PENNSTAR BANK HIRES CHARNOGURSKY AS BRANCH MANAGER OF BARTONSVILLE OFFICE

SCRANTON, PA (NOVEMBER 24, 2009) – Pennstar Bank President and Chief Executive Officer David Raven announced that Lori Charnogursky has been hired as branch manager of the bank’s Bartonsville Office. In this position, she has responsibility for branch sales, customer service and operations.

Charnogursky has 13 years of banking experience. Before joining Pennstar Bank, she was a branch manager for PNC Bank in Wilkes-Barre for five years.

“We are pleased to welcome Lori Charnogursky to our Bartonsville Office,” Raven said. “She brings with her a strong background in branch management and customer service.”

Charnogursky, a resident of Drums, has a bachelor’s degree in finance from King’s College and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Scranton. She is involved in several community and business organizations, including the United Way of Wyoming Valley.

Pennstar Bank provides personal banking, asset management and business services. The independent community bank, headquartered in Scranton, Pa., has 38 offices in six northeastern Pennsylvania counties. Norwich, N.Y.-based NBT Bancorp Inc., the parent company of Pennstar Bank, had assets of $5.5 billion as of September 30, 2009.