BUFFALO, NY-A Clarence Center man was charged Friday with stealing from the family funeral home where he worked as the funeral director.

Mark Urban, 40, was arraigned in Erie County Court on grand larceny and other charges. The Erie County District Attorney's office says Urban allegedly embezzled $60,000 from the Urban Brothers Funeral Home on Goodrich Road while working for his parents there.

Urban allegedly wrote checks for personal expenses from the business's operating account between July, 2008 and May, 2010. He's also charged with failing to report that money as income on his tax returns.

If convicted, Urban faces a maximum jail sentence of 9-27 years.

Is HSBC getting ready to unload its local branches? Looks like it, according to this just-published article in American Banker:

HSBC Holdings PLC has stepped up its retreat from the U.S. by officially putting its upstate New York retail franchise on the block in addition to its credit card portfolio.

Read the whole story here.

BUFFALO, NY--  Erie County Lawmakers approved a controversial plan by Democrats to re-draw district lines.

The plan, which downsizes the legislature from 15 to 11 seats, puts 13 towns and seven villages into a single district, stretching from Brant to Newstead.

That mega-district it takes up 45-percent of the of land in Erie County, causing some residents to be concerned over whether or not they'll be fairly represented.

Erie County Executive Chris Collins released this statement after the vote:

"Now that the County Legislature has finally acted, I have a specific plan before me for review. However, I do have serious concerns with this law, concerns that are shared by our rural towns and minority community. I will vet this plan thoroughly, and hold a public hearing according to the County Charter, before making my decision whether to sign or veto this law in the coming days."