Strictly Business

From Business Today:

Some folks in Connecticut are really unhappy that the big bank in New Haven, NewAlliance, is being bought by Buffalo-based First Niagara Financial Group.  The latest attack on the deal comes from state Attorney General and U.S. Senator-elect Richard Blumenthal and New Haven Mayor John DeStefano. The two men held a press conference this week calling for a public hearing on the deal and attacked First Niagara's track record of lending to low- to moderate-income people. First Niagara fired back, standing by its record and vowing to be a good corporate citizen.  Meanwhile, New York City-based community activist Matthew Lee also filed a protest with regulators about the deal.

Rosa's Home Stores, the 29-year-old local furniture and appliance chain, is reportedly in financial trouble and may file for bankruptcy protection. Employees said they were told of the impending filing by management on Wednesday. The company's four area stores are still open, but inventories may be getting low.

The Larkin at Exchange Building continues to attract corporate headquarters. Already home to First Niagara Financial Group's top brass, the building now hosts the top management of Kaleida Health and its parent Great Lakes Health System. Kaleida CEO James R. Kaskie and seven other executives relocated from space at Buffalo General Hospital. The hospital group now have more than 200 people in the Larkin office building,  a former warehouse converted into Class A office space.

Who is getting hired, honored or promoted?