NBT Bank promotes Buffa to regional president

UTICA — NBT Bank has announced the promotion of John Buffa to regional president for the bank’s Mohawk Valley branches in Oneida and Herkimer counties.

“John has been instrumental in NBT Bank’s growth and success in the Mohawk Valley,” NBT Bank President CEO Martin Dietrich said in a news release. “In his new role, he will have the opportunity to have an even greater impact on our delivery of financial services to the individuals, businesses and organizations in our communities.”

As regional president, Buffa will lead NBT Bank’s efforts in the Mohawk Valley, working closely with Dennis Surace, regional executive, Richard Callahan, retail market manager, and Rita DeMarko, Wealth Management Division market manager, to expand the bank’s presence in the region, the release stated.

Buffa, who has more than 27 years banking experience, joined NBT Bank as assistant vice president and commercial lender in 1994. Prior to that, he was a commercial lender at Fleet Bank and commercial lender and credit analyst at Marine Midland Bank — both in Utica.

A resident of Utica, Buffa earned his associate degree in banking and insurance at Mohawk Valley Community College. He was honored by the college as a recipient of its 2012 Alumni of Merit Award.

Buffa is treasurer and executive committee member of Mohawk Valley EDGE, president of the board of directors of Upstate Cerebral Palsy, treasurer of the Utica Industrial Development Agency, treasurer of Liberty Affordable Housing, and a regional loan committee member of the New York Business Development Corp.

NBT Bank offers retail banking, asset management, and business services through a network of more than 155 offices across upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, northwestern Vermont, western Massachusetts, and southern New Hampshire. NBT Bank and its parent company, NBT Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: NBTB), are headquartered in Norwich. NBT Bancorp had assets of $7.8 billion as of March 31.

Contact Rombel at arombel@cnybj.com