TRUSTCO BANK CORP N Y
S-4/A, 2000-10-18
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>


As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 18, 2000.
                                                      Registration No. 333-41168


================================================================================



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                ------------------------------------------------

                              AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO

                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                ------------------------------------------------
                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
               (Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                  <C>                                <C>
         NEW YORK                               6712                           14-1630287
(State or other jurisdiction of     (Primary Standard Industrial            (IRS employer
incorporation or organization)      Classification Code Number)         Identification Number)
</TABLE>

          320 STATE STREET, SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK 12305 (518) 377-3311
          (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
             area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                WILLIAM F. TERRY
                                    Secretary
                              TrustCo Bank Corp NY
                                320 State Street
                           Schenectady, New York 12305
                                 (518) 377-3311
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                 ----------------------------------------------
                                   Copies to:

John K. Pruellage, Esq.             Alan Schick, Esq.
Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.        Luse Lehman Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.
500 North Broadway, Suite 2000      5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
St. Louis, Missouri  63102          Washington, D.C. 20015
(314) 444-7600                      (202) 274-2000
                 ----------------------------------------------


      APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES
TO THE PUBLIC: AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT.

      IF THE SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE BEING OFFERED IN
CONNECTION WITH THE FORMATION OF A HOLDING COMPANY AND THERE IS COMPLIANCE
WITH GENERAL INSTRUCTION G, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX. |_|

      THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE 1933 ACT OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH
DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ("SEC"), ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

================================================================================

<PAGE>



THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE
SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SEC IS EFFECTIVE.
THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES, AND WE ARE NOT
SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES, IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR
SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

            OFFER TO EXCHANGE EACH OUTSTANDING SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.
                                       FOR
                   SHARES OF TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY COMMON STOCK
                                       AND
                        $10.80 NET TO THE SELLER IN CASH
                                     MADE BY
                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY


      TrustCo is offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein and in the related letter of transmittal, to acquire each share of
Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. common stock held by you for a combination of shares of
TrustCo common stock and cash totaling $18.00. The stock component of the
exchange consideration will consist of shares of TrustCo stock that have an
aggregate value of $7.20 for each share of Cohoes common stock held by you, and
the cash component will be $10.80. Based upon the closing price of TrustCo
common stock on October ___, 2000 (the last trading day prior to the date of
this Prospectus), you would receive, upon completion of our offer, 0.___ shares
of TrustCo common stock for each of your shares of Cohoes common stock.



      The purpose of this offer is for TrustCo to acquire control of, and
ultimately the entire common equity interest in, Cohoes. TrustCo intends, as
soon as possible after consummation of this offer, to have Cohoes consummate a
merger with a wholly owned subsidiary of TrustCo in which each outstanding share
of common stock of Cohoes (except for treasury shares and shares of Cohoes
stock beneficially owned directly or indirectly by TrustCo for its own account,
including those acquired pursuant to this offer) would be converted into a
number of shares of TrustCo common stock that have an aggregate value of $7.20
plus cash in the amount of $10.80 for each share of Cohoes stock.



      We expect that if you realize a gain on the exchange, you will be taxed on
such gain up to the amount of the $10.80 per share cash component of the
consideration that you receive in exchange for your shares of Cohoes common
stock but will not recognize any loss realized. In addition, we expect that you
will be taxed on any gain realized on the cash received in lieu of fractional
shares of TrustCo common stock. If we complete our offer in a manner in which
the offer does not qualify for the tax treatment described above, you may be
taxed on any gain you realize up to the full $18.00 per share exchange
consideration. See "The Offer--Material Federal Income Tax Consequences" for
a more detailed discussion of federal income tax matters.


      Our obligation to exchange TrustCo common stock for Cohoes common stock is
subject to the conditions listed under "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Certain Conditions
of the Exchange Offer."

      TrustCo has also offered to acquire control of, and ultimately the entire
common equity interest in, Hudson River Bancorp, Inc., by offering to exchange
$17.00 in TrustCo common stock and cash for each outstanding share of Hudson
common stock. The TrustCo common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "TRST," the Cohoes common stock is listed on the Nasdaq under
the symbol "COHB" and the Hudson common stock is listed on the Nasdaq under the
symbol "HRBT."

      We have nominated M. Norman Brickman, Thomas P. Collins, Thomas O. Maggs
and Peter A. Pastore as candidates for election to Cohoes' board of directors at
Cohoes' 2000 annual meeting of shareholders and have filed a preliminary proxy
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to its
solicitation of proxies for use at Cohoes' annual meeting for the purpose of
electing Messrs. Brickman, Collins, Maggs and


<PAGE>

Pastore. This exchange offer is not soliciting proxies from you. We will solicit
your proxies pursuant to proxy solicitation materials that we are mailing
separately.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED UNDER THIS PROSPECTUS OR DETERMINED IF
THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

      THE SECURITIES TRUSTCO IS OFFERING THROUGH THIS DOCUMENT ARE NOT SAVINGS
OR DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, AND
THEY ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    The Information Agent for this offer is:

                    Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc.
                           17 State Street, 10th Floor
                            New York, New York 10004
                            Toll Free 1-800-223-2064

                The date of this Prospectus is October __, 2000.







                                       ii
<PAGE>





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
<S>                                                                         <C>
SUMMARY TERM SHEET...........................................................1

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION.........................2

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION..........................................6

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY..........................................................10

      The TrustCo Exchange Offer (Page 36)..................................10
      Information about TrustCo and Cohoes (Pages 19 and 20)................10
      Reasons for the TrustCo Exchange Offer (Page 34)......................10
      Comparative Market Price Information..................................11
      Dividend Policy of TrustCo (Page 16)..................................12
      The Offer (Page 36)...................................................13
          We Are Offering to Exchange a Combination of Shares of TrustCo
          Stock and Cash Totaling $18.00 for Each Share of Cohoes Stock.....13
          Our Offer is Subject to Certain Conditions........................13
          Our Offer is Currently Scheduled to Expire on _______, 2000.......14
          Our Offer May be Extended, Terminated or Amended..................14
          Tendered Shares May be Withdrawn at any Time Prior to the
          Exchange of Such Shares...........................................15
          We May Provide a Subsequent Offering Period.......................15
          Procedure for Tendering Shares....................................15
      No Appraisal Rights in Connection with the Offer (Page 76)............15
      TrustCo Will Account for the Merger Using the "Purchase" Method
      (Page 53).............................................................15
      Forward-Looking Statements May Prove Inaccurate (Page 23).............15
      Offer to Acquire Hudson (Page 35).....................................16

SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA............................16

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR TRUSTCO.......................18

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR COHOES........................19

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR HUDSON........................21

SELECTED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION...........................22

SUMMARY OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS..............................................26

RISK FACTORS................................................................28

      If we do not successfully integrate TrustCo's and Cohoes'
         operations, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of
         Cohoes may not be fully realized...................................28
      There is no guarantee that we will achieve our projected cost
         savings of approximately $9.0 million on a pre-tax basis...........28
      There is no guarantee that we will not suffer net revenue run-off
         as a result of integrating Cohoes' businesses into ours............28
      There can be no assurance that the integration process will not be
         adversely affected if Cohoes' senior executive management or
         other employees are uncooperative in that process..................29
      Your board of directors may delay satisfaction of certain
         conditions to our offer............................................29

                                   iii

<PAGE>


      There is no guarantee that we will be successful in our attempt to
         merge with both Cohoes and Hudson..................................29
      The actual value of the TrustCo common stock received by
         Cohoes' security holders in exchange for shares of Cohoes common
         stock may be more than or less than $7.20 per share at the time
         of exchange........................................................29
      If TrustCo is able to consummate both the Cohoes merger and the
         Hudson merger, there is a risk that TrustCo may encounter
         difficulty in maintaining its current dividend level...............30
      If successful, the offer will result in the creation of goodwill......30
      If successful, the offer will result in a book value per share
         dilution...........................................................30
      If completion of our offer does not qualify as a reorganization
         under the Internal Revenue Code, you may be taxed on the full
         amount of the consideration you receive from us....................31

BACKGROUND OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER......................................31

      Past Contacts.........................................................31
      Proxy Solicitation....................................................33
      Purpose of the Exchange Offer; the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger..............33
      Benefits of the Transaction...........................................33
      Offer to Acquire Hudson...............................................33

THE EXCHANGE OFFER..........................................................34

      General...............................................................34
      Extension, Termination and Amendment..................................36
      Exchange of Shares; Exchange Consideration............................36
      Additional Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares of TrustCo Common Stock..37
      Withdrawal Rights.....................................................37
      Procedure for Tendering Shares........................................38
      Material Federal Income Tax Consequences..............................39
          Tax Consequences to Cohoes Shareholders if the Exchange Offer
          and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger Qualify as a Reorganization.........41
          Tax Consequences to Cohoes Shareholders if the Exchange Offer
          and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger Do Not Qualify as a Reorganization..42
      Effect of Exchange Offer on Market for Shares.........................43
      Resale of TrustCo Common Stock........................................43
      Certain Legal Matters.................................................43
            General.........................................................43
            Regulatory Matters..............................................44
            Anticipated Approvals...........................................45
      Certain Conditions of the Exchange Offer..............................45
            Minimum Tender Condition........................................45
            Regulatory Approval Condition...................................46
            Removal of Impediments Condition................................46
            TrustCo Stockholder Approval Condition..........................48
            Tax Opinion.....................................................48
            Material Adverse Effect Condition...............................48
            Termination of the Hudson-Cohoes Option Agreement...............49
            Definitive TrustCo-Cohoes Merger Agreement......................50
            Definitive Trustco Bank-Cohoes Savings Bank Merger Agreement....50
            Effective Registration Statement................................50
      Waiver of Conditions..................................................50
      Fees and Expenses.....................................................50
      Accounting Treatment..................................................51
      Nasdaq Listing........................................................51
      Source of Funds.......................................................51

                                   iv
<PAGE>

      Treatment of Cohoes Stock Options.....................................51

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.........................................................52

      Cohoes and Hudson Stockholder Meetings................................52
      Termination of Merger Agreement and Amendment to Option...............52
      Cohoes Exploration of Strategic Alternatives..........................52
      Ambanc Tender Offer...................................................52

TRUSTCO'S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS..................................52

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION..........................53

      Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheets at
        June 30, 2000.......................................................55
            TrustCo and Cohoes Combined.....................................55
            TrustCo and Hudson Combined.....................................56
            TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson Combined.............................57
      Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income for the
         12 Months Ended December 31, 1999..................................58
            TrustCo and Cohoes Combined.....................................58
            TrustCo and Hudson Combined.....................................59
            TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson Combined.............................60
      Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income for the
         Six Months Ended June 30, 2000.....................................61
            TrustCo and Cohoes Combined.....................................61
            TrustCo and Hudson Combined.....................................62
            TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson Combined.............................63
      Summary of Purchase Accounting Adjustments............................64

DESCRIPTION OF TRUSTCO'S CAPITAL STOCK......................................70

      General...............................................................70
      Common Stock..........................................................70
            Voting Rights...................................................70
            Dividend Rights.................................................70
            Liquidation Rights..............................................70
            Other Characteristics...........................................70
            Transfer Agent..................................................70
      Preferred Stock.......................................................71

DESCRIPTION OF COHOES' CAPITAL STOCK........................................71

      General...............................................................71
      Common Stock..........................................................71
      Preferred Stock.......................................................71

COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS............................................71

      Stockholder Vote Required for Certain Transactions....................72
            Business Combinations...........................................72
            Removal of Directors............................................73
            Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws...........73
            Voting Rights...................................................74
      Special Meeting of Stockholders; Stockholder Action by Written
         Consent............................................................75
      Dissenters' Rights....................................................75
      Anti-Takeover Statutes and Provisions.................................76
      Indemnification.......................................................77
      Limitation of Liability of Directors..................................78
      Consideration of Non-Stockholder Interests............................78

                                    v
<PAGE>

LEGAL OPINION...............................................................79

EXPERTS.....................................................................79

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS....................................2

Holding Company Merger Representations.......................................3

Bank Merger Representations..................................................5

Representations Applicable to Both Holding Company Merger and Bank Merger....6
</TABLE>


APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

     This document incorporates important business and financial
information about TrustCo and Cohoes and Hudson from documents filed with
the SEC that have not been included in or delivered with this document.
This information is available at the Internet web site the SEC maintains
at http://www.sec.gov, as well as from other sources. See "WHERE YOU CAN
FIND MORE INFORMATION."

     You also may request copies of these documents from us, without
charge, upon written or oral request to William F. Terry, TrustCo Bank
Corp NY, 320 State Street, Schenectady, New York, 12305, (518) 377-3311.

     In order to receive timely delivery of the documents, you must make
your requests no later than __________, 2000.





                                   vi

<PAGE>


                            SUMMARY TERM SHEET

Following is a summary of the most material terms of our offer.

-    We will exchange all shares of Cohoes common stock for shares of
     TrustCo common stock and cash.

-    Exchange Ratio: For each of your shares of Cohoes common stock, you
     will receive a combination of TrustCo stock and cash having an
     aggregate value of $18.00, comprised of TrustCo stock with a value
     of $7.20 and cash in the amount of $10.80.

-    Our offer is subject to several conditions, including:

     (1)  tender of enough shares of Cohoes stock so that, after
          completion of our offer, we own at least a majority of the
          outstanding shares of Cohoes stock (on a fully diluted basis);
     (2)  the valid termination of the stock option agreement between
          Cohoes and Hudson;
     (3)  the execution of a definitive merger agreement between TrustCo
          and Cohoes and the approval thereof by Cohoes' board of
          directors and its shareholders;

     (4)  the execution of a definitive merger agreement between
          TrustCo's subsidiary, TrustCo Bank, N.A., and Cohoes'
          subsidiary, Cohoes Savings Bank, and the approval thereof by
          Cohoes Savings Bank's board of directors and shareholder;



     (5)  the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for this offer
          and the mergers of TrustCo (or its subsidiary) and Cohoes and
          TrustCo Bank and Cohoes Savings Bank;



     (6)  the receipt at the time of completion of this offer of an
          opinion letter that the offer and a TrustCo-Cohoes merger would
          be a tax-free transaction;


     (7)  the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this
          Prospectus is a part;
     (8)  our being satisfied that the provisions of Section 203 of the
          Delaware General Corporation Law and certain anti-takeover
          impediments found in Cohoes' Certificate of Incorporation do
          not apply to or otherwise restrict our offer and the proposed
          TrustCo-Cohoes merger; and
     (9)  if required under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, the
          approval by our stockholders of the issuance of TrustCo stock
          in our offer for Cohoes.

     These conditions are described in greater detail in the Prospectus
     at pages 45 through 50.

-    You will not receive fractional shares but will receive cash instead
     in an amount equal to the average closing price of one share of
     TrustCo stock on the Nasdaq measured as of a 20-day period ending 5
     days before the closing of our Tender Offer multiplied by the
     fractional share of TrustCo common stock that you are entitled to
     receive.

-    Our offer will remain open until __________, 2000, but we have a
     right to extend the offering period.


-    As soon as possible following the completion of our offer, we intend
     to merge Cohoes into a subsidiary of TrustCo and Cohoes Savings Bank
     with Trustco Bank.





                                    1
<PAGE>




           QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION

Q:   WHAT IS TRUSTCO PROPOSING?


A:   We are proposing to acquire control of, and ultimately the entire common
     equity interest in, Cohoes by first offering to exchange all outstanding
     shares of Cohoes stock for shares of TrustCo stock and cash. Second, we
     intend, as soon as possible after completion of the offer, to merge Cohoes
     with a wholly owned subsidiary of TrustCo. As a result of the
     TrustCo-Cohoes merger, each share of Cohoes stock which has not been
     exchanged or accepted for exchange would be converted into the same number
     of shares of TrustCo stock and the same amount of cash as is paid in the
     offer. We may delay completion of this offer if the delay will allow us to
     complete the TrustCo-Cohoes merger within a short time after completion of
     the offer. We cannot, however, provide you with any assurances that there
     will not be any delays in completion of the TrustCo-Cohoes merger or that
     we will be able to complete the merger within a short period of time after
     completion of the offer.


Q:   WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR MY SHARES?

A:   For each share of Cohoes stock validly tendered and not properly withdrawn
     by you, you will receive a combination of TrustCo stock and cash with an
     aggregate value of $18.00. The stock component of the exchange
     consideration will consist of a number of shares of TrustCo stock having an
     aggregate value of $7.20 (such number of shares to be determined by the
     average closing price of the TrustCo stock on the Nasdaq over a 20-day
     period ending 5 days before the closing on our offer), and the cash
     component will be $10.80 net. You will not receive any fractional shares of
     TrustCo stock. Instead, you will receive additional cash in an amount equal
     to the average closing price of one share of TrustCo stock on the Nasdaq
     over such 20-day period multiplied by the fractional share of TrustCo stock
     you are entitled to receive.


     Because recent market prices for TrustCo common stock exceed $7.20 Per
     share, you will receive a fraction of a share of TrustCo common stock for
     each of your shares of Cohoes common stock. Based upon the closing price of
     TrustCo common stock on October ___, 2000 (the last trading day prior to
     the date of this Prospectus), you would receive, upon completion of our
     offer, 0.___ Shares of TrustCo common stock for each of your shares of
     Cohoes common stock. The aggregate number of shares of TrustCo common stock
     you will receive will be based upon the number of shares of Cohoes common
     stock you tender to TrustCo and the market price of TrustCo common stock.
     For example, if you tender 100 shares of Cohoes common stock, you would
     receive, upon completion of our offer, a whole number of shares of TrustCo
     common stock equal to approximately $720, with cash being paid for any
     remaining fractional share to bring the total value of the stock component
     of the exchange consideration to exactly $720. We would also pay you, for
     your tender of 100 shares, cash in the amount of $1,080.


Q:   WHAT IS THE STATUS OF COHOES' PROPOSED MERGER WITH HUDSON?

A:   On August 18, 2000, Cohoes announced that its shareholders failed to
     approve the proposed merger between Cohoes and Hudson, and on September 28,
     2000, Cohoes and Hudson announced that they had terminated their merger
     agreement.

Q:   WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE IN YOUR OFFER?

A:   The TrustCo offer is $18.00 in TrustCo stock and cash for each share of
     Cohoes stock. We believe that our proposed offer represents an opportunity
     to enhance value for Cohoes stockholders by providing, among other things:


-    a premium over the price levels at which we believe Cohoes stock would be
     trading in the absence of our offer (our offer represents a 12.5% premium
     over the $16.00 per share closing price of



                                       2
<PAGE>

     Cohoes common stock on September 27, 2000, the day before Cohoes announced
     it was exploring all of its strategic options);


-     better long-term growth prospects;

-     improved cash dividends; and


-    TrustCo stock, a stock which has exhibited superior performance when
     compared in most respects to Cohoes stock (for example, TrustCo has
     realized a 23% average annual total return for the three year period ended
     December 31, 1999, although it has shown an annual total return of
     approximately negative 7% during the period from January 1999 through
     September 2000).


Q:   HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN YOUR OFFER?

A:   To tender your shares of Cohoes stock, you should do the following.

     -    If you hold shares in your own name, complete and sign the enclosed
          letter of transmittal and return it with your share certificate to
          ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, the exchange agent for the offer, at
          the address specified on the back cover page of this Prospectus before
          the expiration date of the offer.

     -    If you hold your shares in "street name" through a broker, instruct
          your broker to tender your shares before the expiration date of the
          offer.

Q:   WILL I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE DIVIDENDS AND HAVE VOTING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO
     COHOES SHARES THAT I TENDER TO YOU?

A:   Yes. Until we accept your shares of Cohoes stock for exchange at the
     completion of our offer, you will be entitled to receive any dividends paid
     on your tendered shares of Cohoes stock and you will continue to have the
     right to vote your tendered shares. Once we complete our offer and exchange
     all shares of Cohoes stock tendered by you in the offer and not withdrawn,
     you will own TrustCo stock and will have all dividend and voting rights of
     a TrustCo stockholder.

Q:   WHEN AND HOW CAN I WITHDRAW TENDERED SHARES?

A:   Shares of Cohoes stock tendered in the offer may be withdrawn by you at any
     time after _________, 2000 and prior to the exchange of your shares for
     TrustCo stock. Your withdrawal will only be effective if the exchange agent
     receives a written notice of withdrawal at the address on the back cover of
     this Prospectus, or by facsimile at (201) 296-4293. The written notice must
     contain your name, address, social security number, number of shares of
     Cohoes stock to be withdrawn, the certificate number or numbers for such
     shares and the name of the registered holder of the shares, if different
     from the person who tendered the shares. All signatures on the notice of
     withdrawal must be guaranteed by a financial institution in accordance with
     the procedures set forth in this Prospectus under "THE EXCHANGE
     OFFER--Withdrawal Rights."

Q:   HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT COMPLETING YOUR PROPOSED ACQUISITION?

A:   We have taken several steps in furtherance of our offer, including the
     following.

     -    We have commenced our offer by mailing this Prospectus and the related
          letter of transmittal to Cohoes stockholders.


     -    We will file applications with the Federal Reserve Board, the Office
          of the Comptroller of the Currency and the New York State Banking
          Department to obtain the regulatory approvals



                                       3
<PAGE>

          necessary to complete the offer , a TrustCo-Cohoes merger and the
          merger of Trustco Bank and Cohoes Savings Bank.


     -    If required under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market due to the
          number of shares of TrustCo stock to be issued in our proposed
          acquisition of Cohoes, we will file with the SEC proxy materials to be
          used for soliciting the approval by our stockholders of that issuance
          of our shares.

Q:   HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE YOUR PROPOSED OFFER?


A:   We believe that the offer could close in the latter part of the first
     quarter of 2001. This schedule assumes that the Cohoes board of directors
     promptly cooperates with us . However, the Cohoes board may try to delay
     our offer. By tendering your shares, you will be sending a message to
     Cohoes management and the Cohoes board that you want Cohoes to participate
     in a combination with us. This schedule also assumes that the conditions to
     our offer (including, for example, the need for regulatory approvals) are
     satisfied in a timely manner. Due to the potential for delays, we may be
     required to extend the time period during which our offer is open and delay
     completion of the offer for several months.


Q:   WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS TO YOUR OFFER?

A:   Our offer is subject to several conditions, including:

     -    tender of enough shares of Cohoes stock so that, after completion of
          our offer, we own at least a majority of the outstanding shares of
          Cohoes stock (on a fully diluted basis);

     -    the valid termination of the stock option agreement between Cohoes and
          Hudson;

     -    the execution of a definitive merger agreement between TrustCo and
          Cohoes and the approval thereof by Cohoes' board of directors and its
          shareholders;


     -    the execution of a definitive merger agreement between TrustCo's
          subsidiary, Trustco Bank, N.A., and Cohoes' subsidiary, Cohoes Savings
          Bank, and the approval thereof by Cohoes Savings Bank's board of
          directors and shareholder;



     -    the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for our offer and the
          mergers of TrustCo (or its subsidiary) and Cohoes and Trustco Bank and
          Cohoes Savings Bank;



     -    the receipt at the time of completion of our offer of an opinion that
          the offer and a TrustCo-Cohoes merger would qualify as a tax-free
          transaction;


     -    the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this
          Prospectus is a part;

     -    our being satisfied that the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
          General Corporation Law and certain anti-takeover impediments found in
          Cohoes' Certificate of Incorporation do not apply to or otherwise
          restrict our offer and the proposed TrustCo-Cohoes merger; and

     -    if required under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, the approval
          by our stockholders of the issuance of TrustCo stock in our offer for
          Cohoes.

     The conditions to our offer are discussed in this Prospectus under "THE
     EXCHANGE OFFER--Certain Conditions of the Exchange Offer" and must be
     satisfied or waived on or prior to the expiration of our offer.



                                       4
<PAGE>

Q:   WILL I BE TAXED ON THE TRUSTCO SHARES OR THE CASH THAT I RECEIVE?

A:   We expect that if you realize a gain on the exchange, you will be taxed on
     such gain up to the amount of the $10.80 per share cash component of the
     consideration that you receive in exchange for your shares of Cohoes common
     stock but will not recognize any loss realized. In addition, we expect that
     you will be taxed on any gain realized on the cash received in lieu of
     fractional shares of TrustCo common stock.


     We have based these expected tax consequences on our conclusion that the
     exchange of Cohoes common stock for TrustCo common stock and cash and the
     consummation of the merger of Cohoes into a wholly owned subsidiary of
     TrustCo qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of the Internal
     Revenue Code. If these transactions do not qualify as a reorganization, you
     may be taxed on any gain you realize on the exchange up to the full $18.00
     per share exchange consideration. Our receipt of an opinion of counsel at
     the time we complete the exchange offer that the offer qualifies as a
     reorganization is a condition to completion of this offer, although we may
     waive this condition. We may delay completion of the offer if the delay
     will facilitate qualification of the offer and TrustCo-Cohoes merger as a
     reorganization. See "THE OFFER - Material Federal Income Tax Consequences"
     for a more detailed discussion of the federal income tax consequences of
     the transactions we propose.


Q:   WHO CAN I CALL WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OFFER?

A:   You can contact our information agent, Georgeson Shareholder Communications
     Inc. toll-free at 1-800-223-2064.




                                       5
<PAGE>




                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     TrustCo and Cohoes file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"). You may read and copy this information at
the following locations of the SEC:

<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                           C>
Public Reference Room      North East Regional Office    Midwest Regional Office
450 Fifth Street, N.W.     7 World Trade Center          500 West Madison Street
Room 1024                  Suite 1300                    Suite 1400
Washington, D.C. 20549     New York, New York 10048      Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511
</TABLE>

     You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.

     The SEC also maintains an Internet world wide web site that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like TrustCo and
Cohoes, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is
http://www.sec.gov.

     We filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to register with the SEC the
shares of TrustCo common stock to be issued pursuant to our offer. This
Prospectus is a part of that Registration Statement. As allowed by SEC rules,
this Prospectus does not contain all the information you can find in the
Registration Statement or the exhibits to the Registration Statement. In
addition, on the day that we commence the offer we will file with the SEC a
statement on Schedule TO pursuant to rule 14d-3 under the 1934 Act to furnish
certain information about our offer. You may obtain copies of the Form S-4 or,
once filed, the Schedule TO (and any amendments to those documents) in the
manner described above.

      The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this
Prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this Prospectus, except for
any information superseded by information contained directly in this Prospectus.
This Prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that
TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson have previously filed with the SEC. These documents
contain important information about TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson and their
financial condition.

      The following documents listed below that TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson have
previously filed with the SEC are incorporated by reference:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTCO SEC FILINGS                                   PERIOD

<S>                                             <C>
Annual Report on Form 10-K                      Year ended December 31, 1999, as
                                                filed on March 24, 2000

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q                   Quarter ended March 31, 2000, as
                                                filed on May 9, 2000

                                                Quarter ended June 30, 2000, as
                                                filed on August 14, 2000

The description of TrustCo common stock
set forth in TrustCo's registration
statements filed by TrustCo pursuant to
Section 12 of the 1934 Act, including
any amendment or report filed for
purposes of updating any such
description.

The portions of TrustCo's proxy                 Filed on May 3, 2000


                                        6
<PAGE>

statement for the annual meeting of
stockholders held on May 15, 2000 that
have been incorporated by reference in
the 1999 TrustCo Form 10-K.

Current Reports on Form 8-K                     Filed on:
                                                -  June 7, 2000
                                                -  May 16, 2000
                                                -  April 18, 2000
                                                -  August 15, 2000
                                                -  October 17, 2000

COHOES SEC FILINGS                              PERIOD

Annual Report on Form 10-K                      Year ended June 30, 2000, as
                                                filed on September 28, 2000

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q                   Quarter ended March 31, 2000, as
                                                filed on May 11, 2000

                                                Quarter ended December 31, 1999,
                                                as filed on February 11, 2000

                                                Quarter ended September 30, 1999,
                                                as filed on November 9, 1999

The description of Cohoes common stock          Filed on November 4, 1998
set forth in Cohoes' registration
state-ment on Form 8-A filed pursuant to
Section 12 of the 1934 Act, including
any amendment or report filed with the
SEC for the purpose of updating this
description.

Current Reports on Form 8-K                     Filed on:
                                                -     May 5, 2000

HUDSON SEC FILINGS                              PERIOD

Annual Report on Form 10-K                      Year ended March 31, 2000, as
                                                filed on June 20, 2000

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q                   Quarter ended June 30, 2000, as
                                                filed on August 10, 2000

The description of Hudson common stock          Filed on May 4, 1998
set forth in Hudson's registration
state-ment on Form 8-A filed pursuant to
Section 12 of the 1934 Act, including
any amendment or report filed with the
SEC for the purpose of updating this
description.


                                        7
<PAGE>

Current Reports on Form 8K                      Filed on:
                                                -  May 5, 2000
</TABLE>


      All documents filed by TrustCo, Hudson and Cohoes pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act from the date of this Prospectus to
the date that shares of Cohoes stock are accepted for exchange pursuant to our
offer (or the date that our offer is terminated) shall also be deemed to be
incorporated herein by reference.

      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE ARE AVAILABLE FROM US WITHOUT CHARGE
UPON REQUEST TO WILLIAM F. TERRY, CORPORATE SECRETARY, TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY, 320
STATE STREET, SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK 12305, (518) 377-3311. IN ORDER TO ENSURE
TIMELY DELIVERY, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN __________, 2000.
IF YOU REQUEST ANY INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS FROM US, WE WILL MAIL THEM TO YOU BY
FIRST CLASS MAIL, OR ANOTHER EQUALLY PROMPT MEANS (INCLUDING E-MAIL), WITHIN ONE
BUSINESS DAY AFTER WE RECEIVE YOUR REQUEST.

      Please note that, although TrustCo is incorporating by reference certain
financial statements of both Cohoes and Hudson, TrustCo is not incorporating by
reference the audit report on Hudson's financial statements. TrustCo has used
its best efforts to obtain Hudson's permission and cooperation for the
incorporation by reference of Hudson's financial statements and to obtain the
consent of Hudson's auditors for the inclusion of its report on the financial
statements. TrustCo has not, however, obtained such permission or consent from
Hudson or its auditors. Although an audit report was issued on both Cohoes' and
Hudson's annual financial statements which have been incorporated by reference
and is included in Cohoes' and Hudson's respective filings, Hudson's auditor has
not consented to the use of its report in this Registration Statement. As a
general matter, an auditor will not consent to the use in a registration
statement of its report with respect to a company if the auditor has not
reviewed the registration statement and performed certain accounting procedures
with respect to the company to determine whether the information contained in
the audit report remains true. The implication of not obtaining the consent of
Hudson's auditors is that Hudson's auditors will not have performed procedures
to ensure that no facts or changed circumstances were brought to the attention
of the auditors that would render the audit report inaccurate as of the date it
was rendered.

      This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the
financial condition, results of operations and business of TrustCo following the
consummation of its proposed acquisition of Cohoes and Hudson, the anticipated
financial and other benefits of such proposed acquisitions and the plans and
objectives of TrustCo's management following such proposed acquisitions,
including, without limitation, statements relating to the cost savings expected
to result from the proposed acquisitions, anticipated results of operations of
the combined company following the proposed acquisitions and projected earnings
per share of the combined company following the proposed acquisitions.
Generally, the words "will," "may," "should," "continue," "believes," "expects,"
"intends," "anticipates" or similar expressions identify forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and
uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the
following factors: (i) cost savings expected to result from the proposed
acquisitions may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time
frame; (ii) operating results following the proposed acquisitions may be lower
than expected; (iii) competitive pressure among financial services companies may
increase significantly; (iv) costs or difficulties related to the integration of
the businesses of TrustCo, Cohoes and/or Hudson may be greater than expected;
(v) adverse changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins
or adversely affect asset values of the combined company; (vi) general economic
conditions, whether nationally or in the market areas in which TrustCo, Cohoes
and Hudson conduct business, may be less favorable than expected; (vii)
legislation or regulatory changes may adversely affect the businesses in which
TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson are engaged; or (viii) adverse changes may occur in
the securities markets.


      We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any
representation about our offer that is different from, or in addition to, that
contained in this Prospectus or in any of the materials that we have
incorporated into this Prospectus. Therefore, if anyone does give you
information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a
jurisdiction where offers to exchange or sell, or solicitations of offers to
exchange or purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or
if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these



                                        8
<PAGE>

types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend
to you. We are not aware, however, of any jurisdiction in which transactions of
this type would be unlawful. The information contained in this document speaks
only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically
indicates that another date applies.





                                       9
<PAGE>


                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

      THIS BRIEF SUMMARY DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE
IMPORTANT TO YOU. YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT AND THE OTHER
DOCUMENTS TO WHICH THIS DOCUMENT REFERS YOU TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE OFFER. SEE
"WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION."


THE TRUSTCO EXCHANGE OFFER (PAGE  34)




      We are proposing a business combination of TrustCo and Cohoes. For each
share of Cohoes stock tendered and not withdrawn by you, we are offering to
exchange a combination of shares of TrustCo common stock and cash totaling
$18.00. More specifically, you would receive, for each of your Cohoes shares,
TrustCo common stock having a market value of $7.20 (the number of shares to be
determined by the average closing price of TrustCo stock on the Nasdaq over a
20-day period ending 5 days before the closing on our offer) and $10.80 net in
cash. We intend,  as soon as possible after completion of the offer, to merge
Cohoes with a wholly owned subsidiary of TrustCo. Each share of Cohoes stock
that has not been exchanged or accepted for exchange in the offer would be
converted into the same number of shares of TrustCo stock as is paid in the
Offer. We may delay completion of this offer if the delay will allow us to
complete the Trustco-Cohoes merger. We cannot, however, provide any assurances
that we will be able to complete the Trustco-Cohoes merger within a short period
of time after completion of our exchange offer.

INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTCO AND COHOES (PAGES  18 AND  19)


      TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY, 320 State Street, Schenectady, New York 12305 (518)
377-3311.

      TrustCo is a New York corporation and a bank holding company registered
under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, headquartered in Schenectady, New
York. TrustCo provides a full range of financial and fiduciary services through
its subsidiaries, Trustco Bank, National Association and Trustco Savings Bank,
which have 54 banking offices in the upstate New York area. As of June 30, 2000,
TrustCo had, on a consolidated basis, total assets of approximately $2.4
billion, total deposits of approximately $2.0 billion and total shareholders'
equity of approximately $176.1 million. On February 21, 2000, TrustCo entered
into an agreement to acquire Landmark Financial Corp., Canajoharie, New York,
for $21.00 per share, cash. This transaction was completed on July 28, 2000. As
of June 30, 2000, Landmark had, on a consolidated basis, total assets of
approximately $25.4 million, total deposits of approximately $21.9 million and
total shareholders' equity of approximately $1.9 million.

      COHOES BANCORP, INC. 75 Remsen Road, Cohoes, New York 12047 (518) 233-6500

      Cohoes is a savings and loan holding company whose primary subsidiary is
Cohoes Savings Bank, a New York-chartered savings bank that operates 21 banking
offices throughout New York's Capital Region. At June 30, 2000, Cohoes had, on a
consolidated basis, total assets of approximately $727.0 million, total deposits
of approximately $494.9 million and total shareholders' equity of approximately
$121.3 million.


REASONS FOR THE TRUSTCO EXCHANGE OFFER (PAGE  33)


      We believe that our acquisition of Cohoes represents an opportunity to
enhance value for both Cohoes and TrustCo stockholders. Among the benefits that
we believe Cohoes stockholders would obtain from the combination of TrustCo and
Cohoes are the following.



     -    PREMIUM TO CURRENT VALUE. Our offer represents a premium over the
          market price of Cohoes common. The following table shows the amount of
          the premium our offer would have represented over the closing price of
          Cohoes common on June 23, 2000 (the last trading day prior to our
          announcement of our initial offer for Cohoes), August 18, 2000 (the
          date Cohoes announced its shareholders had failed to approve the
          Hudson-Cohoes merger) and October 2, 2000 (the last trading day
          prior to announcement of our revised offer).



                                       10

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Closing Price of         Premium      Premium
          Date             Cohoes Common Stock        Amount    Percentage
          ----             -------------------        ------    ----------
<S>                              <C>                   <C>         <C>
      June 23, 2000              $13.813               $4.19       30%
      August 18, 2000             15.250                2.75       18
      October 2, 2000             16.875                1.13        7
</TABLE>


      -     BETTER LONG-TERM GROWTH PROSPECTS. We believe that a combination of
            TrustCo and Cohoes has better long-term growth prospects than Cohoes
            individually, potentially resulting in increased shareholder value
            over the long-term.


      -     IMPROVED CASH DIVIDENDS. We anticipate that Cohoes shareholders' pro
            forma dividends will exceed the Cohoes current annual dividend rate.
            The following table shows the pro forma dividend that we would
            anticipate paying to Cohoes shareholders and the amount of the
            increase in that dividend over Cohoes' current annual dividend rate
            assuming an exchange ratio based upon the closing price of TrustCo
            common on June 23, 2000, August 18, 2000 and October 2, 2000.
            TrustCo's current annualized dividend is $0.60 per share, and
            Cohoes' current annualized dividend is $0.28 per share. Because the
            actual number of shares of TrustCo common stock that Cohoes'
            stockholders will receive is not yet fixed, the estimated amount of
            cash dividends Cohoes' stockholders will receive will fluctuate with
            the value of TrustCo common stock.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   TrustCo Proposal
                         Closing Price of      Exchange    Pro Forma Equivalent Dividend
          Date          TrustCo Common Stock     Ratio            Per Cohoes Share
          ----          --------------------     -----            ----------------
<S>                            <C>               <C>                    <C>
      June 23, 2000            $10.875           0.662                  0.40
      August 18, 2000           12.000           0.600                  0.36
      October 2, 2000           12.125           0.594                  0.36
</TABLE>


      -     SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE. Based on past performance of TrustCo stock
            (for example, TrustCo has realized more than a 23% average annual
            total return for each of the three-year, five-year and seven-year
            periods ended December 31, 1999), we believe that Cohoes'
            stockholders will realize superior performance over Cohoes' common
            stock. It should be noted, however, that each specific aspect of
            the performance of TrustCo's common stock may not, in all cases, be
            superior to that of Cohoes' common stock.

COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICE INFORMATION

      TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson common stock trade on the Nasdaq under the
symbols "TRST", "COHB" and "HRBT", respectively.


      The following table lists the closing prices on the Nasdaq of the stock of
TrustCo and Cohoes, the value of the TrustCo offer per share of Cohoes stock,
and the estimated number of whole shares of TrustCo stock to be exchanged for
each share of Cohoes stock on June 23, 2000, the last trading day before we
announced our initial offer to acquire Cohoes, and on October 2, 2000, the
last trading day  prior to announcement of our revised offer. Because the
value of the TrustCo stock you will receive per share of Cohoes stock is fixed
at $7.20, the number of shares of TrustCo stock you will receive will fluctuate
as the market price of TrustCo stock changes. The prices set forth below do not
reflect the effect of the 15% stock split declared by TrustCo's board of
directors on August 15, 2000, which is payable on November 13, 2000.



                                       11
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    Value of   Estimated         If you own
                                     Cohoes      Number        100 shares of
                                     Common    of Shares        Cohoes, you
                                     Stock     of TrustCo       receive the
                                     Under       Common          following
                                    TrustCo     Stock To      number of shares
                   TrustCo  Cohoes   Offer    Be Received       of TrustCo
                   -------  ------   -----    -----------       ----------
<S>                <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>              <C>
June 23, 2000      $10.875  $13.813  $7.20       0.662            66
August 18, 2000     12.000   15.250   7.20       0.600            60
October 2, 2000     12.125   16.875   7.20       0.594            59
</TABLE>



      Based upon the closing price of TrustCo common stock on October ___, 2000
(the last trading day prior to the date of this Prospectus), Cohoes stockholders
would receive, upon completion of the TrustCo offer, 0.___ shares of TrustCo
common stock for each of shares of Cohoes common stock held by them.



      The table below sets forth the high and low last sale prices for TrustCo's
and Cohoes' common stock for the periods indicated, as reported on Nasdaq.
TrustCo's fiscal year ends December 31 and Cohoes' fiscal year ends June 30. The
prices set forth below do not reflect the effect of the 15% stock split declared
by TrustCo's board of directors on August 15, 2000, which is payable on
November 13, 2000.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            TrustCo Common    Cohoes Common*
   Year     Quarter Ended    High     Low     High     Low
   ----     -------------    ----     ---     ----     ---
<S>        <C>              <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>
   1998    March 31         $12.88  $10.60     --       --
           June 30           12.99   11.20     --       --
           September 30      13.59   10.82     --       --
           December 31       15.00   11.41     --       --

   1999    March 31          15.00   12.47   13.00    10.38
           June 30           14.50   12.50   12.00     9.25
           September 30      15.28   12.22   13.13    11.56
           December 31       15.44   12.75   12.63     9.38

   2000    March 31          13.75   10.25   10.31     9.38
           June 30           12.75   10.63   14.25     9.75
           September 30      13.06   11.13   17.13    13.13
           December 31
            (through
            October  ___,
            2000)
</TABLE>

*     Cohoes stock started trading in January 1999.

      You can obtain current stock price quotations for TrustCo and Cohoes from
a newspaper, on the Internet or by calling your broker.


DIVIDEND POLICY OF TRUSTCO (PAGE 16)



      The holders of TrustCo stock receive dividends if and when declared by the
TrustCo board of directors out of legally available funds. Our past practice, as
discussed on page 33, has been to pay dividends at a rate of 65% to 85% of
operating earnings. For each of the past two fiscal quarters, we have paid a
quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share, and, on August 15, 2000, TrustCo's
board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, payable
October 2, 2000 to shareholders of record on September 8, 2000. Also on August
15, 2000, TrustCo's board approved a 15% stock split, with the additional shares
of TrustCo common stock to be payable on November 13, 2000 to shareholders of
record on October 20, 2000. Following completion of the offer and a
TrustCo-Cohoes merger, we expect to continue paying quarterly cash dividends on
a basis consistent with our past



                                       12
<PAGE>

practice. However, the declaration and payment of dividends will depend upon
business conditions, operating results, capital and reserve requirements and
consideration of other relevant factors. No assurance can be given that we will
continue to pay dividends on our stock in the future.



THE OFFER (PAGE 36)


      WE ARE OFFERING TO EXCHANGE A COMBINATION OF SHARES OF TRUSTCO STOCK AND
CASH TOTALING $18.00 FOR EACH SHARE OF COHOES STOCK

      We are offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, to exchange a combination of
shares of TrustCo stock and cash totaling $18.00 for each outstanding share of
Cohoes stock that is validly tendered on or before the expiration date and not
properly withdrawn. The stock component of the exchange consideration will
consist of TrustCo stock an aggregate value of $7.20, and the cash component
will be $10.80. The term "expiration date" means 12:00 midnight, New York time,
on __________, 2000, unless we extend the period of time for which this offer is
open, in which case the term "expiration date" means the latest time and date on
which the offer, as so extended, expires. We are not making any assurance that
we will exercise our right to extend our offer, although we currently intend to
do so until all conditions have been satisfied or waived.

      The following table shows the number of shares of TrustCo stock we will
pay to Cohoes stockholders in exchange for each share of Cohoes stock assuming
various average closing prices of TrustCo stock. The actual number of shares of
TrustCo stock that Cohoes stockholders will receive will be based upon the
average closing price of the TrustCo stock on the Nasdaq over a 20-day period
ending 5 days before the closing on our offer.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      AVERAGE CLOSING PRICE                                    NUMBER OF
         OF TRUSTCO STOCK    OFFER PRICE        CASH        TRUSTCO SHARES
         ----------------    -----------        ----        --------------
<S>                             <C>             <C>             <C>
            $15.00              $18.00          $10.80          0.480
             14.00               18.00           10.80          0.514
             13.00               18.00           10.80          0.553
             12.00               18.00           10.80          0.600
             11.00               18.00           10.80          0.655
             10.00               18.00           10.80          0.720
</TABLE>

      If the $__________ closing price of TrustCo stock on October ___, 2000
were the average closing price for TrustCo's offer, Cohoes shareholders would
receive 0._______ shares of TrustCo stock for each of their shares of Cohoes
stock.

      OUR OFFER IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS

      Our offer to exchange shares of TrustCo stock for shares of Cohoes stock
is subject to several conditions referred to under "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Certain
Conditions of the Exchange Offer," including the following conditions:

      -     tender of enough shares of Cohoes stock so that, after completion of
            the offer, we own at least a majority of the shares of Cohoes stock
            (on a fully diluted basis);

      -     the valid termination of the Hudson-Cohoes option agreement;

      -     the execution of a definitive merger agreement between TrustCo and
            Cohoes and the approval thereof by Cohoes' board of directors and
            its shareholders;



      -     the execution of a definitive merger agreement between TrustCo's
            subsidiary, Trustco Bank, N.A., and Cohoes' subsidiary, Cohoes
            Savings Bank, and the approval thereof by Cohoes Savings Bank's
            board of directors and shareholder;


                                       13





<PAGE>



o        the  receipt  of all  required  regulatory  approvals  for this offer
         and the mergers of TrustCo (or its subsidiary) and Cohoes and Trustco
         Bank and Cohoes Savings Bank;



o        our  receipt  at the  time  of the  closing  of this  offer  of an
         opinion that the offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes merger can be
         accomplished as a tax-free transaction;


o        our being satisfied that the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
         General Co
rporation Law and certain anti-takeover provisions found in
         Cohoes' Certificate of Incorporation do not apply to or otherwise
         restrict our offer and the proposed TrustCo-Cohoes merger; and

o        if required under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, the approval by
         our stockholders of the issuance of TrustCo stock in our offer for
         Cohoes.

         These conditions must be satisfied or waived on or prior to the
expiration of our offer.

         OUR OFFER IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE ON _______, 2000

         Our offer is currently scheduled to expire on __________, 2000.
However, we currently intend to extend our offer from time to time as necessary
until all the conditions to the offer have been satisfied or waived. See "THE
EXCHANGE OFFER--Extension, Termination and Amendment."

         OUR OFFER MAY BE EXTENDED, TERMINATED OR AMENDED

         We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, at any time or
from time to time, to extend the period of time during which our offer remains
open, and we can do so by giving oral or written notice of such extension to the
exchange agent. If we decide to extend our offer, we will make an announcement
to that effect no later than 9:00 A.M., New York time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled expiration date. We are not making any assurance
that we will exercise our right to extend our offer, although we currently
intend to do so until all conditions have been satisfied or waived. During any
such extension, all shares of Cohoes stock previously tendered and not withdrawn
will remain subject to the offer, subject to your right to withdraw your Cohoes
shares.

         Subject to the SEC's applicable rules and regulations, we also reserve
the right, in our sole discretion:

o                 to delay our acceptance for exchange or our exchange of any
                  shares of Cohoes stock pursuant to our offer, or to terminate
                  our offer and not accept for exchange or exchange any shares
                  of Cohoes stock not previously accepted for exchange or
                  exchanged, upon the failure of any of the conditions of the
                  offer to be satisfied on or prior to the expiration date, or
                  upon the failure of the condition relating to regulatory
                  approvals to be satisfied at any time after the expiration
                  date regardless of whether we previously accepted for exchange
                  or exchanged any shares of Cohoes stock; and


o                 to waive any condition (other than the conditions relating to
                  any required TrustCo stockholder approval, regulatory
                  approvals and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
                  for the shares of TrustCo stock to be issued in our offer) or
                  otherwise to amend the offer in any respect, by giving oral or
                  written notice of such delay, termination or amendment to the
                  exchange agent and by making a public announcement.


         We will follow any extension, termination, amendment or delay, as
promptly as practicable, with a public announcement. Subject to applicable law
(including rules 14d-4(c) and 14d-6(d) under the 1934 Act, which require that
any material change in the information published, sent or given to the
stockholders in connection with the offer be promptly sent to stockholders in a
manner reasonably designed to inform them of such change) and without limiting
the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcement, we assume no
obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public
announcement other than by making a release to the Dow Jones News Service.

                                       14

<PAGE>

         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of our offer (including,
if the offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such
extension or amendment), we will accept for exchange, and will exchange, shares
of Cohoes stock validly tendered and not properly withdrawn as promptly as
practicable after the expiration date, and promptly after they are tendered
during any subsequent offering period.

         TENDERED SHARES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE OF
SUCH SHARES

         Your tender of shares of Cohoes stock pursuant to the offer is
irrevocable, except that shares of Cohoes stock tendered pursuant to the offer
may be withdrawn at any time after __________, 2000 and prior to the time that
your shares have been exchanged for TrustCo stock following completion of our
offer.

         WE MAY PROVIDE A SUBSEQUENT OFFERING PERIOD

         We may, although we do not currently intend to, elect to provide a
subsequent offering period of three to twenty business days after the acceptance
of shares of Cohoes stock pursuant to the offer if the requirements under rule
14d-11 of the 1934 Act have been met. You will not have the right to withdraw
shares of Cohoes stock that you tender in the subsequent offering period, if
any.

         PROCEDURE FOR TENDERING SHARES

         For you to validly tender shares of Cohoes stock pursuant to our offer:

o        a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, along
         with any required signature guarantees, or an agent's message (which is
         explained below) in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any
         other required documents, must be received by the exchange agent at its
         address set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus, and
         certificates for tendered shares of Cohoes stock must be received by
         the exchange agent at such address, or those shares must be tendered
         pursuant to the procedures for a book-entry tender set forth in "THE
         EXCHANGE OFFER--Procedure for Tendering Shares" (and a confirmation of
         receipt of such tender received), in each case before the expiration
         date; or

o        you must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
         "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--procedure for Tendering Shares."


NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER (PAGE 75)


         The offer does not entitle you to appraisal rights with respect to your
shares of Cohoes stock. Cohoes stockholders who have not validly tendered their
shares in the offer and do not vote in favor of the proposed TrustCo-Cohoes
merger will not have the right under the Delaware General Corporation Law to
dissent and demand appraisal of their shares of Cohoes stock.


TRUSTCO WILL ACCOUNT FOR THE MERGER USING THE "PURCHASE" METHOD (PAGE 51)


         TrustCo will account for the TrustCo-Cohoes merger as a purchase for
financial reporting purposes.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY PROVE INACCURATE (PAGE 22)


         This Prospectus, including information included or incorporated by
reference in this document, contains forward-looking statements with respect to
the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future
performance and business of each of TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson, as well as
information relating to the exchange offer. Also, statements preceded by,
followed by or that include the words "will," "may," "should," "continue,"
"believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," or similar expressions, are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve various
risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those
contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to various factors.

                                       15

<PAGE>



OFFER TO ACQUIRE HUDSON (PAGE 33)


         On June 8, 2000, TrustCo made an offer to acquire all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Hudson for TrustCo stock valued at $14.00 for each Hudson
share. TrustCo has increased its offer to purchase each Hudson share to $17.00,
consisting of a combination TrustCo stock valued at $6.80 and $10.20 in cash.
TrustCo intends to commence an exchange offer for Hudson on October _____, 2000.
Neither this offer nor the proposed TrustCo-Cohoes merger is conditioned on the
approval or consummation of TrustCo's offer to Hudson.

                SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA
                                   (unaudited)


         The following tables show book value per share as of June 30, 2000 for
each of TrustCo, Cohoes, Hudson, TrustCo/Cohoes combined and
TrustCo/Cohoes/Hudson combined. The per share information for TrustCo does not
reflect the effect of the 15% stock split declared by TrustCo's board of
directors on August 15, 2000, which is payable on November 13, 2000. Also shown
is historical net income per share and dividends per share information for each
of TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and the
twelve months ended December 31, 1999 and similar pro forma information for
TrustCo/Cohoes combined and TrustCo/Cohoes/Hudson combined for the six months
ended June 30, 2000. Also shown, for comparative purposes, is historical net
income per share information for Cohoes for the twelve months ended June 30,
2000 and Hudson for the twelve months ended March 31, 2000, their most recently
reported fiscal year ends.


         The information concerning Cohoes and Hudson is derived from previously
filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and previously
released press releases. TrustCo does not make any representation with respect
to either Cohoes or Hudson amounts and has not performed any procedures to
ensure their accuracy or reasonableness.

         The information shown for TrustCo has been prepared from historical
financial information from previously filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and previously released press releases.

         The information is for illustrative purposes only. The companies would
likely have performed differently had they always been combined. The information
should not be relied on as an indication of future results that the combined
company will experience after the transaction is completed. The pro forma
results are also not necessarily indicative of the future financial position or
future operating results of the combined company. In particular, TrustCo expects
to achieve operating cost savings as a result of the Cohoes and Hudson
transactions. See "BACKGROUND OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Benefits of the
transaction" No adjustments have been included in the combined pro forma
operating amounts for the anticipated operating cost savings.


                                       16
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    6 MONTHS                   12 MONTHS
                                                                      ENDED                      ENDED                  FISCAL
                                                                  JUNE 30, 2000            DECEMBER 31, 1999         YEAR-END (1)
                                                                  -------------            -----------------         ------------
<S>                                                            <C>                       <C>                       <C>
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Historical - Basic
             TrustCo                                           $      0.39               $       0.71              $     0.71
             Cohoes                                                   0.42                       0.70                    0.74
             Hudson                                                   0.37                       0.59                    0.65
Pro forma combined TrustCo/Cohoes                                     0.37                       0.67
Pro forma combined TrustCo/Cohoes/Hudson                              0.32                       0.58

Historical - Diluted
             TrustCo                                            $     0.38                $      0.68              $     0.68
             Cohoes                                                   0.42                       0.70                    0.74
             Hudson                                                   0.37                       0.59                    0.65
Pro forma combined TrustCo/Cohoes                                     0.36                       0.65
Pro forma combined TrustCo/Cohoes/Hudson                              0.31                       0.56

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE(4):
Historical
             TrustCo                                            $     0.30               $       0.56
             Cohoes                                                   0.14                       0.18
             Hudson                                                   0.08                       0.09
Equivalent dividends per common share
             Cohoes (2)                                         $     0.18               $       0.33
             Hudson (3)                                               0.17                       0.31
<CAPTION>



                                                                                             TANGIBLE
PER COMMON SHARE AT JUNE 30, 2000:                              BOOK VALUE                 BOOK VALUE
                                                       -----------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>                      <C>
Historical
             TrustCo                                            $     3.30               $       3.30
             Cohoes                                                  15.33                      15.13
             Hudson                                                  13.07                      12.33

Pro forma combined TrustCo/Cohoes                                     4.01                       3.56
Pro forma combined TrustCo/Cohoes/Hudson                              4.97                       3.39

</TABLE>


(1) For the Fiscal Year-End amount, TrustCo has a fiscal year end of December
31, 1999, Cohoes has a fiscal year end of June 30, 2000 and Hudson has a fiscal
year end of March 31, 2000.

(2) Equivalent dividends per share are calculated for Cohoes by multiplying the
historical TrustCo dividends per share by the estimated transaction exchange
rate of 0.59, which is calculated by dividing the Cohoes acquisition price of
$7.20 by the $12.25 market value of TrustCo stock on September 28, 2000.

(3) Equivalent dividends per share are calculated for Hudson by multiplying the
historical TrustCo dividends per share by the estimated transaction exchange
rate of 0.56, which is calculated by dividing the Hudson acquisition price of
$6.80 by the $12.25 market value of TrustCo stock on September 28, 2000.

(4) Because the exact exchange ratio of TrustCo stock to Cohoes stock has not
yet been determined, the pro forma estimated dividend rate is subject to
fluctuation.


                                       17
<PAGE>


              SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR TRUSTCO

         The following is a summary of selected consolidated financial data of
TrustCo for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1999
and the six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999. This information is
derived from reports previously filed by TrustCo with the SEC. See "WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION." You should read this summary together with these
financial statements and their accompanying notes. We believe that this
financial information includes all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation
of such information. Results for the interim periods do not necessarily indicate
results that may be expected for any other interim or annual period. This
information does not reflect the effect of our acquisition of Landmark, which we
completed on July 28, 2000.

                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                    SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                   (UNAUDITED)
               (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 AT JUNE 30,                             AT DECEMBER 31,
                                             ------------------          --------------------------------------------------------
                                             2000          1999          1999         1998         1997         1996         1995
                                             ----          ----          ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
<S>                                       <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
Total assets                              $2,367,107   $2,409,016    $2,364,022   $2,485,080   $2,372,265   $2,261,780   $2,176,185
Loans, net                                 1,319,680    1,269,893     1,293,989    1,268,328    1,244,821    1,190,321    1,177,822
Securities available for sale                661,478      713,174       640,830      717,410      601,899      618,670      640,206
Deposits                                   1,979,144    2,044,731     1,994,909    2,107,414    2,021,863    1,953,146    1,930,649
Borrowings                                   162,109      142,178       152,782      147,924      127,850      111,662       56,654
Shareholders' equity                         176,132      176,528       166,356      185,842      178,825      162,400      160,099

<CAPTION>
                                               FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                                 ENDED JUNE 30                    FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                               -----------------         --------------------------------------------------------
                                               2000         1999         1999         1998         1997         1996         1995
                                               ----         ----         ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
Selected Operating Data:
Interest income                               $85,276     $83,264      $167,205     $174,050     $172,005     $166,647     $161,552
Interest expense                               36,026      37,852        74,013       88,347       86,520       82,342       80,200
                                             --------      ------      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Net interest income                            49,250      45,412        93,192       85,703       85,485       84,305       81,352
Provision for loan losses                       1,650       3,013         5,063        4,610        5,414        6,577       12,698
                                             --------     -------      --------    ---------     --------   ----------     --------
Net interest income after provision            47,600      42,399        88,129       81,093       80,071       77,728       68,654
Noninterest income                              6,857       9,670        15,416       22,122       17,222       10,313       14,067
Noninterest expense                            23,354      23,555        45,636       48,765       46,226       42,015       44,440
                                             --------      ------      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Income before income taxes                     31,103      28,514        57,909       54,450       51,067       46,026       38,281
Income tax expense                             10,336       9,699        19,724       19,435       18,892       17,327       12,754
                                             --------     -------      --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Net income                                  $  20,767   $  18,815     $  38,185    $  35,015    $  32,175    $  28,699    $  25,527
                                             ========   =========     =========    =========    =========    =========    =========

Selected Operating Ratios and Other Data(2)
Return on average assets                        1.78%      1.56%         1.58%         1.44%        1.40%        1.29%        1.23%
Return on average shareholders'
equity(1)                                      24.30      22.47         22.52         21.47        20.23        19.05        18.03
Cash dividend payout ratio                     77.19      78.62         79.16         75.97        72.34        70.38        69.55
Efficiency ratio                               37.84      39.79         38.62         40.26        40.61        39.51        42.52
Net interest margin                             4.50       4.01          3.82          3.81         4.02         4.07         4.18
Book value per share                           $3.30      $3.29         $3.11         $3.47        $3.32        $3.01        $2.98
Cash dividends per share                        0.30       0.275         0.56          0.50         0.43         0.38         0.33
Basic earnings per share                        0.39       0.35          0.71          0.65         0.59         0.53         0.48
Diluted earnings per share                      0.38       0.34          0.68          0.63         0.58         0.52         0.47
Basic earnings per share adjusted for
     15% stock split                            0.34       0.30          0.62          0.56         0.51         0.46         0.42
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for
     15% stock split                            0.33       0.29          0.59          0.54         0.50         0.45         0.41
</TABLE>


(1) Calculated excluding the market value adjustment on securities available for
    sale.
(2) Where appropriate ratios have been presented on an annualized basis.



                                       18
<PAGE>




              SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR COHOES

         The following is a summary of selected consolidated financial data of
Cohoes for each of the years in the five-year period ended June 30, 2000. This
information is derived from earnings releases and reports previously filed by
Cohoes and Cohoes Savings Bank with the SEC. See "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION." You should read this summary together with Cohoes' financial
statements and their accompanying notes. Certain Cohoes financial information
has been reclassified to conform with TrustCo's financial information.

                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.
                    SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                   (UNAUDITED)
           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          AT JUNE 30,
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------
                                                  2000       1999        1998        1997        1996
                                                  ----       ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                              <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
Total assets                                     $727,014   $650,470    $535,716    $491,700    $463,363
Cash and cash equivalents                          12,658     11,114      14,229      16,664       8,900
Loans, net                                        600,413    521,005     412,759     398,530     393,970
Investment securities                              55,129     54,455      45,424      25,273      25,969
Securities available for sale                      32,570     44,742      48,720      35,475      20,886
Deposits                                          494,875    446,123     449,541     429,390     404,539
Borrowings                                         96,201     49,045      19,897          --       2,116
Shareholders' equity                              121,306    139,430      53,282      49,092      44,290
Real estate owned                                     561        724         509       1,874         421
Nonperforming loans                                 4,043      4,993       5,649       6,688       7,793

</TABLE>


                                       19
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                  2000       1999        1998        1997        1996
                                                  ----       ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                               <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Selected Operating Data:
Interest income                                   $49,685    $43,038     $38,423     $36,285     $35,383
Interest expense                                   22,540     20,334      19,262      17,821      18,164
                                                   ------     ------      ------      ------      ------
Net interest income                                27,145     22,704      19,161      18,464      17,219
Provision for loan losses                           1,600      1,235       1,400       1,325         490
                                                  -------    -------     -------     -------     -------
Net interest income after provision for loan
losses                                             25,545     21,469      17,761      17,139      16,729
Noninterest income                                  2,381      2,916       2,743       2,790       2,467
Noninterest expense                                18,655     20,443      13,767      12,314      11,919
                                                  -------    -------     -------      ------     -------
Income before income taxes                          9,271      3,942       6,737       7,615       7,277
Income tax expense                                  3,392      1,511       2,650       2,972       2,882
                                                  -------    -------     -------     -------     -------
Net income                                     $    5,879    $ 2,431     $ 4,087     $ 4,643     $ 4,395
                                                =========     ======      ======       =====       =====

Performance ratios:
Yield on average interest-earning assets           7.42%      7.42%       7.96%       8.04%       7.98%
Rate paid on average interest-bearing
liabilities                                        4.02       4.06        4.33        4.27        4.42
Net interest rate spread                           3.40       3.36        3.63        3.77        3.56
Net interest income after provision for loan
losses to         noninterest expenses           136.93     105.02      129.01      139.18      140.36
Noninterest expenses as a percent of average
assets                                             2.69       3.40        2.75        2.62        2.59
Return on average assets                           0.85       0.40        0.82        0.99        0.95
Return on average equity                           4.62       2.53        7.88        9.87       10.28
Ratio of average equity to average assets         18.35      15.95       10.35       10.03        9.28
Efficiency ratio                                  63.18      79.79       62.85       57.94       60.55
Basic earnings per share (1)                      $0.74      $0.37          N/A         N/A         N/A
Diluted earnings per share (1)                     0.74       0.37          N/A         N/A         N/A
Dividends per share                                0.26       0.06          N/A         N/A         N/A
Dividend payout ratio                             35.14%     16.22%         N/A         N/A         N/A
Book value per share                             $15.33     $14.62          N/A         N/A         N/A
Weighted average shares outstanding
(thousands):
         Basic                                      7,998      8,798         N/A         N/A         N/A
         Diluted                                    7,998        N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A

Asset Quality Ratios:
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total
loans                                                0.67%      0.95%       1.36%       1.66%       1.96%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total
assets                                               0.63       0.88        1.15        1.74        1.77
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
total loans                                          0.83       0.77        0.85        0.77        0.82
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
nonperforming loans                                    124%        81%         63%         46%         42%
</TABLE>


(1)      Earnings per share for fiscal year 1999 reflects earnings since
         conversion.




                                       20

<PAGE>



              SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR HUDSON

         The following is a summary of selected consolidated financial data of
Hudson and Hudson River Bank & Trust Company for each of the years in the
five-year period ended March 31, 2000 and the three-month periods ended June 30,
2000 and 1999. This information is derived from reports previously filed by
Hudson and Hudson River Bank & Trust Company with the SEC. See "WHERE YOU CAN
FIND MORE INFORMATION." You should read this summary together with Hudson's
financial statements and their accompanying notes. Certain Hudson financial
information has been reclassified to conform with TrustCo's financial
information. Results for the interim periods do not necessarily indicate results
that may be expected for any other interim or annual period.

                           HUDSON RIVER BANCORP, INC.
                    SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                   (UNAUDITED)
           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               AT AND FOR THE THREE
                                                MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,                  AT OR FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                --------------------        ----------------------------------------------------
                                                  2000         1999         2000         1999         1998       1997       1996
                                                  ----         ----         ----         ----         ----       ----       ----
<S>                                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Earnings:
Interest income                                 $22,142      $16,824      $76,423      $63,526     $55,387    $52,881    $49,082
Interest expense                                  9,673        6,239       30,509       26,000      25,977     25,426     24,086
                                                  -----        -----       ------       ------      ------     ------     ------
Net interest income                              12,469       10,585       45,914       37,526      29,410     27,455     24,996
                                                 ------       ------       ------       ------      ------     ------     ------
Provision for loan losses                         1,425        1,700        6,200        7,341       8,491      3,826      1,090
Other operating income                              694          592        2,588        2,418       2,845      1,825      1,635
Other operating expenses                          7,580        6,301       27,788       26,612      19,030     16,187     14,199
                                                  -----        -----       ------       ------      ------     ------     ------
Income before tax expenses                        4,158        3,176       14,514        5,991       4,734      9,267     11,342
Tax expense                                       1,515        1,115        4,988        2,184        ,903      3,607      4,298
                                                  -----        -----        -----        -----        ----      -----      -----
Net income                                       $2,643       $2,061       $9,526       $3,807      $2,831     $5,660     $7,044
                                                 ======       ======       ======       ======      ======     ======     ======

Per Share Data (1):
Basic earnings per share                          $0.19        $0.13        $0.65        $0.17          --         --         --
Diluted earnings per share                         0.19         0.13         0.65         0.17          --         --         --
Book value at period end, including               13.07        12.43        12.85        12.39          --         --         --
         unallocated ESOP shares and
         unvested RRP shares
Tangible book value per share, including
         unallocated ESOP shares and
         unvested RRP shares                      12.33        12.25        12.11        12.21          --         --         --

Average Balances and Shares;
Total assets                                 $1,146,510     $868,415   $  996,448     $809,385    $659,984   $640,867   $597,435
Earning assets                                1,083,249      837,055      950,380      778,691     628,747    612,296    571,263
Loans                                           833,831      590,507      698,403      522,974     507,293    471,295    444,645
Securities available for sale                   232,350      223,741      231,931      156,405      39,357     53,445     26,889
Securities held to maturity                       8,384       19,508       14,899       47,738      71,966     83,343     92,243
Deposits                                        701,622      551,406      682,029      608,936     577,721    562,922    530,339
Short-term FHLB advances                        138,021       38,469       65,542        2,916       3,699      4,459        745
Long-term FHLB borrowings                        30,600           --       18,386           --          --         --         --
Shareholders' equity                            199,861      216,658      207,953      185,770      67,780     63,322     56,261
Shares outstanding (thousands):
     Basic                                       13,672       15,293       14,556       16,302          --         --         --
     Diluted                                     13,673       15,293       14,577       16,302          --         --         --

</TABLE>


                                       21

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        AT OR FOR THE THREE
                                       MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,                    AT OR FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                         -----------------         ----------------------------------------------------------
                                         2000         1999         2000          1999          1998         1997         1996
                                         ----         ----         ----          ----          ----         ----         ----
<S>                                     <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>             <C>         <C>          <C>
Financial Ratios:
Return on average assets                  0.92%       0.95%          0.96%        0.47%          0.43%       0.88%        1.18%
Return on average equity                  5.30        3.83           4.58         2.05           4.18        8.94        12.52
Net interest margin                       4.62        5.09           4.83         4.82           4.68        4.48         4.38
Efficiency ratio (2)                     53.38       52.32          52.61        50.48          56.78       54.18        51.89
Expense ratio (2)                         2.46        2.69           2.56         2.49           2.77        2.47         2.31
Equity to assets at period end           17.31       24.26          17.46        24.89          10.18       10.00         9.56
Tangible equity to tangible assets       16.49       23.99
at period end                                                       16.62        24.62          10.10        9.96         9.50
Allowance to nonperforming loans        158.28      100.47         190.50       143.77          52.32       29.37        32.57
Allowance to loans                        2.43        2.61           2.38         2.47           1.62        1.19         0.79
</TABLE>

(1)  Per share data only applied to periods since Hudson's initial public
     offering on July 1, 1998.

(2)  Ratio does not include other real estate owned and repossessed property
     expenses, net securities transactions, and goodwill and other intangibles
     amortization for each period. The 1999 ratio does not include a charitable
     contribution to the Hudson River Bank & Trust Company Foundation.

                SELECTED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         The following tables show selected pro forma financial data for
TrustCo/Cohoes combined, TrustCo/Hudson combined and TrustCo/Cohoes/Hudson
combined.

         The information concerning Cohoes and Hudson is derived from previously
filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and previously
released press releases. TrustCo does not make any representation with respect
to either Cohoes or Hudson amounts and has not performed any procedures to
ensure their accuracy or reasonableness.

         The information shown for TrustCo has been prepared from historical
financial information from previously filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and previously released press releases.

         The information is for illustrative purposes only. The companies would
likely have performed differently had they always been combined. The information
should not be relied on as an indication of future results that the combined
company will experience after the transaction is completed. The pro forma
results are also not necessarily indicative of the future financial position or
future operating results of the combined company. In particular, TrustCo expects
to achieve operating cost savings as a result of the Cohoes and Hudson
transactions. See "BACKGROUND OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Benefits of the
transaction". No adjustments have been included in the combined pro forma
operating amounts for the anticipated operating cost savings.


                                       22
<PAGE>


The following table shows selected financial information for TrustCo and Cohoes
on a pro forma combined basis:

                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                                       AND
                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                                   (unaudited)


                          SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                             TRUSTCO/COHOES COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(in thousands, except per share information)

                                                                  AT JUNE 30, 2000
                                                                  ----------------
<S>                                                               <C>
Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
Total assets                                                          $3,032,626
Loans, net                                                             1,920,093
Securities available for sale                                            656,423
Goodwill and other intangibles*                                           26,165
Deposits                                                               2,474,019
Borrowings                                                               258,310
Shareholders' equity                                                     233,098
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 FOR THE SIX MONTHS                 FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS
Selected Operating Data:                                         ENDED JUNE 30, 2000               ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
                                                                 -------------------               -----------------------
<S>                                                              <C>                               <C>
Interest income                                                         $107,849                           $208,128
Interest expense                                                          47,943                             94,225
                                                                          ------                            -------
Net interest income                                                       59,906                            113,903
Provision for loan losses                                                  2,300                              6,888
Noninterest income                                                         8,506                             17,281
Noninterest expense                                                       33,746                             63,458
Income tax expense                                                        11,106                             21,472
                                                                        --------                           --------
Net income                                                              $ 21,260                           $ 39,366
                                                                         =======                            =======
Net income per share:
Basic                                                                     $ 0.37                             $ 0.67
Diluted                                                                     0.36                               0.65
Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split                                0.32                               0.59
Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split                              0.31                               0.57
</TABLE>



* Goodwill to be amortized over 20 years using the straight-line method.

NOTE:
The pro forma selected results of operations do not take into consideration any
potential cost savings or revenue enhancements that will likely be realized as a
result of these transactions. TrustCo currently estimates that approximately 50%
of the noninterest expense of Cohoes can be eliminated.

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.


                                       23
<PAGE>


The following table shows selected financial information for TrustCo and Hudson
on a pro forma combined basis:

                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                                       AND
                           HUDSON RIVER BANCORP, INC.
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                                   (unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                              TRUSTCO/HUDSON COMBINED

                                                AT JUNE 30, 2000
                                              ----------------------

(in thousands, except per share information)

Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
Total assets                                             $3,428,925
Loans, net                                                2,142,181
Securities available for sale                               827,288
Goodwill and other intangibles*                              68,317
Deposits                                                  2,724,176
Borrowings                                                  344,533
Shareholders' equity                                        280,247

<CAPTION>
                                                                              FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS
Selected Operating Data:                       FOR THE SIX MONTHS                Ended DECEMBER 31,
                                               ENDED JUNE 30, 2000                    1999
                                              ----------------------       ----------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                          <C>
Interest income                                            $122,950                           $228,699
Interest expense                                             54,668                            101,571
Net interest income                                          68,282                            127,128
Provision for loan losses                                     4,575                             11,263
Noninterest income                                            8,280                             17,811
Noninterest expense                                          39,812                             74,715
Income tax expense                                           11,287                             21,159
                                                          ---------                          ---------
Net income                                                $  20,888                          $  37,802
                                                          =========                          =========
Net income per share:
Basic                                                      $   0.34                         $     0.61
Diluted                                                        0.33                               0.59
Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split                   0.29                               0.53
Diluted  -  Adjusted  for  TrustCo  15% stock                  0.29                               0.51
split


</TABLE>



* Goodwill to be amortized over 20 years using the straight-line method.

NOTE:
     The pro forma selected results of operations do not take into account any
     potential cost savings or revenue enhancements that will likely be realized
     as a result of these transactions. TrustCo currently estimates that
     approximately 50% of the noninterest expense of Hudson can be eliminated.

     See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.


                                       24
<PAGE>



The following table shows selected financial information for TrustCo, Cohoes and
Hudson on a pro forma combined basis:


                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.
                                       AND
                           HUDSON RIVER BANCORP, INC.
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                                   (unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                                   TRUSTCO/COHOES/HUDSON COMBINED


(in thousands, except per share information)
                                                                  AT JUNE 30, 2000
                                                                  ----------------
<S>                                                               <C>
Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
Total assets                                                          $4,094,444
Loans, net                                                             2,742,594
Securities available for sale                                            822,233
Goodwill and other intangibles*                                           94,482
Deposits                                                               3,219,051
Borrowings                                                               440,734
Shareholders' equity                                                     337,213

<CAPTION>
                                                                 FOR THE SIX MONTHS                 FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS
Selected Operating Data:                                         ENDED JUNE 30, 2000               ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
                                                                 -------------------              -------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>                              <C>
Interest income                                                         $145,523                           $269,622
Interest expense                                                          66,585                            121,783
                                                                          ------                            -------
Net interest income                                                       78,938                            147,839
Provision for loan losses                                                  5,225                             13,088
Noninterest income                                                         9,929                             19,676
Noninterest expense                                                       50,204                             92,537
Income tax expense                                                        12,057                             22,907
                                                                         -------                           --------
Net income                                                              $ 21,381                           $ 38,983
                                                                         =======                            =======

Net income per share:
Basic                                                                     $ 0.32                             $ 0.58
Diluted                                                                     0.31                               0.56
Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split                                0.28                               0.51
Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split                              0.27                               0.49
</TABLE>


* Goodwill to be amortized over 20 years using the straight-line method.

NOTE:
The pro forma selected results of operations do not take into consideration any
potential cost savings or revenue enhancements that will likely be realized as a
result of these transactions. TrustCo currently estimates that approximately 50%
of the noninterest expense of Cohoes and Hudson can be eliminated.

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.


                                       25
<PAGE>




                         SUMMARY OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY

      The following is a summary of selected consolidated financial data of
TrustCo for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999. This information
is derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements. We believe that
this financial information includes all adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of such information. Results for the interim periods do not
necessarily indicate results that may be expected for any other interim or
annual period.

                                   (Unaudited)
               (in thousands except ratios and per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  AT                AT
                                             SEPTEMBER 30,     DECEMBER 31,
                                                2000               1999
                                             -------------     ------------
<S>                                           <C>               <C>
Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
Total assets                                  $2,395,659        $2,364,022
Loans, net                                     1,380,424         1,293,989
Securities available for sale                    638,686           640,830
Deposits                                       1,993,313         1,994,909
Borrowings                                       166,454           152,782
Shareholders' equity                             184,320           166,356


<CAPTION>
                                                   FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                                                   ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             ------------------------------
                                                  2000             1999
                                             -------------     ------------
<S>                                           <C>               <C>
Selected Operating Data:
Interest income                                  $129,374         $125,355
Interest expense                                   55,399           56,123
Net interest income                                73,975           69,232
Provision for loan losses                           2,560            4,013
Net interest income after provision                71,415           65,219
Noninterest income                                 10,824           13,568
Noninterest expense                                35,101           35,055
Income before income taxes                         47,138           43,732
Income tax expense                                 15,610           14.495
Net income                                       $ 31,528         $ 28,787

Selected Operating Ratios and Other Data
Return on average assets                         1.78%             1.59%
Return on average shareholders'
equity(1)                                       24.31             22.72
Cash dividend payout ratio                      76.28             77.08
Efficiency ratio                                37.54             38.97
Net interest margin                              4.50              4.09
Book value per share                            $3.45             $3.21
Cash dividends per share                         0.45              0.41
Basic earnings per share                         0.59              0.54
Diluted earnings per share                       0.57              0.51
Basic earnings per share adjusted for
     15% stock split                             0.51              0.47
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for
     15% stock split                             0.50              0.45

</TABLE>


(1) Calculated excluding the market value adjustment on securities
available for sale.

         TrustCo reported net income for the third quarter of 2000 of $10.8
million, or $0.195 diluted earnings per share, compared to $10.0 million, or
$0.178 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of


                                       26
<PAGE>



1999. The third quarter results represent increases of 8% and 10% in net income
and diluted earnings per share, respectively, for 2000 compared to 1999.

         Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 was $31.5
million, or $0.571 diluted earnings per share, compared to $28.8 million, or
$0.514 diluted earnings per share, for the nine month period ended September 30,
1999. (The per share information does not reflect the effect of the 15% stock
split declared by TrustCo's board of directors on August 15, 2000, which is
payable on November 13, 2000.) The year to date results reflect increases of 10%
and 11% in net income and diluted earnings per share, respectively, for the nine
months ended September 30, 2000 compared to the similar period in 1999. Return
on equity was 24.3% for both the third quarter and year to date, compared to
23.2% and 22.7% for the comparable periods in 1999.

         Net interest margin increased in the third quarter of 2000 to 4.50%
from 4.25% in 1999. Taxable equivalent net interest income increased by $1.1
million to $25.9 million in the third quarter of 2000, compared to $24.8 million
for the same quarter in 1999. Similarly, for the nine months ended September 30,
2000, taxable equivalent net interest income was $77.3, compared to $72.1 in
1999. The growth in margin and net interest income is the result of a plan
executed by TrustCo in 1999 to limit its dependency on high-cost deposits. As a
result, the average balance of deposits has decreased by $69.1 million for first
nine months of 2000 compared to the same period in 1999. The average balance of
deposits for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 was $1.99 billion
and $2.06 billion, respectively.


                                       27
<PAGE>


                                  RISK FACTORS

         In deciding whether to tender your shares of Cohoes stock pursuant to
our offer, you should read carefully this Prospectus and the documents to which
we refer you. You should also carefully consider the following factors.

IF WE DO NOT SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE TRUSTCO'S AND COHOES' OPERATIONS, THE
ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF THE ACQUISITION OF COHOES MAY NOT BE FULLY REALIZED


         If we complete the offer and our proposed mergers, we will integrate
two companies that have previously operated independently. We have not
previously acquired an organization where there is the potential for management
to be uncooperative in the integration process, and we have acquired only one
organization, Trustco Savings Bank (with total assets of approximately $25.4
million), within the past nine years. There can be no assurance that we will not
encounter difficulties in our efforts to integrate the operations of Cohoes with
our operations. The diversion of the attention of management to the integration
effort and any difficulties encountered in combining our operations could
adversely affect the combined company's business and results of operations.
These risks could be increased if we complete our proposed acquisition of Hudson
in that we will integrate three companies that have previously operated
independently.


THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT WE WILL ACHIEVE OUR PROJECTED COST SAVINGS OF
APPROXIMATELY $9.0 MILLION ON A PRE-TAX BASIS

         We have estimated that, by combining TrustCo and Cohoes, we could
realize cost savings of approximately $9.0 million. See "BACKGROUND OF THE
EXCHANGE OFFER--Benefits of the Transaction." Because we have been unable to
discuss any of our cost savings assumptions or analyses with management of
Cohoes and because we have had no access to Cohoes' internal information about
its operations, in connection with the preparation of our cost savings
estimates, we have relied on publicly available information concerning Cohoes,
our general knowledge of the markets in which we and Cohoes compete and our past
experience with respect to our own operations and our integration of acquired
financial institutions. If we were permitted access to Cohoes' internal
information about its operations or if we were able to discuss our assumptions
or analyses with Cohoes' management, our cost savings estimate might differ. No
assurance can be given that the estimated cost savings will be achieved or will
occur in the time period anticipated. Furthermore, there can be no assurance
that cost savings which are realized will not be offset by increases in other
expenses, other charges to earnings or losses of revenue, including losses due
to problems in integrating the Cohoes operations into TrustCo.


         We expect to realize a significant portion of the cost savings through
merging our subsidiary, Trustco Bank, N.A., with Cohoes' subsidiary,
Cohoes Savings Bank, which will require the approval of the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency and the New York State Banking Department. We will
file applications seeking these approvals as soon as possible, and the execution
of a merger agreement and receipt of board, shareholder and regulatory approval
of this merger is a condition to completion of our offer. These significant cost
savings will not be realized unless and until we are able to integrate these
operations. While we are not able to specifically quantify this portion of our
estimated cost savings, we believe that it would constitute a majority of our
estimated cost savings.


THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT WE WILL NOT SUFFER NET REVENUE RUN-OFF AS A RESULT OF
INTEGRATING COHOES' BUSINESSES INTO OURS

         In formulating our earnings estimates, we have not assumed any net
run-off of revenue attributable to our acquisition of Cohoes. This assumption is
based on our prior acquisition experience where we have been able to grow net
interest income and non-interest income while achieving targeted cost savings.
In addition, we have not made any decisions with respect to branch closings
because we do


                                       28
<PAGE>


not have access to internal information of Cohoes from which we would expect to
make such decisions. Accordingly, our earnings estimates do not assume the
closure of any Cohoes (or TrustCo) branches, although we would anticipate that
certain branches will be closed. We believe that any revenue reduction resulting
from any branch closings would be offset by additional cost savings associated
with such branch closings. If we were permitted access to non-public information
regarding Cohoes' business plans and operations, our assumption of no net
revenue run-off might differ. Although we intend generally to integrate Cohoes'
operations and implement our cost savings measures in a manner that is designed
to minimize the loss of revenues, there can be no assurance that some revenue
will not be lost. Factors that could cause a loss of revenues include
unanticipated loss of customers due to a lack of customer acceptance of our
deposit, lending and investment products.

THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE INTEGRATION PROCESS WILL NOT BE ADVERSELY
AFFECTED IF COHOES' SENIOR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT OR OTHER EMPLOYEES ARE
UNCOOPERATIVE IN THAT PROCESS

         As noted above, we have not previously engaged in an acquisition where
there is the potential for management and other employees to be uncooperative
with us in the integration process. Our proposal is not dependent upon the
retention of Cohoes' senior executive management, and we have no reason to
believe that Cohoes employees below the level of senior executive management
would be uncooperative in the integration process, either before the completion
of our proposed merger or thereafter. However, there can be no assurance that
there will not be some level of uncooperativeness on the part of Cohoes' senior
executive management and/or its other employees which could adversely affect the
integration process.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY DELAY SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO OUR
OFFER

         Several of the conditions to our offer will require action by the
Cohoes board of directors. See "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Certain Conditions of the
Exchange Offer." There can be no assurance that the Cohoes board will take
action to cause the satisfaction of these conditions to our offer.

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR ATTEMPT TO MERGE WITH
BOTH COHOES AND HUDSON

         TrustCo's separate exchange offers for each of Hudson and Cohoes are
not conditioned on the successful completion of the other. Accordingly, it is
possible that the exchange offers could result in: (i) a three-way combination
of TrustCo, Hudson and Cohoes; (ii) a combination of TrustCo and Hudson; (iii) a
combination of TrustCo and Cohoes; or (iv) neither exchange offer could be
successfully consummated. TrustCo does not anticipate, however, that the nature
of its business operations would vary materially as a consequence of its
combining with only one of, as opposed to both of, Hudson and Cohoes. The
businesses of Hudson and Cohoes are similar in that both are community-oriented
financial institutions with a primary focus on obtaining deposit accounts from
the general public and originating primarily residential mortgage loans and, to
a lesser extent, commercial and multi-family real estate loans. The market areas
of TrustCo, Hudson and Cohoes are adjacent and complementary to one another but,
because the direct overlap of their branch locations is not extensive, the costs
savings and efficiencies that could be anticipated to result from only a single
acquisition would not be materially different from those to be anticipated from
that acquisition even if both acquisitions were to be consummated. See the pro
forma financial information on pages 16 and 22, which reflects the
alternative possibilities for the successful completion of the respective
exchange offers described above.

THE ACTUAL VALUE OF THE TRUSTCO COMMON STOCK RECEIVED BY COHOES' SECURITY
HOLDERS IN EXCHANGE FOR SHARES OF COHOES COMMON STOCK MAY BE MORE THAN OR LESS
THAN $7.20 PER SHARE AT THE TIME OF EXCHANGE

         The actual value of the TrustCo common stock received by Cohoes'
security holders in exchange for shares of Cohoes common stock may be more than
or less than $7.20 per share at the time of


                                       29
<PAGE>



exchange. This results from the fact that the exact number of shares of TrustCo
common stock that will comprise the stock component of the consideration offered
by Trustco in exchange for Cohoes common stock will be determined based upon the
average closing price of the TrustCo stock on the Nasdaq over a twenty-day
period, with the twenty-day period ending five days prior to the closing of the
offer. It is possible that, in this five day interim period, the closing price
of TrustCo common stock may fluctuate such that it is more or less than the
foregoing average price used to calculate the exact exchange ratio. If the value
of TrustCo common stock decreases during the five day interim period, the stock
component of the exchange consideration received by Cohoes stockholders may have
a value of less than $7.20 per Cohoes share and may comprise less than 40% of
the total exchange consideration received. In addition, the payment of cash in
lieu of fractional shares may also reduce the value of the stock component of
the exchange consideration to less than 40% of the total exchange consideration.


IF TRUSTCO IS ABLE TO CONSUMMATE BOTH THE COHOES MERGER AND THE HUDSON MERGER,
THERE IS A RISK THAT TRUSTCO MAY ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING ITS CURRENT
DIVIDEND LEVEL

         Because the actual number of shares of TrustCo common stock that Cohoes
stockholders will receive is not yet fixed, the estimated amount of cash
dividends Cohoes stockholders will receive will fluctuate with the value of
TrustCo common stock. In the past five years, on a compounded basis, TrustCo has
achieved an 16% annual growth rate in its per share dividend. During the year
ended December 31, 1999, TrustCo paid out approximately 79% of its net income in
the form of cash dividends. Although TrustCo believes that, upon the completion
of its proposed acquisition of Cohoes, it will have the resources to continue to
pay dividends consistent with its past practices, the declaration and payment of
dividends is within the discretion of TrustCo's board of directors and, to the
extent that TrustCo's board determines that the payment of such dividends may
have an adverse effect upon TrustCo's growth potential, level of customer
service or financial condition, the board may decide to reduce dividend payment
rates.

IF SUCCESSFUL, THE OFFER WILL RESULT IN THE CREATION OF GOODWILL

         If TrustCo's offers to acquire Cohoes and Hudson are successful,
TrustCo will account for the acquisitions as a purchase business combination and
will record goodwill on its financial statements in an amount equal to the
difference between the fair market value of Cohoes' and Hudson's assets and
liabilities and the purchase price paid by TrustCo for Cohoes and Hudson. If the
transactions had occurred on June 30, 2000, TrustCo estimates that its
acquisitions of Cohoes and Hudson would have resulted in the creation of
goodwill in the amounts of $24.6 million and $57.0 million, respectively, and
that the total amount of goodwill recorded on TrustCo's financial statements
(including the existing amounts of goodwill on Hudson's and Cohoes' financial
statements) would total $94.5 million. TrustCo will amortize the goodwill over a
period of 15 to 20 years. The amortization of the goodwill will result in
charges against TrustCo's future earnings and could result in TrustCo having
fewer resources for paying dividends to shareholders. The section of this
prospectus headed "Pro Forma Combined Financial Information" contains a more
detailed analysis of the effect of the proposed acquisitions on the operations
of the resulting company. The actual amount of goodwill created in the proposed
acquisitions will depend upon the fair market value of Cohoes' and Hudson's
assets and liabilities at the time the acquisitions are completed. There can be
no assurance that the goodwill created by the acquisitions will be greater or
less than that projected in the pro forma data.

IF SUCCESSFUL, THE OFFER WILL RESULT IN A BOOK VALUE PER SHARE DILUTION

         If successful, TrustCo's offers to acquire Hudson and Cohoes would
result in dilution of the tangible book value per share of Hudson and Cohoes
stockholders. As of June 30, 2000, the tangible book value per share of TrustCo,
Cohoes and Hudson was $3.30, $15.13 and $12.33 respectively. Upon completion of
TrustCo's proposed acquisition of Cohoes and Hudson, TrustCo's pro forma
tangible book


                                       30
<PAGE>

value would be $3.39 per share. If only the TrustCo-Cohoes merger occurs,
TrustCo's pro forma tangible book value would be $3.56 per share.


IF COMPLETION OF OUR OFFER DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A REORGANIZATION UNDER THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, YOU MAY BE TAXED ON THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATION
YOU RECEIVE FROM US

         In the opinion of our counsel, exchanges of Cohoes common stock for
TrustCo common stock pursuant to the exchange offer and the merger of TrustCo
and Cohoes should be treated for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code. In such event,
holders of shares of Cohoes common stock will recognize gain (but not loss) only
up to the extent of cash received (excluding cash received in lieu of fractional
shares). Cash received in lieu of a fractional shares of TrustCo common stock
will be treated as received in redemption of such fractional share interest, and
a Cohoes shareholder will recognize gain or loss measured by the difference
between the amount of cash received and the portion of the basis of the TrustCo
common stock allocable to such fractional interest.

         If we complete our offer in a manner in which the offer does not
qualify for the tax treatment described above, you may be taxed on any gain you
realize up to the full $18.00 per share exchange consideration. We have
conditioned this offer upon our receipt of an opinion of counsel at the time we
complete the offer that the offer qualifies as a reorganization under Section
368, although we may waive this condition. See "THE OFFER - Material Federal
Income Tax Consequences" for a more detailed discussion of the federal income
tax consequences of the transactions we propose.


                        BACKGROUND OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

PAST CONTACTS

         From time to time, TrustCo is involved in due diligence investigations,
discussions and negotiations concerning possible business combination
transactions with other financial institutions. TrustCo generally seeks to
acquire financial institutions that would: (i) complement its overall strategic
focus; (ii) provide opportunities for growth in markets where the target
financial institution conducts business; and (iii) improve TrustCo's retail
banking franchise.

         On April 25, 2000, Cohoes and Hudson announced that they had entered
into their merger agreement and the related option agreement. Following
announcement of the proposed Hudson-Cohoes merger, TrustCo reviewed its
strategic options, including the possibility of proceeding with one or more
offers for either or both of Cohoes and Hudson.

         On June 8, 2000, TrustCo sent a letter to Mr. Duncan MacAffer, the
Chairman of the Board of Cohoes, proposing a merger of TrustCo and Cohoes.
Pursuant to the proposal, TrustCo would acquire Cohoes in a merger (the
"TrustCo-Cohoes Merger") in which each share of Cohoes' common stock would be
exchanged for shares of TrustCo common stock valued at $16.00. On June 23, 2000,
Cohoes informed TrustCo that a merger with TrustCo was contrary to Cohoes'
strategic business plan and declined to have any discussions with TrustCo.

         On June 26, 2000, TrustCo publicly announced its intention to commence
a tender offer to exchange shares of TrustCo common stock valued at $16.00 for
each share of Cohoes' common stock. Also on June 26, 2000, Cohoes publicly
announced that it remained fully committed to the proposed merger with Hudson.

         On July 7, 2000, TrustCo filed a Form 425 with the SEC for the purpose
of disclosing that it had published a newspaper notice to shareholders of Hudson
and Cohoes, briefly describing that the boards of


                                       31
<PAGE>

both Hudson and Cohoes had rejected the TrustCo offer, and emphasizing that a
Hudson/Cohoes merger may not be in the best interest of the Hudson and Cohoes
shareholders.

         On July 10, 2000, TrustCo sent a letter to Mr. MacAffer, requesting a
meeting to discuss the proposed TrustCo-Cohoes combination. On July 21, 2000,
Cohoes rejected TrustCo's request for such a meeting.

         On July 11, 2000, TrustCo filed proxy materials with the SEC for the
purpose of soliciting votes by Cohoes and Hudson stockholders against the
proposed Hudson-Cohoes merger.

         On July 14, 2000, TrustCo filed a Form 425 with the SEC for the purpose
of disclosing that it had published a newspaper notice to shareholders of Hudson
and Cohoes, briefly describing the parameters of the offer and asking for the
support of Hudson and Cohoes shareholders.

         On July 21, 2000, TrustCo filed a Form 425 with the SEC for the purpose
of disclosing that it had published a newspaper notice to shareholders of Hudson
and Cohoes, comparing the dividend yield and other financial performance data of
Hudson, Cohoes and TrustCo.

         On July 31, 2000, TrustCo began to solicit proxies from the
shareholders of both Cohoes and Hudson in opposition to the proxies solicited by
the management for the August 17, 2000 meetings of the shareholders of Cohoes
and Hudson to consider and vote upon the proposed merger of Hudson and Cohoes
(the "Hudson-Cohoes Merger")

         On August 18, 2000, Cohoes announced that its shareholders did not
approve the Hudson-Cohoes Merger.

         On August 30, 2000, TrustCo sent a letter to Mr. MacAffer and Mr. Harry
L. Robinson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cohoes, that outlined
the terms of a potential transaction between TrustCo and Cohoes in advance of a
September 6, 2000 meeting with Cohoes. TrustCo's proposal contemplated an
acquisition of Cohoes by TrustCo at a price of $18.00 per share of Cohoes Common
Stock. At the September 6, 2000 meeting, however, TrustCo declined to proceed
with discussions with Cohoes' representatives in light of the absence from the
meeting of Mr. MacAffer, whose presence TrustCo had requested.

         On September 7, 2000, TrustCo sent a letter to Mr. MacAffer outlining
in more detail the terms of a transaction between TrustCo and Cohoes (including
the $18.00 per share acquisition price) and requesting a response from Cohoes by
September 18, 2000.

         On September 15, 2000, Cohoes requested a meeting with TrustCo, which
was held on September 20, 2000. During this meeting, Cohoes' representatives did
not indicate whether they had any plans to pursue TrustCo's proposals for a
combination with Cohoes or any other similar transactions. Furthermore, Cohoes'
representatives did not provide TrustCo with any timetable for deciding if or
when they will consider the TrustCo proposals or any other proposals. Based upon
these facts, TrustCo determined that further attempts to achieve a negotiated
transaction with Cohoes were unlikely to be successful.


         On October 10, 2000, Cohoes forwarded to TrustCo a confidentiality
agreement and requested that TrustCo abandon its offer to acquire Cohoes,
execute the confidentiality agreement and "participate in the process" of
Cohoes' exploration of strategic alternatives. The confidentiality agreement
would have required TrustCo to abandon both this offer and its pending
solicitation of proxies for Cohoes November 30, 2000 annual meeting and refrain
from further efforts to acquire Cohoes for a period of 18 months. TrustCo has
not executed Cohoes' proposed confidentiality agreement.



                                       32
<PAGE>


PROXY SOLICITATION

         TrustCo has nominated M. Norman Brickman, Thomas P. Collins, Thomas O.
Maggs and Peter A. Pastore as candidates for election to Cohoes' board of
directors at Cohoes' 2000 annual meeting of shareholders and has filed a
preliminary proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission with
respect to its solicitation of proxies for use at Cohoes' annual meeting for the
purpose of electing Messrs. Brickman, Collins, Maggs and Pastore. TrustCo is
not, with this prospectus, soliciting proxies from Cohoes stockholders. Such a
solicitation of proxies is being made pursuant to proxy solicitation materials
that TrustCo is mailing separately.

PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER; THE TRUSTCO-COHOES MERGER


         The purpose of our offer (the "Exchange Offer") is to acquire control
of, and ultimately the entire equity interest in, Cohoes and to consolidate the
operations of Cohoes and TrustCo to achieve operational efficiencies and cost
savings. TrustCo will not complete the Exchange Offer if it cannot effect
the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger and the merger of Trustco Bank, N.A. ("Trustco
Bank") with Cohoes Savings Bank (the "Trustco Bank-Cohoes Savings Bank Merger")
and, consequently, the Exchange Offer is conditioned upon the removal of various
impediments to consummation of the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger, the execution of
definitive merger agreements and receipt of required board, shareholder and
regulatory approvals. As soon as practicable after consummation of the Exchange
Offer, TrustCo intends to cause to occur simultaneously: (i) the merger of
Cohoes with a subsidiary of TrustCo pursuant to which each outstanding share of
Cohoes common stock ("Cohoes Common Stock") (except for treasury shares and
shares held by TrustCo or any subsidiary of TrustCo other than in a fiduciary
capacity) would be converted into the right to receive shares of TrustCo common
stock ("TrustCo Common Stock") with an aggregate value equal to $7.20 and $10.80
in cash; and (ii) the Trustco Bank-Cohoes Savings Bank Merger.


BENEFITS OF THE TRANSACTION


         TrustCo believes that the merger of Trustco Bank and Cohoes
Savings Bank will provide increased opportunities for growth and diversification
in and service to the market served by each organization and added flexibility
in responding to various factors currently influencing the banking and financial
services industries, including rapid technological and regulatory changes,
increased competition and the geographic expansion of markets. The
TrustCo-Cohoes Merger will allow TrustCo to extend its natural marketplace in
New York and is expected to result in greater economies of scale through
coordination of intra-market operations and a stronger financial position
through an increased asset base. Although estimates of specific cost savings
resulting from the consolidation are inherently subjective, TrustCo presently
believes that, if the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger and the integration of Trustco Bank
with Cohoes Savings Bank are consummated, TrustCo would be able to achieve
pre-tax cost savings of approximately $5,000,000 in the first year, and an
additional $4,000,000 in the second year following the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger.
See "SELECTED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION."


OFFER TO ACQUIRE HUDSON

         On June 8, 2000, TrustCo sent a letter to Mr. Earl Schram, Jr., the
Chairman of the Board of Hudson, proposing a merger of TrustCo and Hudson.
Pursuant to the proposal, TrustCo would acquire Hudson in a merger (the
"TrustCo-Hudson Merger") in which each share of Hudson's common stock would be
exchanged for shares of TrustCo Common Stock valued at $14.00. On June 23, 2000,
Hudson informed TrustCo that Hudson's board of directors had unanimously
rejected the proposed TrustCo-Hudson Merger.

         On June 26, 2000, TrustCo publicly announced its intention to commence
a tender offer to exchange shares of TrustCo Common Stock valued at $14.00 for
each share of Hudson's common stock.


                                       33
<PAGE>

Also on June 26, 2000, Hudson publicly announced that it remained fully
committed to the proposed merger with Cohoes.

         TrustCo solicited Hudson stockholders to vote against the Hudson-Cohoes
Merger. Although Hudson's stockholders approved the Hudson-Cohoes Merger at
Hudson's annual meeting of stockholders on August 17, 2000, Cohoes'
stockholders, at a special meeting on the same date, failed to approve the
merger.


         TrustCo expects to commence its exchange offer for Hudson on October
___, 2000 by mailing a prospectus and the related letter of transmittal to
Hudson stockholders. In the exchange offer, TrustCo would exchange a combination
of shares of TrustCo Common Stock and cash totaling $17.00 for each outstanding
share of Hudson common stock validly tendered and not withdrawn. The stock
component of the Hudson exchange consideration will be comprised of TrustCo
Common Stock with an aggregate value equal to $6.80, and the cash component will
be $10.20 net. If TrustCo's exchange offer is successful, TrustCo intends to
follow the exchange offer with the TrustCo-Hudson Merger. TrustCo will file
applications with the federal and state bank regulatory agencies to obtain the
regulatory approvals necessary to complete that exchange offer, the
TrustCo-Hudson Merger and the merger of Trustco Bank with Hudson's subsidiary,
Hudson River Bank & Trust Company. Promptly after the SEC declares that
registration statement effective, TrustCo intends to file with the SEC proxy
materials to be used for soliciting the approval by TrustCo's stockholders of
the issuance of TrustCo Common Stock in the Hudson exchange offer and the
TrustCo-Hudson Merger, if such an approval is required.


         The consummation of the Hudson exchange offer on the part of TrustCo is
subject to the same or similar conditions (or the waiver thereof) as this
Exchange Offer. However, neither the consummation of the Hudson exchange offer
nor the TrustCo-Hudson Merger is a condition precedent to this Exchange Offer.

MAXIMUM EXPECTED POST-MERGER DIVIDEND.


         During the year ended December 31, 1999, TrustCo paid out approximately
79% of its net income in the form of cash dividends. Assuming that TrustCo
realizes $4.0 million in cost savings from combining with Cohoes in the
first year after that combination and an additional $5.0 million in cost savings
in the second year and also that TrustCo continues to pay the same percentage of
income in the form of cash dividends, TrustCo anticipates that the dividend
rate for the year ended December 31, 1999 would have been $0.57 per share in the
first year following completion of its acquisition of Cohoes and $0.60 per
share, which is the same as TrustCo's annualized dividend rate of $0.60 per
share for 2000, in the second year. It is not anticipated that the Exchange
Offer will adversely affect TrustCo's ability to pay dividends. (The foregoing
dividend rates do not reflect the potential impact of TrustCo's proposed
acquisition of Hudson.)


                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

         The following description contains, among other information, a summary
of the Exchange Offer and the related letter of transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal") and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of
the Letter of Transmittal which is incorporated herein by reference and attached
hereto as Appendix A to this Prospectus. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ
CAREFULLY THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

GENERAL

         TrustCo hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
the Exchange Offer described in this Prospectus and the related Letter of
Transmittal, to exchange a combination of shares of TrustCo Common Stock and
cash totaling $18.00 (the "Exchange Consideration") for each outstanding share
of Cohoes Common Stock validly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date (as
defined herein)


                                       34
<PAGE>


and not withdrawn. The stock component of the Exchange Consideration will be
comprised of TrustCo Common Stock with an aggregate value equal to $7.20, and
the cash component will be $10.80 net. A tendering Cohoes shareholder may, by
properly completing the Letter of Transmittal, elect to receive the Exchange
Consideration for his or her Cohoes Common Stock.

         The number of shares of TrustCo Common Stock constituting a part of the
Exchange Consideration for purposes of the Exchange Offer will be calculated
with reference to the average closing price of the TrustCo Common Stock on the
Nasdaq for the 20-day period ending 5 days prior to the closing date under the
Exchange Offer. Since the value of the TrustCo Common Stock component of the
Exchange Consideration is fixed at $7.20 per share of Cohoes Common Stock
exchanged, the number of shares of TrustCo Common Stock that a tendering Cohoes
shareholder will receive under the Exchange Offer will fluctuate as the market
price of the TrustCo Common Stock fluctuates. Based on the closing sales price
of a share of TrustCo Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq on __________________,
2000, tendering holders of Cohoes Common Stock would receive _____ shares of
TrustCo Common Stock as the Exchange Consideration. TRUSTCO RESERVES THE RIGHT
TO AMEND THE EXCHANGE OFFER, INCLUDING THE COMPOSITION OR AMOUNT OF THE EXCHANGE
CONSIDERATION, FOR ANY REASON. IF TRUSTCO SO AMENDS THE EXCHANGE OFFER, IT WILL
EXTEND THE EXCHANGE OFFER FOR A PERIOD OF TEN BUSINESS DAYS IF THE EXCHANGE
OFFER IS SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE PRIOR THERETO.

         The term "Expiration Date" means 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on
_______________, 2000, unless and until TrustCo extends the period of time for
which the Exchange Offer is open, in which event the term "Expiration Date"
means the latest time and date at which the Exchange Offer, as so extended by
TrustCo, expires. TrustCo presently anticipates electing to extend the Exchange
Offer from time to time until such time as all of the conditions to the Exchange
Offer have been satisfied or waived; however, TrustCo will not be obligated to
do so. See "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Certain Legal Matters" and "-- Certain
Conditions of the Exchange Offer."

         Tendering shareholders will not be obligated to pay any charges or
expenses of ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, the exchange agent for this
Exchange Offer (the "Exchange Agent"), or any brokerage commissions. Except as
set forth in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes on the
exchange of Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be paid by
or on behalf of TrustCo.

         TrustCo's obligation to exchange shares of TrustCo Common Stock and
cash for Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to a
number of conditions referred to below under "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Certain
Conditions of the Exchange Offer," including a minimum tender condition, a
regulatory approval condition and the other conditions described below.


         If by 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on _________________, 2000,
or any later time to which the Expiration Date and this Exchange Offer have been
extended, all of the above conditions have not been satisfied or waived, TrustCo
may elect either to: (i) extend the Expiration Date and this Exchange Offer and
retain all shares of Cohoes Common Stock theretofore tendered until the
expiration of the Expiration Date and this Exchange Offer, as extended, subject
to the right of a tendering shareholder to withdraw his or her Cohoes Common
Stock; (ii) waive the remaining conditions (other than the regulatory
approval condition, the TrustCo stockholder approval condition (if such approval
is required) and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part), extend the Exchange Offer for a period of ten
business days if the Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire prior thereto and
thereafter exchange all tendered shares of Cohoes Common Stock; or (iii)
terminate the Exchange Offer and exchange none of the Cohoes Common Stock and
return all tendered shares of Cohoes Common Stock. TrustCo will not accept for
exchange any shares of Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer until
such time as the Regulatory Approval Condition and the TrustCo Stockholder
Approval Condition have been satisfied and the Registration Statement has become
effective. See "THE EXCHANGE OFFER -- Certain Legal Matters" and "--Certain
Conditions




                                       35
<PAGE>


of the Exchange Offer--REGULATORY APPROVAL CONDITION", "--TRUSTCO
STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL CONDITION" and "--EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT."

         A request is being made to Cohoes for use of Cohoes' shareholder list
and security position listing for the purpose of disseminating the Exchange
Offer to holders of Cohoes Common Stock. The Prospectus and the related Letter
of Transmittal will be mailed to record holders of Cohoes Common Stock and will
be furnished to brokers, banks and similar persons whose names or the names of
whose nominees appear on the shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed
as participants in a clearing agency's security position listing for subsequent
transmittal to beneficial owners of Cohoes Common Stock.

EXTENSION, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

         TrustCo expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any
time on or prior to the Expiration Date, to extend the period of time during
which the Exchange Offer is to remain open by giving oral or written notice of
such extension to the Exchange Agent. There can be no assurance that TrustCo
will exercise its right to extend the Expiration Date and this Exchange Offer,
although it is presently anticipated that the Expiration Date and this Exchange
Offer will be extended in order to permit the conditions to be satisfied. If
TrustCo amends the Exchange Offer, it will extend the Expiration Date and this
Exchange Offer for a period of ten business days if the Exchange Offer is
scheduled to expire prior thereto. During any such extension, all shares of
Cohoes Common Stock previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain subject to
the Exchange Offer, subject to the right of a tendering shareholder to withdraw
his or her Cohoes Common Stock. See "THE EXCHANGE OFFER -- Withdrawal Rights."
TrustCo also reserves the right to delay acceptance for exchange of, or exchange
of, any Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer, regardless of
whether such shares of Cohoes Common Stock were theretofore accepted for
exchange, and to amend or terminate the Exchange Offer and not accept for
exchange or exchange any Cohoes Common Stock not theretofore accepted for
exchange, or exchanged, upon the failure of any of the conditions of the
Exchange Offer to be satisfied or waived on or before the Expiration Date. Any
such extension, termination, amendment or delay will be followed as promptly as
practicable by public announcement thereof, such announcement in the case of an
extension to be issued no later than 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the next
business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. Without limiting
the manner in which TrustCo may choose to make such public announcement, TrustCo
will not, unless otherwise required by rules of the SEC, have any obligation to
make any such public announcement other than by making a release to the Dow
Jones News Service. If, prior to the Expiration Date, TrustCo increases the
consideration offered to holders of Cohoes Common Stock, such increase will be
applicable to all holders whose shares of Cohoes Common Stock are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer and, if at the time notice of such
increase is first published, sent or given to holders of Cohoes Common Stock,
the Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier than the
expiration of a period ending on the tenth business day from and including the
date that such notice is first so published, sent or given, the Exchange Offer
will be extended until the expiration of such period of ten business days. For
purposes of the Exchange Offer, a "business day" means any day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday and consists of the time period from 12:01
A.M. through 12:00 midnight, New York City time.

EXCHANGE OF SHARES; EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION

         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
acceptance for exchange and the exchange of the outstanding shares of Cohoes
Common Stock validly tendered and not withdrawn will be made as soon as
practicable after the Expiration Date. Subject to applicable rules of the SEC,
TrustCo expressly reserves the right to delay acceptance for exchange or the
exchange of Cohoes Common Stock in order to comply with any applicable law.

         For purposes of the Exchange Offer, TrustCo will be deemed to have
accepted for exchange and thereby acquired tendered Cohoes Common Stock as, if
and when TrustCo gives oral or written notice to

                                       36
<PAGE>


the Exchange Agent of its acceptance of the tenders of such shares of Cohoes
Common Stock. Delivery of the Exchange Consideration in exchange for the Cohoes
Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made by the Exchange Agent
as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice. The Exchange Agent will act
as agent for tendering shareholders for the purpose of receiving the Exchange
Consideration from TrustCo and transmitting such Exchange Consideration to
tendering shareholders. Under no circumstances will interest be paid by TrustCo
by reason of any delay in making such exchange.

         If any tendered shares of Cohoes Common Stock are not acceptable for
exchange pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer for any
reason, or if certificates are submitted for more shares of Cohoes Common Stock
than are tendered, certificates for such un-exchanged Cohoes Common Stock will
be returned to the tendering Cohoes shareholder by the Exchange Agent as soon as
practicable following consummation or termination of the Exchange Offer.

ADDITIONAL CASH IN LIEU OF FRACTIONAL SHARES OF TRUSTCO COMMON STOCK

         No certificates representing fractional shares of TrustCo Common Stock
will be issued by TrustCo pursuant to the Exchange Offer. In lieu thereof, each
tendering shareholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of
TrustCo Common Stock will receive additional cash in an amount equal to the
average closing price of one share of TrustCo Common Stock on Nasdaq over the
20-day period ending 5 days before the closing of the Exchange Offer multiplied
by the fractional share of TrustCo Common Stock that such tendering shareholder
was otherwise entitled to receive.

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

         Shares of Cohoes Common Stock tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may be withdrawn at any time after ___________, 2000 and prior to the expiration
of the Exchange Offer and the acceptance of Cohoes Common Stock for exchange
pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

         For a withdrawal to be effective, a written, telegraphic, telex or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus and
must specify the name of the person having tendered the shares of Cohoes Common
Stock to be withdrawn, the number of shares of Cohoes Common Stock to be
withdrawn and the name of the registered holder, if different from that of the
person who tendered such shares of Cohoes Common Stock.

         The signature(s) on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by a
firm which is a member of a registered national securities exchange or of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or by a commercial
bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States
(collectively, "Eligible Institutions") unless such shares of Cohoes Common
Stock have been tendered for the account of any Eligible Institution. If
certificates have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent,
the name of the registered holder and the serial numbers of the particular
certificates evidencing the shares of Cohoes Common Stock withdrawn must also be
furnished to the Exchange Agent as aforesaid prior to the physical release of
such certificates. All questions as to the form and validity (including time of
receipt) of notices of withdrawal will be determined by TrustCo in its sole
discretion, whose determination will be final and binding. Neither TrustCo, the
Exchange Agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification
of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or will incur any
liability for failure to give any such notification. Any shares of Cohoes Common
Stock properly withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for
purposes of the Exchange Offer. However, withdrawn shares of Cohoes Common Stock
may be re-tendered by following one of the procedures described under "THE
EXCHANGE OFFER -- Procedure for Tendering Shares" at any time prior to the
Expiration Date.


                                       37
<PAGE>


PROCEDURE FOR TENDERING SHARES

         To tender shares of Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), together with the certificates representing the tendered Cohoes Common
Stock and any other required documents, must be transmitted to and received by
the Exchange Agent at its address set forth on the back cover of this
Prospectus. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION
AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL
WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED.

         Signatures on all Letters of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution in cases where shares of Cohoes Common Stock are tendered
by a registered holder of Cohoes Common Stock who has completed either the box
entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery
Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal. If the certificates are registered
in the name of a person other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal, or
if certificates for un-exchanged shares of Cohoes Common Stock are to be issued
to a person other than the registered holder(s), the certificates must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed
exactly as the name or names of the registered owner or owners appear on the
certificates, with the signature(s) on the certificates or stock powers
guaranteed as aforesaid.

         By executing a Letter of Transmittal as set forth above, the tendering
shareholder irrevocably appoints designees of TrustCo as such shareholder's
proxies, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of such
shareholder's rights with respect to the shares of Cohoes Common Stock tendered
by such shareholder and accepted for exchange by TrustCo and with respect to any
and all other shares of Cohoes Common Stock and other securities issued or
issuable in respect of the Cohoes Common Stock on or after ____________________,
2000. Such appointment will be effective when, and only to the extent that,
TrustCo exchanges the Exchange Consideration for Cohoes Common Stock tendered by
such shareholder. To such extent, all prior proxies appointed by such
shareholder will be revoked. Such designees will be empowered, among other
things, to vote such shares of Cohoes Common Stock as they in their sole
discretion deem proper at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of Cohoes'
shareholders or otherwise. TrustCo reserves the right to require that, in order
for shares of Cohoes Common Stock to be deemed validly tendered, immediately
upon TrustCo's exchange of such Cohoes Common Stock TrustCo must be able to
exercise full voting rights with respect to such shares of Cohoes Common Stock.

         If a shareholder desires to tender shares of Cohoes Common Stock
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and such shareholder's certificates are not
immediately available or time will not permit his Letter of Transmittal, stock
certificates and any other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent prior
to the Expiration Date, his tender may nevertheless be effected if all the
following conditions are met: (i) such tender is made by or through an Eligible
Institution; (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery substantially in the form provided by TrustCo herewith is received by
the Exchange Agent as provided below on or prior to the Expiration Date; and
(iii) the certificates for all tendered shares of Cohoes Common Stock, together
with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof) and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are
received by the Exchange Agent within five business days after the date of
execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

         The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand to the
Exchange Agent or transmitted by telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or mail
to the Exchange Agent and must include a signature guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution in the form set forth in such Notice.

         In any event, the exchange of Exchange Consideration for Cohoes Common
Stock tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates therefor
properly completed, duly executed Letter(s) of Transmittal and any other
required documents.


                                       38
<PAGE>


         To avoid backup federal income tax withholding with respect to the
Exchange Consideration received by a shareholder pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
the shareholder must provide the Exchange Agent with his correct taxpayer
identification number or certify that he or she is not subject to backup Federal
income tax withholding by completing the Substitute Form W-9 included in the
Letter of Transmittal.

         All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of any tender of Cohoes Common Stock will be determined
by TrustCo in its sole discretion, whose determination will be final and
binding. TrustCo reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders
determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance of or exchange for
which may, in the opinion of TrustCo's counsel, be unlawful. TrustCo also
reserves the absolute right to waive on or prior to the Expiration Date any of
the conditions of the Exchange Offer which it is legally permitted to waive
(other than the Regulatory Approval Condition, the TrustCo Stockholder Approval
Condition and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement) or any defect or
irregularity in the tender of any shares of Cohoes Common Stock. No tender of
Cohoes Common Stock will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects
and irregularities have been cured or waived. TrustCo's interpretation of the
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal
and instructions thereto) will be final and binding. Neither TrustCo, the
Exchange Agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification
of any defects or irregularities in the tender of any shares of Cohoes Common
Stock or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.

         A tender of Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the procedures described
above will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering shareholder and
TrustCo upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

         In the opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C., counsel to TrustCo,
exchanges of Cohoes Common Stock for TrustCo Common Stock pursuant to the
Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger should be treated for federal
income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of ss.368 of the
Code. In such event, no gain or loss will be recognized by holders of shares of
Cohoes Common Stock, except as described below under "Tax Consequences to Cohoes
Shareholders if the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger Qualify as a
Reorganization." This opinion is based on the view of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh,
L.C. that the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger should be treated as
a single transaction and on certain assumptions and representations, including
that: (i) each Cohoes shareholder holds his or her shares of Cohoes Common Stock
and will hold the TrustCo Common Stock to be received as a capital asset within
the meaning of ss.1221 of the Code; (ii) the continuity of shareholdeR interest
requirement applicable to corporate reorganizations (which requires the receipt
of an equity interest in TrustCo by holders owning a significant percentage of
the shares of Cohoes Common Stock prior to the consummation of the Exchange
Offer) will be satisfied; (iii) TrustCo will continue Cohoes' historic business
or will use a significant portion of Cohoes' historic business assets in a
business; (iv) the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger will be
consummated as contemplated by this Prospectus; and (vi) there are valid
business reasons for undertaking the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes
Merger.

         In rendering their opinion, Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. have further
assumed that: (i) upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, there will be no
significant contingencies preventing the prompt consummation of the
TrustCo-Cohoes Merger; (ii) upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, TrustCo
will not have waived any of the conditions relating to its obligation to
consummate the Exchange Offer in a manner that could prevent a prompt
consummation of the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger; and (iii) the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger
will in fact be consummated promptly after the consummation of the Exchange
Offer. A significant delay in the consummation of the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger
would substantially increase the risk that the Exchange Offer will not qualify
as part of a reorganization within the meaning of ss.368(a)(1)(A) of the Code.
The consequences of a failure to so qualify arE discussed below under "Tax


                                       39
<PAGE>


Consequences if the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger Do Not Qualify
as a Reorganization."


         In deciding whether two steps are part of a single transaction
qualifying as a reorganization, courts have applied three tests: (i) the binding
commitment test, which requires a binding commitment at the time of the first
step to complete the second step; (ii) the interdependence test which requires
that two steps be so interdependent that the first step would have been
fruitless without the second; and (iii) the end result test which requires that
the steps be pre-arranged parts of a single transaction. Because there is a lack
of uniformity in applying these tests, it is difficult to predict with certainty
whether the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or a court would amalgamate two
steps into a single transaction for federal income tax purposes. Furthermore,
there is no authority directly on point addressing the transactions described
herein and the relevant authorities upon which this opinion is based are subject
to various interpretations. A decision by the IRS or a court to not treat the
Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger as part of a single transaction
would substantially increase the risk that the Exchange Offer will not qualify
as part of a reorganization within the meaning of ss.368(a)(1)(A) of the Code.
See "Tax Consequences if the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger Do Not
Qualify as a Reorganization." However, based on all the facts and circumstances
described herein, in the view of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C., the Exchange
Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger should be treated as part of a single
transaction.



         In order for the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger to
qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of ss.368(a)(1)(A) of the Code,
the so-called continuity of shareholder interest requirement must be satisfied.
As applied to the transaction described herein, the continuity of shareholder
interest requirement requires the Cohoes Shareholders to exchange a "substantial
part" of the value of their shares of Cohoes Common Stock for TrustCo Common
Stock. The IRS will not issue private letter rulings for reorganizations under
ss.368(a)(1)(A) of the Code. The IRS's position has historically been not to
issue such a ruling unlesS shareholders of the target entity (in this instance,
Cohoes Shareholders) exchanged at least 50 percent by value of the total
outstanding shares of Cohoes Common Stock for TrustCo Common Stock in the
reorganization, such value being determined as of the effective date of the
reorganization. Because the Cohoes Shareholders are only exchanging 40 percent
by value of the total outstanding shares of Cohoes Common Stock, the IRS would
not issue a letter ruling on whether the transaction described herein qualifies
as a reorganization. However, this failure to satisfy a requirement for the
issuance of a private letter ruling is not determinative of whether the Exchange
Offer and TrustCo-Cohoes Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the
meaning of ss.368(a)(1)(A) of the Code. A federal court decision has previously
determined a transaction to be a valid reorganization in which 38 percent of the
value of the acquired corporation's stock was exchanged.


         The following discussion summarizes the material federal income tax
consequences of the Exchange Offer to the shareholders of Cohoes. This summary
does not address all aspects of federal taxation that may be relevant to
particular Cohoes shareholders, nor does this summary address the effect of any
applicable foreign, state, local or other tax laws. This discussion may not
apply to certain classes of taxpayers, including, without limitation, insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, dealers in
securities, foreign persons, persons who acquired shares of Cohoes Common Stock
pursuant to an exercise of employee stock options or rights or otherwise as
compensation and persons who hold shares of Cohoes Common Stock as part of a
straddle or conversion transaction.

         This discussion is based upon the opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh,
L.C. and the existing provisions of the Code, currently applicable regulations
promulgated under the Code, current published administrative positions of the
IRS such as revenue rulings and revenue procedures, and existing judicial
decisions, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or
retroactively. Any change in such authorities may adversely affect the
discussion herein.


                                       40
<PAGE>


         The opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. is based, among other
things, on the assumptions listed above, which assumptions have been made with
the consent of TrustCo, and the written representations of TrustCo. TrustCo will
not request a ruling from the IRS with respect to the federal income tax
consequences of the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger. An opinion of
counsel is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking
contrary positions.

         COHOES SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO
THE PRECISE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
EXCHANGE OFFER.

         TAX CONSEQUENCES TO COHOES SHAREHOLDERS IF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE
TRUSTCO-COHOES MERGER QUALIFY AS A REORGANIZATION

         In order for the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger to
qualify as a reorganization under the Code, it is necessary that Exchange Offer
and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger be viewed as a single transaction.


         TrustCo has represented that it will not complete the Exchange Offer
unless it can also effect the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger and, consequently, has
conditioned its obligation to accept shares of Cohoes Common Stock under the
Exchange Offer by requiring the elimination of various impediments to
consummation of the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger. See "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Certain
Conditions of the Exchange Offer--Removal of Impediments Condition." Thus,
TrustCo views the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger as interdependent
parts of a single transaction. For federal income tax purposes, the IRS should
treat the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger as interrelated steps
which do not have economic significance independent of each other. Accordingly,
it is anticipated that the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger together
should qualify as a reorganization for federal income tax purposes and a Cohoes
shareholder who receives the Exchange Consideration generally will realize gain
equal to the excess, if any, of: (1) the fair market value of the TrustCo Common
Stock and the amount of cash received over (2) such shareholder's adjusted tax
basis in the Cohoes Common Stock exchanged therefor, but will recognize gain
(but not loss) only up to the extent of cash received (excluding cash received
in lieu of fractional shares, which will be taxed as described below).


         Such recognized gain will constitute capital gain, unless as discussed
below, the receipt of the cash has the effect of a distribution of a dividend
for federal income tax purposes, in which case such recognized gain will be
treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of such shareholder's ratable
share of TrustCo's accumulated earnings and profits. Any capital gain recognized
will constitute long-term capital gain if the Cohoes shareholder's holding
period for the Cohoes Common Stock exchanged is greater than one year as of the
date of the exchange.

         The aggregate tax basis of the TrustCo Common Stock received by a
Cohoes shareholder, including for this purpose any fractional share of TrustCo
Common Stock for which cash is received, in exchange for Cohoes Common Stock
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger generally will
equal that shareholder's aggregate tax basis of his Cohoes Common Stock
surrendered in exchange therefor, decreased by the amount of the cash portion of
the Exchange Consideration received (excluding any cash received in lieu of
fractional shares) and increased by the amount of gain recognized. The holding
period of such shares of TrustCo Common Stock will include the holding period of
the Cohoes Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that the such
shares of Cohoes Common Stock are held as capital assets at the time of the
Exchange Offer and TrustCo-Cohoes Merger.

         In general, the determination of whether the gain recognized by a
Cohoes shareholder will be treated as capital gain or a dividend distribution
will depend upon whether and to what extent the exchange reduced the Cohoes
shareholder's deemed percentage stock ownership interest in TrustCo. For
purposes of this determination, a Cohoes shareholder will be treated as if such
shareholder first exchanged


                                       41
<PAGE>

all of such shareholder's Cohoes Common Stock solely for TrustCo Common Stock
and TrustCo immediately thereafter redeemed a portion of such TrustCo Common
Stock in exchange for the cash portion of the Exchange Consideration that the
Cohoes shareholder actually received. The gain recognized in the exchange
followed by a deemed redemption will be treated as capital gain if, with respect
to the Cohoes shareholder, the deemed redemption is (i) "substantially
disproportionate" or (ii) "not essentially equivalent to a dividend."

         In general, the determination of whether the deemed redemption will be
"substantially disproportionate" requires a comparison of (i) the percentage of
the outstanding voting stock of TrustCo that such Cohoes shareholder is deemed
actually and constructively to have owned immediately before the deemed
redemption by TrustCo and (ii) the percentage of the outstanding voting stock of
TrustCo actually and constructively owned by such shareholder immediately after
the deemed redemption by TrustCo. Generally, the deemed redemption will be
substantially disproportionate with respect to a Cohoes shareholder if the
percentage described in (ii) above is less than 80 percent of the percentage
described in (i) above. Whether the deemed redemption is "not essentially
equivalent to a dividend" with respect to a Cohoes shareholder will depend on
the shareholder's particular circumstances. In order for the deemed redemption
to be "not essentially equivalent to a dividend," the deemed redemption must
result in a "meaningful reduction" in such Cohoes shareholder's deemed
percentage stock ownership of TrustCo Common Stock. The IRS has ruled that a
minority shareholder in a publicly traded corporation whose relative stock
interest is minimal and that exercises no control with respect to corporate
affairs is considered to have a "meaningful reduction" generally if such
shareholder has some reduction in such shareholder's percentage stock ownership.

         In applying the foregoing tests, a shareholder may be deemed to own
stock that is owned by other persons, such as a family member, a trust, or other
entities, in addition to stock actually owned. Because the constructive
ownership rules are complex, each Cohoes shareholder should consult its own tax
advisor as to the applicability of these rules.

         Cash received in lieu of a fractional shares of TrustCo Common Stock
will be treated as received in redemption of such fractional share interest, and
a Cohoes shareholder will recognize gain or loss measured by the difference
between the amount of cash received and the portion of the basis of the TrustCo
Common Stock allocable to such fractional interest. Such gain or loss generally
will constitute capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss
if the Cohoes shareholder's holding period in the Cohoes Common Stock exchanged
was greater than one year as of the date of the exchange.

         TAX CONSEQUENCES TO COHOES SHAREHOLDERS IF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE
TRUSTCO-COHOES MERGER DO NOT QUALIFY AS A REORGANIZATION

         If the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger is not consummated or is consummated in a
way that causes the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger not to be a
"reorganization," or if the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger is consummated but the
Exchange Offer is treated for federal income tax purposes as a separate
transaction, or if the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger together are
determined not to qualify as a reorganization as described above, exchanges
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be taxable transactions for federal income
tax purposes. In that event, each exchanging shareholder of Cohoes Common Stock
will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes measured by the
difference between such shareholder's basis in the Cohoes Common Stock exchanged
and the amount of cash plus the fair market value of the TrustCo Common Stock
received by such shareholder in the Exchange Offer. Such gain or loss will be
capital gain or loss if the shares of Cohoes Common Stock were held as a capital
asset and will be long-term gain or loss if such Cohoes Common Stock had been
held for more than one year at the time of the exchange.

         Exchanges pursuant to the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger may likewise be taxable
transactions if the Exchange Offer is treated as a separate taxable transaction.
However, even if the Exchange Offer were a taxable transaction, the
TrustCo-Cohoes Merger itself might be considered a reorganization. In that



                                       42
<PAGE>

event, a shareholder of Cohoes Common Stock receiving TrustCo Common Stock and
cash would be subject to the federal income tax rules concerning reorganizations
discussed above with respect to the TrustCo Common Stock and cash received in
the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger (but not with respect to any TrustCo Common Stock and
cash received by such shareholder in the Exchange Offer).


         If the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger does not qualify as a reorganization for
tax purposes, the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger could be treated as a taxable
acquisition of Cohoes' assets by TrustCo. TrustCo could be treated as the
transferee of Cohoes in connection with such sale and could be liable for
federal income tax on Cohoes if the fair market value of such assets exceeds the
adjusted bases therein. As of the date of this Prospectus, TrustCo cannot
determine the amount of any such gain.


EFFECT OF EXCHANGE OFFER ON MARKET FOR SHARES

         As of September 1, 2000, according to Cohoes' Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended June 30, 2000, there were 7,912,705 shares of Cohoes
Common Stock outstanding.

         The exchange of Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer will
reduce the number of shares of Cohoes Common Stock that might otherwise trade
publicly and the number of holders of Cohoes Common Stock and, pending
consummation of the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger, could adversely affect the liquidity
and market value of the remaining Cohoes Common Stock held by the public.

         Cohoes Common Stock is quoted in the over-the-counter market on Nasdaq.
If the Exchange Offer is consummated, the extent of the public market for the
remaining shares of Cohoes Common Stock, and the availability of price
quotations, will depend upon the number of holders, the aggregate market value
of the Cohoes Common Stock remaining, the interest of securities firms in
maintaining a market in the Cohoes Common Stock and other factors.

RESALE OF TRUSTCO COMMON STOCK

         The TrustCo Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer
will be freely transferable under the 1933 Act except for shares issued to any
Cohoes shareholder who may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of Cohoes for purposes
of Rule 145 under the 1933 Act. Under Rule 145, such "affiliates" may not sell
their TrustCo Common Stock acquired in connection with the Exchange Offer except
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act covering such
shares or in compliance with Rule 145 promulgated under the 1933 Act or another
applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This
Prospectus does not cover resales of shares of TrustCo Common Stock received by
any person who may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of Cohoes. Persons who may be
deemed to be "affiliates" of Cohoes generally include individuals who, or
entities that, control, are controlled by or are under common control with
Cohoes, and may include certain officers and directors of Cohoes as well as
principal shareholders of Cohoes.

CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS

         GENERAL

         Except as set forth below, based upon an examination of publicly
available information filed by Cohoes with the SEC and other publicly available
information with respect to Cohoes, TrustCo is not aware of any license or
regulatory permit which appears to be material to the business of Cohoes and
which is likely to be adversely affected by TrustCo's acquisition of Cohoes
Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer or, except as disclosed below, of
any approval or other action by any state, federal or foreign government or
governmental agency that would be required prior to the acquisition of Cohoes
Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer. TrustCo presently intends to take
such actions with respect to any approvals as will enable it to acquire the
Cohoes Common Stock as expeditiously as possible. In this regard, TrustCo
expressly reserves the right to challenge the validity and applicability of


                                       43
<PAGE>

any state, foreign or other statutes or regulations purporting to require
approval of the commencement or consummation of the Exchange Offer and the
TrustCo-Cohoes Merger.

         There can be no assurance that any license, permit, approval or other
action, if needed, would be obtained and, if obtained, there can be no assurance
as to the date of any such license, permit or approval or the absence of any
litigation challenging any such license, permit or approval. Similarly, there
can be no assurance that adverse consequences might not result to Cohoes or to
its business in the event of adverse regulatory action or inaction. TrustCo's
obligation under the Exchange Offer to accept for exchange and exchange Cohoes
Common Stock is subject to satisfaction of the Regulatory Approval Condition as
well as other conditions which could be triggered by an adverse regulatory
development. See "THE EXCHANGE OFFER -- General" and "-- Certain Conditions of
the Exchange Offer."


         REGULATORY MATTERS

         The acquisition of Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer
(the "Acquisition") and the consummation of the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger are
subject to the prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board pursuant to the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "B.H.C.A."), and the New York State
Banking Department (the "NYBD"). The Trustco Bank-Cohoes Savings Bank Merger is
subject to the prior approval of the federal Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency (the "OCC") pursuant to the Bank Merger Act and the NYBD.



         In determining whether to approve the Acquisition and the
TrustCo-Cohoes Merger, the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and the NYBD will
consider, among other things: (i) competitive factors; (ii) the financial and
managerial resources and future prospects of TrustCo and Cohoes; (iii) the
convenience and needs of the community served by TrustCo and Cohoes; and (iv)
supervisory factors. These factors are discussed herein. It is anticipated that
TrustCo's applications to the Federal Reserve Board, OCC and the NYBD will be
filed on or about _________, 2000.



         The federal bank regulatory agencies are prohibited from approving
any transaction under the applicable statutes which: (i) would result in a
monopoly or which would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to
monopolize or to attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of
the United States; or (ii) may have the effect in any section of the United
States of substantially lessening competition, or tending to create a monopoly,
or resulting in a restraint of trade; unless in each case the agencies find
that the anti-competitive effects of the transaction are clearly outweighed in
the public interest by the probable effect of the transaction in meeting the
convenience and needs of the communities to be served.



         In reviewing a transaction under the applicable statutes, the
federal banking agencies will also consider the financial and managerial
resources of the companies and their subsidiary banks and the convenience and
needs of the communities to be served. As part of, or in addition to,
consideration of the above factors, it is anticipated that the agencies will
consider the regulatory status of TrustCo and Cohoes and their subsidiaries and
the overall capital and safety and soundness standards established by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.



         Under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended (the
"C.R.A."), the federal bank regulatory agencies must also take into account
the record of performance of each of TrustCo and Cohoes and their subsidiaries
in meeting the credit needs of the entire community, including low and moderate
income neighborhoods, served by each company. As of the date of this Prospectus,
Trustco Bank and Cohoes Savings Bank have received C.R.A. ratings of
satisfactory and outstanding, respectively, in their most recent C.R.A.
examinations.



         The B.H.C.A. and the Bank Merger Act, as well as the Federal Reserve
Board and OCC regulations, require publication of notice of, and the
opportunity for public comment on, the


                                       44

<PAGE>


application submitted by TrustCo for approval of the Acquisition and authorize
the Federal Reserve Board to hold a public hearing in connection therewith if
the Federal Reserve Board determines that such a hearing would be appropriate.
Any such hearing or comments provided by third parties could prolong the period
during which the application is subject to review by the Federal Reserve Board.

         As noted above, the Acquisition may not be consummated until 30 days
after Federal Reserve Board approval, during which time the D.O.J. may challenge
the Acquisition on antitrust grounds and seek the divestiture of certain assets
and liabilities. With the approval of the Federal Reserve Board and the D.O.J.,
the waiting period may be reduced to no less than 15 days. The commencement of
an antitrust action by the D.O.J. would stay the effectiveness of Federal
Reserve Board approval of the Acquisition unless a court specifically orders
otherwise. In reviewing the Acquisition, the D.O.J. could analyze the effect of
the Acquisition on competition differently than the Federal Reserve Board and,
thus, it is possible that the D.O.J. could reach a different conclusion than the
Federal Reserve Board regarding the competitive effects of the Acquisition.
Failure of the D.O.J. to object to the Acquisition may not prevent the filing of
antitrust actions by private persons or state attorneys general.

         In general, the Federal Reserve Board and the D.O.J. will examine the
impact of the Acquisition on competition in various product and geographic
markets, including competition for deposits and loans, especially loans to small
and middle market businesses.

         ANTICIPATED APPROVALS


         While TrustCo expects to receive the approvals from the Federal Reserve
Board, OCC and the NYBD and other relevant agencies required to consummate the
Acquisition, TrustCo cannot predict when, or give any assurance that, such
approvals will be received. It is anticipated that, in any event, the approval
process (including the mandatory waiting periods) could take four to six months
from the date the applications are filed. Any such approvals may be issued
subject to prior compliance with material conditions, which conditions might be
unacceptable to TrustCo and would entitle TrustCo to terminate the Exchange
Offer. In any event, the receipt of all such regulatory approvals and the
expiration of all waiting periods is a non-waivable condition to the Exchange
Offer.


CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER


         TrustCo's obligation to accept Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the
Exchange Offer is subject to a number of conditions, which are described below.
TrustCo reserves the absolute right to waive on or before the Expiration Date
any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer other than the conditions regarding
regulatory approval, the TrustCo stockholder approval (if required) and the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement.


         MINIMUM TENDER CONDITION

         The Exchange Offer is conditioned upon there being validly tendered and
not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date a number of shares of Cohoes Common
Stock which, together with the shares of Cohoes Common Stock beneficially owned
by TrustCo and its affiliates for their own respective accounts, would represent
at least a majority of the Cohoes Common Stock outstanding on a fully diluted
basis (i.e., as though all options or other securities convertible into or
exercisable for shares of Cohoes Common Stock had been so converted, exercised
or exchanged) on the date shares of Cohoes Common Stock are accepted by TrustCo
pursuant to the Exchange Offer (the "Minimum Tender Condition"). According to
Cohoes' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2000, there were
7,912,705 shares of Cohoes Common Stock outstanding on September 1, 2000 and,
according to Cohoes' proxy statement for its August 17, 2000 special meeting of
shareholders ("Cohoes Proxy Statement"), there were 1,334,931 shares of Cohoes
Common Stock in the aggregate reserved for issuance pursuant to the Cohoes Stock
Option and Incentive Plan and the Cohoes Recognition and Retention Plan as of
June 22, 2000. Based on the foregoing, TrustCo believes that the Minimum Tender
Condition would have


                                       45
<PAGE>

been satisfied on June 22, 2000 if, in addition to the 100,000 shares of Cohoes
Common Stock currently owned beneficially by TrustCo and its affiliates for
their own respective accounts, at least an aggregate of 3,856,353 shares of
Cohoes Common Stock outstanding on September 1, 2000, in addition to shares of
Cohoes Common Stock in an amount at least equal to 50.1% of any outstanding
options to acquire Cohoes Common Stock had been validly tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer and not withdrawn. TrustCo reserves the right (but is not
obligated), subject to the rules and regulations of the SEC, to waive or amend
the Minimum Tender Condition on or before the Expiration Date and to purchase
fewer than such number of shares of Cohoes Common Stock as would satisfy the
Minimum Tender Condition pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

         REGULATORY APPROVAL CONDITION


         The Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger are subject to the
receipt of all regulatory approvals sought by TrustCo in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer, the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger and
the Trustco Bank-Cohoes Savings Bank Merger without the imposition of any
material condition unacceptable to TrustCo, the expiration of all required
waiting periods, and the compliance by TrustCo with any terms or conditions of
such approvals (the "Regulatory Approval Condition"). See "THE EXCHANGE
OFFER--Certain Legal Matters." While TrustCo expects to receive the requisite
governmental approvals, TrustCo cannot predict when, or give any assurance that,
such approvals will be received. TrustCo may not waive the Regulatory
Approval Condition.


         REMOVAL OF IMPEDIMENTS CONDITION

         Cohoes' Certificate of Incorporation (the "Cohoes Certificate")
provides that certain business combinations with an interested stockholder
require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power
of the outstanding shares of stock of Cohoes entitled to vote in the election of
directors. Generally, an interested stockholder is any person, other than Cohoes
or any subsidiary of Cohoes, that is the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of more than 10% of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock
of Cohoes. The business combination provisions relating to interested
stockholders also apply to affiliates of interested stockholders. Business
combinations subject to the 80% stockholder approval requirement include, among
other things, any merger or consolidation of Cohoes or any subsidiary of Cohoes
with the interested stockholder or an affiliate of the interested stockholder. A
business combination with an interested stockholder may avoid the 80%
stockholder approval requirement, needing only an affirmative vote of a majority
of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of Cohoes entitled to
vote in the election of directors, if the business combination has been approved
by a majority of the disinterested directors of Cohoes, the fair market value of
the consideration received per share by the holders of Cohoes Common Stock
equals or exceeds the higher of certain fair price determinations, the
interested stockholder and its affiliates refrain from engaging in certain
self-dealing transactions with Cohoes prior to consummation of the business
combination, and a proxy or information statement describing the proposed
business combination and complying with the requirements of the 1934 Act has
been mailed to stockholders of Cohoes at least 30 days prior to the consummation
of such business combination. Cohoes' Certificate also provides that, with
certain exceptions, a beneficial owner of more than 10% of the voting stock of
Cohoes is prohibited from voting more than 10% of the stock of Cohoes (the "10%
Limit").

         The Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") contains a statute
designed to provide Delaware corporations with protection against certain
takeover attempts. The statute, which is codified in Section 203 of the DGCL
("Section 203"), among other things, prohibits Cohoes (a Delaware corporation)
from engaging in certain business combinations (including a merger) with a
person who is the beneficial owner of 15% or more of Cohoes' outstanding voting
stock (an "Interested Stockholder") during the three-year period following the
date such person became an Interested Stockholder. This restriction does not
apply if: (i) before such person became an Interested Stockholder, the board of
directors approved the transaction in which the Interested Stockholder becomes
an Interested Stockholder

                                       46

<PAGE>

or approved the business combination; or (ii) upon consummation of the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an Interested
Stockholder, the Interested Stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock
of Cohoes outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for
purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, those shares owned by
(a) persons who are directors and also officers and (b) employee stock plans in
which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially
whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange
offer; or (iii) on or subsequent to such date, the business combination is
approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of
at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the
Interested Stockholder. Section 203 provides that a Delaware corporation may
exempt itself from the requirements of the statute by adopting an amendment to
the corporation's certificate of incorporation. Cohoes' Certificate does not
exempt Cohoes from the requirements of Section 203. A copy of Section 203 is
attached hereto as Appendix B.

         The New York charter of Cohoes Savings Bank, the thrift subsidiary of
Cohoes, contains a provision which currently prevents any person from acquiring,
directly or indirectly, more than ten percent of any class of stock of Cohoes
Savings Bank. Because Cohoes Savings Bank is owned and controlled by Cohoes, the
acquisition of Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be deemed
to be an indirect acquisition of the equity securities of Cohoes Savings Bank
which, accordingly, may result in a violation of the New York charter of Cohoes
Savings Bank. This ownership limitation is being maintained on a permissive
basis by Cohoes Savings Bank and may be lawfully removed by amendment to its
charter. The charter of Cohoes Savings Bank could be amended through the
adoption of appropriate resolutions by the board of directors of Cohoes Savings
Bank -- who are substantially the same individuals as the directors of Cohoes --
which resolutions would thereafter be approved by the Cohoes Board of Directors
(the "Cohoes Board") acting on its behalf as the sole stockholder of Cohoes
Savings Bank.

         All of the above are impediments to the consummation of the
TrustCo-Cohoes Merger. The Exchange Offer is subject to the condition (the
"Removal of Impediments Condition") that TrustCo is not required to exchange
shares of Cohoes Common Stock and may terminate, amend or extend the Exchange
Offer on or prior to the Expiration Date, unless the above impediments are
removed. This can be satisfied in one of two ways; either: (i) the Cohoes Board
approves the Exchange Offer and the Cohoes Board and Cohoes shareholders (by a
majority vote of the outstanding shares of Cohoes stock) approve the
TrustCo-Cohoes Merger; or (ii) TrustCo being satisfied, in its reasonable
discretion, that Section 203 and the anti-takeover provisions of Cohoes'
Certificate of Incorporation and the charter of Cohoes Savings Bank are invalid
or are not applicable to the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer and
the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger. The consideration offered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer meets the fair price requirements of the business combination provisions
of Cohoes' Certificate and, except for the required approval of Cohoes'
directors and shareholders, satisfaction of the other conditions would be within
TrustCo's control. Accordingly, the approval of the Exchange Offer and the
TrustCo-Cohoes Merger by the Cohoes Board (other than any director nominated by
TrustCo and thereafter elected to the Cohoes Board) would obviate the 80% vote
requirement of Cohoes' Certificate and also make Section 203 inapplicable to the
transaction. As part of its approval of the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger, the Cohoes
Board would also have to: (a) make appropriate arrangements for amendment to the
charter of Cohoes Savings Bank to eliminate the 10% or greater ownership
prohibition contained therein; and (b) call a meeting of shareholders of Cohoes
to approve the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger.


         The exact timing and details of the closing of the TrustCo-Cohoes
Merger between TrustCo and Cohoes following the Exchange Offer will necessarily
depend upon a variety of factors, including the means and methods employed by
the Cohoes Board in approving, and causing to be held a meeting of Cohoes
shareholders for the purpose of approving, the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger. Although
TrustCo intends to propose and to seek consummation of the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger
as soon as reasonably practicable following the Exchange Offer, no assurances
can be given that the consummation of the Exchange Offer may not be delayed due
to the timing of the Cohoes Board and shareholder approvals.



                                       47
<PAGE>



TrustCo may delay completion of the Exchange Offer if the delay will allow it to
complete the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger.


         TRUSTCO STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL CONDITION

         The Exchange Offer is conditioned, among other things, upon the
approval of the issuance of shares of TrustCo Common Stock pursuant to the
Exchange Offer by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of TrustCo
Common Stock if required under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Pursuant to
the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, if the number of shares of TrustCo Common
Stock to be issued in the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger will
exceed 20% of the number of outstanding shares prior to such issuance, the
issuance must be approved by TrustCo's stockholders. While TrustCo does not
currently anticipate that the number of shares of TrustCo Common Stock to be
issued in the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger will exceed 20% of
the currently outstanding number of shares, changes in the price of TrustCo
Common Stock or a determination that the TrustCo Common Stock to be issued in
TrustCo's proposed acquisition of Cohoes should be aggregated with the shares of
TrustCo Common Stock to be issued in the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Hudson
Merger may result in a requirement under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market
that shareholder approval is required. This TrustCo Stockholder Approval
Condition is a non-waivable condition to the Exchange Offer if the rules of the
Nasdaq Stock Market require such an approval.

         TAX OPINION


         The Exchange Offer is conditioned, among other things, upon the receipt
by TrustCo at the time the Exchange Offer is completed of an opinion of counsel
that the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger qualify as a
reorganization under ss.368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). The law firm of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. has indicated
that it will issue such opinion based upon and subject to the assumptions and
other matters set forth in "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Material Federal Income Tax
Consequences."


         MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT CONDITION

         The Exchange Offer is subject to the condition (the "Material Adverse
Effect Condition") that, since June 30, 1999, there has been no material adverse
change, or any prospective material adverse change, in the financial condition,
business or assets of Cohoes. This condition will be deemed satisfied unless,
after June 30, 1999 and prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date
any of the following events occur:

                  (a) there is threatened, instituted or pending any action or
         proceeding before any domestic or foreign court or governmental agency
         or other regulatory or administrative agency or commission, including
         but not limited to any such investigation, action or proceeding which
         was in existence on or prior to June 30, 1999: (i) seeking to obtain
         any material damages from Cohoes; (ii) seeking to prohibit or restrict
         Cohoes' ownership or operation of any material portion of its business
         or assets, or to compel Cohoes to dispose of or hold separate all or
         any material portion of Cohoes' business or assets; (iii) which
         otherwise is reasonably likely to materially adversely affect Cohoes or
         the value of the Cohoes Common Stock; (iv) which imposes material
         limitations on the ability of TrustCo effectively to acquire or hold or
         to exercise full rights of ownership of the Cohoes Common Stock,
         including, without limitation, the right to vote the shares of Cohoes
         Common Stock acquired by it on all matters properly presented to the
         stockholders of Cohoes or any material condition unacceptable to
         TrustCo; or (v) which is reasonably likely to enjoin, restrain or
         prohibit, or result in material damages in respect of, or which is
         related to or arises out of, the Exchange Offer or the TrustCo-Cohoes
         Merger or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; or


                                       48
<PAGE>


                  (b) any change (or any condition, event or development
         involving a prospective change) has occurred or is threatened in the
         business, properties, assets, liabilities, capitalization,
         stockholders' equity, financial condition, results of operations or
         prospects of Cohoes (including, without limitation, the disposition of
         assets) which, in the reasonable judgment of TrustCo, is or may be
         materially adverse to Cohoes or to the value of the Cohoes Common
         Stock, or TrustCo becomes aware of any fact (including, but not limited
         to, any such change, condition, event or development) which, in the
         reasonable judgment of TrustCo, has or may have materially adverse
         significance with respect to Cohoes or any of its subsidiaries or to
         the value of the Cohoes Common Stock; and

which, in the reasonable judgment of TrustCo, makes it inadvisable to proceed
with the Exchange Offer.

         The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of TrustCo and may be
asserted by TrustCo on or before the Expiration Date regardless of the
circumstances giving rise to any such conditions (including any action or
inaction by TrustCo) or may be waived on or before the Expiration Date by
TrustCo in whole or in part. The failure by TrustCo to exercise any of the
foregoing rights will not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such
right will be deemed a continuing right which may be asserted at any time and
from time to time on or before the Expiration Date.

         TERMINATION OF THE HUDSON-COHOES OPTION AGREEMENT

         The Exchange Offer is conditioned, among other things, upon the
termination of the Stock Option Agreement, dated April 25, 2000, between Hudson
and Cohoes (the "Hudson-Cohoes Option Agreement") and the surrender by Hudson to
Cohoes of the options granted to Hudson thereunder. The Hudson-Cohoes Option
Agreement was entered into in connection with the Hudson-Cohoes Merger
Agreement. Under the Hudson-Cohoes Option Agreement, Cohoes granted Hudson an
unconditional, irrevocable option to purchase up to 1,574,538 shares of Cohoes
Common Stock at a price per share of $9.8125.

         On September 28, 2000, Cohoes and Hudson announced that they had
amended the Hudson-Cohoes Option Agreement to cap the economic value of the
option at $3.5 million.

         Hudson may exercise the option if, but only if, both an "Initial
Triggering Event" and a "Subsequent Triggering Event" has occurred prior to the
occurrence of an "Exercise Termination Event."

         An "Initial Triggering Event" includes any of the following events or
transactions: (i) Cohoes, without Hudson's prior consent, enters into an
agreement to be acquired (i.e., 10% or more of the voting power of the Cohoes
Common Stock), or the Cohoes Board recommends that the Cohoes shareholders
approve such an acquisition transaction with any person other than Hudson; (ii)
any person other than Hudson acquires beneficial ownership (or the right to
acquire beneficial ownership) of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Cohoes
Common Stock; (iii) any person publicly announces that it has made or intends to
make a proposal to engage in an acquisition transaction with Cohoes; (iv) the
Cohoes Board (without having received Hudson's consent): (a) withdraws its
recommendation to the Cohoes stockholders that they approve the Hudson-Cohoes
Merger; or (b) authorizes, recommends or proposes an agreement to enter into an
acquisition transaction with anyone other than Hudson; or (c) provides
information to or engages in negotiations with a third party relating to a
possible acquisition transaction; (v) any person (other than Hudson) files with
the SEC a registration statement or tender offer materials with respect to a
potential exchange offer than would constitute such an acquisition transaction;
(vi) Cohoes willfully breaches any covenant or obligation contained in the
Hudson-Cohoes Merger Agreement after an overture is made by a third party to
Cohoes or its shareholders to engage in a possible acquisition transaction and
such breach would entitle Hudson to terminate the Hudson-Cohoes Merger Agreement
and has not been cured within the time period prescribed in the Hudson-Cohoes
Option Agreement or (vii) any person (other than Hudson and without Hudson's
consent) files an application or notice with any federal or state thrift or bank
regulatory or antitrust authority to engage in such an


                                       49
<PAGE>

acquisition transaction. The Exchange offer, and TrustCo's activities in
connection therewith and with the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger, constitute an "Initial
Triggering Event."

         A "Subsequent Triggering Event" means: (i) the acquisition by any
person (other than Hudson) of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the
outstanding Cohoes Common Stock; or (ii) the occurrence of an "Initial
Triggering Event" described in clause (i) of the immediately preceding paragraph
(but by substitution 25% for 10%). The Exchange Offer, and TrustCo's activities
in connection therewith and with the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger, will constitute a
"Subsequent Triggering Event."

         An "Exercise Termination Event" means any of the following: (i) such
time as the Hudson-Cohoes Merger becomes effective; (ii) a termination of the
Hudson-Cohoes Merger Agreement in accordance with its term; or (iii) the passage
of certain prescribed times after termination of the Hudson-Cohoes Merger
Agreement if such termination follows the occurrence of an "Initial Triggering
Event." By its terms, the Option Agreement is not expected to terminate prior to
August 17, 2001.

         Since there has been an Initial Triggering Event, and since the closing
of the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger will constitute a Subsequent
Triggering Event, Cohoes and Hudson will need to mutually agree to terminate the
Hudson-Cohoes Option Agreement to satisfy this condition.

         DEFINITIVE TRUSTCO-COHOES MERGER AGREEMENT

         The Exchange Offer is conditioned, among other things, upon TrustCo and
Cohoes entering into a definitive agreement with respect to the TrustCo-Cohoes
Merger which is approved by the Cohoes Board and Cohoes' shareholders. TrustCo
considers the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger to be related steps
in one overall transaction whereby TrustCo acquires all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Cohoes Common Stock. See "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--Material
Federal Income Taxes." Whether this condition can be satisfied depends upon the
willingness of the Cohoes Board to enter into such a definitive agreement.


         DEFINITIVE TRUSTCO BANK-COHOES SAVINGS BANK MERGER AGREEMENT

         The Exchange Offer is conditioned, among other things, upon Trustco
Bank and Cohoes Savings Bank entering into a definitive agreement with respect
to the Trustco Bank-Cohoes Savings Bank Merger which is approved by the Cohoes
Savings Bank board of directors and shareholder. Whether this condition can be
satisfied depends upon the willingness of the Cohoes Board to enter into such a
definitive agreement.


         EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

         The Exchange Offer is conditioned, among other things, upon the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part becoming effective.
This is a non-waivable condition to the Exchange Offer. This condition has been
satisfied.

WAIVER OF CONDITIONS

         With the exception of the Regulatory Approval Condition, the TrustCo
Stockholder Approval Condition (to the extent the approval of TrustCo's
shareholders is required) and the effectiveness of this Registration Statement
condition, each of the conditions to the offer discussed above must either be
satisfied or waived by TrustCo on or before the Expiration Date.

FEES AND EXPENSES

         TrustCo has engaged Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc. to act as
TrustCo's information agent (the "Information Agent") with respect to the
Exchange Offer. TrustCo will pay the Information Agent a fee of $10,000 for its
services in connection with the Exchange Offer, plus


                                       50
<PAGE>


reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, and will indemnify the Information
Agent against certain liabilities and expenses in connection therewith,
including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

         TrustCo will pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary
compensation for its services in connection with the Exchange Offer, plus
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, and will indemnify the Exchange Agent
against certain liabilities and expenses in connection therewith, including
liabilities under the federal securities laws.

         Brokers, dealers, commercials banks and trust companies will be
reimbursed by TrustCo for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by
them in forwarding material to their customers.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

         Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, TrustCo will account for the
acquisition of the Cohoes Common Stock as a purchase business combination. See
"PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Summary of Purchase Accounting
Adjustments June 30, 2000."

NASDAQ LISTING

         The outstanding shares of TrustCo Common Stock are, and the shares of
TrustCo Common Stock to be issued in the Exchange Offer and the TrustCo-Cohoes
Merger will be, included for quotation on the Nasdaq.

SOURCE OF FUNDS


         TrustCo expects to fund the cash portion of the Exchange
Consideration, i.e. the $10.80 net in cash and the amounts necessary for
payments in lieu of fractional shares, from its existing cash assets
and the cash assets that will be available to TrustCo upon completion of the
merger of Trustco Bank and Cohoes Savings Bank. To the extent the Exchange
Consideration is derived from securities TrustCo holds "available for sale",
such securities are readily marketable and a large and liquid market exists.
TrustCo does not anticipate any difficulty in attracting purchasers for such
securities. The aggregate cash portion of the Exchange Consideration totals
approximately $86.0 million. Currently, TrustCo has cash assets of approximately
$46.0 million on an unconsolidated basis. Upon completion of the Trustco
Bank-Cohoes Savings Bank Merger, TrustCo expects that it would have $83.1
million in additional cash assets available to it (in the form of consideration
for the bank merger paid by Trustco Bank or dividends paid by Trustco Bank).
TrustCo would use these additional cash assets as well as its existing cash
assets to pay the merger consideration. TrustCo does not expect to obtain an
advance from Trustco Bank to fund the cash portion of the Exchange
Consideration.

         If TrustCo completes its proposed acquisition of Hudson, it expects to
fund in a similar manner the cash portion of the consideration to be paid to
Hudson's stockholders. The aggregate cash portion of the consideration in the
Hudson transaction totals approximately $151.0 million. Upon completion of the
merger of Trustco Bank and Hudson's subsidiary, Hudson River Bank & Trust
Company, TrustCo expects that it would have $125.5 million in additional cash
assets available to it. The foregoing amounts are in addition to the $46.0
million already available to TrustCo.


TREATMENT OF COHOES STOCK OPTIONS

         Cohoes maintains an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") for its
employees and a Stock Option and Incentive Plan for directors, advisory
directors and key employees (collectively the "Option Plans"). Each outstanding
option under the Option Plans will be canceled prior to the consummation date of
the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger and the holder thereof will receive from TrustCo, in
payment for such option, cash equal to $18.00 less the exercise price of the
stock option. Any resulting fractional shares


                                       51
<PAGE>

will also be paid in cash. It is anticipated that the ESOP will be terminated
and any remaining unallocated ESOP shares would be allocated to participants
after repayment of the ESOP loan.

                               RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

COHOES AND HUDSON STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS

         On August 17, 2000, Cohoes and Hudson each held meetings of
shareholders at which the Hudson-Cohoes Merger Agreement was submitted to
shareholders for their approval. On August 18, 2000, Cohoes announced that its
shareholders failed to approve the Hudson-Cohoes Merger.

TERMINATION OF MERGER AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENT TO OPTION

         On September 28, 2000, Hudson and Cohoes publicly announced the
termination of the Hudson-Cohoes Merger agreement because it was not approved by
the requisite vote of the shareholders of Cohoes at the special meeting held on
August 17, 2000. Hudson and Cohoes also publicly announced the amendment of
their agreement granting each company an option to purchase up to 19.9% of the
issued and outstanding shares of the other company should any third party pursue
a transaction with Hudson or Cohoes. Hudson and Cohoes publicly announced that
the amendment capped the economic value of their respective stock options in
each other at $3.5 million.

COHOES EXPLORATION OF STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES

         Also on September 28, 2000, Cohoes announced that its board of
directors and management, together with their financial and legal advisors,
would immediately begin a comprehensive exploration of all strategic options,
which could include the sale of Cohoes to a larger financial institution, and
that it had engaged Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. to assist in the evaluation of
Cohoes' strategic options. Cohoes also indicated that its board continues to
believe that Ambanc's unsolicited tender offer and the price publicly announced
by TrustCo were inadequate and not in the best interests of Cohoes stockholders.


AMBANC TENDER OFFER

         On July 27, 2000, Ambanc Holding Co., Inc. ("Ambanc") announced its
intent to commence a tender offer for all outstanding shares of Cohoes. The
announcement stated that Ambanc would offer Cohoes' shareholders $16.50 in cash
for each share of Cohoes Common Stock. Ambanc also solicited proxies from Cohoes
shareholders to vote against the Cohoes-Hudson Merger. On August 9, Ambanc
commenced its tender offer. Ambanc has also announced that it has nominated
three persons for election to the Cohoes board of directors at Cohoes' next
annual meeting of shareholders. On October 6, 2000, Ambanc announced that its
offer would expire at midnight, New York City Time, on October 6, 2000, without
the conditions to the offer being satisfied and that it had instructed its
depositary for the offer to promptly return all shares of Cohoes common stock
tendered pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn.



                   TRUSTCO'S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         Following is a list of TrustCo's Directors and Executive Officers,
their business background, business addresses and phone numbers:

         Barton A. Andreoli (President, Towne Construction and Paving) 828
Burdek Street, Schenectady, NY 12306, 518-956-4890; Lionel O. Barthold, RETIRED;
Joseph A. Lucarelli (President, Bellevue Builders Supply, Inc.) 504 Duanesburgh
Road, Schenectady, NY 12306, 518-355-7190; Anthony J. Marinello (M.D., Ph.D.,
Family Physician) 963 Route 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065, 518-383-0891 Ext. 222;
James H. Murphy, DDS (Orthodontist) 165 Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12203,
518-489-6241;


                                       52
<PAGE>

Richard J. Murray, Jr., (President, R.J. Murray Company, Inc.) 4021 State
Street, Schenectady, NY 12034, 518-372-4751; Kenneth C. Peterson RETIRED;
William D. Powers (Chairman, NY Republican State Committee), 315 State Street,
Albany, NY 12210, 518-462-2601; William J. Purdy (President, Welbourne & Purdy)
P.O. Box 1082, Schenectady, NY 12301; Robert A. McCormick (President and CEO,
Trustco Bank. N.A.) P.O. Box 1082, Schenectady, NY 12301, 518-377-3311; Nancy A.
McNamara (Senior Vice President, Trustco Bank, N.A.) P.O. Box 1082, Schenectady,
NY 12301, 518-377-3641; William F. Terry (Senior Vice President, Trustco Bank,
N.A.) P.O. Box 1082, Schenectady, NY 12301, 518-377-3611; Robert T. Cushing
(Senior Vice President and CFO, Trustco Bank, N.A.) P.O. Box 1082, Schenectady,
NY 12301, 518-377-3696.

         None of the Directors or Executive Officers of TrustCo have been
convicted in a criminal proceeding within the last five years nor have any of
the Directors or Executive Officers of TrustCo been a party to any proceeding
resulting in the imposition of any restrictions relating to federal or state
securities laws.

         Further, to the best of TrustCo's knowledge, none of the above-named
individuals own any shares of Cohoes common stock nor are any of the above-named
individuals a party to any contract, understanding, relationship or arrangement
with respect to Cohoes securities, nor have any of the above-named individuals
undertaken any transaction within the past sixty days with respect to any Cohoes
securities.

         Further, to the best of TrustCo's knowledge, none of the above-named
individuals have entered into or proposed or received any proposed material
agreements or arrangements with respect to Cohoes.

               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         The following unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheets and income
statements have been prepared based on the historical results of operations and
financial condition of TrustCo, Cohoes and Hudson. Pro forma adjustments and
assumptions on which they are based are described in the notes following such
balance sheets and income statements. The purchase accounting adjustments were
calculated as of the dates indicated in the notes (primarily June 30, 2000).

         TrustCo has not had access to the Cohoes or Hudson records as part of
its attempt to allocate the cost of its investment in the fair values of the
Cohoes and Hudson assets and liabilities. The allocation of the cost of the
investments reflected in the accompanying pro forma information has been made
based on available information in some instances and otherwise based on
assumptions TrustCo believes to be reasonable. In instances in which there was
no reliable basis to make a reasonable estimate, recorded values were considered
to approximate fair value. Accordingly, for purposes of these pro forma
financial statements, the fair value of loans, deposits and premises and
equipment were considered to be carrying value. The excess of the purchase price
over the fair value of the net assets has been treated as goodwill.

         The information concerning Cohoes and Hudson is derived from previously
filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and previously
released press releases. TrustCo does not make any representation with respect
to either Cohoes or Hudson amounts and has not performed any procedures to
ensure their accuracy or reasonableness. Certain Cohoes and Hudson financial
information has been reclassified to conform to TrustCo's financial
presentation.

         The information shown for TrustCo has been prepared from historical
financial information from previously filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and previously released press releases.

         The information is for illustrative purposes only. The companies would
likely have performed differently had they always been combined. The information
should not be relied on as an indication of

                                       53
<PAGE>

future results that the combined company will experience after the transactions
are completed, because of a variety of factors, including access to additional
information and changes in value.

         TrustCo also expects to achieve operating cost savings as a result of
the Cohoes and Hudson transactions. See "BACKGROUND OF THE EXCHANGE
OFFER--Benefits of the transaction" No adjustments have been included in the
combined pro forma operating amounts for the anticipated operating cost savings.



                                       54





<PAGE>



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS AT JUNE 30, 2000

         TRUSTCO AND COHOES COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           TRUSTCO
                                                                                           COHOES
                                                                        PRO FORMA          COMBINED
                                          TRUSTCO          COHOES      ADJUSTMENTS         PRO FORMA
                                         ---------       ----------    -----------        ----------
 (in thousands)

ASSETS
<S>                                      <C>                <C>             <C>              <C>
Cash and cash equivalents                $  287,227         12,658          7,961 (a)        251,409
                                                                           (3,067)(g)
                                                                           (2,100)(h)
                                                                          (51,270)(i)

Securities available for sale               661,478         32,570         (2,045)(g)        656,423
                                                                           (1,400)(h)
                                                                          (34,180)(i)
Securities held to maturity                      --         55,129             --             55,129
Loans receivable, net                     1,319,680        600,413             --          1,920,093
Other assets                                 98,722         24,685                           123,407
Goodwill and other intangibles                   --          1,559         24,606(b)          26,165
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------         ----------
TOTAL ASSETS                             $2,367,107        727,014        (61,495)         3,032,626
                                         ==========     ==========     ==========         ==========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits                                 $1,979,144        494,875             --          2,474,019
Borrowings                                  162,109         96,201             --            258,310
Other liabilities                            49,722         14,632         (5,155)(d)         67,199
                                                                            8,000 (f)
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------         ----------
Total liabilities                         2,190,975        605,708          2,845          2,799,528
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------         ----------

Total shareholders' equity                  176,132        121,306       (121,306)(e)        233,098
                                                                           56,966 (i)

                                         ----------     ----------     ----------         ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
     SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                $2,367,107        727,014        (61,495)         3,032,626
                                         ==========     ==========     ==========         ==========
</TABLE>

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.


                                       55
<PAGE>



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AT JUNE 30, 2000

         TRUSTCO AND HUDSON COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       TRUSTCO
                                                                                        HUDSON
                                                                        PRO FORMA     COMBINED
                                                TRUSTCO     HUDSON     ADJUSTMENTS   PRO FORMA
                                              ----------  ----------   ------------  -----------
(in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>       <C>            <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents                       $287,227      15,481    15,583 (a)     218,132
                                                                        (4,356)(g)
                                                                        (2,100)(h)
                                                                       (93,703)(i)
Securities available for sale                    661,478     232,583    (2,904)(g)     827,288
                                                                        (1,400)(h)
                                                                       (62,469)(i)
Securities held to maturity                           --       5,020        --           5,020
Loans receivable, net                          1,319,680     822,501        --       2,142,181
Other assets                                      98,722      69,265        --         167,987
Goodwill and other intangibles                        --      11,337    56,980 (b)      68,317
                                              ----------  ----------   -------     -----------

TOTAL ASSETS                                  $2,367,107   1,156,187   (94,369)      3,428,925
                                              ==========  ==========   =======     ===========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits                                      $1,979,144     745,032        --       2,724,176
Borrowings                                       162,109     182,424        --         344,533
Other liabilities                                 49,722      28,633    (6,386)(d)      79,969
                                                                         8,000 (f)
                                              ----------  ----------   -------     -----------

Total liabilities                              2,190,975     956,089     1,614       3,148,678
                                              ----------  ----------   -------     -----------

Total shareholders' equity                       176,132     200,098  (200,098)(e)     280,247
                                                                       104,115 (i)

                                              ----------  ----------  --------     -----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                          $2,367,107   1,156,187   (94,369)      3,428,925
                                              ==========  ==========  ========     ===========
</TABLE>

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.


                                       56
<PAGE>



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS AT JUNE 30, 2000.

         TRUSTCO, COHOES AND HUDSON COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                TRUSTCO
                                                                                                COHOES
                                                                           PRO FORMA           COMBINED
                                            TRUSTCO           COHOES      ADJUSTMENTS          PRO FORMA       HUDSON
                                          -----------       -----------   -----------         -----------   -----------
(in thousands)

ASSETS
<S>                                       <C>                    <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
Cash and cash equivalents                 $   287,227            12,658         7,961 (a)         251,409        15,481
                                                                               (3,067)(g)
                                                                               (2,100)(h)
                                                                              (51,270)(i)

Securities available for sale                 661,478            32,570        (2,045)(g)         656,423       232,583
                                                                               (1,400)(h)
                                                                              (34,180)(i)

Securities held to maturity                        --            55,129              --            55,129         5,020
                                            1,319,680           600,413              --         1,920,093       822,501
Other assets                                   98,722            24,685              --           123,407        69,265
Goodwill and other intangibles                     --             1,559        24,606(b)           26,165        11,337
                                          -----------       -----------   -----------         -----------   -----------
TOTAL ASSETS                              $ 2,367,107           727,014       (61,495)          3,032,626     1,156,187
                                          ===========       ===========   ===========         ===========   ===========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits                                  $ 1,979,144           494,875            --           2,474,019       745,032
                                              162,109            96,201            --             258,310       182,424
Other liabilities                              49,722            14,632        (5,155)(d)          67,199        28,633
                                                                                8,000 (f)
                                          -----------       -----------   -----------         -----------   -----------
Total liabilities                           2,190,975           605,708         2,845           2,799,528       956,089

Total shareholders' equity                    176,132           121,306      (121,306)(e)         233,098       200,098
                                                                               56,966 (i)
                                          -----------       -----------   -----------         -----------   -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                      $ 2,367,107           727,014       (61,495)          3,032,626     1,156,187
                                          ===========       ===========   ===========         ===========   ===========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             TRUSTCO
                                                             COHOES
                                                             HUDSON
                                          PRO FORMA         COMBINED
                                          ADJUSTMENTS      PRO FORMA
                                          -----------     -----------
(in thousands)

ASSETS
<S>                                            <C>          <C>
Cash and cash equivalents                      15,583 (a)     182,314
                                               (4,356)(g)
                                               (2,100)(h)
                                              (93,703)(i)

Securities available for sale                  (2,904)(g)     822,233
                                               (1,400)(h)
                                              (62,469)(i)

Securities held to maturity                        --          60,149
                                                   --       2,742,594
Other assets                                       --         192,672
Goodwill and other intangibles                 56,980(b)       94,482
                                          -----------     -----------
TOTAL ASSETS                                  (94,369)      4,094,444
                                          ===========     ===========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits                                           --       3,219,051
                                                   --         440,734
Other liabilities                              (6,386)(d)      97,446
                                                8,000 (f)
                                          -----------     -----------
Total liabilities                               1,614       3,757,231

Total shareholders' equity                   (200,098)(e)     337,213
                                              104,115 (i)
                                          -----------     -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                          (94,369)      4,094,444
                                          ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.

                                       57
<PAGE>

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE 12 MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

         TRUSTCO AND COHOES COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 TRUSTCO
                                                                                                 COHOES
                                                                                  PRO FORMA      COMBINED
                                                        TRUSTCO      COHOES      ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                       ---------    ---------    -----------    ---------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>        <C>             <C>
Consolidated Statements of Income:
(in thousands, except per share data)

Interest income:
      Interest and fees on loans                       $ 106,734       39,795           --         146,529
      Interest and dividends on securities available
        for sale                                          44,440        2,221       (2,653)(j)      44,008
      Interest and dividends on securities held to
        maturity                                              --        3,300           --           3,300
      Interest on federal funds sold/short-term
        investments                                       16,031        1,076       (2,816)(j)      14,291
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total interest income                    167,205       46,392       (5,469)        208,128
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Interest expense:
      Interest on deposits                                68,041       16,478           --          84,519
      Interest on short-term borrowings                    5,972        3,734           --           9,706
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total interest expense                    74,013       20,212           --          94,225
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Net interest income                       93,192       26,180       (5,469)        113,903

Provision for loan losses                                  5,063        1,825           --           6,888
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Net interest income after                                               --
                    provision for loan losses             88,129       24,355       (5,469)        107,015
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Noninterest income:
      Trust department income                              8,065           --           --           8,065
      Fees for services to customers                       8,695          810           --           9,505
      Net gain/(loss) on securities transactions          (5,446)        (944)          --          (6,390)
      Other                                                4,102        1,999           --           6,101
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest income                  15,416        1,865           --          17,281
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Noninterest expense:
      Salaries and employee benefits                      24,994        9,601           --          34,595
      Net occupancy and equipment expense                  9,363        3,034           --          12,397
      Net other real estate owned expense (income)          (700)        (140)          --            (840)
      Other                                               11,979        4,097        1,230(c)       17,306
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest expense                 45,636       16,592        1,230          63,458
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
Income before income taxes                                57,909        9,628       (6,699)         60,838
Income taxes                                              19,724        3,607       (1,859)(j)      21,472
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
Net income                                             $  38,185        6,021       (4,840)         39,366
                                                       =========    =========    =========       =========
Earnings per share:
      Basic                                            $    0.71    $    0.70                    $    0.67
      Diluted                                          $    0.68    $    0.70                    $    0.65
      Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split     $    0.62           --                    $    0.59
      Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split   $    0.59           --                    $    0.57
</TABLE>


See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.


                                       58
<PAGE>


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE 12 MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

         TRUSTCO AND HUDSON COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 TRUSTCO
                                                                                                  HUDSON
                                                                                  PRO FORMA      COMBINED
                                                        TRUSTCO      HUDSON      ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                       ---------    ---------    -----------    ---------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>        <C>             <C>
Consolidated Statements of Income:
(in thousands, except per share data)

Interest income:
      Interest and fees on loans                       $ 106,734       54,677           --         161,411
      Interest and dividends on securities available
        for sale                                          44,440       14,805       (4,707)(j)      54,538
      Interest and dividends on securities held to
        maturity                                              --        1,321           --           1,321
      Interest on federal funds sold/short-term
        investments                                       16,031          396       (4,998)(j)      11,429
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total interest income                    167,205       71,199       (9,705)        228,699
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Interest expense:
      Interest on deposits                                68,041       24,695           --          92,736
      Interest on short-term borrowings                    5,972        2,863           --           8,835
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total interest expense                    74,013       27,558           --         101,571
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Net interest income                       93,192       43,641       (9,705)        127,128

Provision for loan losses                                  5,063        6,200           --          11,263
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Net interest income after
                    Provision for loan losses             88,129       37,441       (9,705)        115,865
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Noninterest income:
      Trust department income                              8,065           --           --           8,065
      Fees for services to customers                       8,695        1,417           --          10,112
      Net gain/(loss) on securities transactions          (5,446)          86           --          (5,360)
      Other                                                4,102          892           --           4,994
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest income                  15,416        2,395           --          17,811
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Noninterest expense:
      Salaries and employee benefits                      24,994       13,001           --          37,995
      Net occupancy and equipment expense                  9,363        3,953           --          13,316
      Net other real estate owned expense (income)          (700)       1,430           --             730
      Other                                               11,979        7,846        2,849(c)       22,674
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest expense                 45,636       26,230        2,849          74,715
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
Income before income taxes                                57,909       13,606      (12,554)         58,961
Income taxes                                              19,724        4,735       (3,300)(j)      21,159
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
Net income                                             $  38,185        8,871       (9,254)         37,802
                                                       =========    =========    =========       =========
Earnings per share:
      Basic                                            $    0.71    $    0.59                    $    0.61
      Diluted                                          $    0.68    $    0.59                    $    0.59
      Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split     $    0.62           --                    $    0.53
      Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split   $    0.59           --                    $    0.51
</TABLE>


See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.

                                       59
<PAGE>



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE 12 MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

         TRUSTCO, COHOES AND HUDSON COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                  TRUSTCO
                                                                                                   COHOES
                                                                                  PRO FORMA       COMBINED
                                                        TRUSTCO      COHOES      ADJUSTMENTS      PRO FORMA      HUDSON
                                                       ---------    ---------    -----------     -----------   -----------
Consolidated Statements of Income:
(in thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                                    <C>             <C>         <C>            <C>           <C>
Interest income:
      Interest and fees on loans                       $ 106,734       39,795           --         146,529       54,677
      Interest and dividends on securities available
        for sale                                          44,440        2,221       (2,653)(j)      44,008       14,805
      Interest and dividends on securities held to
        maturity                                              --        3,300           --           3,300        1,321
      Interest on federal funds sold/short-term
        investments                                       16,031        1,076       (2,816)(j)      14,291          396
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
                Total interest income                    167,205       46,392       (5,469)        208,128       71,199
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------

Interest expense:
      Interest on deposits                                68,041       16,478           --          84,519       24,695
      Interest on short-term borrowings                    5,972        3,734           --           9,706        2,863
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
                Total interest expense                    74,013       20,212           --          94,225       27,558
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
                Net interest income                       93,192       26,180       (5,469)        113,903       43,641

Provision for loan losses                                  5,063        1,825           --           6,888        6,200
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
                Net interest income after
                    provision for loan losses             88,129       24,355       (5,469)        107,015       37,441
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------

Noninterest income:
      Trust department income                              8,065           --           --           8,065           --
      Fees for services to customers                       8,695          810           --           9,505        1,417
      Net gain/(loss) on securities transactions          (5,446)        (944)          --          (6,390)          86
      Other                                                4,102        1,999           --           6,101          892
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
                Total noninterest income                  15,416        1,865           --          17,281        2,395
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------

Noninterest expense:
      Salaries and employee benefits                      24,994        9,601           --          34,595       13,001
      Net occupancy and equipment expense                  9,363        3,034           --          12,397        3,953
      Net other real estate owned expense (income)          (700)        (140)          --            (840)       1,430
      Other                                               11,979        4,097        1,230(c)       17,306        7,846
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
                Total noninterest expense                 45,636       16,592        1,230          63,458       26,230
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
Income before income taxes                                57,909        9,628       (6,699)         60,838       13,606
Income taxes                                              19,724        3,607       (1,859)(j)      21,472        4,735
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
Net income                                             $  38,185        6,021       (4,840)         39,366        8,871
                                                       =========    =========    =========       =========    =========
Earnings per share:
      Basic                                            $    0.71    $    0.70                    $    0.67    $    0.59
      Diluted                                          $    0.68    $    0.70                    $    0.65    $    0.59
      Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split     $    0.62           --                    $    0.59           --
      Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split   $    0.59           --                    $    0.57           --
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        TRUSTCO
                                                                         COHOES
                                                                         HUDSON
                                                        PRO FORMA       COMBINED
                                                       ADJUSTMENTS      PRO FORMA
                                                       -----------     -----------
Consolidated Statements of Income:
(in thousands, except per share data)


Interest income:
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>
      Interest and fees on loans                              --         201,206
      Interest and dividends on securities available
        for sale                                          (4,707)(j)      54,106
      Interest and dividends on securities held to
        maturity                                              --           4,621
      Interest on federal funds sold/short-term
        investments                                       (4,998)(j)       9,689
                                                       ---------       ---------
                Total interest income                     (9,705)        269,622
                                                       ---------       ---------

Interest expense:
      Interest on deposits                                    --         109,214
      Interest on short-term borrowings                       --          12,569
                                                       ---------       ---------
                Total interest expense                        --         121,783
                                                       ---------       ---------
                Net interest income                       (9,705)        147,839

Provision for loan losses                                     --          13,088
                                                       ---------       ---------
                Net interest income after
                    provision for loan losses             (9,705)        134,751
                                                       ---------       ---------

Noninterest income:
      Trust department income                                 --           8,065
      Fees for services to customers                          --          10,922
      Net gain/(loss) on securities transactions              --          (6,304)
      Other                                                   --           6,993
                                                       ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest income                      --          19,676
                                                       ---------       ---------

Noninterest expense:
      Salaries and employee benefits                          --          47,596
      Net occupancy and equipment expense                     --          16,350
      Net other real estate owned expense (income)            --             590
      Other                                                2,849(c)       28,001
                                                       ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest expense                  2,849          92,537
                                                       ---------       ---------
Income before income taxes                               (12,554)         61,890
Income taxes                                              (3,300)(j)      22,907
                                                       ---------       ---------
Net income                                                (9,254)         38,983
                                                       =========       =========
Earnings per share:
      Basic                                                            $    0.58
      Diluted                                                          $    0.56
      Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split                     $    0.51
      Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split                   $    0.49
</TABLE>

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.

                                       60
<PAGE>



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2000

         TRUSTCO AND COHOES COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                  TRUSTCO
                                                                                                   COHOES
                                                                                  PRO FORMA       COMBINED
                                                        TRUSTCO      COHOES      ADJUSTMENTS      PRO FORMA
                                                       ---------    ---------    -----------     -----------
Consolidated Statements of Income:
(in thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                                    <C>             <C>         <C>            <C>
Interest income:
      Interest and fees on loans                       $  55,211       22,582           --          77,793
      Interest and dividends on securities available
        for sale                                          22,598        1,283       (1,379)(j)      22,502
      Interest and dividends on securities held to
        maturity                                              --        1,680           --           1,680
      Interest on federal funds sold/short-term
        investments                                        7,467          114       (1,707)(j)       5,874
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total interest income                     85,276       25,659       (3,086)        107,849
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Interest expense:
      Interest on deposits                                32,245        9,369           --          41,614
      Interest on short-term borrowings                    3,781        2,548           --           6,329
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total interest expense                    36,026       11,917           --          47,943
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Net interest income                       49,250       13,742       (3,086)         59,906

Provision for loan losses                                  1,650          650           --           2,300
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Net interest income after
                    provision for loan losses             47,600       13,092       (3,086)         57,606
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Noninterest income:
      Trust department income                              4,270           --           --           4,270
      Fees for services to customers                       4,362          459           --           4,821
      Net gain/(loss) on securities transactions          (3,369)          --           --          (3,369)
      Other                                                1,549        1,190           --           2,784
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest income                   6,857        1,649           --           8,506
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Noninterest expense:
      Salaries and employee benefits                      12,108        5,884           --          17,992
      Net occupancy and equipment expense                  4,665        1,598           --           6,263
      Net other real estate owned expense (income)          (302)        (168)          --            (470)
      Other                                                6,883        2,463          615(c)        9,961
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest expense                 23,354        9,777          615          33,746
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
Income before income taxes                                31,103        4,964       (3,701)         32,366
Income taxes                                              10,336        1,820       (1,050)(j)      11,106
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
Net income                                             $  20,767        3,144       (2,651)         21,260
                                                       =========    =========    =========       =========
Earnings per share:
      Basic                                            $    0.39    $    0.42                    $    0.37
      Diluted                                          $    0.38    $    0.42                    $    0.36
      Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split     $    0.34           --                    $    0.32
      Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split   $    0.33           --                    $    0.31
</TABLE>

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.


                                       61
<PAGE>



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2000

         TRUSTCO AND HUDSON COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                  TRUSTCO
                                                                                                   HUDSON
                                                                                  PRO FORMA       COMBINED
                                                        TRUSTCO      HUDSON      ADJUSTMENTS      PRO FORMA
                                                       ---------    ---------    -----------     -----------
Consolidated Statements of Income:
(in thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                                    <C>             <C>         <C>            <C>
Interest income:
      Interest and fees on loans                       $  55,211       34,439           --          89,650
      Interest and dividends on securities available
        for sale                                          22,598        8,110       (2,447)(j)      28,261
      Interest and dividends on securities held to
        maturity                                              --          600           --             600
      Interest on federal funds sold/short-term
        investments                                        7,467            2       (3,030)(j)       4,439
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total interest income                     85,276       43,151       (5,477)        122,950
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Interest expense:
      Interest on deposits                                32,245       13,798           --          46,043
      Interest on short-term borrowings                    3,781        4,844           --           8,625
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total interest expense                    36,026       18,642           --          54,668
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Net interest income                       49,250       24,509       (5,477)         68,282

Provision for loan losses                                  1,650        2,925          --           4,575
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Net interest income after
                    provision for loan losses             47,600       21,584       (5,477)         63,707
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Noninterest income:
      Trust department income                              4,270           --           --           4,270
      Fees for services to customers                       4,362          838           --           5,200
      Net gain/(loss) on securities transactions          (3,369)          --           --          (3,369)
      Other                                                1,594          585           --           2,179
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest income                   6,857        1,423           --           8,280
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------

Noninterest expense:
      Salaries and employee benefits                      12,108        7,119           --          19,227
      Net occupancy and equipment expense                  4,665        2,539           --           7,204
      Net other real estate owned expense (income)          (302)         586           --             284
      Other                                                6,883        4,789        1,425(c)       13,097
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
                Total noninterest expense                 23,354       15,033        1,425          39,812
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
Income before income taxes                                31,103        7,974       (6,902)         32,175
Income taxes                                              10,336        2,813       (1,862)(j)      11,287
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------       ---------
Net income                                             $  20,767        5,161       (5,040)         20,888
                                                       =========    =========    =========       =========
Earnings per share:
      Basic                                            $    0.39    $    0.37                    $    0.34
      Diluted                                          $    0.38    $    0.37                    $    0.33
      Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split     $    0.34           --                    $    0.29
      Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split   $    0.33           --                    $    0.29
</TABLE>

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.

                                       62
<PAGE>



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2000

         TRUSTCO, COHOES AND HUDSON COMBINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           TRUSTCO                        TRUSTCO
                                                                                           COHOES                      COHOES HUDSON
                                                                            PRO FORMA     COMBINED           PRO FORMA   COMBINED
                                                    TRUSTCO     COHOES     ADJUSTMENTS   PRO FORMA  HUDSON  ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
                                                   --------    --------    -----------   --------- -------- ----------- ----------
Consolidated Statements of Income:
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>

Interest income:
    Interest and fees on loans                     $ 55,211      22,582          --         77,793    34,439         --     112,232
    Interest and dividends on securities             22,598       1,283      (1,379)(j)     22,502     8,110     (2,447)(j)  28,165
      available for sale
    Interest and dividends on securities held            --       1,680          --          1,680       600         --       2,280
      to maturity
    Interest on federal  funds sold/short-term        7,467         114      (1,707)(j)      5,874         2     (3,030)(j)   2,846
      investments
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------
                      Total interest income          85,276      25,659      (3,086)       107,849    43,151     (5,477)    145,523
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------

Interest expense:
    Interest on deposits                             32,245       9,369          --         41,614    13,798         --      55,412
    Interest on short-term borrowings                 3,781       2,548          --          6,329     4,844         --      11,173
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------
           Total interest expense                    36,026      11,917          --         47,943    18,642         --      66,585
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------

           Net interest income                       49,250      13,742      (3,086)        59,906    24,509     (5,477)     78,938

Provision for loan losses                             1,650         650          --          2,300     2,925         --       5,225
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------
           Net interest income after
               provision for loan losses             47,600      13,092      (3,086)        57,606    21,584     (5,477)     73,713
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------
Noninterest income:
    Trust department income                           4,270          --          --          4,270        --         --       4,270
    Fees for services to customers                    4,362         459          --          4,821       838         --       5,659
    Net gain/(loss) on securities transactions       (3,369)         --          --         (3,369)       --         --      (3,369)
    Other                                             1,594       1,190          --          2,784       585         --       3,369
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------
           Total noninterest income                   6,857       1,649          --          8,506     1,423         --       9,929
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------

Noninterest expense:
    Salaries and employee benefits                   12,108       5,884          --         17,992     7,119         --      25,111
    Net occupancy and equipment expense               4,665       1,598          --          6,263     2,539         --       8,802
    Net other real estate owned expense (income)       (302)       (168)         --           (470)      586         --         116
    Other                                             6,883       2,463         615(c)       9,961     4,789      1,425(c)   16,175
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------
        Total noninterest expense                    23,354       9,777         615         33,746    15,033      1,425      50,204
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------

Income before income taxes                           31,103       4,964      (3,701)        32,366     7,974     (6,902)     33,438
Income taxes                                         10,336       1,820      (1,050)(j)     11,106     2,813     (1,862)(j)  12,057
                                                   --------    --------    --------       --------  --------   --------    --------
Net income                                         $ 20,767       3,144      (2,651)        21,260     5,161     (5,040)     21,381
                                                   ========    ========    ========       ========  ========   ========    ========
Earnings per share:
    Basic                                          $   0.39    $   0.42                   $   0.37  $   0.37               $   0.32
    Diluted                                        $   0.38    $   0.42                   $   0.36  $   0.37               $   0.31
    Basic - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split   $   0.34          --                   $   0.32        --               $   0.28
    Diluted - Adjusted for TrustCo 15% stock split $   0.33          --                   $   0.31        --               $   0.27
</TABLE>

See the notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.


                                       63
<PAGE>



SUMMARY OF PURCHASE ACCOUNTING ADJUSTMENTS

(in thousands, except per share information)

ACQUISITION OF COHOES:
ENTRY FOR PURCHASE ACCOUNTING ADJUSTMENTS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        DR.          CR.
<S>                                                               <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
         (a)      Cash                                            $   7,961
         (b)      Goodwill                                           24,606
         (d)      Other liabilities                                   5,155
         (e)      Shareholders' equity                              121,306
         (f)      Other liabilities                                                8,000
         (g)      Cash (Federal funds)                                             3,067
         (g)      Available-for-sale securities                                    2,045
         (h)      Cash (Federal funds)                                             2,100
         (h)      Available-for-sale securities                                    1,400
         (i)      Cash (Federal funds)                                            51,270
         (i)      Available-for-sale securities                                   34,180
         (i)      Shareholders' equity                                            56,966
                                                                    -------      -------
                                                                    159,028      159,028
                                                                    =======      =======

DETAIL OF THE TRUSTCO/COHOES PURCHASE ACCOUNTING ADJUSTMENTS:

         (a)      To record the net effect of the cash received upon the payoff of the ESOP loan.
                           Dr.      Cash                                        $  7,961
                           Cr.      Shareholders' Equity                                        7,961

         (b)      Goodwill was calculated as follows:
                  Number of Cohoes common shares outstanding                     $ 7,912
                  TrustCo acquisition price                                        18.00
                                                                                --------
                                                                                 142,416   $  142,416

                  TrustCo acquisition price                                        18.00
                  Estimated weighted average option price                        12.0625
                                                                                 -------
                                                                                  5.9375
                  Estimated number of options outstanding                            861
                                                                                 -------
                                                                                   5,112        5,112
                  Effective tax rate                                                  34%
                                                                                              -------
                  Tax benefit of options                                          (1,738)      (1,738)

                  Value of Cohoes/Hudson special option (no tax benefit)                        3,500

                  Estimated transaction costs                                      8,000        8,000
                  Effective tax rate                                                  34%
                                                                                 -------
                                                                                  (2,720)      (2,720)
                                                                                              -------
                  Amount paid by TrustCo for Cohoes                                           154,570

                  Cohoes historical equity at June 30, 2000                      121,306
                  Unallocated ESOP shares                                          7,961

                  Estimated Cohoes RRP's                                345
                  TrustCo acquisition price                           18.00
                                                                    -------
                                                                      6,210
                  less:  restricted RRP in equity                    (4,161)
                                                                    -------
                  Additional RRP value                                2,049
                  Effective tax rate                                    34%
                                                                    -------
                  RRP tax benefit                                       697          697
                                                                    =======       ------
</TABLE>

                                       64
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
                                                                                 129,964      129,964
                                                                                            ---------
                  Goodwill associated with acquisition of Cohoes                               24,606
                                                                                            =========

         (c)      INCOME STATEMENT PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
                  Annual amortization expense over 20 yrs                                                     1,230
                                                                                                              =====
                  Six month amortization expense                                                                615
                                                                                                             ======

         (d)      Tax benefit of options                                          (1,738)
                  Tax benefit of transaction costs                                (2,720) All of these amounts
                  RRP tax benefit                                                   (697) were calculated in (c).
                                                                                 -------
                                                                                  (5,155)
                                                                                 =======

                           Dr.      Tax liability                                  1,738
                           Cr.      Goodwill                                                    1,738
                           Dr.      Tax liability                                  2,720
                           Cr.      Goodwill                                                    2,720
                           Dr.      Tax liability                                    697
                           Cr.      Stockholder's Equity (RRP)                                    697

         (e)      To eliminate Cohoes historical Shareholders' equity of        $121,306

         (f)      To record estimate transaction costs of $8 million as a payable.

                           Dr.      Goodwill                                       8,000
                           Cr.      Accounts Payable                                            8,000

         (g)      The "cash-out" of Cohoes options was calculated below. For pro
                  forma purposes, the cash used is presumed to come 60% from the
                  sale of federal funds and 40% from the sale of
                  available-for-sale securities.

                  TrustCo acquisition price                                        18.00
                  Weighted average option price                                  12.0625
                                                                                --------
                  Additional option value in acquisition                          5.9375
                  Number of options outstanding                                      861
                                                                                  ------
                  Value (in thousands)                                             5,112
                                                                                   =====

                           Dr.      Goodwill                                       5,112
                           Cr.      Federal funds                       60%                     3,067
                           Cr.      Available-for-sale securities       40%                     2,045

         (h)      The "cash-out" of Cohoes options (from the Cohoes/Hudson
                  special option) is calculated below. For pro forma purposes,
                  the cash used is presumed to come 60% from the reduction of
                  federal funds and 40% from the sale of available-for-sale
                  securities.

                           Dr.      Goodwill                          3,500
                           Cr.      Federal funds                       60%                     2,100
                           Cr.      Available-for-sale securities       40%                     1,400

         (i)      To record the purchase of the outstanding Cohoes common stock.
                  For pro forma purposes, the cash used is presumed to come 60%
                  from the sale of federal funds and 40% from the sale of
                  available-for-sale securities.

                  7,912 Cohoes shares outstanding at $18.00 per share = $142,416

                  Total purchase price                                           142,416
                  multiplied by 60% cash to be paid                                  60%
                      Total                                                       85,450
                                                                                 -------
                  Cash to be taken from:
                      60% from Federal funds (Credit to cash)                     51,270
</TABLE>

                                       65
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

<S>                 <C>                                                           <C>         <C>             <C>
                    40% from Available-for-sale securities (Credit)               34,180
                                                                                  ------
                    Total                                                         85,450
                                                                                  ------

                  Total purchase price                                           142,416
                  multiplied by 40% stock                                            40%
                                                                                --------
                  Credit to equity                                                56,966
                                                                                 -------

         (j)      INCOME STATEMENT PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE
                  12 MOS. ENDED 12/31/99
                  Loss of interest income on Federal funds                        56,437       *4.99%         2,816
                  Loss of interest income on Available-for-sale securities        37,625       *7.05%         2,653
                                                                                  ------                      -----
                                                                                  94,062                      5,469
                                                                                                              -----

                  Annual income tax benefit                                        5,469         *34%         1,859

                  INCOME STATEMENT PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                  6 MOS. ENDED 6/30/00
                  Loss of interest income on Federal funds                        56,437       *6.05%         3,414
                  Loss of interest income on Available-for-sale securities        37,625       *7.33%         2,758
                                                                                  ------                      -----
                                                                                  94,062                      6,172
                                                                                  ------                      -----

                  Annual income tax benefit                                        6,172         *34%         2,099
</TABLE>

                  Yield on federal funds sold and available for sale securities
                  for the applicable periods are based on TrustCo's actual
                  results for the respective periods.


                                       66
<PAGE>



ACQUISITION OF HUDSON:
ENTRY FOR PURCHASE ACCOUNTING ADJUSTMENTS:

(in thousands, except per share information)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        DR.          CR.
                                                                    -------     --------
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>           <C>
         (a)      Cash                                           $   15,583
         (b)      Goodwill                                           56,980
         (d)      Other liabilities                                   6,386
         (e)      Shareholders' equity                              200,098
         (f)      Other liabilities                                                8,000
         (g)      Cash (Federal funds)                                             4,356
         (g)      Available-for-sale securities                                    2,904
         (h)      Cash (Federal funds)                                             2,100
         (h)      Available-for-sale securities                                    1,400
         (i)      Cash (Federal funds)                                            93,703
         (i)      Available-for-sale securities                                   62,469
         (i)      Shareholders' equity                                           104,115
                                                                    -------     --------
                                                                    279,047      279,047
                                                                    =======     ========

DETAIL OF THE TRUSTCO/HUDSON PURCHASE ACCOUNTING ADJUSTMENTS:

         (a)      To record the net effect of the cash received upon the payoff of the ESOP loan.
                           Dr.      Cash                                       $  15,583
                           Cr.      Shareholders' Equity                                       15,583

         (b)      Goodwill was calculated as follows:
                  Number of Hudson common shares outstanding                      15,311
                  TrustCo acquisition price                                        17.00
                                                                               ---------
                                                                                 260,287   $  260,287

                  TrustCo acquisition price                                        17.00
                  Estimated weighted average option price                          11.42
                                                                               ---------
                                                                                    5.58
                  Estimated number of options outstanding                          1,301
                                                                               ---------
                                                                                   7,260        7,260
                  Effective tax rate                                                 34%
                                                                                 -------
                  Tax benefit of options                                         (2,468)      (2,468)

                  Value of Cohoes/Hudson special option (no tax benefit)                        3,500

                  Estimated transaction costs                                      8,000        8,000
                  Effective tax rate                                                 34%
                                                                                 -------
                                                                                 (2,720)      (2,720)
                                                                                               ------
                  Amount paid by TrustCo for Hudson                                           273,859

                  Hudson historical equity at June 30, 2000                      200,098
                  Unallocated ESOP shares                                         15,583

                  Estimated Hudson RRP's                                566
                  TrustCo per share acquisition price                 17.00
                                                                    -------
                                                                      9,622
                  less:  restricted RRP in equity                   (6,098)
                                                                    -------
                  Additional RRP value                                3,524
                  Effective tax rate                                    34%
                                                                     ------
                  RRP tax benefit                                     1,198        1,198
                                                                  =========     --------
                                                                                 216,879      216,879
                                                                                              -------
                  Goodwill associated with acquisition of Hudson                             $ 56,980
                                                                                             ========
</TABLE>

                                       67
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>           <C>            <C>

         (c)      INCOME STATEMENT PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
                  Annual amortization expense over 20 yrs                                                     2,849
                                                                                                              =====
                  Six month amortization expense                                                              1,425
                                                                                                              =====

         (d)      Tax benefit of options                                         (2,468)
                  Tax benefit of transaction costs                               (2,720) All of these amounts
                                                                                 ------
                  RRP tax benefit                                                (1,198) were calculated in (c).
                                                                                 (6,386)
                                                                                 ======

                           Dr.      Tax liability                                  2,468
                           Cr.      Goodwill                                                    2,468
                           Dr.      Tax liability                                  2,720
                           Cr.      Goodwill                                                    2,720
                           Dr.      Tax liability                                  1,198
                           Cr.      Stockholder's Equity (RRP)                                  1,198

         (e)      To eliminate Hudson historical Shareholders' equity of $200,098.

         (f)      To record estimate transaction costs of $8 million as a payable.

                           Dr.      Goodwill                                       8,000
                           Cr.      Accounts Payable                                            8,000

         (g)      The "cash-out" of Hudson options was calculated below. For pro
                  forma purposes, the cash used is presumed to come 60% from the
                  sale of federal funds and 40% from the sale of
                  available-for-sale securities.

                  TrustCo acquisition price                                        17.00
                  Weighted average option price                                    11.42
                                                                                --------
                  Additional option value in acquisition                            5.58
                  Number of options outstanding                                    1,301
                                                                                --------
                  Value (in thousands)                                             7,260
                                                                                ========

                           Dr.      Goodwill                                       7,260
                           Cr.      Federal funds                       60%                     4,356
                           Cr.      Available-for-sale securities       40%                     2,904

         (h)      The "cash-out" of Hudson options (from the Cohoes/Hudson
                  special option) is calculated below. For pro forma purposes,
                  the cash used is presumed to come 60% from the reduction of
                  federal funds and 40% from the sale of available-for-sale
                  securities.

                           Dr.      Goodwill                                       3,500
                           Cr.      Federal funds                       60%                     2,100
                           Cr.      Available-for-sale securities       40%                     1,400

         (i)      To record the purchase of the outstanding Hudson common stock.
                  For pro forma purposes, the cash used is presumed to come 60%
                  from the sale of federal funds and 40% from the sale of
                  available-for-sale securities.

                  15,311 Hudson shares outstanding at $17.00 per share = $260,287

                  Total purchase price                                           260,287
                  multiplied by 60% cash to be paid                                  60%
                                                                                --------
                      total                                                      156,172
                                                                                --------
                  Cash to be taken from:
                      60% from Federal funds (Credit to cash)                     93,703
                      40% from Available-for-sale securities (Credit)             62,469
                                                                                --------
                  total                                                          156,172
                                                                                --------
</TABLE>


                                       68
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>           <C>            <C>
                  Total purchase price                                           260,287
                  multiplied by 40% stock                                            40%
                                                                                --------
                  Credit to equity                                               104,115
                                                                                --------

         (j)      INCOME STATEMENT PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE
                  12 MOS. ENDED 12/31/99
                  Loss of interest income on Federal funds                       100,159       *4.99%         4,998
                  Loss of interest income on Available-for-sale securities        66,773       *7.05%         4,707
                                                                                --------                     ------
                                                                                 166,932                      9,705
                                                                                --------                     ------

                  Annual income tax benefit                                        9,705         *34%         3,300

                  INCOME STATEMENT PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS FOR
                  6 MOS. ENDED 6/30/00
                  Loss of interest income on Federal funds                       100,159       *6.05%         6,060
                  Loss of interest income on Available-for-sale securities        66,773       *7.33%         4,894
                                                                                --------                     ------
                                                                                 166,932                     10,954
                                                                                --------                     ------

                  Annual income tax benefit                                       10,954         *34%         3,724
</TABLE>

                  Yield on federal funds sold and available for sale securities
                  for the applicable periods are based on TrustCo's actual
                  results for the respective periods.


                                       69


<PAGE>



                     DESCRIPTION OF TRUSTCO'S CAPITAL STOCK

GENERAL

         TrustCo is presently authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common
stock, par value $1.00 per share (referred to in this Prospectus as "TrustCo
Common Stock"), and 500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $10.00 per
share. At July 31, 2000, there were 53,548,191 shares of TrustCo Common Stock
issued and outstanding, and no shares of the preferred stock are issued or
outstanding.

COMMON STOCK

         VOTING RIGHTS

         Holders of TrustCo Common Stock possess exclusive voting rights in
TrustCo, except to the extent that shares of preferred stock issued in the
future may have voting rights, if any. Each holder of shares of TrustCo Common
Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters
submitted to a vote of holders of the TrustCo Common Stock.

         DIVIDEND RIGHTS

         Holders of TrustCo Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends when,
as and if declared by TrustCo's Board of Directors (the "TrustCo Board") out of
funds legally available therefor, subject to any preferential dividend rights
which may attach to preferred stock which may be issued by TrustCo in the
future. Under the New York Business Corporation Law (the "New York Law"),
TrustCo may pay dividends on TrustCo Common Stock unless TrustCo is or would
thereby be made insolvent. Moreover, TrustCo may pay dividends out of surplus
only such that the net assets of TrustCo remaining thereafter is at least equal
to the amount of its stated capital. If any dividend is paid by TrustCo, in
whole or in part, from sources other than earned surplus, the stockholders of
TrustCo must be notified of that fact. The ability of Trustco Bank to pay cash
dividends, which is expected to be TrustCo's principal source of income, is
restricted by applicable banking laws. Such dividends have previously been
TrustCo's principal source of income.

         LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

         In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of TrustCo,
each holder of TrustCo Common Stock would be entitled to receive, after payment
of all debts and liabilities of TrustCo, a pro rata portion of all assets of
TrustCo available for distribution to holders of the TrustCo Common Stock. If
any preferred stock is issued, the holders thereof may have a priority in
liquidation or dissolution over the holders of the TrustCo Common Stock.

         OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

         Holders of TrustCo Common Stock do not have preemptive rights with
respect to any additional shares of TrustCo which may be issued. The shares of
TrustCo Common Stock presently outstanding are, and the shares of TrustCo Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be, when issued and
delivered as described herein, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to
the shares of TrustCo Common Stock.

         TRANSFER AGENT

         Trustco Bank is the transfer agent for shares of TrustCo Common Stock.


                                       70
<PAGE>


PREFERRED STOCK

         None of the 500,000 authorized shares of preferred stock of TrustCo are
issued. The TrustCo Board is authorized to issue the preferred stock and to fix
and state voting powers, designations, preferences or other special rights of
such shares and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. The
preferred stock may rank prior to the common stock as to dividend rights or
liquidation preference, or both, and may have full or limited voting rights. The
TrustCo Board has no present intention to issue any of the preferred stock.

                      DESCRIPTION OF COHOES' CAPITAL STOCK

GENERAL


         The following description of Cohoes' capital stock is based on
information contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cohoes for the year
ended June 30, 2000 and other public information available on Cohoes,
including Cohoes' Proxy Statement.

         Cohoes is authorized to issue 25,000,000 shares of common stock, par
value $.01 per share (referred to in this Prospectus as "Cohoes Common Stock"),
and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. As of
September 1, 2000, there were 7,912,705 shares of Cohoes Common Stock issued
and outstanding and no shares of the preferred stock were issued and
outstanding.


COMMON STOCK

         The holders of shares of Cohoes Common Stock are entitled to receive
dividends from funds legally available therefor when, as and if declared by the
Cohoes Board, and are entitled upon liquidation to receive pro rata the net
assets of Cohoes after satisfaction in full of the prior rights of creditors of
Cohoes and holders of any shares of preferred stock.

         The holders of shares of Cohoes Common Stock are generally entitled to
one vote for each share of Cohoes Common Stock held on all matters as to which
stockholders are entitled to vote, subject to the 10% Limit. The holders of
Cohoes Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

         American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 40 Wall Street, New York, NY
10005 is the transfer agent and registrar for the shares of Cohoes Common Stock.

PREFERRED STOCK

         None of the 5,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock of Cohoes
are issued. The Cohoes Board is authorized to issue the preferred stock from
time to time in one or more series with such designation, powers, preferences
and rights, including voting rights, and any qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, as may determined by the Cohoes Board. The preferred stock
may rank prior to the common stock as to dividend rights or liquidation
preference, or both, and may have full or limited voting rights.

                        COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS

         The rights of holders of Cohoes Common Stock who receive TrustCo Common
Stock in the Exchange Offer will be governed by the New York Law, the state in
which TrustCo is incorporated, and by TrustCo's Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended ("TrustCo's Certificate"), and Bylaws, as amended,
and other corporate documents of TrustCo. The rights of holders of Cohoes Common
Stock, which are governed by the DGCL and Cohoes' Certificate and Bylaws, as
amended, differ in certain respects from the rights which such holders would
have as stockholders of TrustCo. A summary of the material differences between
the respective rights of Cohoes and TrustCo stockholders is set forth below.


                                       71
<PAGE>


STOCKHOLDER VOTE REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

         BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

                  TRUSTCO

         The New York Law generally requires that mergers, consolidations and
sales, leases, exchanges, or other distributions of all of the assets of a
corporation be approved by a vote of not less than two-thirds of all outstanding
shares entitled to vote on such transactions. Moreover, generally, holders of
shares of any class or series have the right to vote, and to vote as a class, on
certain mergers and consolidations which contain provisions that exclude or
limit their right to vote, or adversely affect certain of their rights, or
authorize shares which have a preference over their shares. In such cases, in
addition to the vote of the holders of two-thirds of all outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon, the merger or consolidation must be approved by the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of such class or series.

         TrustCo's Certificate includes a so-called "fair consideration"
provision, which provides that a "business combination" (including a merger,
consolidation or acquisition of substantially all assets) involving TrustCo, or
any subsidiary of TrustCo, with any person or entity beneficially owning
directly or indirectly more than 5% of TrustCo's outstanding voting stock (a
"TrustCo 5% stockholder") may not be consummated, even if the normal statutory
requirements are met, unless: (i) the transaction is approved by at least
two-thirds of the members of the TrustCo Board who are not affiliated with the
TrustCo 5% stockholder; or (ii) the transaction meets certain minimum price
requirements (in either of which cases only the normal stockholder and director
approval requirements of the New York Law would govern the transaction). The
primary purpose of TrustCo's "fair consideration" provision is to provide
additional safeguards for the remaining stockholders in the event that an
individual or entity becomes a majority stockholder of TrustCo. If TrustCo comes
under the control of a single person or entity, substantial inequities could
befall the minority stockholders. Accordingly, this "fair consideration"
provision was included in TrustCo's Certificate to make it more likely that any
acquisition of TrustCo will involve payment of a fair price to all stockholders
of TrustCo.

                  COHOES

         Cohoes' Certificate provides for a greater than majority stockholder
approval requirement for certain business combinations with interested
stockholders. Under Cohoes' Certificate, certain business combinations with an
interested stockholder require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of Cohoes entitled to
vote in the election of directors. Generally, an interested stockholder is any
person, other than Cohoes or any subsidiary of Cohoes, that is the beneficial
owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the voting power of the
outstanding voting stock of Cohoes. The business combination provisions relating
to interested stockholders also apply to affiliates of interested stockholders.
Business combinations subject to the 80% stockholder approval requirement
include: (i) any merger or consolidation of Cohoes or any subsidiary of Cohoes
with an interested stockholder or affiliate thereof; (ii) any sale, lease,
exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of assets of Cohoes or
any Cohoes subsidiary to an interested stockholder having an aggregate fair
market value equaling or exceeding 25% or more of the combined assets of Cohoes
and its subsidiaries; (iii) the purchase, exchange, lease or other acquisition
by Cohoes or any subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets or
business of an interested stockholder or affiliate thereof; (iv) the issuance or
transfer by Cohoes or any subsidiary of Cohoes to an interested stockholder or
affiliate thereof of any securities of Cohoes or any subsidiary of Cohoes having
an aggregate fair market value equaling or exceeding 10% of the combined fair
market value of the outstanding common stock of Cohoes and its subsidiaries; (v)
the adoption of any plan for the liquidation or dissolution of Cohoes proposed
by or on behalf of an interested stockholder or affiliate thereof; and (vi) any
reclassification of securities or recapitalization of Cohoes, or any merger or
consolidation of Cohoes with any of its subsidiaries or any other transaction
that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding
shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of Cohoes or any
subsidiary of

                                       72
<PAGE>



Cohoes directly or indirectly owned by an interested stockholder or affiliate
thereof. A business combination with an interested stockholder may avoid the 80%
stockholder approval requirement, needing only an affirmative vote of a majority
of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of Cohoes entitled to
vote in the election of directors, if: (a) the business combination does not
involve cash or other consideration being received by the stockholders of Cohoes
solely in their capacity as stockholders of Cohoes and the business combination
has been approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of Cohoes; or (b)
the business combination has been approved by a majority of the disinterested
directors of Cohoes, or each of the following conditions are met: (1) the fair
market value of the consideration received per share by the holders of Cohoes
Common Stock equals or exceeds the higher of certain fair price determinations;
(2) there has been no reduction of dividends or failure to pay dividends after
the time the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, except as
approved by a majority of disinterested directors; (3) the interested
stockholder and its affiliates have not become the beneficial owners of any
additional shares of voting stock of Cohoes after the interested stockholder
became an interested stockholder; (4) the interested stockholder has not
received the benefit, directly or indirectly, of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance; and (5) a proxy or
information statement describing the proposed business combination and complying
with the requirements of the 1934 Act has been mailed to stockholders of Cohoes
at least 30 days prior to the consummation of such business combination.

         REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

                  TRUSTCO

         The New York Law provides that any or all of the directors of TrustCo
may be removed for cause by a vote of the stockholders. TrustCo's Certificate
specifies that an affirmative vote of at least a majority of its outstanding
stock is needed to approve any matter on which stockholders are entitled to
vote.

                  COHOES

         Cohoes' Certificate provides that any director or the entire Cohoes
Board may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the
holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of Cohoes entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Cohoes' 80% stockholder vote requirement for removal of directors precludes a
majority stockholder from circumventing Cohoes' classified Cohoes Board by
decreasing the size of the Cohoes Board until its nominees have a numerical
majority or by removing directors not up for election, filling the resulting
vacancy with its nominees, and thereby gaining control of the Cohoes Board.
Stockholders of Cohoes may not remove directors without cause, making it more
difficult for a majority stockholder to control the Cohoes Board. The
restriction on director removal found in Cohoes' Certificate also makes it more
difficult for stockholders of Cohoes to change the composition of the Cohoes
Board even where the stockholders believe in good faith that such a change would
be beneficial to Cohoes and to the stockholders of Cohoes.

         AMENDMENTS TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

                  TRUSTCO

         TrustCo's Certificate requires an affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of TrustCo's voting stock to change, modify, or repeal any provision
of TrustCo's Certificate or Bylaws.

                  COHOES

         The DGCL provides that the certificate of incorporation of a Delaware
corporation may be amended only if first approved by the corporation's board of
directors and thereafter by a majority of the


                                       73
<PAGE>


outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon. The DGCL also provides that, if a
greater than majority stockholder vote is required to effect an action under a
certain article of a Delaware corporation's certificate of incorporation, then
amending such an article likewise requires such a greater than majority
stockholder vote.

         Cohoes' Certificate provides that Cohoes may amend or repeal any
provision contained in Cohoes' Certificate in the manner prescribed described
above pursuant to the DGCL. Cohoes' Certificate further provides that the
affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the outstanding
shares of the capital stock of Cohoes entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors (after giving effect to the 10% Limit described herein under the
caption "COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS -- Anti-takeover Statutes and
Provisions -- COHOES") is required to amend or repeal the provisions of: (i)
Article TWELFTH (relating to amending the Cohoes' Certificate); (ii) Section C
of Article FOURTH (relating to voting restrictions imposed on stockholders
owning in excess of 10% of the outstanding shares of Cohoes Common Stock); (iii)
Sections C and D of Article FIFTH (relating to stockholder special meetings and
stockholder action by written consent); (iv) Article SIXTH (relating to the
number, classification, qualification, disqualification, director nominations,
filling of vacancies and removal of directors of Cohoes); (v) Article SEVENTH
(relating to amending the Bylaws); (vi) Article EIGHTH (relating to approval of
business combinations with an interested stockholder or its affiliates); and
(vii) Article TENTH (relating to indemnification).

         Cohoes' Bylaws provide that the Cohoes Board may amend or repeal the
Bylaws upon the vote of a majority of the whole board thereof. The stockholders
of Cohoes, upon the affirmative vote of the holder of at least 80% of the voting
power of the voting stock (after giving effect to the 10% Limit), also have the
power to amend or repeal the Bylaws of Cohoes.

         VOTING RIGHTS

                  TRUSTCO

         Holders of TrustCo Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share in
the election of directors and in all other matters to be voted upon by the
stockholders generally. A stockholder of TrustCo may vote in person or by proxy.
Directors of TrustCo are elected by a plurality of the stockholder votes cast
and stockholders of TrustCo Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting
in the election of directors. All other matters voted on by stockholders must be
approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding
shares of TrustCo Common Stock, except those matters specifically requiring a
greater than majority vote pursuant to the New York Law or TrustCo's
Certificate.

                  COHOES

         In accordance with the DGCL, and as provided in the Bylaws of Cohoes,
each outstanding share of Cohoes Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each
matter voted on at a stockholders' meeting. A stockholder of Cohoes may vote in
person or by proxy. Directors of Cohoes are elected by a plurality of the
stockholder votes cast, and stockholders of Cohoes are not entitled to
cumulative voting in the election of directors. All other matters voted on by
stockholders are determined by a majority of the stockholder votes cast, except
those matters specifically requiring a greater than majority vote pursuant to
the DGCL or Cohoes' Certificate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Article FOURTH,
Section C, of Cohoes' Certificate provides that no person who beneficially owns
more than 10% of the outstanding shares of Cohoes Common Stock may vote shares
in excess of that limit. See "COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS -- Anti-Takeover
Statutes and Provisions -- COHOES."



                                       74
<PAGE>


SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS; STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

         TRUSTCO

         The New York Law provides that special meetings of the stockholders of
a New York corporation may be called by the board of directors and by such
person or persons as may be so authorized by the certificate of incorporation or
the bylaws. TrustCo's Certificate provides that special meetings of stockholders
of TrustCo may be called at the request of at least two-thirds of the shares of
TrustCo Common issued and outstanding. In addition, the Bylaws provide that a
special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the TrustCo
Board or by TrustCo's Chief Executive Officer.

         Pursuant to the New York Law, stockholders of TrustCo may take any
action without a meeting by written consent, which consent must set forth the
action so taken and be signed by the holders of all of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon. Written consent given by the holders of all
outstanding shares entitled to vote has the same effect as a unanimous vote of
stockholders.

         COHOES

         In accordance with the DGCL, Cohoes' Certificate provides that special
meetings of stockholders of Cohoes may be called only by the Cohoes Board
pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors
which Cohoes would have if there were no vacancies on the Cohoes Board. Cohoes'
Certificate also provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by
the stockholders of Cohoes must be effected at a duly called annual or special
stockholders' meeting and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such
stockholders. The DGCL, in the absence of this provision, permits action by
written consent of stockholders signed by the holders of the number of shares
that would be required to effect the action at a meeting. Cohoes' restriction
against stockholders' ability to call a special stockholders' meeting and
against stockholder action by written consent is more restrictive than TrustCo's
2/3 stockholder vote required to call a special meeting and stockholders' act by
written consent of all of TrustCo's stockholders. Cohoes' more restrictive
provisions preclude attempts by stockholders to disrupt the business of Cohoes
between annual stockholders' meetings, and make it impossible for a stockholder
or stockholder group to take action where such action is opposed by a majority
of the Cohoes Board and management of Cohoes. Cohoes' more restrictive
provisions also preclude the removal of directors, even if cause exists or a
director becomes disqualified, until the next annual stockholders' meeting,
where such removal is opposed by a majority of the Cohoes Board.

DISSENTERS' RIGHTS

         TRUSTCO

         The New York Law provides that dissenting stockholders are entitled to
receive payment of the "fair value" of their shares in connection with certain
mergers or consolidations of which the corporation is a party and sales or
exchanges of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation. Under the
New York Law, dissenting stockholders: (i) may withdraw their notice of election
to dissent within certain specific time periods prior to their acceptance of a
corporation's offer to purchase their shares; (ii) are entitled to an advance
payment which accompanies a corporation's offer to purchase their shares, if the
corporate action has been consummated; and (iii) bear their own costs and
expenses as to any court proceeding for a determination of the fair value of
their shares.

         COHOES

         The DGCL provides that, unless the certificate of incorporation of a
Delaware corporation provides otherwise, no dissenters' appraisal rights are
available to holders of shares that are listed on a national securities exchange
or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
system by NASD, or are held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders. As the
shares of

                                       75
<PAGE>


Cohoes Common Stock are a national market system security traded on Nasdaq and
Cohoes' Certificate does not provide for dissenters' appraisal rights, holders
of Cohoes Common Stock have no dissenters' appraisal rights in any merger,
consolidation or disposition of assets. Stockholders of Cohoes may not,
therefore, assert dissenters' appraisal rights in connection with the Exchange
Offer or the TrustCo-Cohoes Merger.

ANTI-TAKEOVER STATUTES AND PROVISIONS

         TRUSTCO

         In general, the New York Law prohibits any business combination (e.g.
mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions of substantially all of the assets)
between a New York corporation and an "interested stockholder" (defined as any
owner of 20% or more of the voting stock of such corporation) unless the
corporation's board of directors has approved the business combination or the
stock acquisition by which the related party's interest reached 20% (the "Stock
Acquisition") prior to the date of the Stock Acquisition. This restriction
applies for five years after the date of the Stock Acquisition. Thereafter, the
corporation may enter into a business combination with the related party: (i) if
the combination is approved by a majority of the corporation's voting stock
beneficially owned by stockholders other than the related party; or (ii) if such
disinterested stockholders receive a price for their shares equal to or greater
than a price determined in accordance with a statutory formula intended to
assure that stockholders receive an equitable price in the business combination.
As a New York corporation, TrustCo and any potential acquiror of TrustCo would
be subject to this provision.

         TrustCo's Certificate and Bylaws contain several provisions which may
be deemed to be "anti-takeover" in nature. TrustCo's Certificate contains a
"fair consideration" provision which is discussed under "COMPARISON OF
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS -- Stockholder Vote Required for Certain Transactions --
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS -- TRUSTCO." TrustCo's Certificate also provides for a
classified board of directors, under which one-third of the directors are
elected to three-year terms at each annual stockholders' meeting. In effect, the
classified board may increase the time required for any one or more persons
owning a majority or controlling block of stock to elect a majority of the
directors. Without a classified board, a change in control can be accomplished
at a single annual stockholders' meeting. In contrast, with a classified board,
at least two successive annual stockholders' meetings may be required to effect
a change in control. The TrustCo Board and management of TrustCo believe that a
classified board may help to moderate the pace of any change in control of the
TrustCo Board and, by increasing the stability of the TrustCo Board, may also
increase its effectiveness. Conversely, the additional time required to obtain
control of the TrustCo Board also tends to discourage a tender offer or takeover
bid, many of which are made at premium prices to stockholders.

         COHOES

         The DGCL has a "freeze provision" that generally prohibits any business
combination, such as a merger or consolidation, between a Delaware corporation
and an interested stockholder (which is generally defined as any owner of 15% or
more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation) for three years after the
date on which such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. The Delaware
statute provides that if any of the following conditions are met, Delaware's
three-year freeze provision will not apply: (i) prior to such date the board of
directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the
transaction by which the interested stockholder became an interested
stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned
at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced (excluding shares held by persons who are directors and
also officers and by certain employee stock ownership plans); or (iii) on or
subsequent to such date the business combination is approved by the board of
directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation which is not owned by the interested
stockholder.


                                       76
<PAGE>


         Under the terms of Cohoes' Certificate, a record owner of Cohoes Common
Stock who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, in excess of 10% of the
outstanding shares of Cohoes Common Stock is not entitled to vote the shares
held in excess of 10% of the outstanding shares of Cohoes Common Stock. The
number of shares which may be voted by any record owner owning shares in excess
of the 10% Limit is equal to the total number of votes which a single record
owner of all Cohoes Common Stock owned by such person would be entitled to cast,
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares
beneficially owned by such person and owned of record by such record owner and
the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Cohoes Common Stock
beneficially owned by such person owning shares in excess of the 10% Limit.

         As with TrustCo, Cohoes' Certificate provides that the Cohoes Board is
divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, which are
elected for staggered three-year terms. For additional discussion of provisions
which may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect, see "COMPARISON OF
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS -- Special Meeting of Stockholders; Stockholder Action by
Written Consent -- COHOES", and "-- Stockholder Vote Required for Certain
Transactions -- REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS -- COHOES."

INDEMNIFICATION

         TRUSTCO

         The New York Law contains provisions permitting indemnification of
officers and directors so long as such persons acted in good faith, and in a
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of the corporation and, with respect to a criminal proceeding, if he
or she had no reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. TrustCo's
Bylaws generally permit indemnification, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
indemnification will be made to any officer or director if a judgement or final
adjudication establishes that his or her acts were committed in bad faith or
were the result of an act of deliberate dishonesty, and were material to the
cause of action so adjudicated, or that he or she personally gained a financial
profit or other advantage to which he or she was not entitled.

         COHOES

         The DGCL grants Delaware corporations broad indemnification powers,
including the authority to provide forms of indemnification in addition to the
types of indemnification specifically set forth within the DGCL. Cohoes'
Certificate provides mandatory indemnification for each person who was or is
made a party or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any
proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer
of Cohoes or a subsidiary of Cohoes or is or was serving at the request of
Cohoes as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation. Such
mandatory indemnification covers the alleged action whether or not such person
was acting in their official capacity. Such indemnification covers all expense,
liability and loss, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or
penalties and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred by the indemnitee
in connection with the proceeding. Cohoes' Certificate provides indemnification
to an indemnitee who initiates a proceeding only if the proceeding was
authorized by the Cohoes Board or was initiated to enforce indemnification
rights. Cohoes' Certificate provides for payment of indemnification expenses in
advance of a proceeding's final disposition provided the indemnitee first
delivers to Cohoes an undertaking by or on behalf of such indemnitee to repay
all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that the indemnitee is
not entitled to be indemnified for such expense. In addition to mandatory
indemnification, Cohoes may in accordance with Cohoes' Certificate, to the
extent authorized by the Cohoes Board, grant rights to indemnification and to
the advancement of indemnification expenses to any employee or agent of Cohoes
to the fullest extent that Cohoes is authorized to indemnify and advance
expenses to the directors and officers of Cohoes. Cohoes' Certificate also
authorizes Cohoes to maintain insurance to protect Cohoes and any director,
officer, employee or agent of Cohoes or another corporation against any expense,
liability or loss, whether or not Cohoes would have the power to indemnify such
person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.


                                       77
<PAGE>


LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS

         TRUSTCO

         TrustCo's Certificate provides that, to the fullest extent that the New
York Law permits elimination or limitation of the liabilities of directors, no
director of TrustCo will be liable to the corporation or its stockholders for
any breach of duty in such capacity. The New York Law provides that a director
will not be liable if he or she performed his or her duties as a director,
including duties as a member of any committee thereof, in good faith and with
that degree of care which an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would
use under similar circumstances.

         COHOES

         Cohoes' Certificate provides that a director of Cohoes will not be
personally liable to Cohoes or the stockholders of Cohoes for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability resulting from:
(i) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to Cohoes or the stockholders
of Cohoes; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) unlawful payment of dividend or
unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; or (iv) any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit. Stockholders of Cohoes do not,
therefore, have a cause of action against a director based upon negligent
business decisions, including those relating to attempts to acquire control of
Cohoes. Cohoes' Certificate does not, however, preclude all equitable remedies
for breach of the duty of care, although such remedies might not be available as
a practical matter. Cohoes' limitation of director liability may reduce the
likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and discourage or deter
stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach
of their duty of care, even though such an action, if successful, might
otherwise have been beneficial to Cohoes and its stockholders.

CONSIDERATION OF NON-STOCKHOLDER INTERESTS

         TRUSTCO

         The New York Law specifically authorizes directors, in considering the
best interests of a corporation, to consider the short-term and long-term
interests of the corporation and its stockholders as well as the short-term or
long-term effects of any action upon: (i) the corporation's prospects for
potential growth, development, productivity and profitability; (ii) the
corporation's current employees; (iii) the corporation's retired employees and
other beneficiaries receiving or entitled to receive retirement, welfare or
similar benefits from or pursuant to any plan sponsored, or agreement entered
into, by the corporation; (iv) the corporation's customers and creditors; and
(v) the ability of the corporation to provide, as a going concern, goods,
services, employment opportunities and employment benefits and otherwise to
contribute to the communities in which it does business. The New York Law does
not create any duties of any director to any person or entity to consider or
afford any particular weight to any of the foregoing criteria, nor does it
abrogate any duty of the directors, either statutory or recognized by common law
or court decisions.

         COHOES

         The DGCL does not address a Delaware director's ability to consider
non-stockholder interests when discharging his or her duties. Delaware case law,
however, provides that in discharging his or her responsibilities, a board of
directors of a Delaware corporation must limit consideration of non-stockholder
interests, and that a board of directors of a Delaware corporation may consider
non-stockholder interests only if those interests are rationally related to
benefits accruing to the stockholders of the Delaware corporation. REVLON, INC.
V. MACANDREWS & FORBES HOLDINGS, INC., 506 A.2d 173 (Del. 1986). Delaware case
law further provides that, when a board of directors of a Delaware corporation
decides to sell a Delaware corporation, concern for non-stockholder interests is
inappropriate. ID.


                                       78
<PAGE>


         Cohoes' Certificate grants the Cohoes Board broader discretion than
that authorized by Delaware case law. Specifically, Cohoes' Certificate provides
that the Cohoes Board may, when evaluating any tender or exchange offer, any
offer to merge or consolidate Cohoes with another entity or any offer to
purchase all or substantially all of the assets of Cohoes, give due
consideration to all relevant factors including, without limitation, the social
and economic effect of acceptance of any such offer on present and future
customers and employees of Cohoes and subsidiaries of Cohoes, the communities in
which Cohoes and its subsidiaries operate or are located, and the ability of
Cohoes and its subsidiaries to fulfill their respective corporate or banking
objectives.

                                  LEGAL OPINION

         The legality of the TrustCo Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon by the law firm of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C., St. Louis, Missouri.
Members of, and attorneys employed by, Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C., owned,
directly or indirectly, approximately 11,041 shares of TrustCo Common Stock.

                                     EXPERTS


         The consolidated financial statements contained in TrustCo's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 have been audited by
KPMG LLP and are incorporated by reference in this document in reliance on that
firm's expertise in accounting and auditing. The consolidated financial
statements contained in Cohoes' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
June 30, 2000 have been audited by Arthur Anderson LLP and are incorporated by
reference in this document in reliance on that firm's expertise in accounting
and auditing.



                                       79
<PAGE>



         The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:

                        CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

By mail:                       By hand:                    By overnight:
<S>                            <C>                         <C>
Reorganization Department      Reorganization Department   85 Challenger Road
P.O. Box 3301                  120 Broadway, 13th Floor    Mail Stop - Reorg
South Hackensack, NJ 07606     New York, NY 10271          Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
</TABLE>

Facsimile (for eligible institutions only):          (201) 296-4293

Confirm facsimile by telephone ONLY:                 (201) 296-4860



                                       80


<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

                                    IMPORTANT

            PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, HAVE YOUR SIGNATURE
          GUARANTEED IN THE BOX ENTITLED "SIGN HERE" ON PAGE 3 OF THIS
                     DOCUMENT WHERE INDICATED BY THE ARROWS.

                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                                TO TENDER SHARES

                                       OF

                                  COMMON STOCK

                                       OF

                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.

                                 (THE "COMPANY")

                         PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER

                           DATED ______________, 2000

                                       BY

                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY



                      To: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

                                 (201) 296-4293


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
By mail:                            By hand:                    By overnight:

<S>                                 <C>                         <C>

Reorganization Department           Reorganization Department   85 Challenger Road
P.O. Box 3301                       120 Broadway, 13th Floor    Mail Stop - Reorg
South Hackensack, NJ 07606          New York, NY 10271          Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
</TABLE>

Facsimile (for eligible institutions only):          (201) 296-4293

Confirm facsimile by telephone ONLY:                 (201) 296-4860




<PAGE>

                       TENDER, PROXY AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, the registered holder of shares of common stock (the
"Shares") of the Company as described in the Exchange Offer referred to above,
or the legal representative of the registered holder, hereby accepts, with
respect to the Shares tendered, the offer of TrustCo Bank Corp NY ("Offeror"),
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, to acquire the Shares upon the terms
and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

         Accordingly, subject to and effective upon the acquisition by Offeror
(pursuant to the Exchange Offer) of the Shares tendered herewith, the
undersigned hereby assigns and transfers to or upon the order of Offeror such
Shares, including any and all declared but unpaid dividends and other
distributions on such Shares, and hereby constitutes and appoints ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services (the "Exchange Agent") the true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares with full power
of substitution (such power of attorney is deemed to be an irrevocable power
coupled with an interest) to: (i) deliver the Shares, together with any and all
evidences of transfer and authenticity which may be required by the Exchange
Agent, to or upon the order of Offeror upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as
the undersigned's agent, of the shares of Offeror's common stock as set forth in
the Exchange Offer; (ii) do all things necessary and appropriate for the
transfer of such Shares on the Company's books; (iii) exercise all rights of
legal and beneficial ownership of such Shares to which the undersigned would be
entitled by virtue of the ownership of such Shares, in accordance with the terms
of the Exchange Offer; and (iv) receive all dividends and other distributions
due or rights issued in respect to the Shares to which the undersigned would be
entitled by virtue of the ownership of such Shares, all in accordance with the
terms of the Exchange Offer. Upon such acceptance for acquisition, all prior
proxies and powers of attorney given by the undersigned with respect to such
Shares will, without further action, be revoked and no subsequent proxies or
powers of attorney may be given and, if given, will not be deemed effective.

         The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Shares and
that Offeror will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of
all liens, restrictions, charges, voting agreements and encumbrances and not
subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and
deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or Offeror to be
necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the
Shares.

         All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred survives the
death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligations of the undersigned
hereunder are binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Exchange Offer, this tender
is irrevocable.

         The undersigned understands that acceptance of the offer contained in
the Exchange Offer constitutes an agreement between the undersigned and Offeror,
in accordance with the terms and conditions precedent of the Exchange Offer,
only when a duly executed and properly completed copy of this Letter of
Transmittal, together with any other required documents (including, but not
limited to, the Shares), are received by the Exchange Agent. The undersigned
further acknowledges receipt and has read the contents of the Exchange Offer and
recognizes the various conditions to the offer that are set forth in the
Exchange Offer.

         Unless otherwise indicated herein under "Special Payment Instructions,"
please issue the shares of Offeror's common stock as set forth in the Exchange
Offer in the name of the undersigned. Similarly, please mail such shares, unless
otherwise indicated herein under "Special Delivery Instructions," and/or send
any appropriate documents if a Share is not exchanged, to the undersigned at the
address shown below the undersigned's signature. The undersigned recognizes that
Offeror has no obligation to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered
holder thereof if Offeror does not acquire such Shares pursuant to the Exchange
Offer.

                                      A-2



<PAGE>

                              DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
                    [to be completed by the tendering Holder]

NAME AND ADDRESS OF
REGISTERED HOLDER            CERTIFICATE NUMBER                 NUMBER OF SHARES
-----------------            ------------------                 ----------------

                                           SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
                                To be completed ONLY if shares of Offeror's
    SIGN HERE                   common stock and/or the check for cash payable
                                in lieu of fractional shares is to be issued
----------------------------    in the name of someone other than the registered
                                owner.

----------------------------    Name     _______________________________________
(Signature(s) of Owner(s)       Address  _______________________________________
                                         _______________________________________
  Dated: ______________,2000                       (Include Zip Code)
(Must be signed by registered
holder(s) exactly as name(s)             _______________________________________
appear(s) under "Description                     Tax Identification or
of Shares' above. If signature                  Social Security Number
is by a person acting in fiduciary
capacity of as the registered             SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
owner's legal representative,     To be completed ONLY if shares of Offeror's
please set forth full title. See  common stock and/or the check for cash payable
Instruction 4).                   in lieu of fractional shares is to be sent to
Name(s)_________________________  someone other than the registered owner at any
        (Please print)            address other than that showh under
________________________________  "Description of Shares" above.
           (Address)
_________________________________ Name     _____________________________________
    (Include Zip Code)            Address  _____________________________________
Phone Number (__)________________          _____________________________________
Taxpayer Identification or                           (Include Zip Code)
  Social Security Number:________
SIGNATURE(S)GUARANTEED                     _____________________________________
_________________________________                  Tax Identification or
_________________________________                 Social Security Number
(See Instruction 1)




                                      A-3

<PAGE>



                                  INSTRUCTIONS

                               FORMING PART OF THE
                   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

1. SIGNATURE GUARANTEE. No signature guarantee is required if this Letter of
Transmittal is signed by the registered owner of the Shares tendered with this
Letter of Transmittal and delivery is to be made directly to such registered
owner. If such registered owner has completed either the box entitled "Special
Payment Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the
previous page, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed
by a firm which is a member of a registered national securities exchange or of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or by a commercial bank or
trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States of America.

2. EXECUTION AND DELIVERY. This Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile thereof
must be properly filled in and signed by the registered owner or owners of the
Shares being tendered and should be mailed or delivered with the Shares to the
Exchange Agent at the appropriate address set forth herein. The method of
delivery of all documents is at the election and risk of the owners of the
Shares being tendered. However, it is suggested that all documents be delivered
to the Exchange Agent in person or, if sent by mail, be sent by registered mail,
return receipt requested, properly insured. No alternative, conditional or
contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering owners of a Share, by
execution of this Letter of Transmittal, waive any right to receive any notice
of the acceptance of their tender.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES. The Holder should complete the Description of Shares
on the preceding page. The name of the "registered holder" should be the name on
the certificate or a duly executed stock power or comparable document.

4. COMPLETION OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Signatures on all documents must
correspond with the name of the registered holder of the tendered Shares as set
forth on page 3 of this Letter of Transmittal (under the heading "Description of
Shares") without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever, unless an
authorized representative is signing on behalf of the registered owner. If the
Shares tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such
owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If this Letter of Transmittal is
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence
satisfactory to Offeror of their authority so to act must be submitted to the
Exchange Agent.

5. ADDITIONAL COPIES. Additional copies of the Exchange Offer and this Letter of
Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent at its address set forth on
the cover page of this Letter of Transmittal.

6. TRANSFER TAXES. Transfer taxes imposed as a result of the purchase pursuant
to the Exchange Offer, if any, will be paid by Offeror, except that applicable
transfer taxes will be deducted from a cash payment where such payment is to be
made to other than the registered holder, thus involving an additional transfer.


7. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The conditions set forth in this Letter of Transmittal
are for the sole benefit of Offeror and may be asserted on or before the
Expiration Date by Offeror regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any
such conditions or may be waived at any one time and from time to time on or
before the Expiration Date in Offeror's sole discretion.


8. TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. The tendering holder of
a Share is required to provide the Exchange Agent with his correct Taxpayer
Identification Number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 on the page following the
last page of these instructions. Failure to provide the information on the form
may subject the tendering holder to 31% withholding on the payment of the
exchange consideration. If such holder is an individual, the taxpayer
identification number is his social security number. The box in Part 3 of the
form may be checked if the tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has
applied for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near future. If the
box in Part 3 is checked and the Exchange Agent is not provided with a TIN
within 60 days, the Exchange Agent will withhold 31% on all payments of the
exchange consideration thereafter until a TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent,
and the holder may be subject to a $500 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue
Service. In addition, payments that are made to such holder with respect to an
exchanged Share pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to backup
withholding. If the backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required
to withhold 31% of any payments made to the holder of a Share. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons
subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.



                                      A-4

<PAGE>


                               SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

                         SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 REQUEST FOR
                TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CERTIFICATION
                 PAYOR'S NAME: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name as shown on account (if joint, list first and circle name of the person or
entity whose number you enter below):

Name____________________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________

City, State and Zip Code _______________________________________________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE                 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NO.
FORM W-9                   FOR ALL ACCOUNTS               Social Security Number

Department of the Treasury Enter your taxpayer        __________________________
Internal Revenue Service   identification number
                           in the appropriate box   Employer Identification No.
Payer's Request for
Taxpayer Identification    For most individuals this  __________________________
Number (TIN)               is your social security
                           number. If you do not have
                           a number, see the enclosed
                           Guidelines.

Note: If the account is more than one name, see the chart in the enclosed
Guideline on which number to give the payor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATION - Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1)  the number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number
     (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me) and
(2)  I am not subject to backup withholding either because I have not been
     notified by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am subject to
     backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or
     dividends, or the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup
     withholding.
CERTIFICATION INFORMATION - You must cross out Item (2) above if you have been
notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of under
reporting interest on dividends on your tax returns. However, if after being
notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received
another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup
withholding, do not cross out Item (2). The certification requirement does not
apply to real estate transactions, mortgage interest paid, the acquisition or
abandonment of secured property, contributions as to an individual retirement
account, and payments other than interest and dividend. Also see "Signing the
Certification" under "Specific Instructions" in the enclosed Guidelines.


SIGNATURE:   __________________________    DATE:________________________________

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING,
PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS YOU MUST
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU WROTE "APPLIED FOR" IN THE SPACE FOR
THE TIN" ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

I certify under the penalty of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has
not been issued to me and either (a) I have mailed an application to receive a
taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service
Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b) I intend to mail or
deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide
a taxpayer identification number within 60 days, 31% of all reportable payments
made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide a number.


SIGNATURE:   __________________________   DATE:________________________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      A-5


<PAGE>


            Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of the
Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal may be directed to Georgeson
Shareholder Communications Inc. at the telephone number and location listed
below. You may contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or other nominee for
assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.


                THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THIS EXCHANGE OFFER IS:


                    GEORGESON SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS INC.
                           17 STATE STREET, 10TH FLOOR
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
                            TOLL FREE 1-800-223-2064





                                      A-6

<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX B

         SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW 203
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS WITH INTERESTED STOCKHOLDERS.

         (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a corporation
shall not engage in any business combination with any interested stockholder for
a period of 3 years following the time that such stockholder became an
interested stockholder, unless:

         (1) prior to such time the board of directors of the corporation
approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in
the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or

         (2) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned
at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of
shares outstanding those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also
officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not
have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the
plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or

         (3) at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved
by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least
66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested
stockholder.

         (b) The restrictions contained in this section shall not apply if:

         (1) the corporation's  original certificate of incorporation
contains a provision expressly electing not to be governed by this section;

         (2) the corporation, by action of its board of directors, adopts an
amendment to its bylaws within 90 days of the effective date of this section,
expressly electing not to be governed by this section, which amendment shall not
be further amended by the board of directors.

         (3) the corporation, by action of its stockholders, adopts an amendment
to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws expressly electing not to be
governed by this section, provided that, in addition to any other vote required
by law, such amendment to the certificate of incorporation or bylaws must be
approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote.
An amendment adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall be effective immediately
in the case of a corporation that both (i) has never had a class of voting stock
that falls within any of the three categories set out in subsection (b)(4)
hereof, and (ii) has not elected by a provision in its original certificate of
incorporation or any amendment thereto to be governed by this section. In all
other cases, an amendment adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall not be
effective until 12 months after the adoption of such amendment and shall not
apply to any business combination between such corporation and any person who
became an interested stockholder of such corporation on or prior to such
adoption. A bylaw amendment adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall not be
further amended by the board of directors;

         (4) the corporation does not have a class of voting stock that is (i)
listed on a national securities exchange, (ii) authorized for quotation on The
Nasdaq Stock Market or (iii) held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders,
unless any of the foregoing results from action taken, directly or indirectly,
by an interested stockholder or from a transaction in which a person becomes an
interested stockholder;

         (5) a stockholder becomes an interested stockholder inadvertently and
(i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so
that the stockholder ceases to be an interested stockholder and (ii) would not,
at any time within the 3 year period immediately prior to a

                                      B-1

<PAGE>


business combination between the corporation and such stockholder, have been an
interested stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership;

         (6) the business combination is proposed prior to the consummation or
abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the
notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of
the transactions described in the second sentence of this paragraph; (ii) is
with or by a person who either was not an interested stockholder during the
previous 3 years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of
the corporation's board of directors or during the period described in paragraph
(7) of this subsection (b); and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority
of the members of the board of directors then in office (but not less than 1)
who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested stockholder during
the previous 3 years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such
directors by a majority of such directors. The proposed transactions referred to
in the preceding sentence are limited to (x) a merger or consolidation of the
corporation (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to Section 251(f)
of the chapter, no vote of the stockholders of the corporation is required); (y)
a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one
transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or
otherwise, of assets of the corporation or of any direct or indirect
majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation (other than to any direct or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to the corporation) having an aggregate
market value equal to 50% or more of either that aggregate market value of all
of the assets of the corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the
aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the corporation; or (z) a
proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of the outstanding voting
stock of the corporation. The corporation shall give not less then 20 days
notice to all interested stockholders prior to the consummation of any of the
transactions described in clauses (x) or (y) of the second sentence of this
paragraph; or

         (7) The business combination is with an interested stockholder who
became an interested stockholder at a time when the restrictions contained in
this section did not apply by reason of any paragraphs (1) through (4) of this
subsection (b), provided, however, that this paragraph (7) shall not apply if,
at the time such interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, the
corporation's certificate of incorporation contained a provision authorized by
the last sentence of this subsection (b).

         Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this subsection, a
corporation may elect by a provision of its original certificate of
incorporation or any amendment thereto to be governed by this section; provided
that any such amendment to the certificate of incorporation shall not apply to
restrict a business combination between the corporation and an interested
stockholder of the corporation if the interested stockholder became such prior
to the effective date of the amendment.

         (c)      As used in this section only, the term:

         (1) "affiliate" means a person that directly, or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, another person.

         (2) "associate," when used to indicate a relationship with any person,
means (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other
entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or
indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock, (ii) any
trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial
interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary
capacity, and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of
such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

         (3) "business combination," when used in reference to any corporation
and any interested stockholder of such corporation, means:

                  (i) any merger or consolidation of the corporation or any
direct or indirect majority -owned subsidiary of the corporation with (A) the
interested stockholder, or (B) with any other corporation, partnership,
unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is

                                      B-2

<PAGE>

caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or
consolidation subsection (a) of this section is not applicable to the surviving
entity;

                  (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or
other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except
proportionately as a stockholder of such corporation, to or with the interested
stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the
corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the
corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of
either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the corporation
determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the
outstanding stock of the corporation;

                  (iii) any transaction which results in the issuance or
transfer by the corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned
subsidiary of the corporation of any stock of the corporation or of such
subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except (A) pursuant to the exercise,
exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or
convertible into stock of such corporation or any such subsidiary which
securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder
became such, (B) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of this title; (C)
pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange
or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible
into stock of such corporation or any such subsidiary which security is
distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of such
corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such, (D)
pursuant to an exchange offer by the corporation to purchase stock made on the
same terms to all holders of said stock, or (E) any issuance or transfer of
stock by the corporation, provided however, that in no case under (C)-(E) above
shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder's proportionate share
of the stock of any class or series of the corporation or of the voting stock of
the corporation;

                  (iv) any transaction involving the corporation or any direct
or indirect majority -owned subsidiary of the corporation which has the effect,
directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of
any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or
series, of the corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the
interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to
fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any
shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested
stockholder; or

                  (v) any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit,
directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of such
corporation) of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial
benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subparagraphs (i)-(iv) above)
provided by or through the corporation or any direct or indirect majority owned
subsidiary.

         (4) "control," including the term "controlling," "controlled by" and
"under common control with," means the possession, directly or indirectly, of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or
otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting
stock of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other
entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof
by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds
voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this
section, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or
more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

         (5) "interested stockholder" means any person (other than the
corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the
corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting
stock of the corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the
corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of
the corporation at any time within the 3-year period immediately prior to the
date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested
stockholder; and the affiliates and associates of such person; provided,
however, that the term "interested stockholder" shall not include (x) any person
who (A) owned shares in excess of the 15%

                                      B-3

<PAGE>

limitation set forth herein as of, or acquired such shares pursuant to a tender
offer commenced prior to, December 23, 1987, or pursuant to an exchange offer
announced prior to the aforesaid date and commenced within 90 days thereafter
and either (I) continued to own shares in excess of such 15% limitation or would
have but for action by the corporation or (II) is an affiliate or associate of
the corporation and so continued (or so would have continued but for action by
the corporation) to be the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock
of the corporation at any time within the 3-year period immediately prior to the
date on which it is sought to be determined whether such a person is an
interested stockholder or (B) acquired said shares from a person described in
(A) above by gift, inheritance or in a transaction in which no consideration was
exchanged; or (y) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15%
limitation set forth herein is the result of action taken solely by the
corporation provided that such person shall be an interested stockholder if
thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the
corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly
or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person
is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the corporation deemed to be
outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through
application of paragraph (8) of this subsection but shall not include any other
unissued stock of such corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights,
warrants or options, or otherwise.

         (6) "person" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
unincorporated association or other entity.

         (7) "Stock" means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and,
with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

         (8) "Voting stock" means, with respect to any corporation, stock of any
class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and,
with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest
entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity.

         (9) "owner" including the terms "own" and "owned" when used with
respect to any stock means a person that individually or with or through any of
its affiliates or associates:

                  (i)      beneficially owns such stock, directly or
indirectly; or

                  (ii) has (A) the right to acquire such stock (whether such
right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to
any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion
rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however,
that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person's affiliates
or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or
(B) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of
any stock because of such person's right to vote such stock if the agreement,
arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable
proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10
or more persons; or

                  (iii) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable
proxy or consent as described in item (B) of clause (ii) of this paragraph), or
disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose
affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

         (d) No provision of a certificate of incorporation or bylaw shall
require, for any vote of stockholders required by this section a greater vote of
stockholders than that specified in this section.

         (e) The Court of Chancery is hereby  vested with  exclusive
jurisdiction to hear and determine all matters with respect to this section.
(Last amended by Ch. 79, L. `95, eff. 7-1-95.)

                                      B-4

<PAGE>



                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         Sections 721-725 of the New York Law provide for or permit the
indemnification of directors and officers of TrustCo under certain
circumstances. Generally, a corporation may indemnify a director or officer of
the corporation against any judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and
reasonable expenses if such director or officer acted, in good faith, for a
purpose which he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the
corporation and, in criminal actions, had no reasonable cause to believe that
his conduct was unlawful.

         Article 11 of TrustCo's Certificate provides that, to the fullest
extent elimination or limitation of director liability is permitted by the New
York Law, no director of the corporation shall be liable to the corporation or
its stockholders for any breach of duty in such capacity.

         Article 13, Section 13.2, of the Registrant's Bylaws expressly provides
that no indemnification may be made to or on behalf of any director or officer
if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the director or officer
establishes that his acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of an
act of deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so
adjudicated, or that he personally gained in fact a financial profit or other
advantage to which he was not entitled.

         Pursuant to a policy of directors' and officers' insurance with total
annual limits of $5,000,000, the directors and officers of Registrant are
insured, subject to the limits, exceptions and other terms and conditions of
such policy, against liability for claims made against them for any actual or
alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement or act or omission or
neglect or breach of duty while acting in their individual or collective
capacities as directors or officers.

ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         EXHIBIT
         NUMBER            DESCRIPTION
         ------            -----------
         <S>               <C>
         3(i)a*            Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
                           TrustCo Bank Corp NY, as amended

         3(ii)a            Amended and Restated By-Laws of TrustCo Bank Corp NY
                           dated August 18, 1998 (incorporated by reference to
                           Exhibit 3(ii)a to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly
                           Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
                           30, 1998)

         5*                Legal Opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
                           (regarding legality)

         8                 Legal Opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
                           (regarding tax consequences)

         10(a)             Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1992 and,
                           Amendment No. 1 dated November 16, 1993, among
                           TrustCo, the Bank and Robert A. McCormick, filed as
                           Exhibit 10(a), and Amendment No. 2 dated September 1,
                           1994, and Amendment No. 3 dated February 13, 1995,
                           filed as Exhibit 10(b) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's
                           Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                           December 31, 1994, and Amendment No. 4 dated December
                           1, 1995, to the Employment Agreement dated January 1,
                           1992, filed as Exhibit 10(b) and Schedule A filed as
                           Exhibit 10(c) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report
                           on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                           1995, and Amendment No. 5, dated May 1, 1997, filed
                           as Exhibit 10(e) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly
</TABLE>


                                      II-1



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         EXHIBIT
         NUMBER            DESCRIPTION
         ------            -----------
         <S>               <C>
                           Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
                           1997 are incorporated herein by reference.

         10(b)             Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994, and
                           Amendment No. 1 dated February 14, 1995, among
                           TrustCo, the Bank and Robert T. Cushing filed as
                           Exhibit 10(c) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report
                           on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                           1994, and Schedule A updating the Employment
                           Agreement dated June 21, 1994, filed as Exhibit 10(e)
                           to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K,
                           for the year ended December 31, 1995, and Amendment
                           No. 2, dated May 1, 1997, filed as Exhibit 10(f) to
                           TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                           for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are incorporated
                           herein by reference.

         10(c)             Restated Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994 and
                           Amendment No. 1 dated February 14, 1995, among
                           TrustCo, the Bank and Nancy A. McNamara, filed as
                           Exhibit 10(d) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report
                           on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                           1994, and Schedule A updating the Employment
                           Agreement dated June 21, 1994, filed as Exhibit 10(i)
                           to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                           for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and
                           Amendment No. 2, dated May 1, 1997, filed as Exhibit
                           10(f) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on
                           Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are
                           incorporated herein by reference.

         10(d)             Restated Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994,
                           and Amendment No. 1 dated February 14, 1995, among
                           TrustCo, the Bank and Ralph A. Pidgeon, filed as
                           Exhibit 10(f) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report
                           on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                           1994, and Schedule A updating the Employment
                           Agreement dated June 21, 1994, filed as Exhibit 10(i)
                           to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                           for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and
                           Amendment No. 2 dated May 1, 1997, filed as Exhibit
                           10(f) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on
                           Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are
                           incorporated herein by reference.

         10(e)             Restated Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994,
                           and Amendment No. 1 dated February 14, 1995, among
                           TrustCo, the Bank and William F. Terry, filed as
                           Exhibit 10(e) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report
                           on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                           1994, and Schedule A updating the Employment
                           Agreement dated June 21, 1994, filed as Exhibit 10(i)
                           to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                           for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and
                           Amendment No. 2 dated May 1, 1997, filed as Exhibit
                           10(f) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on
                           Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are
                           incorporated herein by reference.

         10(f)             Restated 1985 TrustCo Bank Corp NY Stock Option Plan
                           as amended and restated effective July 1, 1994, filed
                           as Exhibit 10(h) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual
                           Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                           December 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by
                           reference.

         10(g)             TrustCo Bank Corp NY Directors Stock Option Plan
                           filed as Exhibit 10(g) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's
                           Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                           December 31, 1993, is incorporated herein by
                           reference.

         10(h)             Second Restatement of Trustco Bank Supplemental
                           Retirement Plan among the Bank and each of Robert T.
                           Cushing, Nancy A. McNamara, Ralph A. Pidgeon, and
                           William F. Terry, dated March 29, 1996, filed as
                           Exhibit 10(m) to TrustCo
</TABLE>


                                      II-2

<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         EXHIBIT
         NUMBER            DESCRIPTION
         ------            -----------
         <S>               <C>

                           Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                           fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, and Amendment
                           No. 1, dated September 15, 1998, filed as Exhibit
                           10(a) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on
                           form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998,
                           are incorporated herein by reference.

         10(i)             Restated Agreement for Supplemental Retirement
                           Benefits for Robert A. McCormick, dated June 24, 1994
                           and Amendment No. 1 dated December 1, 1995, filed as
                           Exhibit 10(m) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report
                           on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                           1995, and Amendment No. 2, dated March 29, 1996,
                           filed as Exhibit 10(l) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's
                           Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                           December 31, 1996, and Amendment No. 3, dated
                           September 15, 1998, filed as Exhibit 10(c) to TrustCo
                           Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                           quarter ended September 30, 1998, are incorporated
                           herein by reference.

         10(j)             Restatement of Trustco Bank Executive Officer
                           Incentive Plan, dated March 29, 1996, filed as
                           Exhibit 10(n) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report
                           on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                           1996, Amendment No. 1, to Restatement of Trustco Bank
                           Executive Officer Incentive Plan, dated October 21,
                           1997, filed as Exhibit 10(n) to TrustCo Bank Corp
                           NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                           ended December 31, 1997, and Amendment No. 2, dated
                           September 15, 1998, filed as Exhibit 10(b) to TrustCo
                           Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the
                           quarter ended September 30, 1998, are incorporated
                           herein by reference.

         10(k)             1995  TrustCo Bank Corp NY Stock  Option  Plan,
                           dated June 20, 1995, filed on Form S-8 (file No.
                           33-60409) dated June 20, 1995, is incorporated herein
                           by reference.

         10(l)             TrustCo Bank Corp NY Performance Bonus Plan, dated
                           May 19, 1997, filed as Exhibit 10(a) and Performance
                           Bonus Unit Agreement Under TrustCo Bank Corp NY
                           Performance Bonus Plan, filed as Exhibit 10(b) to
                           TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
                           for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are incorporated
                           herein by reference.

         10(m)             TrustCo Bank Corp NY Directors Performance Bonus Plan
                           dated May 19, 1997, filed as Exhibit 10(c) and
                           Performance Bonus Unit Agreement Under TrustCo Bank
                           Corp NY Directors Performance Bonus Plan, filed as
                           Exhibit 10(d) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly
                           Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30,
                           1997, are incorporated herein by reference.

         23(a)             Consent of KPMG LLP

         23(b)             Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

         23(c)*            Consent of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. (in opinions
                           regarding legality and federal income tax
                           consequences)*

         24*               Powers of Attorney

         28(a)             Letter of Transmittal (Appendix A to Prospectus)

         28(b)*            Exchange Agent Agreement

         99(a)             Section 203 of the DGCL (Appendix B to this Prospectus)

         99(b)             Representation of TrustCo Bank Corp NY regarding tax
                           matters
</TABLE>


-----------------------
*  Previously filed.


                                      II-3

<PAGE>




ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.

         (1) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior
to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this Registration Statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c)
promulgated pursuant to the 1933 Act, the issuer undertakes that such reoffering
prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable
registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed
underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other Items of
the applicable form.

         (2) The Registrant undertakes that every prospectus that (i) is filed
pursuant to paragraph (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) purports to meet the
requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act, and is issued in connection
with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415 promulgated pursuant to the
1933 Act, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the Registration Statement
and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such post-effective
amendment will be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (3) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions (see Item 20 -- Indemnification
of Directors and Officers), or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer of controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933
Act, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

         (4) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to
be delivered with the Prospectus, to each person to whom the Prospectus is sent
or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the
requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the 1934 Act; and, where interim
financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is
not set forth in the Prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each
person to whom the Prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that
is specifically incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to provide such
interim financial information.

         (5) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

                  (a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are
         being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement;

                           (i)      to include any prospectus required by
                  Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act;

                           (ii) to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events
                  arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
                  (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
                  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                  change in the


                                  II-4
<PAGE>

                  information set forth in the Registration Statement;
                  notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
                  volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
                  securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
                  and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
                  maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
                  prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
                  the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
                  more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
                  offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
                  Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement;

                           (iii) to include any material information with
                  respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
                  in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
                  information in the Registration Statement;

                  (b) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under
         the 1933 Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
         a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
         therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
         deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

                  (c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective
         amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
         the termination of the offering.

         (6) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act), that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDe offering thereof.

         (7) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests
for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant
to Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the
date of responding to the request.

         (8) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of
a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the Registration Statement when it became effective.


                                      II-5

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, the Registrant has duly
caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Schenectady, State of New
York, on October 17, 2000.



                                   TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY


                                    By:   /S/ ROBERT A. MCCORMICK
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Robert A. McCormick
                                          President and Chief Executive
                                          Officer


         Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
on October 17, 2000.



         NAME                              TITLE/POSITION
         ----                              --------------


/S/ ROBERT A. MCCORMICK                    President, Chief Executive Officer
--------------------------------           and Director (principal executive
Robert A. McCormick                        officer)


/S/ ROBERT T. CUSHING                      Vice President and Chief Financial
--------------------------------           Officer (principal financial officer
Robert T. Cushing                          and principal accounting officer)


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
Barton A. Andreoli


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
Lionel O. Barthold


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
 Joseph Lucarelli


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
Nancy A. McNamara


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
Dr. Anthony J. Marinello


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
James H. Murphy, D.D.S.


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
Richard J. Murray, Jr.



                                      II-6


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
Kenneth C. Petersen


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
William D. Powers


            *                              Director
--------------------------------
William J. Purdy


/S/ WILLIAM F. TERRY                       Director
--------------------------------
William F. Terry



*By: /s/ William F. Terry
--------------------------------
     William F. Terry
     Attorney-in-fact

                                      II-7

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


     Reg. S-K
      Item 601
    EXHIBIT NO.                               EXHIBIT INDEX
    -----------                               -------------
    <S>               <C>

       3(i)a*         Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY, as amended

       3(ii)a         Amended and Restated By-Laws of TrustCo Bank
                      Corp NY dated August 18, 1998 (incorporated by
                      reference to Exhibit 3(ii)a to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's
                      Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                      September 30, 1998)

         5*           Legal Opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
                      (regarding legality)

         8            Legal Opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
                      (regarding tax consequences)

       10(a)          Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1992 and, Amendment
                      No. 1 dated November 16, 1993, among TrustCo, the Bank and
                      Robert A. McCormick, filed as Exhibit 10(a), and Amendment
                      No. 2 dated September 1, 1994, and Amendment No. 3 dated
                      February 13, 1995, filed as Exhibit 10(b) to TrustCo Bank
                      Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                      ended December 31, 1994, and Amendment No. 4 dated
                      December 1, 1995, to the Employment Agreement dated
                      January 1, 1992, filed as Exhibit 10(b) and Schedule A
                      filed as Exhibit 10(c) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December
                      31, 1995, and Amendment No. 5, dated May 1, 1997, filed as
                      Exhibit 10(e) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report
                      on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 are
                      incorporated herein by reference.

       10(b)          Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994, and Amendment
                      No. 1 dated February 14, 1995, among TrustCo, the Bank and
                      Robert T. Cushing filed as Exhibit 10(c) to TrustCo Bank
                      Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                      ended December 31, 1994, and Schedule A updating the
                      Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994, filed as Exhibit
                      10(e) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form
                      10-K, for the year ended December 31, 1995, and Amendment
                      No. 2, dated May 1, 1997, filed as Exhibit 10(f) to
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                      the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are incorporated herein
                      by reference.

       10(c)          Restated Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994 and
                      Amendment No. 1 dated February 14, 1995, among TrustCo,
                      the Bank and Nancy A. McNamara, filed as Exhibit 10(d) to
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                      fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and Schedule A
                      updating the Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994,
                      filed as Exhibit 10(i) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                      1995, and Amendment No. 2, dated May 1, 1997, filed as
                      Exhibit 10(f) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report
                      on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are
                      incorporated herein by reference.

</TABLE>


                                      II-8


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


     Reg. S-K
      Item 601
    EXHIBIT NO.                               EXHIBIT INDEX
    -----------                               -------------
    <S>               <C>

       10(d)          Restated Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994, and
                      Amendment No. 1 dated February 14, 1995, among TrustCo,
                      the Bank and Ralph A. Pidgeon, filed as Exhibit 10(f) to
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                      fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and Schedule A
                      updating the Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994,
                      filed as Exhibit 10(i) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                      1995, and Amendment No. 2 dated May 1, 1997, filed as
                      Exhibit 10(f) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report
                      on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are
                      incorporated herein by reference.

       10(e)          Restated Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994, and
                      Amendment No. 1 dated February 14, 1995, among TrustCo,
                      the Bank and William F. Terry, filed as Exhibit 10(e) to
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                      fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and Schedule A
                      updating the Employment Agreement dated June 21, 1994,
                      filed as Exhibit 10(i) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                      1995, and Amendment No. 2 dated May 1, 1997, filed as
                      Exhibit 10(f) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report
                      on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, are
                      incorporated herein by reference.

       10(f)          Restated 1985 TrustCo Bank Corp NY Stock Option Plan
                      as amended and restated effective July 1, 1994, filed
                      as Exhibit 10(h) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                      December 31, 1994, is incorporated herein by
                      reference.

       10(g)          TrustCo Bank Corp NY Directors Stock Option Plan
                      filed as Exhibit 10(g) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's
                      Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                      December 31, 1993, is incorporated herein by
                      reference.

       10(h)          Second Restatement of Trustco Bank Supplemental Retirement
                      Plan among the Bank and each of Robert T. Cushing, Nancy
                      A. McNamara, Ralph A. Pidgeon, and William F. Terry, dated
                      March 29, 1996, filed as Exhibit 10(m) to TrustCo Bank
                      Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                      ended December 31, 1996, and Amendment No. 1, dated
                      September 15, 1998, filed as Exhibit 10(a) to TrustCo Bank
                      Corp NY's Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the quarter
                      ended September 30, 1998, are incorporated herein by
                      reference.

       10(i)          Restated Agreement for Supplemental Retirement Benefits
                      for Robert A. McCormick, dated June 24, 1994 and Amendment
                      No. 1 dated December 1, 1995, filed as Exhibit 10(m) to
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                      fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and Amendment No. 2,
                      dated March 29, 1996, filed as Exhibit 10(l) to TrustCo
                      Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                      year ended December 31, 1996, and Amendment No. 3, dated
                      September 15, 1998, filed as Exhibit 10(c) to TrustCo Bank
                      Corp NY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
                      ended September 30, 1998, are incorporated herein by
                      reference.

       10(j)          Restatement of Trustco Bank Executive Officer Incentive
                      Plan, dated March 29, 1996, filed as Exhibit 10(n) to
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                      fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, Amendment No. 1, to
                      Restatement of Trustco Bank Executive Officer Incentive
                      Plan, dated October 21, 1997, filed as Exhibit 10(n) to
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                      fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, and Amendment No. 2,
                      dated September 15, 1998, filed as Exhibit 10(b) to
                      TrustCo Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for
                      the quarter ended September 30, 1998, are incorporated
                      herein by reference.

</TABLE>



                                      II-9



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


     Reg. S-K
      Item 601
    EXHIBIT NO.                               EXHIBIT INDEX
    -----------                               -------------
    <S>               <C>


       10(k)          1995 TrustCo Bank Corp NY Stock Option Plan, dated
                      June 20, 1995, filed on Form S-8 (file No. 33-60409)
                      dated June 20, 1995, is incorporated herein by
                      reference.

       10(l)          TrustCo Bank Corp NY Performance Bonus Plan, dated May 19,
                      1997, filed as Exhibit 10(a) and Performance Bonus Unit
                      Agreement Under TrustCo Bank Corp NY Performance Bonus
                      Plan, filed as Exhibit 10(b) to TrustCo Bank Corp NY's
                      Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June
                      30, 1997, are incorporated herein by reference.

       10(m)          TrustCo Bank Corp NY Directors Performance Bonus Plan
                      dated May 19, 1997, filed as Exhibit 10(c) and Performance
                      Bonus Unit Agreement Under TrustCo Bank Corp NY Directors
                      Performance Bonus Plan, filed as Exhibit 10(d) to TrustCo
                      Bank Corp NY's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the
                      quarter ended June 30, 1997, are incorporated herein by
                      reference.
       23(a)          Consent of KPMG LLP

       23(b)          Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP[]

       23(c)*         Consent of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. (in opinions
                      regarding legality and federal income tax consequences)

        24*           Powers of Attorney

       28(a)          Letter of Transmittal (Appendix A to Prospectus)

       28(b)*         Exchange Agent Agreement

       99(a)          Section 203 of the DGCL (Appendix B to Prospectus)

       99(b)          Representation of TrustCo Bank Corp NY regarding tax
                      matters


</TABLE>

----------
*  Previously filed


                                     II-10



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