Genesee Regional Bank
Our History
In 1996, two successful businessmen, E. Philip Saunders and Dan Gullace, purchased an established local bank. They renamed it Genesee Regional Bank with a vision of re-establishing a community bank presence in the region. From this vision has emerged not only a successful financial institution, but one known for being a trusted advisor to its small business clients in a wide range of industries. The bank has continued on a consistent growth path, increasing its assets to more than $1 billion.
Today, President and CEO Philip L. Pecora leads GRB with a customer-centric philosophy that sets us apart as powerful advocates for our clients. GRB’s original vision of growing local business has expanded to include helping individuals, nonprofits, and municipalities enhance their financial position.
The 2013 addition of three residential mortgage companies to the GRB team brought yet another critical service to our customers and the local community. With loan approvals issued locally, GRB’s residential mortgage team has grown rapidly and GRB is now one of the leading mortgage lenders in the region. GRB offers competitive products and rates — but with the added benefit of hometown service.
Since being founded more than a quarter century ago, our community has seen financial institutions come and go. But through all the mergers, acquisitions and closings, GRB remains Here. For You.
The assets of Lyndon Guaranty Bank of New York are purchased by local attorney Dan Gullace and entrepreneur E. Philip Saunders. The goal is to create a local banking presence for small business lending.
GRB began its focus on small business lending in earnest, earning a reputation for being a voice for entrepreneurs from a wide range of businesses. Ultimately, GRB would expand and bring that same spirit of innovation to its personal banking and residential mortgage lending services.
1996
The bank is renamed Genesee Regional Bank (GRB) and holds $33 million in assets.
GRB began its focus on small business lending in earnest, earning a reputation for being a voice for entrepreneurs from a wide range of businesses. Ultimately, GRB would expand and bring that same spirit of innovation to its personal banking and residential mortgage lending services.
2000
GRB taps Philip L. Pecora as its new manager of commercial banking. Eight months later, he is promoted to GRB’s President and CEO.
Pecora remains President and CEO of GRB, guiding the organization’s vision and growth as a premier bank for small businesses in the Rochester region. Under his direction, GRB has grown from just 30 employees to more than 150…and the bank is still growing.
2003
GRB is named to the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Top 100 list for the first time. The Top 100 recognizes the fastest-growing privately held companies in the region.
The bank has been on the Top 100 many times since and is often the only financial institution on the list.
2005
GRB moves its corporate offices from Monroe Avenue to new space in the Linden Oaks office park.
Just seven years later, GRB outgrows Linden Oaks and moves to its current corporate headquarters location on Winton Road, more than doubling its space.
2009
GRB makes a significant investment in the growth of Rochester’s residential mortgage lending market, hiring more than 40 employees of a local mortgage brokerage firm to add to its existing mortgage team.
In 2020, GRB becomes the leading residential mortgage purchase bank lender in the region, Together with its expansion into the Syracuse market, GRB helps thousands of individuals and families put down roots in Western and Central New York each year.
2013
GRB is recognized as one of the “Best Companies to Work for in New York,” for the first time. The “Best Companies” award is based on anonymous employee feedback on topics including pay and benefits, leadership and management, learning and development opportunities, etc.
GRB routinely appears on the “Best Companies to Work for in New York” list, even during the challenge of onboarding more than 40 new employees during the course of the pandemic.
2013
GRB’s President and CEO Philip L. Pecora is named to the region’s Top 100 Executives list by the Rochester Business Journal.
To date, many of GRB’s employees have been recognized for their business experience and community involvement in programs as diverse as the Forty Under 40, Women of Excellence, Financial Executive of the Year, ICON Awards, and more.
2015
GRB establishes a “Wellness Committee,” the first of several employee-run committees and affinity groups.
Today, GRB provides leadership and committee opportunities for employees interested in a wide range of topics. Current groups include Charitable and Volunteer, GRB Culture, Women@GRB, DEI&B, and Employee Recognition.
2017
As the pandemic threatens small businesses throughout the region, GRB pivots operations to support the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The bank processed 577 PPP loans, 35% of those from businesses that couldn’t access a PPP loan from their current bank.
GRB then went on to process Forgiveness applications for its PPP borrowers. At the same time, GRB still provided nearly $20 million in SBA loans to 45 local businesses during 2020. This earned the bank the SBA’s Emerald award and made GRB the top SBA lender in the Rochester region.
2017
GRB Celebrates 25 Years and is Recognized by S&P Global as a Best-Performing Community Bank
GRB celebrated its Silver Anniversary throughout the year. The bank started the year strong by being named one of the Best-performing Community Banks in the U.S. by S&P Global. GRB ranked no. 23 in the community banks with assets less than $3 billion category for its fiscal performance in 2020.
2021GRB Crosses $1 Billion in Assets
GRB's consistent growth pushed the bank across the billion-dollar mark in total assets. GRB strengthens its reputation as one of the most recognized small business lenders in the Rochester region, an innovative residential mortgage provider throughout Western and Central New York, and a personal banking rate and service leader.
2023
Steven Sauer Named Chairman of the Board of Directors
Following a GRB Board of Directors tenure of nearly 20 years, Toshiba America Business Systems Executive Steven Sauer is named Chairman of the Board. Sauer follows bank Founder E. Philip Saunders, who moves on to become Chairman of the bank’s holding company, Greater Rochester Bancorp.
2024