SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   SCHEDULE TO
                                 (RULE 14D-100)

          TENDER OFFER STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 14(d)(1) OR 13(e)(1) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.
                       (Name of Subject Company (Issuer))

                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY
                        (Name of Filing Person (Offeror))

                     COMMON STOCK, $0.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    192513109
                      (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

                                William F. Terry
                                    Secretary
                              TrustCo Bank Corp NY
                                320 State Street
                           Schenectady, New York 12305
                                 (518) 377-3311
          (Name, address, and telephone number of person authorized to
         receive notices and communications on behalf of filing person)

                                    Copy to:

    John K. Pruellage, Esq.                        Alan Schick, Esq.
 Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.         Luse Lehman Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.
500 North Broadway, Suite 2000          5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
  St. Louis, Missouri  63102                    Washington, D.C. 20015
        (314) 444-7600                              (202) 274-2000

                            CALCULATION OF FILING FEE

Transaction Valuation*: $133,803,841.55       Amount of Filing Fee**: $26,760.77

* Estimated  for  purposes of  calculating  the amount of the filing fee only in
accordance with Rules 0-11(d) and 0- 11(a)(4) under the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934, based upon (a) $16.91,  the average of the high and low price per share
of Cohoes Bancorp,  Inc. common stock on October 26, 2000 as reported on Nasdaq,
multiplied by (b) 7,912,705, representing the maximum number of such shares that
may be exchanged in the Cohoes Offer (as defined below).
** One-fiftieth of 1% of the value of the transaction.  The entire amount of the
filing fee has been  offset by the amount of the filing fee  previously  paid by
TrustCo Bank Corp NY, as described below.

|X|  CHECK  THE  BOX IF ANY  PART  OF THE  FEE IS  OFFSET  AS  PROVIDED  BY RULE
0-11(A)(2)  AND IDENTIFY THE FILING WITH WHICH THE OFFSETTING FEE WAS PREVIOUSLY
PAID. IDENTIFY THE PREVIOUS FILING BY REGISTRATION STATEMENT NUMBER, OR THE FORM
OR SCHEDULE AND THE DATE OF ITS FILING.

Amount Previously Paid: $36,763.50            Filing Party: TrustCo Bank Corp NY
Form Or Registration No.:Form S-4 (File No. 333-41168)  Date Filed:July 11, 2000

| | CHECK THE BOX IF THE FILING  RELATES  SOLELY TO  PRELIMINARY  COMMUNICATIONS
MADE BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF A TENDER OFFER.

Check the  appropriate  boxes below to designate any  transactions  to which the
statement relates:

|X|      THIRD-PARTY TENDER OFFER SUBJECT TO RULE 14D-1.
| |      ISSUER TENDER OFFER SUBJECT TO RULE 13E-4.
| |      GOING-PRIVATE TRANSACTION SUBJECT TO RULE 13E-3.
| |      AMENDMENT TO SCHEDULE 13D UNDER RULE 13D-2.

Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results
of the tender offer: | |





     This Tender Offer  Statement on Schedule TO (this "Schedule TO") relates to
the offer (the "Cohoes  Offer") by TrustCo Bank Corp NY, a New York  corporation
("TrustCo"),  to exchange each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share (the "Cohoes Shares"), of Cohoes Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Cohoes"), for a combination of shares of TrustCo common stock, par
value $1.00 per share (the  "TrustCo  Shares"),  and cash  totaling  $18.00 (the
"Exchange  Consideration").  The stock  component of the Exchange  Consideration
will be comprised of TrustCo Shares with an aggregate value equal to $7.20,  and
the cash  component  will be $10.80  net.  The number of TrustCo  Shares will be
determined  by the average  closing  price of the  TrustCo  Shares on the Nasdaq
Stock  Market  over a 20-day  period  ending five days before the closing of the
Cohoes Offer) plus cash in lieu of fractional  shares,  on the terms and subject
to the conditions described in the prospectus filed as Exhibit (a)(1) hereto.

     TrustCo has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on Form S-4 (SEC File No.  333-41168)  relating to the TrustCo Shares
to be issued to stockholders of Cohoes in the Cohoes Offer (as amended on August
9, 2000, October 3, 2000 and October 18, 2000 and declared effective October 30,
2000,  the  "Registration  Statement").  The terms and  conditions of the Cohoes
Offer  are set  forth  in the  prospectus  which  is a part of the  registration
statement (the "Prospectus"),  and the related Letter of Transmittal,  which are
exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(2) hereto.

     All  of the  information  in the  Prospectus  and  the  related  Letter  of
Transmittal,  and any Prospectus  supplement or other supplement thereto related
to the Cohoes Offer hereafter filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission
by TrustCo,  is hereby incorporated by reference in answer to Items 2 through 11
of this Schedule TO.

ITEM 1.  SUMMARY TERM SHEET.

Information  is  disclosed  to  security  holders in a  prospectus  meeting  the
requirements  of Rule 421(d) of the Securities Act of 1933. A summary term sheet
is set forth on page 1 of the prospectus.

ITEM 3.  IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND OF FILING PERSONS.

(c)  During  the  last  five  years,  none of  TrustCo,  or,  to the best of its
knowledge, any of its executive officers and directors has (i) been convicted in
a criminal proceeding  (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or
(ii) been a party to any  judicial  or  administrative  proceeding  (except  for
matters that were dismissed  without  sanction or settlement) that resulted in a
judgment,  decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of,
or prohibiting  activities  subject to, federal or state  securities  laws, or a
finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws.

ITEM 12.  EXHIBITS.

(a)(1)   Prospectus relating to TrustCo Shares to be issued in the Cohoes Offer.

(a)(2)   Form of Letter of Transmittal.

(a)(3)   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

(a)(4)   Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, etc.

(a)(5)   Form of Letter to Clients.

(a)(6)   Opinion as to tax consequences of the Cohoes Offer.

                                      2




                                    SIGNATURE

     After  due  inquiry  and  to the  best  of my  knowledge  and  belief,  the
undersigned  certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.

Dated: October 31, 2000

                                    TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY


                                    By:   /s/ Robert A. McCormick
                                         ------------------------
                                         Robert A. McCormick
                                         President and Chief Executive
                                         Officer











                                       3



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION

(a)(1)   Prospectus  relating to TrustCo Shares to be issued in the Cohoes Offer
         (incorporated by reference from TrustCo's Registration  Statement on
         Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-41168) filed on July 11, 2000, as amended on
         August 9, 2000, October 3, 2000 and October 18, 2000).

(a)(2)   Form of Letter of Transmittal (incorporated by reference from TrustCo's
         Registration  Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-41168) filed on
         July 11, 2000, as amended on August 9, 2000, October 3, 2000 and
         October 18, 2000).

(a)(3)   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

(a)(4)   Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, etc.

(a)(5)   Form of Letter to Clients.

(a)(6)   Opinion  as to tax  consequences  of  the  Cohoes  (incorporated  by
         reference  to  Exhibit  28(a)  to  TrustCo's Registration  Statement on
         Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-41168) filed on July 11, 2000, as amended on
         August 9, 2000, October 3, 2000 and October 18, 2000).








                                       4



                                 EXHIBIT (A)(3)

                      FORM OF NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

                          NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                      FOR TENDER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.

     This Notice of  Guaranteed  Delivery,  or a form  substantially  equivalent
hereto,  must be used to accept  the offer of  TrustCo  Bank Corp NY, a New York
corporation,  described in the Prospectus  dated October 30, 2000 (the "Offer"),
to exchange shares of Cohoes Bancorp,  Inc., a Delaware corporation  ("Cohoes"),
if  certificates  representing  shares of the common stock,  par value $0.01 per
share (the "Cohoes Common Stock") of Cohoes are not  immediately  available,  if
the  procedure  for  book-entry  transfer  cannot  be  completed  prior  to  the
Expiration Date (as defined in the  Prospectus),  or if time will not permit all
required  documents to reach the Exchange  Agent prior to the  Expiration  Date.
Such form may be delivered by hand,  transmitted  by facsimile  transmission  or
mailed to the Exchange Agent.

                      THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THIS OFFER IS:

                        CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

By mail:                            By hand:                  By overnight:

Reorganization Department   Reorganization Department  85 Challenger Road
P.O. Box 3301               120 Broadway, 13th Floor   Mail Stop - Reorg
South Hackensack, NJ 07606  New York, NY 10271         Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

Facsimile (for eligible institutions only):          (201) 296-4293

Confirm facsimile by telephone ONLY:                 (201) 296-4860


                    THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THIS OFFER IS:

                    Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc.
                           17 State Street, 10th Floor
                            New York, New York 10004

                     Banks and Brokerage Firms Call Collect:
                                 (212) 440-9800

                            All Others Call Toll Free
                                 (800) 223-2064

     Delivery of this Notice of Guaranteed  delivery to an address other than as
set forth above or transmission of instructions  via facsimile number other than
as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery.

     This form is not to be used to  guarantee  signatures.  If a signature on a
Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an "Eligible  Institution"
under the  instructions  thereto,  such  signature  guarantee must appear in the
applicable space provided in the signature box on the Letter of Transmittal.

     The Eligible  Institution  that  completes this form must  communicate  the
guarantee to the Exchange Agent and must deliver the Letter of  Transmittal  for
the Common  Stock to the  Exchange  Agent  within the time period  show  herein.
Failure to do so could result in a financial loss to such Eligible Institution.


                                       5


Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned  hereby tenders to TrustCo Bank Corp NY, a New York corporation,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions  set forth in TrustCo's  Prospectus
dated October 30, 2000 and the related  Letter of Transmittal  (which,  together
with any amendments or supplements thereto,  constitute the "Offer"), receipt of
which is hereby  acknowledged,  the number of shares  set forth  below of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Cohoes Common Stock"), of Cohoes Bancorp,
Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Number of Shares:____________________              SIGN HERE

Certificate Nos. (if available):        Name(s) of Record Holder(s):

_____________________________________   ________________________________________

_____________________________________   ________________________________________
                                              (Please type or print)

If shares will be tendered by           Addresses:______________________________
book-entry transfer:                                 (Include a Zip Code)

Name of Tendering Institution:          Area Code and Telephone No.:

_____________________________________   ________________________________________

Account Number:______________________   Signatures:_____________________________

                                        Dated:__________________________________









                                       6



                                    GUARANTEE
                    (Not to be used for signature guarantees)

The undersigned,  an Eligible Institution (as defined in the Offer),  guarantees
to deliver to the Exchange Agent either certificates  representing the shares of
Cohoes  Common  Stock  tendered  hereby,   in  proper  form  for  transfer,   or
confirmation  of book-entry  transfer of such shares of Cohoes Common Stock into
the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company,  in each case with
delivery of a properly  completed and duly executed  Letter of Transmittal (or a
manually signed facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees,  and
any other documents  required by the Letter of Transmittal,  within three Nasdaq
trading days after the date hereof.

Name of Firm:_____________________________  ____________________________________
                                                     (Authorized Signature)

Address:__________________________________  Name:_______________________________

__________________________________________  Title:______________________________

__________________________________________  Date:_______________________________
        (Include a Zip Code)

Area Code and Tel. No.:___________________


DO NOT SEND  CERTIFICATES  FOR SHARES WITH THIS NOTICE.  CERTIFICATES  SHOULD BE
SENT ONLY WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.









                                       7


                                 Exhibit (a)(4)

                    FORM OF LETTER TO BROKERS, DEALERS, ETC.

                                OFFER TO EXCHANGE
                     EACH OUTSTANDING SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.
                                       FOR

                          SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OF

                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY

                      AND $10.80 NET TO THE SELLER IN CASH

THE OFFER AND  WITHDRAWAL  RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00  MIDNIGHT,  NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2000, UNLESS THE OFFER
IS EXTENDED.

                                                                November 1, 2000

To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies And Other Nominees:

     We are writing to you in connection with the offer by TrustCo Bank Corp NY,
a New York corporation ("TrustCo"),  to acquire all of the outstanding shares of
the common stock,  par value $0.01 per share ("Cohoes Common Stock"),  of Cohoes
Bancorp,  Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Cohoes") for a combination of shares of
TrustCo common stock,  par value $1.00 per share ("TrustCo  Common Stock"),  and
cash totaling $18.00,  upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
the  Prospectus  dated  October 30, 2000 (the  "Prospectus")  and in the related
Letter of  Transmittal  (which,  together  with any  amendments  or  supplements
thereto, constitute the "Offer") enclosed herewith. Please furnish copies of the
enclosed  materials to those of your clients for whose  accounts you hold Cohoes
Common Stock registered in your name or in the name of your nominee.

     The Offer is  subject to several  conditions  set forth in the  Prospectus,
which you should review in detail.

     For your  information  and for forwarding to your clients for whom you hold
Cohoes Common Stock  registered in your name or in the name of your nominee,  we
are enclosing the following documents:

         1.       Prospectus dated October 30, 2000;

         2.       Letter  of  Transmittal  for your use in  accepting  the Offer
and tendering Cohoes Common Stock and for the information of your clients;

         3.       Notice of  Guaranteed  Delivery to be used to accept the Offer
if certificates for Cohoes Common Stock and all other required  documents cannot
be delivered to the Exchange Agent, or if the procedures for book-entry transfer
cannot be completed, by the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus);


                                       8


         4.       A letter which may be sent to your clients for whose  accounts
you hold  Cohoes  Common  Stock  registered  in your name or in the name of your
nominee,  with space  provided for  obtaining  such clients'  instructions  with
regard to the Offer; and

         5.       A return envelope addressed to the Exchange Agent.

         Please note the following:

         1.       TrustCo is offering to exchange  all shares of Cohoes  Common
Stock for a  combination  of TrustCo  Common  Stock and cash having an aggregate
value of $18.00,  comprised  of TrustCo  Common  Stock with a value of $7.20 and
cash in the amount of $10.80.

         2.       The Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 12:00 midnight,
New York City time, on December 15, 2000, unless the Offer is extended.

         3.       The Offer is subject to several  conditions,  including:  (a)
the tender of enough shares of Cohoes Common Stock so that,  after completion of
the Offer,  TrustCo owns at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Cohoes
Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis);  (b) the valid termination of the stock
option  agreement  between  Cohoes and Hudson River  Bancorp,  Inc.  ("Hudson");
(c) the  execution of a definitive  merger agreement  between TrustCo and Cohoes
and the approval  thereof by Cohoes'  board of directors  and its  shareholders;
(d) the execution of a definitive merger agreement between TrustCo's subsidiary,
Trustco  Bank,  N.A.,  and Cohoes'  subsidiary,  Cohoes  Savings  Bank,  and the
approval  thereof by Cohoes Savings  Bank's board of directors and  shareholder;
(e) the  receipt of all  required  regulatory  approvals  for this offer and the
merger of TrustCo (or its subsidiary) and Cohoes; (f) the receipt at the time of
completion   of  this  offer  of  an  opinion   letter  that  the  offer  and  a
TrustCo-Cohoes  merger  would be a  tax-free  transaction;  (g) TrustCo's  being
satisfied that the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law and  certain  anti-takeover  impediments  found in  Cohoes'  Certificate  of
Incorporation  do not apply to or otherwise  restrict our offer and the proposed
TrustCo-Cohoes  merger;  and (h) if required under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock
Market, the approval by TrustCo's stockholders of the issuance of TrustCo Common
Stock in the Offer and in its offer for Hudson.

         4.       Tendering  shareholders  will not be  obligated  to pay any
charges or expenses of the exchange agent or any brokerage  commissions.  Except
as set forth in the Letter of  Transmittal,  transfer  taxes on the  exchange of
Cohoes  Common  Stock  pursuant  to the  Offer  will be paid by or on  behalf of
TrustCo.

         5.       To tender  shares of Cohoes  Common  Stock  pursuant  to the
Offer,  a  properly  completed  and duly  executed  Letter  of  Transmittal  (or
facsimile  thereof),  together with the  certificates  representing the tendered
Cohoes Common Stock and any other required documents, must be transmitted to and
received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth in the Prospectus.

         If holders of Cohoes Common Stock wish to tender,  but it is
impracticable for them to forward their certificates or other required documents
or to complete the procedures  for delivery by book-entry  transfer prior to the
expiration of the Offer,  a tender may be effected by following  the  guaranteed
delivery procedures specified in the Prospectus.

         TrustCo will not pay any fees or  commissions  to any broker or dealer
or other person (other than the  Information  Agent and the Exchange  Agent) for
soliciting  tenders of Cohoes Common Stock pursuant to the Offer.  TrustCo will,
however, upon request,  reimburse brokers,  dealers,  commercial banks and trust


                                       9


companies  for  customary  mailing  and  handling  costs  incurred  by  them  in
forwarding the enclosed materials to their customers.

         Any  inquiries  you may have with  respect to the Offer  should be
addressed to, and  additional  copies of the enclosed  materials may be obtained
from, the Information  Agent at its respective  address and telephone number set
forth in the Prospectus.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY

NOTHING  CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED  DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU THE
AGENT OF TRUSTCO,  COHOES,  THE  INFORMATION  AGENT,  THE EXCHANGE  AGENT OR ANY
AFFILIATE OF ANY OF THE  FOREGOING,  OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE
ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN  CONNECTION  WITH
THE  OFFER  OTHER  THAN  THE  DOCUMENTS  ENCLOSED  HEREWITH  AND THE  STATEMENTS
CONTAINED THEREIN.











                                       10




                                 (Exhibit (a)(5)
                            FORM OF LETTER TO CLIENTS

                                OFFER TO EXCHANGE
                     EACH OUTSTANDING SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.

                                       FOR

                          SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OF

                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY

                      AND $10.80 NET TO THE SELLER IN CASH

THE OFFER AND  WITHDRAWAL  RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00  MIDNIGHT,  NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2000, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

                                                                November 1, 2000

To Our Clients:

     Enclosed for your consideration are the Prospectus, dated October 30, 2000,
and the related  Letter of Transmittal  (which,  together with any amendments or
supplements thereto, collectively constitute the "Offer") in connection with the
offer by TrustCo Bank Corp NY, a New York  corporation  ("TrustCo"),  to acquire
all of the  outstanding  shares of the Common  Stock,  par value $0.01 per share
("Cohoes  Common  Stock"),  of Cohoes  Bancorp,  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Cohoes") for a combination of shares of TrustCo common stock,  par value $1.00
per share ("TrustCo Common Stock") and cash totaling $18.00,  upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer. We are the holder of record of
Cohoes Common Stock held for your account.  A tender of such Cohoes Common Stock
can  be  made  only  by  us as  the  holder  of  record  and  pursuant  to  your
instructions.  The enclosed  Letter of  Transmittal is furnished to you for your
information only and cannot be used by you to tender Cohoes Common Stock held by
us for your account.

         We request  instructions  as to whether  you wish us to tender  any or
all of the Cohoes Common Stock held by us for your  account,  upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer.

         Your attention is invited to the following:

         1.       For each of your shares of Cohoes Common Stock,  you will
receive a combination of TrustCo Common Stock and cash having an aggregate value
of  $18.00,  comprised  of  TrustCo  stock with a value of $7.20 and cash in the
amount of $10.80 net to you without interest.

         2.       The Offer is being made for all outstanding shares of Cohoes
Common Stock.

         3.       The Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 12:00 midnight,
New York City time, on December 15, 2000, unless the Offer is extended.

         4.       The Offer is subject to several  conditions,  including:  (a)
the tender of enough shares of Cohoes Common Stock so that,  after completion of
the Offer,  TrustCo owns at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Cohoes
Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis);  (b) the valid termination of the stock
option  agreement  between  Cohoes  and  Hudson  River  Bancorp,  Inc.;  (c) the
execution of a definitive  merger  agreement  between TrustCo and Cohoes and the
approval  thereof by Cohoes'  board of directors and its  shareholders;  (d) the
execution of a definitive merger agreement between TrustCo's subsidiary, Trustco
Bank,  N.A.,  and Cohoes'  subsidiary,  Cohoes  Savings  Bank,  and the approval
thereof by Cohoes  Savings  Bank's board of directors and  shareholder;  (e) the
receipt of all required  regulatory  approvals  for this offer and the merger of
TrustCo  (or  its  subsidiary)  and  Cohoes;  (f) the  receipt  at the  time  of
completion   of  this  offer  of  an  opinion   letter  that  the  offer  and  a
TrustCo-Cohoes  merger  would be a  tax-free  transaction;  (g) TrustCo's  being
satisfied that the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law and  certain  anti-takeover  impediments  found in  Cohoes'  Certificate  of
Incorporation  do not apply to or otherwise  restrict our offer and the proposed
TrustCo-Cohoes  merger;  and (h) if required under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock
Market, the approval by TrustCo's stockholders of the issuance of TrustCo Common
Stock in the Offer for and in its offer for Hudson.

         5.       Any stock  transfer  taxes  applicable to the sale of Cohoes
Common Stock to TrustCo pursuant to the Offer will be paid by TrustCo, except as
otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal.

         Except as disclosed  in the  Prospectus,  TrustCo is not aware of any
state in which the  making  of the  Offer is  prohibited  by  administrative  or
judicial  action  pursuant to any valid state statute.  In any  jurisdiction  in
which the  securities,  blue sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a
licensed  broker or  dealer,  the  Offer  will be deemed to be made on behalf of
TrustCo by one or more registered  brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of
such jurisdiction.

         If you wish to have us tender any or all of your  shares of Cohoes
Common Stock, please so instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us
the instruction  form set forth on the reverse side of this letter.  An envelope
to return your  instructions  to us is enclosed.  If you authorize the tender of
your Cohoes  Common  Stock,  all of your shares of Cohoes  Common  Stock will be
tendered  unless  otherwise  specified on the reverse side of this letter.  YOUR
INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO US IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PERMIT US TO SUBMIT
A TENDER ON YOUR BEHALF PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER.



                        INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE
                                OFFER TO EXCHANGE
                     EACH OUTSTANDING SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
                                       OF
                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.
                                       FOR
                          SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
                              TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY

                      AND $10.80 NET TO THE SELLER IN CASH

     The  undersigned  acknowledge(s)  receipt of your  letter and the  enclosed
Prospectus  dated  October  30, 2000 and the related  Letter of  Transmittal  in
connection  with the Offer by TrustCo Bank Corp NY, a New York  corporation,  to
acquire all of the outstanding  shares of the Common Stock,  par value $0.01 per
share ("Cohoes Common Stock"), of Cohoes Bancorp,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation
("Cohoes") for a combination of shares of TrustCo common stock,  par value $1.00
per share ("TrustCo Common Stock") and cash totaling $18.00,  upon the terms and
subject to the  conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of
Transmittal.

     This will  instruct  you to tender  the  number of shares of Cohoes  Common
Stock indicated below (or if no number is indicated  below, all shares of Cohoes
Common Stock) held by you for the account of the undersigned, upon the terms and
subject to the  conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of
Transmittal.

Number of Shares of Cohoes Common Stock to be Tendered:* _______________________

Account No.:_____________________________   Dated:______________________________

                                                        SIGN HERE

                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________
                                                        Signature(s)

                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________
                                                  Print Name(s) and Address(es)

                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________
                                              Area Code and Telephone Number(s)

*        Unless  otherwise  indicated,  it will be assumed that all shares of
Cohoes  Common  Stock held by us for your  account  are to be  tendered.

     PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO THE BROKERAGE FIRM MAINTAINING YOUR ACCOUNT