New Website Rates N.Y. Banks for Consumers

ALBANY, N.Y., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new website launched today by Professor Ray Brescia, of Albany Law School, with partners -- www.NYBRI.org -- helps residents of New York State pick the best bank for them based on 20 consumer-focused metrics, which include: cost of checking accounts, and lending practices.

The ranking of the top 10 banks, based on performance for the consumer, when including all categories, is as follows:

The remaining banks can be seen on the website www.NYBRI.org.

The project, was led by Brescia and Ralph Scunziano, a recent Albany Law School graduate, with assistance from the Empire Justice Center, and the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD). 

The website was developed by Chris Velez, a graduate of the University at Albany's Master of Science in Information Systems program who now teaches Intermediate Interactive Design for the Information Science Department. The project is also part of a larger affiliation with UAlbany and Albany Law School.

The Bank Ratings Index assesses 19 banks that serve or have served New York State according to 20 different consumer-focused categories. An accompanying report on the site details the methodology and findings of the study. 

"The findings of this project help consumers choose the bank that's right for them along a range of categories," explained Brescia. 

The report was developed over the last year, studying the largest 19 banks by assets operating in New York State.  The study was conducted prior to the purchase of First Niagara bank by Key Bank, which was finalized last year.  Because First Niagara scored the highest in the ranking, the findings with respect to First Niagara were included in this year's report.

About the Albany Law/University at Albany AffiliationAfter years of collaboration, Albany Law School and the University at Albany announced a formal affiliation in October 2015. The partnership strengthens both institutions by creating innovative academic opportunities for students and opportunities for new research and grant prospects for faculty. The affiliation is designed to create economic and social benefits for the Capital Region and beyond. www.albany.edu/albanylaw/

David Singer, [email protected], 518-445-3211Ray Brescia, [email protected], 518-445-3247

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SOURCE Albany Law School