Building,  192 Erie Boulevard,  Schenectady,  New York 12305.
This proxy  statement and the form of proxy were first mailed to shareholders on
April __, 1997. Any shareholder  executing a proxy which is solicited hereby has
the power to revoke it.  Revocation  may be made by giving written notice to the
Secretary of TrustCo at any time prior to the exercise of the proxy.

     Proxies will be solicited by mail. They also may be solicited by directors,
officers,   and  regular  employees  of  TrustCo  and  Trustco  Bank,   National
Association of Schenectady, New York ("Trustco Bank"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of TrustCo,  personally  or by  telephone  or  telegraph,  but such persons will
receive no additional compensation for such services.  TrustCo has also retained
Regan and  Associates to aid in the  solicitation  of proxies for a solicitation
fee of $2,750 plus expenses.  The entire cost of this  solicitation will be paid
by TrustCo and Trustco Bank.

     As of March 1, 1997,  there were  20,390,188  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock,  $1.00 par value (the "Common Stock"),  of TrustCo.  Only shareholders of
record of such  Common  Stock at the close of business  on March 31,  1997,  are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual  Meeting.  Each  shareholder  of
record on that date is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held.
With respect to each matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting,  abstentions
on properly  executed  proxy cards will be counted for purposes of determining a
quorum at the meeting; however, such abstentions and shares not voted by brokers
and other  entities  holding  shares on behalf of beneficial  owners will not be
counted in calculating voting results on those matters for which the shareholder
has abstained or the broker has not voted.

     Full  shares  of  Common  Stock  held  for  the  account  of   shareholders
participating  in the Dividend  Reinvestment  and Stock Purchase Program will be
voted in the same manner as those shareholders have authorized their shares held
of record to be voted.  If such  shareholders  fail to  instruct  how the shares
registered  in their  names shall be voted,  the shares  held in their  dividend
reinvestment accounts will not be voted.

                                                SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

     Shareholder  proposals to be considered for inclusion in a proxy  statement
in connection with any  forthcoming  annual meeting must be submitted to TrustCo
on a timely basis. Proposals for inclusion in TrustCo's proxy statement and form
of proxy for the annual shareholders meeting to be held in May of 1998 must meet
the  requirements  established  by the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission for
shareholder proposals and must be received by TrustCo at its principal executive
offices no later than December 15, 1997. Any such  proposals,  together with any
supporting statements, should be directed to the Secretary of TrustCo.







                                       1
<PAGE>



                                                 THE ANNUAL MEETING

     A description of the items to be considered at the Annual Meeting and other
information is set forth below.

  Item 1.  Election of Directors

     The first item to be acted upon at the Annual  Meeting is the  election  of
six (6)  directors  to serve on the TrustCo  Board of  Directors  (the  "TrustCo
Board")  five of whom  shall  serve  for a three  (3) year  term  and  one,  Dr.
Marinello,  for a one (1) year term, and until their  successors shall have been
duly elected and qualified.  The incumbent  directors  whose terms are currently
scheduled  to expire at the  Annual  Meeting,  and who have been  nominated  for
reelection as directors  (collectively,  the "TrustCo Director Nominees") are as
follows: Barton A. Andreoli,  Nancy A. McNamara, John S. Morris, Ph.D., James H.
Murphy, D.D.S., William H.
Purdy, and Anthony J. Marinello, M.D., Ph.D.

     TrustCo's   Amended  and  Restated   Certificate  of   Incorporation   (the
"Certificate of Incorporation") provides that the TrustCo Board shall consist of
not less than twelve (12) nor more than  fifteen (15)  members,  and the TrustCo
Bylaws  provide that the total number of directors may be fixed by resolution of
the TrustCo Board or the shareholders.  The Certificate of Incorporation and the
Bylaws of TrustCo require the TrustCo Board to be divided into three (3) classes
of not less than four (4) members  each,  with one class to be elected each year
for a term of three (3) years.

     The Bylaws also provide that newly created directorships  resulting from an
increase in the number of directors and vacancies occurring in the TrustCo Board
for any reason, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the directors then in
office,  although  less than a quorum,  at any  meeting  of the  TrustCo  Board.
Directors  who are elected by the TrustCo Board shall hold office until the next
meeting of  shareholders  at which the  election of  directors is in the regular
order of business.  In May of 1996,  Dr.  Marinello was appointed to the TrustCo
Board  by the  directors  then in  office   to fill a  vacancy  in the  class of
directors  who are  currently  serving a three year term  scheduled to expire in
1998.

     As described further herein, the TrustCo Board has proposed an amendment to
the  Certificate of  Incorporation  to change the minimum number of directors to
seven (7) and the maximum number to twenty (20), divided into three (3) classes,
as nearly as equal in number as possible. That proposal is the second item to be
acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

     The  affirmative  vote of at  least a  majority  of the  votes  cast by the
holders of Common Stock  represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting
is required to elect directors.

     The pages that follow set forth information  regarding the TrustCo Director
Nominees,  as well as information regarding the remaining members of the TrustCo
Board whose terms of office do not expire  this year.  Proxies  will be voted in
accordance with specific  instructions  contained therein.  Shares will be voted
for the election of such TrustCo Director Nominees unless contrary  instructions
are set forth on the  enclosed  TrustCo  proxy  card.  If any  nominee  shall be
unavailable to serve, the shares  represented by all valid proxies will be voted
for the election of such other person as the TrustCo Board may recommend, or the
TrustCo Board may reduce the number of directors to eliminate the vacancy.  Each
of the TrustCo  Director  Nominees  has  consented  to being named in this Proxy
Statement  and to serve if elected.  The TrustCo  Board has no reason to believe
that any TrustCo Director Nominee will decline or be unable to serve if elected,
unless he or she reaches the mandatory



                                       2
<PAGE>




retirement  age of 72 during  the term of  office.  In the  event a  vacancy  is
created by retirement  or  otherwise,  the TrustCo Board may fill the vacancy or
may reduce the number of directors to eliminate  the vacancy.  If the vacancy is
filled,  the  director so elected  shall hold office  until the next  meeting of
shareholders  at which the  election of  directors  is in the  regular  order of
business.

     Information with regard to the business experience of each director and the
ownership  of Common  Stock on December  31,  1996,  has been  furnished by such
director, or has been obtained from the records of TrustCo.
The Common Stock is the only class of equity security outstanding.
<TABLE>

                  INFORMATION ON TRUSTCO DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES

                 NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS TRUSTCO DIRECTORS FOR
                        THREE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2000
<CAPTION>


                                                                        Shares of TrustCo Common Stock(1)
                                                                               Beneficially Owned
                 Name and Principal Occupation(1)                 No. of Shares(2)       Percent of Class
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------

  <S>                                                                   <C>             <C>             
  Barton A. Andreoli, Age 57; President, Towne                            7,091          *
  Construction & Paving Corp.  Director of TrustCo and of
  Trustco Bank since 1993.

  Nancy A. McNamara, Age 47; Executive officer of                       242,834         1.2
  TrustCo (Vice President) since 1992 and Trustco Bank
  (Senior Vice President) since 1988.  Joined Trustco Bank in
  1971.  Director of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank since 1991.

  John S. Morris, Ph.D., Age 71; President Emeritus and                  33,339          *
  Research Professor Philosophy, Union College and Former
  Chancellor, Union University.  Director of TrustCo since
  1981 and of Trustco Bank since 1980.

  James H. Murphy, D.D.S., Age 68; Orthodontist.  Director               14,419          *
  of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank since 1991.

  William J. Purdy, Age 62; President of Welbourne & Purdy                7,956
  Realty, Inc.  Director of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank since                            *
  1991.
  ----------
  See footnotes on page 5.

</TABLE>




                                       3
<PAGE>



<TABLE>



                                           NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AS TRUSTCO DIRECTOR FOR
                                                  ONE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 1998
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Shares of TrustCo Common Stock(1)
                                                                          Beneficially Owned
                   Name and Principal Occupation (1)           No. of Shares(2)       Percent of Class
- ---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------   ----------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                        <C>                         
  Anthony J. Marinello, M.D., PhD, Age 41; Physician.              2,049                      *
  Director of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank since 1996.


</TABLE>
<TABLE>

                                              TRUSTCO DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Shares of TrustCo Common Stock(1)
                                                                                      Beneficially Owned
                   Name and Principal Occupation (1)                      No. of Shares(2)    Percent of Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                       <C>                      <C>                       
  Lionel O. Barthold, Age 70; Chairman of Power                            89,031                   *
  Technologies, Inc. (consulting engineers).  Director of TrustCo
  from 1981 through 1985, and from 1989 to present.  Director
  of Trustco Bank since 1977.

  M. Norman Brickman, Age 71; President, D. Brickman, Inc.                 79,033                   *
  (wholesale fruits and produce).  Director of TrustCo and of
  Trustco Bank since 1985.

  Robert A. McCormick, Age 60; President of TrustCo and of
  Trustco Bank since 1982.  President and Chief Executive                 758,219                  3.7
  Officer of TrustCo and Trustco Bank since 1984. Director of
  TrustCo and of Trustco Bank since 1980.

  Richard J. Murray, Jr., Age 68; Chief Executive Officer,                176,404                   *
  R.J. Murray Co., Inc. (air-conditioning and heating
  distributors).  Director of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank since
  1985.

  Kenneth C. Petersen, Age 60; President and Chief Operating               37,473                   *
  Officer, Schenectady International, Inc. (chemical
  manufacturer).  Director of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank since
  1982.
  ----------
  See footnotes on page 5.


</TABLE>


                                       4
<PAGE>



<TABLE>



                                              TRUSTCO DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Shares of TrustCo Common Stock(1)
                                                                           Beneficially Owned
                   Name and Principal Occupation (1)             No. of Shares(2)    Percent of Class
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------  ----------------
<S>                                                              <C>                  <C>                  
  William D. Powers, Age 55; Chairman, New York                    2,943               *
  Republican State Committee. Director of TrustCo and of
  Trustco Bank since 1995.

  William F. Terry, Age 55; Executive officer of TrustCo         233,043              1.1
  (Secretary) since 1990 and of Trustco Bank (Senior Vice
  President) since 1987.  Director of TrustCo and of Trustco
  Bank since 1991.

</TABLE>
<TABLE>

                                   INFORMATION ON TRUSTCO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS NOT LISTED ABOVE
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Shares of TrustCo Common Stock
                                                                                      Beneficially Owned
                     Name and Principal Occupation                               No. of Shares(2)  Percent of Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------           ---------------- ------------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>             <C>              
  Robert T. Cushing, Age 41; Executive officer of TrustCo                              64,880          *
  (Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer) and Trustco Bank (Senior Vice
  President and Chief Financial Officer). Joined Trustco Bank in May 1994, after
  serving as a partner at KPMG Peat Marwick LLP since 1987.

  Ralph A. Pidgeon, Age 54; Executive officer of TrustCo                              225,765         1.1
  (Vice President and Assistant Secretary) since 1995 and of
  Trustco Bank (Senior Vice President) since 1978.  Joined
  Trustco Bank in 1964.

  TRUSTCO DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A GROUP (15
  INDIVIDUALS) BENEFICIALLY OWN 1,974,479 SHARES OF TRUSTCO COMMON STOCK,
  WHICH REPRESENT 9.7% OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES.
<FN>

  (1)   Each of the Directors  has held,  or retired from,  the same position or
        another  executive  position with the same employer during the past five
        years.
  (2)   Each  director and  executive  officer  named herein has sole voting and
        investment  power with respect to the shares listed  above,  except that
        voting and investment  power over a total of 4,087 shares is shared with
        their spouses and  children,  and a total of 29,771 are owned by spouses
        and other family members.  The shares shown include  1,101,403 shares of
        TrustCo  Common  Stock  with  respect  to which  certain  directors  and
        executive officers have a right to acquire  beneficial  ownership within
        60 days of December 31, 1996.
  (3)  *   Less than 1%
</FN>
</TABLE>



                                       5
<PAGE>






  Director Fees, Committees and Attendance

     The TrustCo Board held six (6) meetings during 1996. Each Director attended
  100%  of  the  aggregate  of  the  meetings  of  the TrustCo  Board and of the
  Committees on which he/she served.  Each Director who is not  an  employee of
  TrustCo or  of  Trustco  Bank  currently  receives  for his/her  services as
  Director  a  fee  in the amount of $2,200 per  meeting  attended of TrustCo's 
  and  Trustco  Bank's  Boards  of  Directors,  and $1,100 per meeting attended 
  of  any  TrustCo  or  Trustco  Bank  committee  of  which  he/she is a member.
  Directors  who are  employees of TrustCo or Trustco Bank do not receive  these
  Directors' fees or other  additional  remuneration for TrustCo or Trustco Bank
  Board of Directors' meetings or for special assignments.

     TrustCo's  Nominating  Committee  held no  meetings  in 1996.  The four (4)
  Directors  currently  serving on the  Nominating  Committee  are R. McCormick
  (Chairman),  B.  Andreoli,  R.  Murray,  and W.  Terry.  The  function  of the
  Nominating  Committee  is to consider  and  recommend  to the  TrustCo  Board,
  nominees for election to the TrustCo  Board.  Each of the nominees slated for
  election at this year's Annual Meeting is an incumbent, and was considered
  and selected by the TrustCo Board without action by the Nominating Committee.
  The Nominating Committee will consider written recommendations by
  shareholders for nominees for election to the TrustCo Board.

     TrustCo's  Audit  Committee  held one (1)  meeting  in  1996.  The four (4)
  Directors serving on the Audit Committee are R. Murray (Chairman), J. Murphy,
  K. Petersen,  and W. Purdy. The function of the Audit  Committee is to review
  TrustCo's and Trustco Bank's internal audit procedures, and also to review 
  the adequacy of internal accounting controls for TrustCo and Trustco Bank.

     TrustCo's Stock Option  Committee  held two (2) meeting in 1996. The three
  (3) Directors serving on the Stock Option Committee are J. Morris (Chairman),
  B. Andreoli, and N. Brickman. The function of the Stock Option Committee is
  to administer the 1995 TrustCo Bank Corp NY Stock Option Plan.

     The  Personnel Advisory  Committee of Trustco Bank held one (1) meeting in
  1996. The three (3) Directors serving on the Personnel Advisory Committee are
  J. Morris  (Chairman),  B.  Andreoli,  and N.  Brickman. The  function of the
  Personnel  Advisory Committee is to review general compensation  practices of
  Trustco  Bank and to recommend  to the Board of Directors of Trustco Bank the
  salary and benefits for Trustco  Bank's three (3) executive  officers who are
  also Directors of TrustCo, and the two (2) executive officers of Trustco Bank
  who are not directors of TrustCo.

  TrustCo Executive Officers

     Executive Officers of TrustCo are presently President and Chief Executive 
  Officer Robert A. McCormick, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  Robert T. Cushing, Vice President Nancy A. McNamara, Vice President and
  Assistant Secretary Ralph A. Pidgeon, and Secretary William F. Terry.





                                       6
<PAGE>






  Trustco Bank Executive Officers

    Executive Officers of Trustco Bank are presently President and Chief
 Executive Officer Robert A. McCormick, Senior Vice President and Chief
 Financial Officer Robert T. Cushing, Senior Vice Presidents Nancy A. McNamara,
 Ralph A. Pidgeon, and Senior Vice President and Secretary William F. Terry.

  TrustCo and Trustco Bank Executive Officer Compensation

     The following table sets forth for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996,
  the  compensation  paid to or  accrued  on behalf of each of the five (5) most
  highly  compensated  Executive Officers of TrustCo and Trustco Bank. The value
  of  incidental  personal  benefits,  which may not be directly  related to job
  performance, has been included, where applicable,  according to the Securities
  and  Exchange  Commission's  required  disclosure  thresholds.   Each  of  the
  following  Executive  Officers has an employment  contract and a  supplemental
  retirement agreement described in subsequent pages.





                                       7
<PAGE>


<TABLE>



                                                Summary Compensation Table
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            Long Term
                                                                                                          Compensation
                                                                 Annual Compensation                          Awards
                                                                                                           Securities
                                                                                        Other              Underlying
                                                                                        Annual              Options/
            Name and                                 Salary            Bonus           Compensation            SARs
       Principal Position            Year              ($)              ($)(1)                ($)(2)                 (#)(3)
- ------------------------------ -------------- --------------  ----------------- --------------------  -------------------
<S>                                 <C>             <C>                <C>                   <C>                  <C>
Robert A. McCormick
President & Chief                   1996            $750,000           $787,500              $66,813              115,000
Executive Officer, TrustCo          1995             720,000            648,000               48,736              138,000
and Trustco Bank                    1994             700,000            525,000               17,894              151,800
- ------------------------------ -------------- --------------  ----------------- --------------------  -------------------
Robert T. Cushing
Senior Vice President,              1996             260,000            273,000               12,481               46,000
Chief Financial Officer,            1995             240,000            216,000               10,302               34,500
Trustco Bank; Vice                  1994             138,000            106,808                7,003               60,720
President, Chief
Financial Officer, TrustCo(4)
- ------------------------------ -------------- --------------  ----------------- --------------------  -------------------
Nancy A. McNamara
Senior Vice President               1996             260,000            273,000               14,181               46,000
Trustco Bank; Vice                  1995             240,000            216,000               12,194               34,500
President, TrustCo                  1994             230,000            172,500               13,641               30,360
- ------------------------------ -------------- --------------  ----------------- --------------------  -------------------
Ralph A. Pidgeon
Senior Vice President               1996             260,000            273,000               15,892               46,000
Trustco Bank; Vice                  1995             240,000            216,000               11,171               34,500
President, Assistant                1994             230,000            172,500                7,589               30,360
Secretary, TrustCo
- ------------------------------ -------------- --------------  ----------------- --------------------  -------------------
William F. Terry
Senior Vice President,              1996             260,000            273,000               14,659               46,000
Secretary, Trustco Bank;            1995             240,000            216,000               10,556               34,500
Secretary, TrustCo                  1994             230,000            172,500                9,202               30,360
- ------------------------------ -------------- --------------  ----------------- --------------------  -------------------
<FN>

1.   Bonus amounts include payments to senior  executive  officers of TrustCo as
     short-term  incentive   compensation  pursuant  to  the  incentive  program
     described in greater  detail herein under the caption  "Personnel  Advisory
     Committee Report on Executive Compensation".
2.   Includes amounts reimbursed by the Company for the payment of taxes pursuant to established benefit plans.
3.   Stock Option data have been adjusted to reflect the 15% stock split on November 15, 1996, the 6 for 5 stock split
     on August  24, 1995, and the 10% stock dividend on October 21, 1994.
4.   Mr. Cushing commenced his employment with Trustco Bank on May 20, 1994.  The salary for 1994 was based upon
     an annual base salary of $230,000.

</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       8
<PAGE>




<TABLE>



                                     Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
<CAPTION>

                                Number of          % of Total   
                                Securities          Options/
                                Underlying            SARs                                         Potential Realizable Value
                                 Options/          Granted to     Exercise                           at Assumed Annual Rates
                                   SARs            Employees       or Base                          of Stock Price Appreciation
                                 Granted           in Fiscal        Price       Expiration             For Option Term4
           Name                    (#)(1)              Year(2)    ($/Sh)(3)        Date                5%             10%
- ---------------------------  ---------------- ----------------- -------------- ---------------- -----------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>               <C>       <C>               <C>             <C>       
Robert A. McCormick                   115,000        29.1%             $17.64    7/01/2006         $1,275,350      $3,232,650
Robert T. Cushing                      46,000        11.7%              17.64    7/01/2006            510,140       1,293,060
Nancy A. McNamara                      46,000        11.7%              17.64    7/01/2006            510,140       1,293,060
Ralph A. Pidgeon                       46,000        11.7%              17.64    7/01/2006            510,140       1,293,060
William F. Terry                       46,000        11.7%              17.64    7/01/2006            510,140       1,293,060
<FN>

1.    Options,  which were granted on July 1, 1996,  become  exercisable in five
      equal annual  installments  beginning July 1, 1996.  Stock Option data has
      been adjusted for the 15% stock split on November 15, 1996.
2.    The total number of options granted in 1996 was 394,450,  of which 299,000
      (75.8%) were issued to the Executive  group,  12,650 (3.2%) were issued to
      the non-Executive  Director group, and 82,800 (21.0%) to the non-Executive
      Officer group.
3.    Exercise or base price is equal to the mean between the closing dealer bid
      and asked  price for the  Common  Stock as quoted by Nasdaq on the date of
      the grant.
4.    The amounts  included reflect pre-tax gain. The dollar amounts under these
      columns are the result of  calculations at the 5% and 10% rates set by the
      Securities and Exchange  Commission  and,  therefore,  are not intended to
      forecast possible future  appreciation,  if any, of TrustCo's stock price.
      TrustCo's per share stock price would be $28.73 and $45.75 if increased 5%
      and 10% respectively, compounded annually over the option term.

</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>

           Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year, and FY-End Option/SAR Values
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Number of
                                                                             Securities Underlying         Value of Unexercised
                                                                                  Unexercised                  In-the-Money
                                                                                Options/SARs at              Options/SARs at
                                                                                  FY-End (#)                   FY-End ($)(3)
                               Shares Acquired             Value                 Exercisable/                  Exercisable/
           Name               on Exercise (#)(1)         Realized ($)(2)             Unexercisable                Unexercisable
- -------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------  ------------------------- -----------------------------
<S>                                <C>                            <C>               <C>                      <C>             
Robert A. McCormick                  --                                --           514,335/265,88           $4,849,983/1,509,734
Robert T. Cushing                    --                                --            59,432/81,788              401,599/  441,326
Nancy A. McNamara                   5,122                         $79,502           123,086/75,716            1,148,520/  391,930
Ralph A. Pidgeon                   13,036                         192,427           176,138/75,716            1,852,850/  391,930
William F. Terry                    7,886                          97,718           174,856/75,716            1,823,346/  391,930
<FN>

1.    Stock  Option data have been adjusted  for the 15% stock split on November
      15, 1996,  the 6 for 5 stock split on August 24,  1995,  and the 10% stock
      dividend on October 21, 1994. Shares shown include SARs exercised.
2.    The amounts  included  reflect  pre-tax gain.  Amounts shown represent the
      difference  between the stock  option  grant price and the market value of
      the stock on the date of exercise.
3.    The  amounts   included   reflect  pre-tax  gain.   Value  of  unexercised
      in-the-money  options  based on December 31, 1996,  closing trade price of
      $21.375.
</FN>
</TABLE>





                                       9
<PAGE>






TrustCo Retirement Plans

     Trustco  Bank has a defined  benefit  retirement  plan (the  "Trustco  Bank
Retirement  Plan")  pursuant to which  annual  retirement  benefits are based on
years of service to a maximum of 30 and average  annual  earnings of the highest
five consecutive  years during the final ten years of service.  The Trustco Bank
Retirement  Plan is fully  funded by Trustco  Bank  contributions.  In addition,
Trustco Bank has a supplemental  retirement plan (the "Trustco Bank Supplemental
Retirement Plan"), which is an actuarial plan, under which additional retirement
benefits  are accrued for  eligible  Executive  and Senior  Officers.  Under the
Trustco Bank Supplemental Retirement Plan, the amount of supplemental retirement
benefits is based upon annual contributions which are actuarially  calculated to
achieve a benefit  at  normal  retirement  which  approximates  the  differences
between (i) the total  retirement  benefit the  participant  would have received
under the Trustco Bank Retirement  Plan without taking into account  limitations
on compensation,  annual benefits and years of service;  and (ii) the retirement
benefit  the  participant  is  projected  to  receive  under  the  Trustco  Bank
Retirement Plan at normal retirement.  The Trustco Bank Supplemental  Retirement
Plan provides benefits based on years of service to a maximum of 40.

     The following table shows the approximate  retirement  benefits which would
have been  payable in 1996 to salaried  employees,  under both the Trustco  Bank
Retirement  Plan and the Trustco Bank  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan,  assuming
retirement  of such  person at age 65, and  payment of benefits in the form of a
life  annuity.  Earnings  used in  calculating  benefits  under  these Plans are
approximately  equal to cash  amounts  reflected  as  Salary  plus  Bonus in the
Summary  Compensation Table. These Plans permit service and earnings to continue
to be credited for employment after age 65. However, it is Trustco Bank's policy
that  executive  officers  will retire at age 65. The  benefits set forth in the
following  table  are in  addition  to those  which  may be  received  as Social
Security  benefits.  The years of  service at normal  retirement  age 65 for the
Executive  Officers (other than Mr.  McCormick)  named in the Cash  Compensation
Table would be as follows:  Mr. Cushing,  27 years; Ms. McNamara,  43 years; Mr.
Pidgeon, 44 years; and Mr. Terry, 20 years.

     Robert A. McCormick is not a participant  in the Trustco Bank  Supplemental
Retirement  Plan,  but has a separate  agreement  with  Trustco Bank under which
additional  retirement benefits are accrued.  Under the terms of Mr. McCormick's
agreement,  benefits are  calculated on the actuarial  basis used in the Trustco
Bank  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan,  however,  he will be entitled to benefits
equal to those to which he would have been  entitled  if he had been an employee
of Trustco Bank and a participant  under its  qualified  plans since the date he
joined a former employer.  The benefit will be reduced by the amount of benefits
actually  paid him  under  Trustco  Bank's  qualified  plans  and by his  former
employer's  qualified plans. The years of credited service at normal  retirement
age 65 for Mr. McCormick would be 47.




                                       10
<PAGE>



<TABLE>

                             Pension Plan Table
<CAPTION>

                      Annual Benefits for Years of Service
        Remuneration            10                  20               30                40
- ---------------------- ------------------- ---------------- ---------------- -----------------
          <C>               <C>                 <C>            <C>               <C>       
          $  200,000        $ 36,900            $ 74,500       $  113,200        $  152,900
             400,000          76,900             153,800          232,300           312,300
             600,000         116,900             233,800          352,300           472,300
             800,000         156,900             313,800          472,300           632,300
           1,000,000         196,900             393,800          592,300           792,300
           1,200,000         236,900             473,800          712,300           952,300
           1,400,000         276,900             553,800          832,300         1,112,300
           1,600,000         316,900             633,800          952,300         1,272,300
           1,800,000         356,900             713,800        1,072,300         1,432,300
           1,900,000         376,900             753,800        1,132,300         1,512,300
</TABLE>

     Generally, an employee who has attained age 55 and has ten years of service
has the  right to elect  to  immediately  begin  receiving  adjusted  retirement
benefits less than those indicated in the table upon any separation from service
with  Trustco  Bank.  The Internal  Revenue  Code places a maximum  limit on the
benefits  that can be  provided  under  qualified  retirement  plans such as the
Trustco Bank Retirement  Plan. For 1996, the annual Internal  Revenue Code limit
for a straight-life annuity benefit at normal retirement age was $120,000, which
amount is actuarially  reduced for  participants  who retire and begin receiving
benefits early.

     The Trustco Bank  Supplemental  Retirement Plan provides that Trustco Bank,
in its  discretion,  may at any time elect to make a lump sum  distribution of a
participant's  supplemental  benefit. The amount of this single payment is equal
to the participant's  Supplemental Account Balance. A participant may also elect
to be paid the  supplemental  benefits  upon  separation of service from Trustco
Bank in one of the benefit forms provided under the Trustco Bank Retirement Plan
or in a single lump sum or installments.

     The Trustco Bank Supplemental  Retirement Plan and Mr. McCormick's separate
agreement are unfunded for tax purposes.  However,  Trustco Bank has established
an irrevocable trust (the "Rabbi Trust") to fund its obligations under these and
other  executive  compensation  plans.  Trustco  Bank is required to make annual
contributions to the Rabbi Trust.  However, the assets of the Rabbi Trust remain
subject to Trustco Bank's general creditors in the event of insolvency.

Personnel Advisory Committee Report on Executive Compensation

   The  Personnel   Advisory   Committee  of  Trustco  Bank   determines   the
compensation  of employees and officers of TrustCo and Trustco  Bank,  including
the Named Executive Officers identified in the Summary  Compensation Table. Each
of the  Named  Executive  Officers  in the  Summary  Compensation  Table  has an
employment  agreement  with each of TrustCo and Trustco Bank.  These  employment
agreements are described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.

   The Personnel Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors of Trustco Bank,
the present members of which are:  J. Morris (Chairman), B. Andreoli, and N.
Brickman, none of whom was an officer of TrustCo or Trustco Bank during fiscal
year 1996, furnished the following report on executive compensation to the
Board



                                       11
<PAGE>






of Directors of Trustco  Bank,  which has been adopted by the TrustCo  Board for
the year ended December 31, 1996:

     Under the  supervision and direction of the Personnel  Advisory  Committee,
TrustCo  and  Trustco  Bank  have  developed  compensation  policies,  plans and
programs  which seek to enhance  profitability  of TrustCo and Trustco Bank, and
ultimately  shareholder  value, by aligning  closely the financial  interests of
TrustCo's senior management with those of its  shareholders.  It continues to be
the  purpose  and  intent  of the  Personnel  Advisory  Committee  to  design  a
compensation  program  which  reflects the standards of  performance  of Trustco
Bank,  with  particular  emphasis on setting goals tied to return on shareholder
equity previously defined by the Board of Directors of Trustco Bank.

     The function of the Personnel  Advisory  Committee is to review the general
compensation  structure for executive officers of Trustco Bank,  including those
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the "Named Executive
Officers") which appears elsewhere in this Proxy Statement,  and to recommend to
the Board of Directors of Trustco Bank the salary and benefits of such executive
officers.  The  components  of executive  compensation  for the Named  Executive
Officers  include  salary,  bonus,  stock  options,  and cash payments under the
Trustco Bank Retirement Plan,  Non-Qualified  Supplemental  Retirement Plan, and
Executive Officer  Incentive Plan, and in Mr.  McCormick's case, in his separate
agreement. The Personnel Advisory Committee evaluates individual performance and
corporate profitability to determine the level of any compensation adjustment to
take  effect  as of  January  of the  following  year.  The  Personnel  Advisory
Committee also identifies persons within Trustco Bank eligible to participate in
the Executive Incentive Plan and the Nonqualified Supplemental Retirement Plan.

     The Personnel Advisory Committee met once during the course of the year, on
October 15, 1996. The Stock Option Committee, whose members are the same as that
of the  Personnel  Advisory  Committee,  met  separately  on July 1, 1996, to 1)
identify eligible participants in TrustCo's 1995 Stock Option Plan; and 2) award
option grants for the current plan year. The Stock Option  Committee  considered
discussions  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP had with management  regarding  general stock
option issues and trends when  formulating  its final decision on grants awarded
under  the Stock  Option  Plan.  KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP  provided  information
regarding industry trends for general  compensation  levels and option levels in
the industry.  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is the independent  auditor for TrustCo and
provides a variety of tax and financial  consulting services for TrustCo.  While
TrustCo  does not have a target  ownership  level  for  equity  holdings  by its
executives,  the Stock  Option  Committee  does take into account the amount and
value of options  currently held by eligible  participants  when granting option
awards.  Options  may be  granted in  varying  amounts so as to create  relative
ownership parity among the executive officers  participating in the Stock Option
Plan.

     It is the aim of the Personnel  Advisory  Committee to determine salary and
benefit levels of executive  compensation  principally upon the basis of overall
corporate performance,  although elements of corporate performance may vary from
year to year in the  discretion  of the Personnel  Advisory  Committee and among
executive  officers.  In making any such  determination,  the Personnel Advisory
Committee will consider a number of factors including,  among others,  TrustCo's
and Trustco  Bank's  return on equity,  attainment of net income goals and total
asset targets,  overall  profitability  from year to year, banking experience of
individual officers,  scope of responsibility  within the overall  organization,
performance and particular  contributions to Trustco Bank and TrustCo during the
course of the  year,  and  other  relevant  factors,  including  involvement  in
community  matters  which may  better  position  the  organization  to serve the
immediate needs of Trustco Bank's market.  The Personnel Advisory Committee uses
broad discretion when determining compensation levels and considers all


                                       12
<PAGE>





of the above  criteria.  It does not  assign a  specific  weight to any of these
factors when establishing  salary and benefit levels. In addition,  compensation
levels are established  notwithstanding  Trustco Bank's  inability to deduct all
such  compensation  under  provisions  of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

     The Personnel  Advisory Committee may also consider  compensation  programs
offered  to  executives  performing  similar  duties  for  competing  depository
institutions and their holding  companies,  with a particular focus on the level
of compensation paid by comparable  institutions.  To assist in this evaluation,
an industry  group of 12 regional bank holding  companies,  called the Dow Jones
Banks - East Index,  was  identified  by the  Personnel  Advisory  Committee for
performance  and  compensation  comparisons.   This  Index  is  comprised  of  a
broad-based  group of banks on the East  Coast and was  chosen  for  comparative
purposes because of its members' geographic proximity to Trustco Bank. This peer
group consists of the same companies that comprise the published  industry index
used in the  performance  graph that follows this report.  While Trustco Bank is
comparatively smaller in terms of total asset size than the members of this peer
group,  Trustco Bank  favorably  competes  with these  institutions  in terms of
overall  corporate  performance.  Trustco's return on asset and return on equity
ratios  ranked in the top 50% and top 33%,  respectively,  when  compared to the
members of this peer group,  yet the base salary of  Trustco's  Chief  Executive
Officer  was below the mean and median  base  salary of the peer group  members'
Chief Executive  Officers.  The Committee  further takes into  consideration the
unique  size of  TrustCo's  executive  group  as  compared  to  other  financial
institutions. Trustco Bank and TrustCo currently operate with five (5) executive
officers,  whereas  many  institutions  in this peer group have a larger pool of
executive officers.

     During its meeting in 1996, the Personnel Advisory Committee decided not to
change the current basic salary structure, short-term incentive compensation for
executives, or features of other employee benefits plans.

     The Personnel Advisory Committee  continues to believe that Trustco Bank is
better able to attract,  retain,  and  motivate  Trustco  Bank's  executives  to
achieve  superior  performance  if  a  relatively  large  percentage  of  senior
executive  compensation is at risk. In other words,  Trustco Bank's compensation
for  senior  executives,   including  those  executives  named  in  the  Summary
Compensation  Table,  is designed  with an  objective  of  providing  less total
compensation  when  TrustCo's  performance  is  poorer  than  a  peer  group  of
companies,  and  providing  superior  total  compensation  when  performance  is
superior to that of the peer group.

     In evaluating corporate performance for purposes of establishing short-term
incentive  compensation  awards for executive  officers,  the Personnel Advisory
Committee evaluated TrustCo's performance as compared with TrustCo's profit plan
for the year, and also evaluated  financial results (generally return on equity)
as compared  with peers for the current  year.  In the opinion of the  Personnel
Advisory  Committee,  return  on  equity  is the  most  significant  measure  of
performance of TrustCo and its relative  importance to shareholders.  Therefore,
the target pools were established to provide senior executives with an incentive
to increase return on equity performance.  The Personnel Advisory Committee then
established  a  percentage  of target  pool to be paid as  short-term  incentive
compensation (this ranged from 0% to 125% of base compensation). The target pool
payment would be made to senior  executives based on TrustCo's return on average
equity for the year.  The range of target return on average equity was from 14%,
which equated to a 40% payout, to 20% return on average equity, which equated to
a 125% payout.  Return on average equity in 1996 was 19.05%.  Senior  executives
would receive no incentive compensation award for return on average equity below
14%.

     In  consideration  of the  potential  benefits  payable under the incentive
program   described  above,   senior   executives  ceased  to  be  eligible  for
contributions to Trustco Bank's profit sharing plan beginning in 1994, which



                                       13
<PAGE>





qualifies for favorable tax treatment and to which Trustco Bank historically has
made contributions equal to 15% of compensation.

     The Personnel Advisory  Committee's  actions  concerning  compensation were
ultimately   judgements  based  upon  the  Committee's  ongoing  assessment  and
understanding  of  TrustCo  and  its  executive  officers,  performance  of  its
executive officers, and whether or not cash payments or incentive payments would
provide an  appropriate  award or incentive  to the  officers'  contribution  to
TrustCo's past and future performance.

     With respect to total  compensation  paid to Mr. McCormick during 1996, the
Committee  reviewed,  among other criteria noted above, the consistent growth in
performance  and  shareholder  equity since his appointment as President in 1982
and Chief  Executive  Officer in 1984, and his ability to effectively  influence
and lead the  executive  team to attain this  performance  level.  The Committee
exercises broad discretion when considering these criteria and does not assign a
specific  weight to any of these factors.  Mr.  McCormick did not participate in
the discussions regarding his compensation.


                          The TrustCo Board of Directors

 Barton A. Andreoli                         James H. Murphy, D.D.S.
 Lionel O. Barthold                         Richard J. Murray, Jr.
 M. Norman Brickman                         Kenneth C. Petersen
 Anthony J. Marinello, M.D., Ph.D.          William D. Powers
 Robert A. McCormick                        William J. Purdy
 Nancy A. McNamara                          William F. Terry
 John S. Morris, Ph.D.



                                       14
<PAGE>






Share Investment Performance

     The following  graphs show changes over five-year and nine-year  periods in
the value of $100  invested  in: (1) TrustCo  Common  Stock;  (2) the Standard &
Poor's 500 index;  and (3) an industry  group of 12 other  regional bank holding
companies,  called the Dow Jones Banks--East Index.  TrustCo management believes
that longer term performance is of greater  importance to TrustCo  shareholders.
The nine-year  period is presented in addition to the five-year  period required
by the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  because  it  provides  additional
perspective,  and  matches the  longest  period for which Dow Jones  Banks--East
Index  information is available.  The banks comprising the Dow Jones Banks--East
Index  are:  Bank of Boston  Corp.,  The Bank of New York Co.,  Baybanks,  Inc.,
Corestates  Financial Corp., Fleet Financial Group Inc., MBNA Corp., Mellon Bank
Corp.,  Mercantile  Bankshares Corp., PNC Bank Corp., State Street Boston Corp.,
Summit Bancorp, and Wilmington Trust Corp.

     The year-end  pre-tax  values of each  investment  are based on share price
appreciation  plus dividends paid, with cash dividends  reinvested the date they
were paid.

         



<TABLE>
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG TRUSTCO BANK CORP. NY, THE S&P 500 INDEX AND THE
DOW JONES REGIONAL BANKS, EAST INDEX
<CAPTION>

                      1992     1993     1994     1995     1996
                      ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
<S>                  <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C> 
TrustCo              $130      $183     $189     $261     $305
S & P 500             108       118      120      165      203
DJBanks-East          144       151      145      248      343

*Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1991 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends.
 Fiscal year ending December 31.

</TABLE>
<TABLE>

                                       15
<PAGE>

COMPARISON OF NINE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG TRUSTCO BANK CORP. NY, THE S&P 500 INDEX AND THE
DOW JONES REGIONAL BANKS, EAST INDEX
<CAPTION>

                1988    1989    1990    1991    1992    1993    1994    1995    1996
                ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----

<S>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C> 
TrustCo         $133    $162    $154    $239    $312    $438    $451    $623    $727
S & P 500        117     154     149     194     209     230     233     321     394
DJBanks-East     115     117      65     121     174     183     176     301     416

*Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1987 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends.
 Fiscal year ending December 31.

</TABLE>


Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment Arrangements

     TrustCo and Trustco  Bank have entered into  agreements  (individually  the
"TrustCo   Employment   Agreement"  and  collectively  the  "TrustCo  Employment
Agreements") to engage the services of the five Named Executive Officers: Robert
A. McCormick,  the President and Chief Executive  Officer of TrustCo and Trustco
Bank (the "President");  Nancy A. McNamara,  Vice President of TrustCo, Ralph A.
Pidgeon,  Vice President and Assistant  Secretary of TrustCo,  William F. Terry,
Secretary of TrustCo, and Robert T. Cushing,  Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer  of  TrustCo,  each a Senior  Vice  President  of  Trustco  Bank as well
(collectively, the "Vice Presidents").

     (1)     President's TrustCo Employment Agreement

     The President's TrustCo Employment Agreement,  dated as of January 1, 1992,
and amended as of  September 1, 1994,  had an initial term  expiring on December
31, 1994.  The Agreement  automatically  renewed on January 1, 1995,  and renews
each year  thereafter,  for a  succeeding  three year term  until the  President
receives a  non-renewal  notice or he reaches  retirement  age of 65 or the then
mandatory retirement age, whichever is greater.

     The  President's  TrustCo  Employment  Agreement  provides  that his annual
compensation shall be his annual base salary plus his executive  incentive bonus
("Annual  Compensation").  Mr. McCormick's  Annual  Compensation in future years
will be negotiated  with TrustCo and Trustco Bank and shall not be less than his
Annual  Compensation for the preceding  calendar year. As further  compensation,
Mr. McCormick is entitled to participate fully in any disability, death benefit,
retirement, executive incentive compensation, or pension plans





                                       16
<PAGE>





maintained by TrustCo and/or Trustco Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and as
described  in  greater  detail  herein  under the  caption  "Personnel  Advisory
Committee  Report on Executive  Compensation,"  Mr.  McCormick  has ceased to be
eligible to participate in the Trustco Bank profit sharing plan in consideration
of the potential benefits under the short-term incentive plan described above.

     In the event there is a termination of the President for any reason,  other
than good cause,  or retirement,  then he shall receive upon his  termination an
amount  equal to three  times his then  Annual  Compensation,  to be paid at his
election  either (a) in a single lump sum reduced to its present  value,  within
ten days of his  termination,  or (b) in three equal annual payments each in the
amount of the Annual  Compensation  then in effect with the first  payment to be
made within ten days after his termination.  The President's  TrustCo Employment
Agreement  also  provides  for a gross up payment in the event that the  amounts
payable to the President  upon his  termination  under the  President's  TrustCo
Employment  Agreement  or any other  agreement  are  subject  to the  excise tax
imposed by Section  4999 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended (the
"Code").

     Upon  termination  of  the  President's  employment  due to  retirement  or
disability,  TrustCo and Trustco  Bank shall  provide to the  President  and his
wife, for the life of the President, the same health insurance benefits provided
to  retirees by TrustCo and Trustco  Bank under their  medical  insurance  plan.
TrustCo and Trustco  Bank will also  provide to the  President  for his life the
same life  insurance  benefits  provided to retirees by TrustCo and Trustco Bank
under their life insurance plan.

     The  President's  TrustCo  Employment   Agreement  defines  termination  to
include:  (a) any reduction in the President's  annual  compensation  (including
executive incentive compensation),  disability,  death,  retirement,  pension or
profit-sharing  benefits (unless such reductions shall be applied to all Trustco
Bank  employees  as  part  of a  validly  adopted  plan  of  cost  containment),
responsibilities or duties; or (b) either TrustCo's or Trustco Bank's relocation
or a change in the  President's  base location;  or (c) receipt of a non-renewal
notice  pursuant to the President's  TrustCo  Employment  Agreement;  or (d) the
unilateral election of the President to terminate his Agreement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing,  the parties to the President's TrustCo Employment Agreement have
agreed that Mr.  McCormick's  ineligibility  to  participate in the Trustco Bank
profit sharing plan, as aforesaid, shall not have effected a termination of such
employment agreement.

     (2)     Vice Presidents' TrustCo Employment Agreements

     The  TrustCo  Employment  Agreements  for the Vice  Presidents  (except for
Robert T.  Cushing,  whose  employment  agreement was executed on June 21, 1994)
were restated  effective as of June 21, 1994. These  employment  agreements have
one year terms  which  automatically  renew on January 1 of each year,  unless a
Vice  President  receives a non-renewal  notice or he or she reaches a specified
retirement age. The Vice Presidents' TrustCo Employment  Agreements provide that
the annual  compensation  of each Vice President shall be his or her annual base
salary,  which  amount may be adjusted as agreed  among the parties  during each
renewal term. The Vice Presidents are also entitled to participate  fully in any
disability,  death benefit,  retirement,  executive incentive  compensation,  or
pension plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and as described in greater detail
herein  under the caption  "Personnel  Advisory  Committee  Report on  Executive
Compensation,"  the Vice Presidents  ceased to be eligible to participate in the
Trustco Bank profit  sharing plan in  consideration  of the  potential  benefits
under the short-term incentive plan described above.

     In the event there is a termination  of a Vice  President  within two years
after a change in control of TrustCo or Trustco Bank,  for any reason other than
for good cause, death, retirement at the mandatory retirement age,



                                       17
<PAGE>






or  disability,  then he or she  shall  receive,  within  ten days of his or her
termination,  an  amount  equal to two times the Vice  President's  annual  base
salary then in effect. The TrustCo Employment Agreements for the Vice Presidents
also  provide for a gross up payment in the event that the amounts  payable to a
Vice President upon his or her termination  under such Vice President's  TrustCo
Employment  Agreement or any other  agreement  involving such Vice President are
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code.

     Upon  termination  of a Vice  President's  employment  due to retirement or
disability, TrustCo and Trustco Bank shall provide to the Vice President and his
or her spouse,  for the life of the Vice  President,  the same health  insurance
benefits  provided to retirees by TrustCo and Trustco  Bank under their  medical
insurance plan. TrustCo and Trustco Bank will also provide to the Vice President
for his or her life the same life  insurance  benefits  provided  to retirees by
TrustCo and Trustco Bank under their life insurance plan.

     The  TrustCo   Employment   Agreements  for  the  Vice  Presidents   define
termination  within  two years  after a change in control  to  include:  (a) any
reduction in the executive's annual compensation, (including executive incentive
compensation), disability, death, retirement, pension or profit sharing benefits
(unless such  reductions  shall be applied to all Trustco Bank employees as part
of a validly adopted plan of cost containment),  responsibilities  or duties; or
(b) either TrustCo's or Trustco Bank's relocation or a change in the executive's
base location;  or (c) receipt of a non-renewal  notice  pursuant to the TrustCo
Employment  Agreement;  or (d)  the  unilateral  election  of the  executive  to
terminate his or her Agreement.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the parties to
the Vice  Presidents'  TrustCo  Employment  Agreements have agreed that the Vice
Presidents'  ineligibility  to  participate  in the Trustco Bank profit  sharing
plan, as aforesaid,  shall not have  effected a termination  of such  employment
agreements.


     (3)     General Provisions

     In addition to termination  payments for the President and Vice  Presidents
described above, all TrustCo  Employment  Agreements provide for (a) the payment
in full of each employee's  compensation due, including retirement,  pension and
profit sharing  plans,  through the  termination  date, (b) the  continuation of
health  and  group  life  insurance  benefits  for at least  one year  following
termination, and  (c)  the  cost  of any  legal  expenses  as a  result  of such
termination.


THE TRUSTCO BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE TRUSTCO DIRECTOR
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS TRUSTCO DIRECTORS, WHICH IS ITEM 1 ON THE PROXY CARD


Item 2. Amendment of TrustCo's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

     The TrustCo Board has unanimously recommended that the shareholders approve
a proposal to amend the TrustCo Bank Corp NY Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation ("Certificate of Incorporation") to change the minimum and maximum
numbers of directors.  The Certificate of Incorporation  presently provides that
the number of directors to  constitute  the TrustCo  Board shall  consist of not
less than twelve (12) and not more than fifteen (15) members  divided into three
(3) classes of not less than four (4) members each. The



                                       18
<PAGE>






TrustCo  Bylaws provide that subject to the New York Business  Corporation  Law,
the number of directors  constituting the Board may be changed from time to time
by action of the  shareholders or the Board,  provided that such numbers are not
less than the minimum of twelve (12) and  maximum of fifteen  (15).  The Trustco
Bank Bylaws provide for a minimum number of directors of seven (7) and a maximum
of twenty (20). The Trustco Bank Board of Directors  presently consists of those
persons who are also members of the TrustCo Board. In order that the minimum and
maximum  numbers of directors are the same for both TrustCo and Trustco Bank and
to provide the TrustCo Board with additional flexibility,  on February 18, 1997,
the  TrustCo  Board  unanimously   approved  a  change  in  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  (the "Certificate  Amendment") to provide for a minimum number of
directors of seven (7) and a maximum  number of twenty (20),  divided into three
(3) classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with one class to be elected
annually  for  a  three-year  term.  The  exact  number  of  directors  will  be
established  from time to time by the  TrustCo  Board.  The number of  directors
currently  serving  on the  TrustCo  Board is  thirteen  (13).  The  Certificate
Amendment is subject to approval of the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

Reasons for and Effect of the Certificate Amendment

     The  TrustCo  Board  believes  that the change in the  minimum  and maximum
numbers of directors is in the best  interests of TrustCo and its  shareholders.
The change will afford the TrustCo Board  additional  flexibility  to adjust the
size of its membership as appropriate  in  circumstances  which may arise in the
future.  For  example,  the TrustCo  Board could reduce the size of the Board to
facilitate  communications  among  directors and increase the  efficiency of the
Board, or could expand the size of the Board to accommodate additional directors
in future  acquisitions.  In  addition,  the change  will make the  TrustCo  and
Trustco Bank requirements with respect to the number of directors identical.

     In the event  that the  TrustCo  Board  decided  to reduce  the size of the
Board,  it  could  do so by  eliminating  vacancies  created  by  retirement  or
otherwise,  but as provided in the New York Business  Corporation Law, could not
shorten the term of any  incumbent  director.  If the size of the TrustCo  Board
were to be  increased,  the  directors  then in office could fill the  vacancies
created by the increase in accordance with the Bylaws,  and such newly appointed
directors  would hold office until the next meeting of shareholders at which the
election of directors is in the regular  order of business.  The change does not
affect  the  classification  of the  TrustCo  Board,  except  that the number of
directors in a class may be increased or  decreased,  provided  that the classes
are as nearly equal as possible.

     The  full  text of  Article  VI of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as
currently in effect and as proposed to be amended,  is set forth in Exhibit A to
this Proxy Statement.  The preceding description of the Certificate Amendment is
qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit A.

Vote Required

     The  Certificate  Amendment will be adopted if approved by the  affirmative
vote  of  the  holders  of at  least  two-thirds  (2/3)  of  the  Common  Stock.
Abstentions on properly executed proxy cards and shares not voted by brokers and
other  entities  holding  shares  on  behalf of  beneficial  owners  will not be
counted,  which will have the same  effect as a vote  "against"  this  proposal.
Dissenting  votes give rise to no rights on the part of dissenters.  The TrustCo
Board  believes the adoption of the  Certificate  Amendment  will be in the best
interests of the TrustCo shareholders.

THE   TRUSTCO   BOARD   RECOMMENDS   THAT   TRUSTCO SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THIS
PROPOSAL, WHICH IS ITEM 2 ON THE TRUSTCO PROXY CARD.



                                       19
<PAGE>





Item 3.  Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Auditors

     KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, certified public  accountants,  were the independent
auditors for TrustCo for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the TrustCo Board
has again selected and appointed them as the  independent  auditors for the year
ending  December 31, 1997. A resolution  will be presented at the Annual Meeting
to ratify their appointment as independent  auditors.  The independent  auditors
will report on the consolidated  financial statements of TrustCo for the current
calendar year and will perform such other non-audit  services as may be required
of them.  Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP are expected to be present at
the Annual  Meeting to make a statement,if they so desire, and are also expected
to be available to respond to appropriate questions that may be raised.

     During the year ended  December  31,  1996,  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP provided
various audit and non-audit  professional services to TrustCo. Audit services so
provided  included  examination  of the  consolidated  financial  statements  of
TrustCo,  review,  assistance and  consultation in connection with the filing of
the Form 10-K Annual Report with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  and
assistance  with  accounting  and financial  reporting  requirements.  Non-audit
services so provided  included the  preparation  and  planning of corporate  tax
returns and general consultation on certain compensation matters.

THE TRUSTCO BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT TRUSTCO SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL,
WHICH IS ITEM 3 ON THE TRUSTCO PROXY CARD.


Item 4.  Other Matters

     The TrustCo  Board is not aware of any other  matters  that may come before
the  Annual  Meeting.  However,  the  proxies  may be voted  with  discretionary
authority  with respect to any other  matters that may properly  come before the
Annual Meeting.

SEC FORM 10-K:

     TrustCo  Bank Corp NY will provide  without  charge a copy of its Form 10-K
upon  written  request.  Requests and related  inquiries  should be directed to:
William F. Terry,  Secretary,  TrustCo Bank Corp NY, P.O. Box 1082, Schenectady,
New York 12301-1082.

Ownership of TrustCo Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners

     TrustCo  is not aware of any  person  who,  as of the date  hereof,  is the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock.

     At March 1,  1997,  the Trust  Department  of Trustco  Bank held  4,677,974
shares of  TrustCo  Common  Stock as  executor,  trustee  and agent  (22.95%  of
outstanding  shares) not  otherwise  reported in this proxy  statement.  Neither
TrustCo nor Trustco Bank has any beneficial interest in these shares.



                                       20
<PAGE>






Transactions with TrustCo and Trustco Bank Directors, Executive Officers and
Associates

     Some of the directors  and executive  officers of TrustCo and Trustco Bank,
and  some of the  corporations  and  firms  with  which  these  individuals  are
associated,  are also  customers  of  Trustco  Bank in the  ordinary  course  of
business,  or are  indebted  to  Trustco  Bank in respect to loans of $60,000 or
more,  and it is  anticipated  that they will  continue to be  customers  of and
indebted to Trustco Bank in the future.  All such loans,  however,  were made in
the  ordinary  course of  business,  did not  involve  more than  normal risk of
collectibility,  do not present  other  unfavorable  features,  and were made on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral,  as those
prevailing  at the same  time for  comparable  Trustco  Bank  transactions  with
unaffiliated  persons.  As of  March 1,  1997 the  total  amount  of such  loans
represented 4.04% of shareholders' equity of TrustCo.

     During  the  previous  calendar  year,  Trustco  Bank  has  had  commercial
transactions  in the  ordinary  course of  business  with  companies  with which
certain of  TrustCo's  directors  are  affiliated.  No  significant  business or
personal relationship with Trustco Bank existed by virtue of a person's position
in TrustCo or in Trustco Bank, or ownership interest in TrustCo.

Insurance for Indemnification of Officers and Directors

     TrustCo  renewed  insurance  for the  indemnification  of its  officers and
directors  and  officers  and  directors  of Trustco  Bank from the  Progressive
Insurance Company effective for the one (1) year period from October 10, 1996 to
October 10,  1997.  The cost of this  insurance  was  $53,708,  and  coverage is
provided to all officers and directors of TrustCo and Trustco Bank.  The TrustCo
Board has no knowledge of any claims made or sum paid pursuant to such insurance
policy during 1996.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  requires
TrustCo's  directors and executive  officers,  and persons who own more than ten
percent (10%) of a registered class of TrustCo's equity  securities  ("Reporting
Persons")  to file  initial  reports  of  ownership  and  reports  of changes of
ownership  in  TrustCo's  Common  Stock and  other  equity  securities  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC").  Reporting Persons are required by
SEC regulations to furnish TrustCo with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they
file.

     To  TrustCo's  knowledge,  based  solely on a review of the  copies of such
reports furnished to TrustCo, and written  representations that no other reports
were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, all Section 16(a)
filing requirements have been met.

                                                 TRUSTCO SHAREHOLDERS

TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE TRUSTCO ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE
SIGN,  DATE AND  PROMPTLY  RETURN  THE  ACCOMPANYING  TRUSTCO  PROXY CARD IN THE
ENVELOPE  PROVIDED.  IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND ARE A SHAREHOLDER  OF
RECORD, PLEASE MARK THE PROXY CARD APPROPRIATELY AND RETURN IT. HOWEVER, IF YOUR
SHARES ARE NOT  REGISTERED IN YOUR OWN NAME,  PLEASE ADVISE THE  SHAREHOLDER  OF
RECORD (YOUR BANK, BROKER, ETC.) THAT YOU WISH TO ATTEND. THAT FIRM MUST PROVIDE
YOU WITH EVIDENCE OF YOUR OWNERSHIP  WHICH WILL ENABLE YOU TO GAIN ADMITTANCE TO
THE MEETING.





                                       21
<PAGE>




                                                       Exhibit A

The full text of Article VI of the Certificate of Incorporation, as currently in
effect, is set forth below:

                                                      Article VI
                                        Directors; Election and Classification
     6. The entire Board of  Directors,  consisting of not less than twelve (12)
members and not more than fifteen (15) members,  shall be divided into three (3)
classes  of not less  than four (4)  members  each,  which  classes  are  hereby
designated  as Class A, Class B and Class C. The number of  directors of Class A
shall equal  one-third  (1/3) of the total number of directors as  determined in
the manner  provided in the By-Laws (with any  fractional  remainder to count as
one);  the number of  directors of Class B shall equal  one-third  (1/3) of said
total number of directors (or the nearest whole number thereto);  and the number
of directors  of Class C shall equal said total  number of  directors  minus the
aggregate  number of  directors of Classes A and B. At the election of the first
Board of  Directors,  the class of each of the  members  then  elected  shall be
designated.  The term of  office of each  member  then  designated  as a Class A
director shall expire at the annual meeting of shareholders  next ensuing,  that
of each member then  designated  as a Class B director at the annual  meeting of
shareholders one year  thereafter,  and that of each member then designated as a
Class C director at the annual meeting of shareholders two years thereafter.  At
each annual meeting of shareholders  held after the election and  classification
of the first Board of  Directors,  directors to succeed those whose terms expire
at such annual  meeting  shall be elected to hold office for a term  expiring at
the third  succeeding  annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective
successors  are elected and have  qualified  or until their  respective  earlier
displacement from office by resignation, removal or otherwise.

The full text of Article VI of the Certificate of Incorporation,  as proposed to
be amended, is set forth below:


                                   Article VI
                     Directors; Election and Classification
     6. The entire  Board of  Directors,  consisting  of not less than seven (7)
members and not more than twenty (20)  members,  shall be divided into three (3)
classes as nearly equal in number as may be, which classes are hereby designated
as Class A, Class B and Class C. The number of  directors of Class A shall equal
one-third  (1/3) of the total number of directors  as  determined  in the manner
provided in the By-Laws  (with any  fractional  remainder to count as one);  the
number of directors of Class B shall equal  one-third (1/3) of said total number
of directors (or the nearest whole number thereto);  and the number of directors
of Class C shall equal said total number of directors minus the aggregate number
of  directors  of  Classes  A and B.  At the  election  of the  first  Board  of
Directors,  the class of each of the members then elected  shall be  designated.
The term of office of each member then  designated  as a Class A director  shall
expire at the annual meeting of shareholders  next ensuing,  that of each member
then designated as a Class B director at the annual meeting of shareholders  one
year  thereafter,  and that of each member then designated as a Class C director
at the annual  meeting of  shareholders  two years  thereafter.  At each  annual
meeting of shareholders held after the election and  classification of the first
Board of Directors, directors to succeed those whose terms expire at such annual
meeting  shall be  elected  to hold  office  for a term  expiring  at the  third
succeeding annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective  successors
are elected and have qualified or until their  respective  earlier  displacement
from office by resignation, removal or otherwise.





                                       22
<PAGE>








                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                    PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                  May 19, 1997

The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" proposals 1, 2, and 3 below

1.  Election of Directors
   [ ]  FOR 
   [ ]  WITHHELD 
    *   FOR ALL EXCEPT the following nominees:

2.  Approval of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
   [ ]  FOR
   [ ]  AGAINST 
   [ ]  ABSTAIN

3.  Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors
   [ ]  FOR
   [ ]  AGAINST 
   [ ]  ABSTAIN

SPECIAL NOTES
   [ ]  I plan to attens meeting    [ ] # attending
   [ ]  Comments on reverse side 

SIGNATURES________________________________________    DATE_____________,1997

Please sign and date this proxy card exactly as your name(s) appear above and
return it promptly whether or not you plan to attend the meeting.  If signing 
for a corporation or partnership or as an agent, attorney or fiduciary, 
indicate the capacity in which you are signing.  If you do attend the meeting
and decide to vote by ballot, such vote will supersede this proxy.

This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of TrustCo Bank
Corp NY ("TrustCo") for the Annual Meeting of shareholders to be held at 
TrustCo's Trust Building, 192 Erie Boulevard, Schenectady, New York, on 
May 19, 1997.

The undersigned hereby appointsHarry E. Whittingham, Jr. and Anthony M. Salerno,
and each of them, the proxy or proxies of the undersigned, with full power of 
substitution, to vote all shares of common stock of TrustCo which the 
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and at any adjournments
or postponements thereof.

This proxy will be voted as directed, but if no direction is indicated, it will
be voted FOR Proposals 1 through 3 and in the discretion of the proxies on such
other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments
or postponements thereof.

Your vote for election of Directors may be indicted on the other side. Nominees
are - Three Year Term: Barton A. Andreoli, Nancy A. McNamara, John S. Morris,
DDS, James H. Murphy, DDS and William H. Purdy. One Year Term: Anthony J.
Marinello, MD, PhD.

Please sign and date this proxy card on the reverse side and mail promptly in
the enclosed postage-paid envelope.  If you do not sign and return a proxy or
attend the meeting and vote by ballot, your shares cannot be counted.

Comments:_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(If you have written in the abouve space, please mark the "Comments" box on the
 other side of this card.)




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