form8-k.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 1, 2009


PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number
000-23601

Federal
16-1540137
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

214 West First Street, Oswego, NY 13126
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

(315) 343-0057
(Registrant’s Telephone Number including area code)

Not Applicable
Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:



Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)  under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 8 – Other Events

Item 4.01

Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
On October 1, 2009, Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) was notified that the audit practice of Beard Miller Company LLP (“Beard”) an independent registered public accounting firm, was combined with ParenteBeard LLC (“ParenteBeard”) in a transaction pursuant to which Beard combined its operations with ParenteBeard and certain of the professional staff and partners of Beard joined ParenteBeard either as employees or partners of ParenteBeard.  On October 1, 2009, Beard resigned as the auditors of the Company and with the approval of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, ParenteBeard was engaged as its independent registered public accounting firm.

Prior to engaging ParenteBeard, the Company did not consult with ParenteBeard regarding the application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated transaction or regarding the type of audit opinions that might be rendered by ParenteBeard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and ParenteBeard did not provide any written or oral advice that was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any such accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue.

The report of independent registered public accounting firm of Beard regarding the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, and during the interim period from the end of the most recently completed fiscal year through October 1, 2009, the date of resignation, there were no disagreements with Beard on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Beard would have caused it to make reference to such disagreement in its reports.

The Company provided Beard with a copy of this Current Report on Form 8-K prior to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and requested that Beard furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements and, if it does not agree, the respects in which it does not agree.  A copy of the letter, dated October 2, 2009, is filed as Exhibit 16 (which is incorporated by reference herein) to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

About Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. is the mid-tier holding company of Pathfinder Bank, a New York chartered savings bank headquartered in Oswego, New York.  The Bank has seven full service offices located in its market area consisting of Oswego County.  Presently, the only business conducted by Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. is the 100% ownership of Pathfinder Bank and Pathfinder Statutory Trust I.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations regarding economic, legislative, and regulatory issues that may impact the Company's earnings in future periods.  Factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, pricing, products, and services.

EXHIBIT 16

 
October 2, 2009
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
 
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
We are the former independent registered public accounting firm for Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”). We have read the Company’s disclosure set forth in Item 4.01 “Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant” of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 2, 2009 (the “Current Report”) and are in agreement with the disclosure in the Current Report, insofar as it pertains to our firm.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
/s/ Beard Miller Company  LLP





SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  October 2, 2009
By: /s/ Thomas W. Schneider
 
Thomas W. Schneider
 
President and Chief Executive Officer