EXHIBIT 99.1
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
  TOMPKINS
   TRUSTCO INC.

                                                   For more information contact:
                                                 James J. Byrnes, Chairman & CEO
                                                      James W. Fulmer, President
                                                          Francis M. Fetsko, CFO
                                             Tompkins Trustco, Inc. 607.273.3210


                              For Immediate Release
                            Friday, December 16, 2005

             Tompkins Trustco Announces Leadership Succession Plan
      Byrnes Announces Plan to Step Down as CEO of Tompkins Trustco in 2007


ITHACA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--December 16, 2005--Tompkins Trustco, Inc. (AMEX:
TMP) The Tompkins Trustco, Inc. Board of Directors has adopted a management
succession plan under which its Chief Executive Officer, James J. Byrnes, will
retire from that role as of January 1, 2007. Stephen S. Romaine, current
President and Chief Executive Officer of Tompkins' subsidiary, Mahopac National
Bank, has been named as Byrnes' replacement. Byrnes, who will remain as Chairman
of the Board of Tompkins Trustco, has served as the CEO of Tompkins Trustco
since its founding in 1995 and, prior to that, as CEO of Tompkins Trust Company
since 1989.

During his tenure, the Company has enjoyed record growth in both assets and
earnings. As CEO, Byrnes has helped guide the Company's strategy of expansion in
banking, securities/investments, and insurance brokerage lines of business,
including the Company's recently announced agreement to acquire AM&M Financial
Services.

Under the succession plan, James W. Fulmer will be appointed a Vice Chairman of
the Board of Tompkins Trustco, effective January 1, 2007. Fulmer will also
continue to serve as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Bank
of Castile. Stephen E. Garner, who succeeded Mr. Byrnes as President and CEO of
Tompkins Trust Company in 2003, will continue in that role as head of Tompkins
Trustco's largest subsidiary.

"I am especially proud of the leadership team that we have developed to carry
our Company forward. Steve Romaine already enjoys a strong and positive
relationship with our senior executives. Jim Fulmer plays a major role in
continuing to build the Tompkins Trustco organization as a strong advocate for
all of our shareholders. Steve Garner has proven to be a great contributor as a
key member of our corporate leadership team," said Byrnes.

"I feel privileged to work within the Tompkins Trustco organization and would
like to thank the Board for this opportunity. I look forward to working with Jim
Byrnes, my colleagues and the Board on this transition over the next year. I
believe our vision and values are strong and our team is prepared to both adapt
to our future and take advantage of its opportunities ahead," added Romaine.


Tompkins Trustco, Inc. operates 34 banking offices in the New York State markets
served by the Company's subsidiary banks - Tompkins Trust Company, The Bank of
Castile, and Mahopac National Bank. Through its community banking subsidiaries,
the Company provides traditional banking services, and offers money management
services through Tompkins Investment Services (a division of Tompkins Trust
Company). The Company also offers insurance services through its Tompkins
Insurance Agencies, Inc. subsidiary, an independent agency serving individuals
and business clients throughout Western and Central New York. Each Tompkins
subsidiary operates with a community focus, meeting the needs of the unique
communities served.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform of 1995:
This press release may include forward-looking statements with respect to
revenue sources, growth, market risk, and corporate objectives. The Company
assumes no duty, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update
forward-looking statements, and cautions that these statements are subject to
numerous assumptions, risk, and uncertainties, all of which could change over
time. Actual results could differ materially from forward-looking statements.