TRUSTCO BANK CORP N Y
PRE 14A, 1998-03-24
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
Previous: CB&T INC, 10-K, 1998-03-24
Next: PROFESSIONAL BANCORP INC, SC 13D/A, 1998-03-24



                                       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 Glen
Sanders Mansion,  One Glen Avenue,  Scotia,  New York 12302, on May 18, 1998, at
10:00 a.m. local time for the purposes of voting upon the following matters:


    1.    Election of directors.


    2.   Adoption of an  amendment to the Amended and  Restated  Certificate  of
         Incorporation ("Certificate of Incorporation") of TrustCo to change the
         vote required for certain matters  submitted to shareholders  for their
         consideration.


    3.  Adoption of  amendments  to the 1995  TrustCo  Bank Corp NY Stock Option
Plan.


    4. Ratification of the appointment of independent auditors for 1998.


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


                                          By Order of the Board of Directors
                                        
                                          /s/William F. Terry 
                                          William F. Terry
                                          Secretary

April 3, 1998


YOU ARE REQUESTED TO 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 18, 1998

          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 18, 1998,
at Glen Sanders Mansion,  One Glen Avenue,  Scotia,  New York 12302.  This proxy
statement  and the form of proxy were first mailed to  shareholders  on April 3,
1998. 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,  but such persons will receive no 
additional compensation for such services.  TrustCo has also retained Regan  & 
Associates, Inc. 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,  1998,  there  were  23,375,602  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
30,  1998,  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 1999
must meet the requirements established by the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "S.E.C.") for shareholder  proposals and must be received by TrustCo at its
principal  executive offices no later than December 4, 1998. Any such proposals,
together with any supporting statements,  should be directed to the Secretary of
TrustCo.
<PAGE>                               1

                               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 four  directors  to serve on the  TrustCo  Board of  Directors  (the
"TrustCo  Board") for a three year term 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:  M. Norman  Brickman,  Anthony J.  Marinello,  M.D.,  Ph.D.,  Robert A.
McCormick and Kenneth C. Petersen.

                  TrustCo's  Amended and Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation
(the  "Certificate  of  Incorporation")  provides  that the TrustCo  Board shall
consist  of not less than  seven nor more than  twenty  members,  and  TrustCo's
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 classes, as
nearly equal in number as possible, with one class to be elected each year for a
term of three 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.  The  affirmative  vote of at least a majority of
the outstanding Common Stock 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  retirement
age of 75  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,  1997,  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.
<PAGE>                            2   

<TABLE>


                  INFORMATION ON TRUSTCO DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES

                 NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS TRUSTCO DIRECTORS FOR
                        THREE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2001
<CAPTION>

                                             Shares of TrustCo Common Stock
                                                   Beneficially Owned

Name and Principal Occupation(1)          No. of Shares (2)    Percent of Class

<S>                                              <C>                   <C>                           
M. Norman Brickman, Age 72; President,           136,534               *       
D. Brickman, Inc. (Wholesale fruits      
and  produce).  Director of TrustCo  
and  Trustco  Bank since 1985.

Anthony J. Marinello,  M.D., Ph.D.,                4,388               *   
Age 42;  Physician.  Director of          
TrustCo and Trustco Bank since 1996.

Robert A. McCormick,  Age 61;  President         976,224               4.2    
of TrustCo and Trustco Bank since 1982.     
President  and Chief  Executive  Officer 
of TrustCo and Trustco  Bank since  1984.  
Director  of TrustCo  and  Trustco  Bank
since 1980.

Kenneth C. Petersen, Age 61; President,           46,006               *
Schenectady  International, Inc.        
Inc. (Chemical  manufacturer).  Director 
of TrustCo and Trustco Bank since 1982.





 See footnotes on pages 5 & 6.

</TABLE>



                                       3
<PAGE>


<TABLE>


                     TRUSTCO DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

                                             Shares of TrustCo Common Stock
                                                  Beneficially  Owned
<CAPTION>

Name and Principal Occupation(1)          No. of Shares (2)    Percent of Class

<S>                                              <C>                   <C>                  
Barton A. Andreoli,  Age 58; President,            9,493               *
Towne Construction & Paving Corp.         
Director of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank 
since 1993.

Lionel O.  Barthold,  Age 71;  Chairman,          99,369               *
Power  Technologies,  Inc. (Consulting        
engineers).  Director  of  TrustCo  from  
1981  through 1985, and from 1989 to present. 
Director of Trustco Bank since 1977.

Nancy A.  McNamara,  Age 48;  Executive          295,730               1.3
officer  of  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 72;  Interim        39,533               *
President,  New  England College, President         
Emeritus  and  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 69; Orthodontist.   18,166               *
Director of TrustCo and of TrustCo Bank         
since 1991.

Richard J.  Murray,  Jr.,  Age 69;  Chief        214,056               *
Executive  Officer,  R.J. Murray Co., Inc.        
(Air-conditioning and  heating distributors).
Director of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank 
since 1985.

William D. Powers, Age 56; Chairman, New York      4,539               *
Republican  State Committee.  Director of       
TrustCo and of Trustco Bank since 1995.


William J. Purdy, Age 63; President of            10,364               *
Welbourne & Purdy  Realty, Inc.         
Director of TrustCo and of Trustco Bank 
since 1991.

William F. Terry, Age 56; Executive              306,420               1.3
Officer of TrustCo  (Secretary) since 1990        
and of Trustco Bank (Senior Vice President)
since 1987. Director of TrustCo and of 
Trustco Bank since 1991.


See footnotes on page 5.
</TABLE>


                                       4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

                    INFORMATION ON TRUSTCO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
                                NOT LISTED ABOVE
<CAPTION>

                                              Shares of TrustCo Common Stock
                                                   Beneficially Owned

Name and Principal Occupation(1)          No. of Shares (2)    Percent of Class



<S>                                              <C>                   <C>                    
Robert T. Cushing,  Age 42;  Executive           122,906               *
officer  of  TrustCo  (Vice President        
and  Chief  Financial  Officer)  and of 
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 55;  Executive         302,539                1.3
officer  of  TrustCo  (Vice President         
and Assistant  Secretary)  since 1995 and 
of Trustco Bank (Senior Vice President) 
since 1978.  Joined Trustco Bank in 1964.



 See footnotes listed below.
</TABLE>

 TRUSTCO DIRECTORS,  NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A GROUP (15 INDIVIDUALS)
 BENEFICIALLY  OWN 2,586,267  SHARES OF TRUSTCO  COMMON STOCK,  WHICH  REPRESENT
 11.1% OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES.

 (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,  except John S.  Morris,  Ph.D.,  who  accepted  the position of
         Interim President at New England College,  Henniker, New Hampshire,  in
         1997.


(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 4,935 shares is shared with
         their spouses and children, and a total of 105,855 are owned by spouses
         and other family members.  The shares shown include 1,555,278 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, 1997.

*       Less than 1%

                                       5
<PAGE>

Director Fees, Committees and Attendance


         The  TrustCo  Board  held five  meetings  during  1997.  Each  director
attended all of the meetings of the TrustCo Board and its Committees on which he
or she  served.  Each  Director  who is not an employee of TrustCo or of Trustco
Bank  currently  receives  for his  services  as Director a fee in the amount of
$2,300 per meeting attended of TrustCo's and Trustco Bank's Boards of Directors,
and $1,150 per  meeting  attended of any TrustCo or Trustco  Bank  committee  of
which he is a member. TrustCo directors who are not also employees of TrustCo or
its  subsidiaries  are also eligible to  participate in the TrustCo Bank Corp NY
Directors Performance Bonus Plan (the "Directors Performance Bonus Plan"), which
was adopted by the Board in 1997.  Under the Directors  Performance  Bonus Plan,
non-employee Directors are eligible to be awarded "units," the value of which is
based upon the appreciation in value of TrustCo Common stock between the date of
the award and the  occurrence  of a "change in  control" as defined in the Plan.
The units so awarded vest,  and payments under the Directors  Performance  Bonus
Plan are to be made,  only  upon the  occurrence  of a change in  control.  Each
non-employee  Director  has  been  awarded  11,500  units  under  the  Directors
Performance  Bonus Plan at a base price of $18.10 per unit (after  adjustment to
reflect the 15% stock split on November 14,  1997).  Directors who are employees
of TrustCo or Trustco Bank do not receive  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 1997.  The four
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 meeting in 1997. The four 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 one meeting in 1997. The three
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 "1995 Stock
Option Plan"), the Directors Performance Bonus Plan and the TrustCo Bank Corp NY
Performance  Bonus  Plan (the  "Officers  Performance  Bonus  Plan"),  which was
adopted by the Board in 1997.

         The  Personnel  Advisory  Committee of Trustco Bank held one meeting in
1997. The three  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  executive  officers who are also Directors of
TrustCo, and the two 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 and 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,
 1997,  the  compensation  paid to or accrued on behalf of each of the five 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 S.E.C.'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/
                                             Salary             Bonus             Compensation                 SARs
                             Year             ($)              ($)(1)                ($)(2)                   (#)(3)
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------

<S>                          <C>             <C>               <C>                  <C>                       <C>    
Robert A. McCormick          1997            $775,000          $968,750             $62,810                   115,000
President and Chief          1996             750,000           787,500              66,813                   132,250
Executive  Officer,          1995             720,000           648,000              48,736                   158,700
TrustCo and Trustco Bank
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------

Robert T. Cushing            1997             275,000           343,750              22,552                   46,000
Senior Vice President        1996             260,000           273,000              12,481                   52,900
Cheif Financial Officer,     1995             240,000           216,000              10,302                   39,675
Trustco Bank; Vice
President, Chief Financial
Officer, TrustCo
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------

Nancy A. McNamara            1997             275,000           343,750              21,211                   46,000
Senior  Vice President       1996             260,000           273,000              14,181                   52,900
Trustco Bank; Vice           1995             240,000           216,000              12,194                   39,675
President, TrustCo
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------

Ralph A. Pidgeon             1997             275,000           343,750              27,430                   46,000
Senior Vice President        1996             260,000           273,000              15,892                   52,900
Trustco Bank; Vice           1995             240,000           216,000              11,171                   39,675
President, Assistant
Secretary, TrustCo
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------

William F. Terry             1997             275,000           343,750              21,857                   46,000
Senior Vice President        1996             260,000           273,000              14,659                   52,900
and Secretary, Trustco       1995             240,000           216,000              10,556                   39,675
Bank; Secretary, TrustCo
- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------------ -------------------------

(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 TrustCo for the payment of taxes pursuant to
    established  benefit  plans.  

(3) Stock Option data has been adjusted to reflect the 15% stock splits on 
    November 14, 1997, and November 15,  1996,  and  the  six-for-five  stock
    split  on  August  24,  1995   
</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>
                            
<TABLE>

                            Option/SAR   Grants in Last Fiscal Year
<CAPTION>

                                                                                               Potential Realizable Value
                          Number of        % of Total                                           at Assumed Annual Rates
                          Securities      Options/SARs                                        of Stock Price Appreciation
                          Underlying       Granted to       Exercise or                            For Option Term(4)
                         Options/SARs     Employees in      Base Price       Expiration
        Name            Granted (#)(1)   Fiscal Year(2)      ($/Sh)(3)          Date
- ---------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------
                                                                                                  5%               10%
- ---------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S>                        <C>                <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>               <C>       
Robert A. McCormick        115,000            28.7%           $18.17         6/17/2007        $1,314.450        $3,330,400

Robert T. Cushing           46,000            11.5%           $18.17         6/17/2007         525,780          1,332,160

Nancy A. McNamara           46,000            11.5%           $18.17         6/17/2007         525,780          1,332,160

Ralph A. Pidgeon            46,000            11.5%           $18.17         6/17/2007         525,780          1,332,160

William F. Terry            46,000            11.5%           $18.17         6/17/2007         525,780          1,332,160


(1)      Options which were granted on June 17, 1997, become exercisable in five
         annual installments beginning June 17, 1997. Stock Option data has been
         adjusted for the 15% stock split on November 14, 1997.
(2)      The total  number of  options  granted  in 1997 was  400,200,  of which
         299,000 (74.7%) were issued to the Executive group,  11,500 (2.9%) were
         issued to the  non-Executive  Director group, and 89,700 (22.4%) 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 S.E.C. and, therefore, are not intended to forecast possible
         future  appreciation,  if any, of TrustCo's stock price,  including any
         appreciation  in the event of a change in control.  TrustCo's per share
         stock  price  would  be  $29.60  and  $47.13  if  increased  5% and 10%
         respectively, compounded annually over the option term.
</TABLE>



                                       9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>


                     Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year, and Fiscal Year-End
                                                 Option/SAR Values
<CAPTION>

                                                                             Number of
                                                                       Securities Underlying
                                                                            Unexercised            Value of Unexercised
                                                                          Options/SARs at              In-the-Money
                                                                             FY-End (#)              Options/SARs at
                                                                                                      FY-End ($)(3)
                           Shares Acquired              Value               Exercisable/               Exercisable/
        Name             On Exercise (#)(1)        Realized($)(2)          Unexercisable              Unexercisable
- ---------------------- ------------------------ ---------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------------
<S>                            <C>                    <C>                 <C>                     <C>      
Robert A. McCormick              --                      --               742,503/269,744         $12,010,394/3,164,156

Robert T. Cushing               8,050                 $107,660             101,977/98,376          1,400,673/1,140,365

Nancy A. McNamara               1,113                  23,217              182,116/91,393          2,881,388/1,030,592

Ralph A. Pidgeon                6,648                  104,342             237,591/91,393          3,986,548/1,030,592

William F. Terry               17,995                  213,035             224,770/91,393          3,725,937/1,030,592


(1)      Stock  Option  data has  been  adjusted  for the 15%  stock  splits  on
         November 14, 1997,  and November 15, 1996, and the  six-for-five  stock
         split on August 24, 1995. 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 and SARs is based on December 31,  1997,  closing
         trade price of $27.25

</TABLE>


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 years 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 1997 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  

                                       10
<PAGE>





for  employment  after 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.


<TABLE>





                                                     Pension Plan Table
<CAPTION>

                                                              Annual Benefits for Years of Service

         Remuneration                      10                     20                  30                    40
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                           <C>                    <C>                 <C>                   <C>                    
           $ 200,000                     $36,700                $74,500              $113,100              $152,800
             400,000                      76,700                153,500               231,800               311,800
             600,000                     116,700                233,500               351,800               471,800
             800,000                     156,700                313,500               471,800               631,800
           1,000,000                     196,700                393,500               591,800               791,800
           1,200,000                     236,700                473,500               711,800               951,800
           1,400,000                     276,700                553,500               831,800             1,111,800
           1,600,000                     316,700                633,500               951,800             1,271,800
           1,800,000                     356,700                713,500             1,071,800             1,431,800
           2,000,000                     396,700                793,500             1,191,800             1,591,800
           2,100,000                     416,700                833,500             1,251,800             1,671,800

</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 of 1986, as amended
(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 1997,  the annual  Internal  Revenue  Code limit for a  straight-life
annuity  benefit  at  normal  retirement  age  was  $125,000,  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.

                                       11
<PAGE>

          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 (the "Named  Executive  Officers")  which appears  elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement.  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 1997) furnished the following report on executive compensation to the Board
of Directors of Trustco  Bank,  which has been adopted by the TrustCo  Board for
the year ended December 31, 1997:

                  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 the Named Executive  Officers  identified in the Summary  Compensation
Table, 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 21, 1997. The Stock Option Committee, whose members are the
same as that of the Personnel  Advisory  Committee,  met  separately on June 17,
1997, to (1) identify  eligible  participants in the 1995 Stock Option Plan, and
(2) award option  grants for the current plan year.  The Stock Option  Committee
considered  discussions  Coopers &  Lybrand  LLP had with  management  regarding
general stock option issues and trends when  formulating  its final  decision on
grants awarded under the 1995 Stock Option Plan.  Coopers & Lybrand LLP provided
information regarding industry trends for general compensation levels and option
levels in the industry. Coopers & Lybrand LLP is not the independent auditor for
TrustCo, but provides various consulting services for TrustCo from time to time.
While TrustCo does 


                                       12
<PAGE>


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 1995 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 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.

                  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 11 regional bank holding companies, called
the Dow  Jones  Banks-Eastern  U.S.  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  60%  and  top  40%,
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 executive  officers,  whereas many  institutions  in this peer
group have a larger pool of executive officers.

                  During its meeting in 1997, 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  did,  however,  recommend  the  adoption  of the
Officers  Performance Bonus Plan and also recommended that the Stock Option Plan
be amended to, among other matters,  increase the number of shares available for
grant to 1,500,000  and provide that the maximum  aggregate  number of shares of
stock with  respect to which  options  may be granted in a calendar  year to any
single employee shall be 500,000 shares.

          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 the Named Executive Officers identified in the
Summary  Compensation  Table,  is designed  with an objective of 


                                       13
<PAGE>

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. 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  returns on average  equity was from 14%, which equates to a
40% payout of base compensation,  to 20% return on average equity, which equates
to a 125%  payout of base  compensation.  In 1997,  the  Committee  amended  the
incentive  plan to  establish  a 15 basis  point  increase in payout for each 1%
increase in average  return on equity  beyond 20%.  Return on average  equity in
1997 was 20.23%. 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
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 1997,
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 ten-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 11 other regional bank
holding  companies,  called  the Dow Jones  Banks-Eastern  U.S.  Index.  TrustCo
management  believes that longer term  performance  is of greater  importance to
TrustCo  shareholders.  The  ten-year  period is  presented  in  addition to the
five-year  period  required  by  the  S.E.C.   because  it  provides  additional
perspective,  and matches the longest  period for which Dow Jones  Banks-Eastern
U.S.  Index  information  is  available.  The  banks  comprising  the Dow  Jones
Banks-Eastern  U.S.  Index  are:  BankBoston  Corp.,  The Bank of New York  Co.,
Corestates  Financial Corp., Fleet Financial Group Inc., MBNA Corp., Mellon Bank
Corp.,  Mercantile  Bankshares Corp., PNC Bank Corp., State Street 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.




                        COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

                                  [To be provided by TrustCo]



                                       15
<PAGE>













                 COMPARISON OF TEN-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

                           [To be provided by TrustCo]





Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment Arrangements

          TrustCo and Trustco Bank have entered into agreements (individually, a
"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 the mandatory  retirement
age of 70, 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 maintained by
TrustCo 


                                       16
<PAGE>


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.

          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, 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


                                       17
<PAGE>

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 Internal Revenue 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 Vice
President's 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.


Performance Bonus Plan

         Under the Officers  Performance Bonus Plan,  officers and key employees
of TrustCo are  eligible to be awarded  units,  the value of which is based upon
the  appreciation in value of TrustCo Common stock between the date of the award
and the occurrence of a "change in control" as defined in the Plan. The units so
awarded vest, and payments under the Officers  Performance  Bonus Plan are to be
made,  only upon the  occurrence of a change in control or upon a  participant's
termination  of  employment  with  TrustCo  within the year prior to a change of
control.  On June 17, 1997,  Mr.  McCormick  was awarded  460,000  units and Mr.
Cushing,  Ms.  McNamara,  Mr.  Pidgeon,  and Mr. Terry each were awarded 172,500
units,  all at a base price of $18.10  per unit  (after  adjustment  for the 15%
stock split on November 14, 1997).

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


                                       18
<PAGE>


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  TrustCo's  Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation  (the "Certificate of  Incorporation") to reduce the vote required
for certain matters submitted for shareholder approval.  Currently, Article VIII
of TrustCo's Certificate of Incorporation  provides that the affirmative vote of
at least a majority of TrustCo's  outstanding  voting stock is needed to approve
any  matter  on  which  shareholders  are  entitled  to  vote,  except  that the
affirmative  vote of at least  two-thirds of TrustCo's voting stock is needed to
effect a change,  modification  or repeal of any provision in the Certificate of
Incorporation  or  TrustCo's  Bylaws.  The proposed  amendment  would reduce the
minimum vote required to approve  certain  matters  submitted to shareholders by
adding a new  provision  to Article  VIII to the effect  that the vote of only a
majority of the votes cast at a meeting of  shareholders  would be  necessary to
authorize  the  issuance  or sale by TrustCo  of any  shares,  bonds,  rights or
options to any of its  Directors,  officers  or  employees  as an  incentive  to
service or to continued service with TrustCo.

Reasons for and Effect of the Certificate Amendment

          The TrustCo  Board  believes  that the change in the vote  required to
approve issuances of shares, bonds, rights or options to Directors,  officers or
employees of TrustCo is in the best  interests of TrustCo and its  shareholders.
The amendment will give TrustCo and the Board of Directors  greater  flexibility
in  developing  and  implementing  compensation  programs  to attract and retain
quality  directors,  officers  and  employees  and  is  consistent  with  recent
revisions  to the  New  York  Business  Corporation  Law  regarding  shareholder
authorization  of  stock-based  compensation.  In the  opinion  of the  Board of
Directors,  the proposed  amendment  is also  consistent  with sound  democratic
management  principles.  Other  matters  submitted  to  shareholders  for  their
considerations and approval will continue to have the higher voting requirements
imposed under the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law.

          The full text of Article VIII 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.

Vote Required

          The  proposed   amendment  to  Article  VIII  of  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation will be adopted if approved by the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least  two-thirds 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 and will therefore 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 RECOMMENDS THAT TRUSTCO SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR  THIS  
   PROPOSAL, WHICH  IS ITEM  2  ON  THE  TRUSTCO PROXY CARD.




Item 3.  Amendments to the 1995 TrustCo Bank Corp NY Stock Option Plan


          The third item to be acted  upon at the  TrustCo  Annual  Meeting is a
proposal  seeking  shareholder  approval of  amendments to the 1995 Stock Option
Plan to (i)  increase  the  aggregate  number of shares of TrustCo  Common Stock
available to be issued  pursuant to the 1995 Stock Option Plan from 1,000,000 to
1,500,000  (1,587,000  to 2,087,000  after  adjustment  to reflect the 15% stock
splits  onNovember 14, 1997, and November 15, 1996, and the  six-for-five  stock
split on August 24, 1995 (the Stock Splits")); and (ii) provide that the maximum
aggregate  number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which stock  options
may be  granted  in a  calendar  year to any  single  employee  shall be 500,000
shares, in accordance


                                       19
<PAGE>

with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Options have been granted 
with respect to 1,182,885 of the shares previously  authorized by the 
shareholders.


          The  TrustCo  Board,  at its regular  meeting  duly called and held on
February  17,  1998,  approved   resolutions  adopting  the  foregoing  proposed
amendments to the 1995 Stock Option Plan,  conditioned upon shareholder approval
and regulatory approval.

          The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to assist TrustCo in obtaining
and maintaining its executive force at the most efficient level.

          The following is a brief  description of the material  features of the
1995 Stock Option Plan:

Administration

          The  1995  Stock  Option  Plan is  administered  by the  Stock  Option
Committee  of  TrustCo's  Board of  Directors.  The Stock  Option  Committee  is
appointed  from time to time by the  TrustCo  Board and is  composed of three or
more members of the TrustCo Board who were not eligible to receive options under
the 1995 Stock  Option  Plan within the one year  period  immediately  preceding
their appointment.  The Stock Option Committee selects the employees eligible to
receive stock options and stock  appreciation  rights pursuant to the 1995 Stock
Option  Plan,  grants  the stock  options  and  stock  appreciation  rights  and
determines when the stock options and stock appreciation rights will be granted,
the number of shares of TrustCo  Common  Stock to be granted to any  individual,
the option  price and term of each stock  option and all of the other  terms and
conditions of each stock option and stock appreciation right granted.  The terms
and conditions of stock options and stock appreciation  rights granted under the
1995 Stock Option Plan are reflected in individual option agreements and may not
be changed  after  execution  except to the extent that the agreement may by its
terms be so amended. The Stock Option Committee is also authorized to determine,
for  purposes of the 1995 Stock  Option  Plan,  the  duration and purpose of any
leave  of  absence  which  may  be  granted  to  an  eligible  employee  without
constituting a termination of employment, and if TrustCo Common Stock previously
acquired  by an  optionee  may be used in payment of an option  price.  No Stock
Option  Committee member or other member of the TrustCo Board may participate in
a decision to award any stock option or stock  appreciation right under the 1995
Stock  Option Plan to himself or herself.  The Stock Option  Committee  has full
authority to interpret and regulate the 1995 Stock Option Plan and stock options
and stock  appreciation  rights granted  thereunder and to establish,  amend and
rescind rules and regulations relating to the operation of the 1995 Stock Option
Plan.  All  determinations  by the Stock Option  Committee are  conclusive.  The
TrustCo Board reserves the right to  prospectively  terminate any and all powers
delegated to the Stock Option  Committee by written  resolution,  in which event
all powers of the Stock Option Committee revert to the TrustCo Board.

Participants

          Stock  options  and stock  appreciation  rights  may be granted to any
person who, at the time of the grant,  is a  full-time,  salaried  executive  or
other key  managerial  employee of TrustCo or a  participating  subsidiary.  The
individuals and number of persons who may be selected to participate in the 1995
Stock  Option  Plan in the  future  are at the  discretion  of the Stock  Option
Committee and,  therefore,  are not determinable at this time.  (Please refer to
"Item 1.  Election of  Directors - TrustCo and Trustco  Bank  Executive  Officer
Compensation"  for a  discussion  of the past  participation  in the 1995  Stock
Option Plan by the TrustCo  executive  officers  named  herein.)  Likewise,  the
number of stock  options and stock  appreciation  rights that will be granted to
eligible  employees  pursuant  to the 1995  Stock  Option  Plan (if  amended  as
proposed hereby) are not determinable at this time.


                                       20
<PAGE>

Stock Subject to the 1995 Stock Option Plan


          If the 1995 Stock Option Plan is amended as proposed, 1,500,000 shares
(2,087,000  shares after giving  effect to the stock  splits) of TrustCo  Common
Stock,  which may be either  authorized but unissued shares or treasury  shares,
will be  available  for issuance  under the 1995 Stock  Option Plan  (subject to
adjustment  for  future  stock  dividends,  stock  splits  and other  changes in
capitalization  as described in the 1995 Stock Option Plan). The market value of
the shares of TrustCo  Common Stock issuable under the 1995 Stock Option Plan is
$11,113,000  as of March 1,  1998.  Currently,  there is no  maximum  or minimum
number of shares for which a stock  option may be  granted.  Under the  proposed
amendments,  however,  the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect
to which stock options may be granted in a calendar year to any single  employee
shall be 500,000 shares.  This new limit is being imposed to further ensure that
the stock  options  granted  under the 1995  Stock  Option  Plan are  treated as
performance-based  compensation,  which  can  be  excluded  in  calculating  the
$1,000,000  limitation  in Section  162(m) of the  Internal  Revenue Code on tax
deductions  for  compensation  paid  to the  executives  named  in  the  Summary
Compensation  Table.  Stock  options and SARs may  qualify as  performance-based
compensation if granted pursuant to a plan approved by shareholders  that, among
other things,  imposes a maximum limit on the number of shares  underlying  such
awards that may be granted to any participant  over a specified  period.  If the
1995 Stock Option Plan is approved as proposed,  TrustCo will be able to exclude
from the Section  162(m)  limitation  its  compensation  expenses  incurred with
respect to options and SARs granted  under the Plan.  TrustCo does not expect to
change its practices with respect to determining grants of options and SARs. The
1995 Stock Option Plan also  currently  provides that the aggregate  fair market
value of stock,  determined  as of the time of the grant,  with respect to which
incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by an optionee during
any calendar year under the 1995 Stock Option Plan or any other plan  maintained
by TrustCo which grants incentive stock options may not exceed $100,000.

Option Price

          The price at which  shares  may be  purchased  pursuant  to each stock
option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value thereof on the date on
which the option is granted.  If, however, any incentive stock option is granted
to an eligible  employee  who at the time of the grant owns more than 10% of the
combined  voting  power of all classes of TrustCo's  stock or of its  subsidiary
companies (a "Shareholder-Employee"), the option price may not be less than 110%
of the fair  market  value of the  stock on the  date on  which  the  option  is
granted.

Option Period

          Options may be  exercised  at such times and for such number of shares
as the Stock Option  Committee may determine.  The period during which an option
may be  exercised  may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant of such option
or 5 years  from  the  date of grant  if to a  Shareholder-Employee.  Any  stock
options or stock  appreciation  rights  granted under the 1995 Stock Option Plan
will accelerate and become exercisable immediately upon a "change in control" of
TrustCo.  A "change of control" is  considered  to have occurred if, among other
things (i) a contract is executed  providing  for a merger or  consolidation  of
TrustCo with or into another entity (unless TrustCo is the surviving  entity and
the merger does not affect the TrustCo  shareholders'  stock  interest) or for a
sale of  substantially  all the  assets  of  TrustCo,  (ii) a single  entity  or
individual (including any related parties to such entity or individual) acquires
20% or more of the  outstanding  TrustCo  Common  Stock,  or  (iii)  within  any
consecutive  12-month  period,  there is a change in a majority  of the  TrustCo
Board  members  unless the  nomination  or  election  of each new  director  was
approved by at least  two-thirds of the TrustCo Board in office at the beginning
of the 12-month  period.  Upon the occurrence of a dissolution or liquidation of
TrustCo, a proposed sale of substantially all of TrustCo's assets or a merger or
consolidation  in which  TrustCo is not the  survivor,  each  outstanding  stock
option and stock  appreciation  right will terminate as of a date  determined by
the TrustCo  Board and  optionees  must be given not less than 30 days notice of
such termination date during which time the option may be exercised.

          Upon the exercise of a stock option  during the 60-day period from and
after a change in control of TrustCo,  the optionee  exercising such option may,
in lieu of  receiving  stock,  elect by written  notice to TrustCo to receive an
amount in cash equal to the excess of the aggregate value of the shares of stock
covered by the  option or the  portion  thereof  which is  surrendered  over the
aggregate  exercise  price of such  option.  However,  if the end of the  60-day
period is  within  six  months  of the date of a grant of an  option  held by an
optionee who is an officer of 


                                       21
<PAGE>

TrustCo,  such option will be canceled in exchange for a cash  payment to the 
optionee  equal to the  aggregate  spread on the day which is six  months  and 
one day after the date of the grant of such option. Stock will be substituted 
for the cash payable as described immediately above if any right  granted  in  
connection  with this  paragraph  would make a change of control transaction 
ineligible for pooling of interests accounting under APB No. 16.

Termination of Employment

          Upon termination of an optionee's employment for any reason other than
death, disability or retirement,  any stock option granted to such optionee will
terminate three months after the date his employment terminates.  If an optionee
terminates employment as a result of disability or retirement,  any stock option
granted to such  optionee  will  terminate  upon the date the  option  otherwise
terminates.  In the case of death, any option previously  granted will terminate
upon the date  prescribed by the Stock Option  Committee,  provided that no such
option shall be  exercisable  after the applicable 10 year or 5 year time period
noted above.  Furthermore,  if an optionee's employment terminates by his death,
disability or retirement,  the exercise of each stock option will accelerate and
become  exercisable  in full upon such  termination.  The period during which an
option may be exercised upon such termination is as discussed above.

          If  an  optionee's   employment   terminates   due  to  disability  or
retirement,  the tax treatment available pursuant to Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue  Code  upon the  exercise  of any  incentive  stock  option  will not be
available to an optionee who exercises any incentive  stock option more than (a)
three months after the date of termination  of employment due to retirement;  or
(b)  twelve  months  after the date of such  termination  of  employment  due to
disability.

Transferability

          Stock options and any related stock  appreciation  rights issued under
the 1995 Stock Option Plan are not  transferable  by the optionee except by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution.  During the lifetime of an optionee,
the option may be exercised only by the optionee and after his death only by his
heirs,  legatees or personal  representatives  who succeed to his interest under
the  option   agreement.   Notwithstanding   the   foregoing,   in  addition  to
non-transferable   stock   options,   the  Stock  Option   Committee  may  grant
nonqualified   stock  options  that  are   transferable,   without   payment  of
consideration,  to (i)  revocable  trusts for the  benefit of  immediate  family
members which qualify as grantor trusts for Federal income tax purposes, (ii) by
gift to immediate family members,  and (iii) to partnerships whose only partners
are  immediate  family  members.  The  Stock  Option  Committee  may also  amend
outstanding  nonqualified  stock  options to provide  for such  transferability.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  in the event that a  transferable  nonqualified
stock option is transferred as hereinbefore  discussed,  such nonqualified stock
option may be exercised by such  transferee.  The  transferee of a  transferable
nonqualified stock option is subject to all of the conditions  applicable to the
transferable nonqualified stock option prior to its transfer.

Rights as a Shareholder

          No optionee  shall have any rights of a shareholder  in respect of any
shares subject to option until  certificates for such shares have been issued to
such optionee.

                                       22
<PAGE>

Method of Exercise

          Stock options and stock  appreciation  rights are  exercisable  in the
manner set forth in the option  agreements.  The option price for a stock option
may be paid in cash,  certain cash equivalents or, if the Stock Option Committee
so  determines,  in whole or in part by an  exchange  of  TrustCo  Common  Stock
previously  acquired by the  optionee  based upon the fair market  value of such
stock as of the date of  exchange  or by the  simultaneous  exercise  of a stock
option  and the sale of the  stock  represented  thereby,  as the  Stock  Option
Committee may allow in its discretion.  If the optionee acquired the stock to be
exchanged by an exercise of an incentive  stock option,  said optionee must have
held such stock for more than two years after the date the  previous  option was
granted  and for more  than one year  after  the date the  previous  option  was
exercised in order to retain the  favorable  tax  treatment  afforded  incentive
stock  options.  In an  effort  to  encourage  ownership  of  TrustCo  stock  by
executives,  the Stock  Option  Committee  may, in certain  cases,  grant reload
options to optionees who have undertaken  cashless option exercises in which the
optionee  sells a portion of the option shares to pay the exercise price and the
taxes thereon.  The reload options are intended to replace options exercised and
option shares sold to pay the exercise price. The Stock Option Committee may, in
its  discretion,  withhold  shares upon the exercise of a stock option under the
1995 Stock Option Plan in respect to any tax or similar liability  incurred with
respect to such exercise.


          The 1995 Stock Option Plan may be amended,  suspended,  terminated  or
reinstated,  in whole or in part, at any time by the TrustCo Board.  However, no
modification may be made without the approval of the TrustCo  shareholders which
would (i) increase the maximum  number of shares subject to options issued under
the  1995  Stock  Option  Plan,   except  for  adjustments  due  to  changes  in
capitalization  as noted above,  (ii) extend the maximum  period  during which a
stock  option may be  exercised,  (iii) extend the maximum  period  during which
incentive stock options may be granted under the 1995 Stock Option Plan, or (iv)
change the class of eligible employees.

Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Plan

          Upon  exercise of a  non-qualified  stock  option,  an  optionee  will
realize  income in the year of  exercise  equal to the  difference  between  the
exercise  price and the value of the shares  acquired  and TrustCo may deduct an
amount equal to the income recognized by the optionee.  TrustCo will not receive
a tax deduction at the time of a grant or exercise of an incentive  stock option
and no income is  recognized  by an optionee  when an incentive  stock option is
granted or exercised  pursuant to the 1995 Stock Option Plan.  When an incentive
stock option is exercised,  the difference between fair market value at the date
of exercise and the exercise price will be an item of adjustment for purposes of
calculating the optionee's alternative minimum tax for the year of exercise.

          If the  incentive  stock option shares are disposed of after the later
of two years from the date of option grant or one year after the transfer of the
shares to the optionee (the "holding  period") any gain or loss upon disposition
of the shares  will be treated  for federal  income tax  purposes  as  long-term
capital  gain or  loss,  as the  case may be.  A  disposition  includes  a sale,
exchange, gift or other transfer of legal title. In general, an optionee's basis
in the shares received upon exercise of an incentive option will be the exercise
price paid by him for the shares.  If the option shares are disposed  before the
expiration  of the  holding  period,  all or part of the gain,  if any,  will be
characterized  as ordinary income depending upon the relative amount of the sale
price of the shares as compared with the exercise price of the shares, provided,
that the amount of ordinary income realized by an employee in a sale or exchange
with respect to which a loss would be recognized is limited to the excess of the
amount realized on the sale or exchange over the stock's adjusted basis.

          Ordinary  income received on account of a disposition of shares within
the holding  period will be taxable as additional  compensation  and TrustCo may
treat such income as a deductible expense for federal income tax purposes.


                                       23
<PAGE>


Vote Required

          The  affirmative  vote of a majority  of all of  TrustCo's  issued and
outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock is  required  to  approve  the  foregoing
amendments  to the 1995  Stock  Option  Plan.  Dissenting  votes give rise to no
rights on the part of dissenters.

          The TrustCo Board believes the 1995 Stock Option Plan, as so amended,
 will be in the best  interests of TrustCo and its shareholders.

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


Item 4.  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, 1997, and the
TrustCo Board has again selected and appointed them as the independent  auditors
for the year ending  December 31,  1998.  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,  1997,  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 S.E.C.,  and assistance  with
accounting and financial reporting requirements.  Non-audit services so provided
included the preparation and planning of corporate tax returns.

Vote Required

          The  affirmative  vote of a majority  of all of  TrustCo's  issued and
outstanding shares of Common Stock is required to ratify the appointment of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP as TrustCo's  independent auditors for the year ending December
31, 1998. Dissenting votes give rise to no rights on the part of dissenters.

    THE TRUSTCO BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT TRUSTCO SHAREHOLDERS VOTE  FOR   THIS   
    PROPOSAL,  WHICH   IS  ITEM  4  ON  THE  TRUSTCO PROXY CARD.


                                       24
<PAGE>

Item 5.  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, 1998, the Trust  Department of Trustco Bank held 1,575,162
shares  of  TrustCo  Common  Stock  as  executor,  trustee  and  agent  (6.6% of
outstanding  shares) not  otherwise  reported in this Proxy  Statement.  Neither
TrustCo nor Trustco Bank has any beneficial interest in these shares.

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,  1998 the  total  amount  of such  loans
represented 3.41% 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.

                                       25
<PAGE>

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 year period from  October 10, 1997 to
October 10,  1998.  The cost of this  insurance  was  $90,000,  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 1997.

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  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 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, 1997, 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.





                                       26
<PAGE>






                                    Exhibit A

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

                                  Article VIII
               Shareholders - Quorum, Voting and Special Meetings


                  8. The  holders  of at  least a  majority  of the  outstanding
         Voting Stock of the Corporation  shall be present in person or by proxy
         at any meeting of  shareholders in order to constitute a quorum for the
         transaction  of any business,  and the  affirmative  vote of at least a
         majority of the Corporation's  outstanding Voting Stock shall be needed
         to approve any matter on which such  shareholders  are entitled to vote
         except that the affirmative vote or request,  as the case may be, of at
         least two-thirds of the  Corporation's  Voting Stock shall be needed to
         effect  a  change,  modification  or  repeal  of any  provision  in the
         Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws and to call a Special meeting of
         shareholders.  This provision does not affect those circumstances under
         which  shareholders  may call a Special  Meeting  for the  election  of
         directors  as a  matter  of law and the  right  of  management  to call
         shareholder meetings as set forth in the Bylaws.

          The full text of Article  VIII of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation,
          amended as proposed in this Proxy Statement, is set forth below:

                                  Article VIII
               Shareholders - Quorum, Voting and Special Meetings


                  8. The  holders  of at  least a  majority  of the  outstanding
         Voting Stock of the Corporation  shall be present in person or by proxy
         at any meeting of  shareholders in order to constitute a quorum for the
         transaction  of any business,  and the  affirmative  vote of at least a
         majority of the Corporation's  outstanding Voting Stock shall be needed
         to approve any matter on which such  shareholders  are entitled to vote
         except that the affirmative vote or request,  as the case may be, of at
         least two-thirds of the  Corporation's  Voting Stock shall be needed to
         effect  a  change,  modification  or  repeal  of any  provision  in the
         Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws and to call a Special meeting of
         shareholders.  This provision does not affect those circumstances under
         which  shareholders  may call a Special  Meeting  for the  election  of
         directors  as a  matter  of law and the  right  of  management  to call
         shareholder  meetings as set forth in the Bylaws.  Notwithstanding  the
         foregoing,  the vote of only a majority  of the votes cast at a meeting
         of shareholders  shall be required to authorize the issuance or sale of
         any shares,  bonds, rights or options by the Corporation,  of any class
         or series,  to one or more  Directors,  Officers  or  employees  of the
         Corporation  as an  incentive  to service or continue  service with the
         Corporation,  all as permitted  pursuant to Section 505 of the Business
         Corporation Law of the State of New York.


                                      
<PAGE>


                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                    PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                  May 18, 1998

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.  Adoption of Amendment to 1995 Stock Option Plan
   [ ]  FOR
   [ ]  AGAINST 
   [ ]  ABSTAIN

4.  Ratification of Appointment  of Independent Auditors
   [ ]  FOR
   [ ]  AGAINST 
   [ ]  ABSTAIN
 
SPECIAL NOTES
   [ ]  I plan to attens meeting    [ ] I plan to bring a guest
   [ ]  Comments on reverse side 

SIGNATURES________________________________________    DATE_____________,1998

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, Trust Building - 6th Floor,192 Erie Boulevard, 
Schenectady, New York, on May 18, 1998.

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 : M. Norman Brickman,  Anthony J. Marinello, MD, PhD., Robert A. McCormick,
and Kenneth C. Petersen.

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.)


                                                         

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                            1995 TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                                STOCK OPTION PLAN


         WHEREAS,  TrustCo  Bank Corp NY,  (hereinafter  called "the  Company"),
established the 1995 TrustCo Bank Corp NY Stock Option Plan (hereinafter  called
"Plan"); and
         WHEREAS,the Company desires to amend said Plan effective as of January
 1, 1998;
         NOW, THEREFORE, the Company does hereby amend the Plan effective 
January 1, 1998 so that it will read as follows:
                                    
                                       I.
         Section  6 of the  Plan  is  hereby  deleted  in its  entirety  and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof:
         "SECTION 6:                SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

                  1.       The total  number of shares  available  for grants of
                           Stock Options  under this Plan is 2,087,000,  subject
                           to the adjustments under Section 9. The shares may be
                           either  authorized  but  unissued  shares or treasury
                           shares.  If  a  Stock  Option  or a  portion  thereof
                           expires or  terminates  for any reason  without being
                           exercised in full, the unpurchased  shares covered by
                           the  Option  are to be  available  for  future  Stock
                           Option grants under this plan.

                  2.       The maximum  aggregate number of shares of Stock with
                           respect to which Stock  Options may be granted in any
                           one  fiscal  year to any  single  Employee  shall  be
                           500,000."

                                       II.
         The following new Section 13 is hereby added immediately following 
         Section 12 of the Plan:
         "SECTION 13:               WITHHOLDING

                  The  Company  shall  deduct  from any  payment,  or  otherwise
         collect  from the  recipient,  any taxes  required  to be  withheld  by
         federal,  state or  local  governments  in  connection  with any  Stock
         Option. The recipient may elect,  subject to approval by the 


                                       
<PAGE>

         Committee, to have shares of Stock withheld by the Company in 
         satisfaction of such taxes, or to deliver other shares of Stock owned
         by the recipient in satisfaction of such taxes.  The number of shares 
         to be withheld or delivered shall be calculated by reference to the 
         Fair Market Value of the appropriate class or series of Stock on the 
         date that such  taxes  are determined."

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  The Company has caused this Amendment No. 1 to be executed
by its duly authorized officer this 17th day of February, 1998.



                                               TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY


                                               By:/S/ William F. Terry
                                               William F. Terry, Secretary




                                       
<PAGE>



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission