“If someone is having an issue with their credit, we can help them get up to speed,” said Sandra Santoro, housing adviser with the counseling agency.

NBT provides a one-quarter percent reduction in the interest rate for mortgage customers who complete the credit counseling, Leo said.

Free credit counseling is available to any city first-time homebuyer program participant, regardless of which bank is financing the mortgage, Santoro said.

“It’s open to anyone who needs assistance, and anyone who is thinking about buying a house,” she said.

NBT is the latest of several area banks and credit unions to partner with the city program, Bartholomew said.

Others are Glens Falls National Bank, Adirondack Trust, Trustco, SEFCU and Homestead Funding.

The city program recently received a state grant to assist 10 homebuyers in Glens Falls and five elsewere in Warren County.

The grants can be used toward downpayments and closing costs.

A half-dozen applicants have started the application process, and the city continues to take applications, Bartholomew said.