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Community Bank System

cbu · NYSE Financial Services
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Ticker cbu
Exchange NYSE
Sector Financial Services
Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2019 Annual Report · Community Bank System
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performance

It just comes natural.

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.

2 019  A N N UA L  R E P O R T

investment considerations: cbu 

investment profile   

The 12-year cumulative total return to 

shareholders of 437% (on 12/31/19),  

the third highest among the  

100 largest publicly-traded US banks

Goal of 10% average annual  

shareholder returns over time

Cash dividend payment raised  

every year for the past 27 years, providing  

a meaningful dividend and yield

Focus on revenue diversification,  

which has driven noninterest income to  

more than 39% of revenue

Successful and effective operating strategy

Strong fundamentals with excellent  

asset quality on a consistent basis

CLOSING PRICE  

$70.94 at 12/31/19

MARKET CAP   

$3.7 billion at 12/31/19

PRICE/EARNINGS (TTM)   

22.0

PRICE/TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE   

3.5

DIVIDEND  

$1.64 annualized for most recent quarter

DIVIDEND YIELD   

2.31% 

based on closing price  
of $70.94 on 12/31/19

DIVIDEND PAYOUT RATIO   

48.4%

SHARES OUTSTANDING    

51.79 million

AVERAGE TRADING VOLUME    

~218,800 3-month average 12/31/19

NYSE-listed company with  

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS  

both significant institutional ownership  

OPERATIONS REVIEW  

and significant liquidity

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA  

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

ADMINISTRATION  

INVESTMENT PROFILE 

2

6

18

20

21

22

24

CORPORATE / SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION   25

ON THE COVER

Taughannock Falls, Ulysses
S O U T H E R N   N E W   Y O R K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
performance profile

TOTAL REVENUE 1  
 $ in millions

NET INTEREST INCOME  
 $ in millions

270.5 

298.7 

329.4 

346.8 

363.4 

371.7

429.5

518.1 

568.8

584.9

181.7 

209.4 

230.4 

238.1 

244.4 

248.4

274.0

315.7 

345.1

359.2

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10-YEAR CAGR = 8.9%

10-YEAR CAGR = 8.1%

NONINTEREST INCOME 1  
 $ in millions

NET INCOME 

 $ in millions

88.8  

89.3  

99.0  

108.7  

119.0  

123.3 

155.6 

202.4  

223.7

225.7

63.3  

73.1  

77.1  

78.8  

91.4  

91.2 

103.8 

150.7  

168.6

169.1

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10-YEAR CAGR = 10.5%

10-YEAR CAGR = 15.1%

INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS 

 $ in billions

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 $ in billions at 12/31   

4.87  

5.53 

6.37  

6.47  

6.64 

6.99 

7.66 

8.81  

9.37 

9.66 

0.61 

0.77 

0.90 

0.88 

0.99 

1.14 

1.20 

1.64  

1.71 

1.86 

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10-YEAR CAGR = 7.3%

10-YEAR CAGR = 12.6%

1  Excluding securities gains/losses and debt extinguishment charges 

1

To Our Shareholders, Customers and Employees:

Disciplined and consistent performance is something that comes naturally to our team. In 2019, we again delivered strong operating performance and 
continued top-line growth that was both organic in nature and a result of acquisition activity. We established a retail presence in the desirable  
Capital Region of New York State and announced an agreement to acquire another solid and well-run financial institution within our service footprint.   
Growth in average interest-earning assets led to increased net interest income during the year, while our financial services businesses’ consistently 
solid performance contributed meaningfully to noninterest income. Overall, these results enabled a continuation of our record of rewarding 
shareholders through a substantial dividend, raised for the 27th consecutive year.    

PERFORMANCE — IT’S JUST NATURAL

To say that our performance is natural is not to say that it comes easy. Rather, it’s the result of a commitment to disciplined execution of an  
effective and proven strategy focused on long-term value creation that is second nature to our employees. Key elements of this strategy include 
putting the branch at the center of our business, a focus on non-urban areas where market position can be earned, supplementing organic growth  
with accretive acquisitions and diversifying our revenue opportunities through the expansion of fee-based businesses. With an experienced  
and proven management team, an engaged Board, and an exceptional team of employees, we believe this strategy will continue to drive consistent 
earnings growth and increased shareholder value over the long-term.  

As a sizable and growing company, we are committed to supporting the individuals and businesses in the communities and markets we serve and 
focused on putting the customer at the center of everything we do. Through our bankers’ deep knowledge of their markets and our decentralized, local 
decision-making model, we continue to build long-lasting and profitable relationships with our retail and commercial customers. We focus on  
serving smaller, in-footprint customers than most of our larger competitors. This philosophy has served us well, earning us first or second deposit 
market share in approximately two-thirds of the towns where we do business and enabling us to grow from our small community bank roots into the 
$11.5-billion-asset company we are today. This customer-centric approach is also naturally abundant in our financial services businesses, where we 
have continued to expand our market reach and service offerings. 

2019 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 

Our disciplined and differentiated strategy for growth led to continued solid financial performance in 2019 even in the face of a number of operating 
headwinds. In addition to the low-rate environment that all banks have been facing, 2019 included a full-year impact of the long-anticipated  
Durbin-related debit card interchange price restrictions that initially went into effect for our company during the second half of 2018. We are pleased 
with our overall ability to manage these challenges and still achieve a solid operating performance. 

We reported GAAP-basis diluted earnings per share totaling $3.23 for 2019, compared to $3.24 per share earned in 2018. Importantly, these results 
include the considerable impact of Durbin amendment reductions in debit interchange fees, which reduced 2019 earnings by $0.11 per share.

Our results also included a number of non-operating items that somewhat muted what our team accomplished last year, including $8.6 million of 
acquisition expenses compared to a prior-year recovery of approximately $0.8 million of vendor contract termination charges. Excluding acquisition-
related and other non-operating items, which include gains on sale of investments, unrealized gains on equity securities and losses on debt 
extinguishment, operating earnings per share totaled $3.29 in 2019 compared to $3.23 in 2018, an increase of $0.06 year-over-year.  

2019 total revenues of $584.9 million were up $16.1 million, or 2.8%, from 2018, excluding gains on investments and securities. Net interest income 
totaled $359.2 million, a $14.1 million, or 4.1%, increase over the prior year reflecting average earning asset growth of $733 million compared to 2018, 
along with a relatively stable net interest margin of 3.76% for 2019, as compared to 3.73% in 2018.

To say that our performance is natural is not to say that it comes easy.    

OPPORTUNITY IN OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The natural environment for Community Bank System is primarily non-urban and sometimes rural communities throughout the Northeast where 
growth is typically modest, but steady. Through a robust network of branches across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and 
Western Massachusetts, we serve a growing number of retail and commercial banking clients. At a time when branches are declining across  
our industry, we know that they are still highly valued in the communities we serve and are at the core of our customer-focused and “bank happy” 
business model. With the addition of Kinderhook Bank Corp. in third quarter 2019, we now operate more than 230 customer facilities across  
our four-state footprint.    

2

2019 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS 

EARNINGS PER SHARE   
Diluted

GAAP earnings of $3.23 per share,  
compared to $3.24 for 2018

Operating earnings of $3.29 per share,  
a six-cent improvement over 2018

Record net income of $169.1 million

Total revenue of $584.9 million

$1.89  

$2.01  

$1.93  

$1.94  

$2.22  

$2.19 

$2.32 

$3.03  

$3.24

$3.23

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Continuation of excellent asset quality metrics

10-YEAR CAGR = 9.9%

Cash dividend raised for the 27th consecutive  
year to an annualized $1.64

DIVIDEND GROWTH  

Declared

Core non-time deposits of $8.1 billion  
make up 89.6% of total deposits

2019 net interest margin of 3.76%,  
up from 3.73% in 2018

$0.94   

$1.00  

$1.06   

$1.10  

$1.16  

$1.22 

$1.26  

$1.32  

$1.44

$1.58

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10-YEAR CAGR = 6.0%

BOOK VALUE PER SHARE
At 12/31   

 $18.23 

 $20.94 

 $22.78 

 $21.66 

 $24.24 

 $26.06 

 $26.96

 $32.26 

$33.43

$35.82

Howe Caverns
C E N T R A L   N E W   Y O R K

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10-YEAR CAGR = 7.6%

3

This expanding market footprint reflects some organic growth, but is primarily a result of our acquisition activity that expands our customer base,  
adds earning assets and provides reasonably priced funding to support future organic growth. Importantly, these transactions also add the talent we  
need to successfully compete across our service area. Since 2011 we have completed six whole-bank or multiple-branch acquisitions that have 
expanded and enhanced our overall footprint.

In July 2019, we closed on our acquisition of Kinderhook Bank Corp. and its subsidiary, The National Union Bank of Kinderhook. This transaction added 
a high quality, low risk partner that provided important density in the attractive Albany market where we had added a commercial banking team in 
2018. Through Kinderhook, we gained 11 branches across five counties in the Capital District and added approximately $640 million in assets, including 
a loan portfolio with very sound asset quality. The closing and integration process were among the best we’ve executed to date, and we’ve been 
pleased to have a very capable team with a history of solid financial performance contributing to our results in the second half 2019. We expect this 
transaction to contribute to additional earnings per share growth in 2020. 

Approximately three months after closing on our Kinderhook transaction, we announced a definitive agreement to acquire Steuben Trust Company,  
a move that further strengthens our market presence in the Southern Tier region of Western New York. Steuben Trust is a Hornell, N.Y.-headquartered 
bank with approximately $570 million in assets, $480 million in deposits and 14 branch locations. This merger, which we expect to close in the  
second quarter of 2020, adds significant density to our existing Western New York service area and provides entry into two new counties in the region.  
Because of the overlap of some of our branch footprints, we expect to consolidate some locations, while retaining a convenient and efficient  
branch network to service the market and meet customer demand. As with Kinderhook, we expect this transition to be additive to 2020 earnings.  

GROWTH IS IN OUR NATURE

Ending total loans at December 31, 2019 were up $609.4 million, or 9.7%, over one year prior, driven by a combination of organic loan growth and the 
impact of our Kinderhook transaction. Loan growth was led by a 15.8% year-over-year increase in business lending, followed by an 8.7% increase  
in consumer mortgage lending. We are encouraged by our very healthy early 2020 loan pipeline and we expect solid origination activity during the year 
to supplement the loans that will be acquired through the Steuben Trust transaction.  

The consistent quality of our loan portfolio reflects the conservative approach to risk management we employ and as a result, our asset quality metrics 
continue to compare very favorably to peers and the industry overall. At December 31, 2019, nonperforming loans totaled $24.3 million, or just 0.35%  
of total loans, a five-basis-point improvement from one year prior. By comparison, the median 2019 ratio reported by the country’s largest 100 banks  
was 0.63%, a full 28 basis points higher. Our allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans measured 206% at December 31, 2019, nine percentage 
points stronger than at the end of 2018 and approximately 70 percentage points higher than the median for the top 100 banks. Net charge-offs for  
2019 were $7.8 million, or just 12 basis points on the average loan portfolio.  

Deposits at year-end of $9.0 billion were $672.6 million, or 8.1%, greater than December 31, 2018, and reflected both organic and acquired growth.  
The increase in deposits in 2019 fully funded our lending activity for the year. Noninterest bearing deposit balances, primarily commercial accounts, grew  
by $153.1 million, or 6.6%, year-over-year. Checking and savings accounts made up 68.3% of the Company’s total deposits at December 31, 2019.    

The Kinderhook acquisition added a high quality, low risk partner  
that provided important density in the attractive Albany market.

DIVERSIFIED BUSINESSES DRIVE PERFORMANCE

While community banking remains the core of our businesses and makes up more than 70% of our revenues, we have diversified and expanded  
our financial services offerings over the years, including through a national employee benefit services business line that contributes approximately  
17% to total revenue, a wealth management business making up approximately 4% of revenue and an insurance operation which accounts for 
another 6%. These financial services businesses have helped to push our overall noninterest income to 39% of total revenue, compared to a median 
of just 18% for the top-100 U.S. bank by assets. In the challenging interest rate environment that our industry has been operating in for some time,  
the ability to reduce our reliance on net interest income is all the more important. 

Our commitment to building a substantial fee-based revenue stream and lessening our dependence on the net interest margin side of our business 
continues to pay dividends. Noninterest revenues, excluding securities gains and losses, totaled $225.7 million for 2019, even with a $4.9 million 
decline in banking fee revenue as a result of the Durbin impact. This was more than offset by $6.9 million of growth in our financial services revenues.  
Wealth management and insurance revenues increased 3.5% and our employee benefits revenues grew 5.3% during the year, generating non-banking  
financial services revenues of $155.2 million in 2019. This is nearly 5% greater than the prior year and together these revenues comprised 27% of  
total revenue for 2019.

4

While we have an ongoing commitment to growth, we have an equally strong commitment to efficiency. We are focused on carefully managing core 
expenses and being smart about the investments we make. Our core operating expenses, which exclude acquisition-related costs, increased 5%  
year-over-year due principally to the Kinderhook acquisition. In addition, we maintained an efficiency ratio of 59.6% for 2019, achieving our goal of below 
60% even as we invest in our business. In addition to a convenient, efficient and effective branch presence, advanced technology is both a necessity  
to meet customer expectations and an efficient method of providing customer service. Ongoing investments in enhanced digital banking services continue  
to be well-received by our customers and we continue to see an increase in usage. Our digital banking adoption rates have been growing steadily over 
the past three years, and during 2019 online banking users neared 275,000 and mobile banking grew to approximately 185,000 users.   

We are focused on generating superior long-term shareholder returns 
through a combination of continuous growth and improved performance.    

EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE AND TEAM

The Company’s performance in 2019, along with our overall financial strength once again earned recognition as a top performing financial institution  
by Forbes.com® in its annual analysis of “America’s Best Banks.” During the 11 years that Forbes® has produced this analysis of the 100 largest  
publicly-traded financial institutions, Community Bank System placed among the top 10 nine times, and has never ranked lower than 12th . We are 
particularly proud of our record of consistently ranking among the country’s best large banks in an analysis that considers operating performance, 
capital strength and asset quality, all metrics that we take very seriously.  

We also ranked in the top ten in the J.D. Power 2019 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction StudySM for the Mid-Atlantic region. The J.D. Power analysis 
directly reflects the opinions of our loyal customers and the results provide a strong endorsement of the quality of our customer-facing employees.  
These accolades are a testament to the deep bench of talent we have throughout all levels of the company. We are committed to attracting, retaining 
and developing top talent, along with providing an inclusive work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We work to  
provide a positive culture where our associates can perform at their best. It appears that this approach is yielding results. 

On November 20, 2019, we announced the appointment of Kerrie D. MacPherson, FCPA, FCA, as a new independent director. Kerrie is a true  
financial expert who brings more than 30 years of experience that includes banking, audit, financial advisory services, marketing, sales, and mergers 
and acquisitions. She previously served as a senior partner of Ernst & Young, LLP in the New York office, working with clients across a broad  
array of industries and developing extensive experience in the financial services sector. Kerrie’s addition expands our Board to 12 directors, 11 of  
whom are independent.

FOCUSED ON VALUE CREATION AND THE FUTURE

Our focus has been, and remains, on generating superior long-term shareholder returns through a combination of continuous growth and improved 
performance. This combination of growth and enhanced profitability has enabled our Board to make a significant and growing dividend an important 
element of returning value to our investors. In 2019, we raised the dividend by 7.9%, marking the 27th consecutive year for a dividend increase.  
At $1.64 per share on an annualized basis, this is a meaningful dividend that we believe is a valuable way to accrete shareholder value. This type of 
consistent dividend has earned us a position as one of 112 companies named to the S&P’s High Yield Dividend Aristocrats.  

Our record of strong and consistent profitability has enabled the Company to build and maintain strong capital levels which provide ample room  
to support our ongoing strategic growth efforts. Our Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.80% and our tangible equity to assets ratio was 10.01% at year-end, 
providing significant flexibility to consider expansion opportunities. We are an experienced and respected buyer in the banking and non-banking 
spaces and continue to explore opportunities to grow our franchise through accretive acquisitions, as part of our long-term focus on value creation. 

Looking ahead to 2020, we expect to successfully close and integrate Steuben Trust during the second quarter and look forward to welcoming  
its customers, employees and shareholders to Community Bank System. We believe we are very well-positioned to build on the solid results achieved 
in 2019, in order to deliver even greater success in 2020 and beyond. On behalf of our Board and leadership team, thank you for your continued  
interest in and support of Community Bank System, Inc.

Sincerely, 

Sally A. Steele Chairman of the Board

Mark E. Tryniski President and Chief Executive Officer

5

Community Bank continues to place a strong emphasis  
on community service, earning the United Way of Northern 
New York’s 2018 Macsherry Family Community Spirit  
Award, which honors businesses exemplifying this quality. 

M A R K E T   P R E S E N C E   12 /31/19

BRANCH LOCATIONS  

BRANCH DEPOSITS 

EMPLOYEES 

45

$2.3 billion

544

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE   Canton, NY

Blue Mountain Lake
N O R T H E R N   N E W   Y O R K

6

a broad presence in the north country New York State’s vast North Country is  
an original market of Community Bank System and remains an important region with demographics perfectly fitted to the Bank’s strategic 
focus on non-urban markets. Community Bank has established a strong share of the deposit and lending markets in the micropolitan  
cities of the North Country, which include Canton, Malone, Massena, Plattsburgh and Potsdam.   

With close proximity to Quebec and Eastern Ontario, the region is a prime gateway to Canada, making it attractive to companies seeking 
growth opportunities and cross-border markets. The Alexandria Bay and Champlain ports rank in the top 10 for truck traffic entering  
the United States. Its prime location has attracted a diverse assortment of industry clusters, which include pharmaceutical, bio tech, 
materials processing, transportation equipment, wood products distribution and food processing. In addition, the region has a strong 
agricultural economy and boasts a growing $1 billion plus tourism industry.    

Our history in the North Country reaches back to the 1866 charter that created St. Lawrence County National Bank. The merger that formed 
Community Bank in 1983 provided the impetus for the substantial expansion of the Bank’s North Country footprint, including multiple 
branch and whole bank acquisitions. Our 45 branch locations provide a substantial market presence across the mostly rural 16,000 square 
miles that reach from the Canadian provinces through the Adirondacks and east to the Vermont border. We are a strong competitor across 
the region and have built the number one deposit market share for the 10-county area with deposits of $2.3 billion at June 30, 2019.

Assuming responsibility as a proactive citizen is an essential part of how Community Bank has conducted business since its founding. 
Helping customers to effectively manage their finances is an important part of the service we provide. The way we serve our communities 
by helping businesses prosper, providing good jobs, serving on organization boards and volunteer efforts, is equally important.  
Contributing to the growth and quality of life in our communities is good business as well as the right thing to do. We do this throughout 
our service area, and Northern New York is no exception. For the last two years, the Bank has sponsored the Empire State Winter Games 
in Lake Placid. The Games bring together athletes from 15 states and three countries to compete in over 30 winter sports, with 2,100 
attending the 2019 event. This certainly raises our profile in Northern New York, but just as important, it helps to provide an economic 
stimulus to the Northern New York communities we serve.

Data sources: Empire State Development Corporation, U.S. Census Bureau American Fact Finder Surveys

7

opportunity is always on our horizon Our Southern New York market area covers 16 counties, 
12,600 square miles and stretches across three upstate economic regions: Western New York, the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier. 
Despite its predominantly rural geographic character, this market has a relatively vibrant economy. 

In the five Western New York counties in this market there are more than 35,000 businesses and more than 523,000 private-sector jobs. 
Community Bank’s roots reach back to this region and the Exchange National Bank of Olean, one of the three community banks that 
merged in 1983 to form the Company. Today we have a strong market presence in the region, with 35 branch locations spread across 
Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties. The Western New York economy has rebounded in recent years and is attracting 
more entrepreneurs, capital and attention due to initiatives like 43 North, the world’s largest business plan competition. Western New York 
provides a strong foundation for this market with its strategic proximity to Canada through four international bridge crossings, and its  
reach to 40% of North America’s population which is located within a 500-mile radius. 

We have a strong 25-branch market presence in six Finger Lakes counties (Cayuga, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates)  
that will grow stronger in 2020 with the addition of the Steuben Trust locations. The Finger Lakes region has rich agricultural resources and 
is a leading producer of apple, dairy and grape products in the Eastern U.S. The nine-county Finger Lakes region, which includes the city 
of Rochester, has a large and innovative range of industries, including optics, photonics and imaging, advanced manufacturing, high-tech 
electronics and software, life sciences, telecommunications and IT, medical devices, breweries, and alternative energy. This region is  
also fortunate to have 19 colleges and universities, providing the skilled workers necessary to keep the area’s technology-based business 
moving forward.  

New York’s Southern Tier reaches across the state immediately north of the Pennsylvania border. This region also has a strong agricultural  
economy with more than 5,300 farms. Like the Finger Lakes, the region boasts dozens of higher educational institutions, including top-ranked 
Cornell University, Binghamton University and Ithaca College. The region has an estimated annual payroll of $2 billion and a wide range of 
industries, including defense, distribution and insurance, as well as being a rail manufacturing hub. We have a significant 14-branch  
presence in seven Southern Tier counties that reaches from Steuben County to Tioga County. During 2020 we’ll complete the acquisition of  
Steuben Trust, adding 14 additional locations across the region.

 Data source: Empire State Development Corporation

M A R K E T   P R E S E N C E   12 /31/19

BRANCH LOCATIONS  

BRANCH DEPOSITS 

EMPLOYEES 

72

$2.9 billion

769

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE   Olean, NY

Chimney Bluffs, Wolcott
S O U T H E R N   N E W   Y O R K

8

STEUBEN TRUST CORPORATION ACQUISITION SUMMARY 

14 Steuben Trust Company banking locations  |  Multiple locations in  
Allegany and Steuben counties  |  Additional scale in Erie and  
Livingston counties  |  Entry into Wyoming and Monroe counties 
Locations in suburban Buffalo and Rochester  |  Assets of approximately  
$580 million  |  Deposits of approximately $480 million

9

M A R K E T   P R E S E N C E   12 /31/19

BRANCH LOCATIONS  

BRANCH DEPOSITS 

EMPLOYEES 

49

$2.3 billion

591

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS   

DeWitt, NY

Sam’s Point, Catskill Mountains
C E N T R A L   N E W   Y O R K

10

Our 2019 acquisition of Kinderhook provided  significant retail and business banking presence  in the Capital District.   performance with a long view Our Central New York market area reaches from Syracuse to Albany,  
two of the largest metropolitan areas in Upstate New York. On July 12, 2019 we completed the acquisition of The National Union Bank of  
Kinderhook, which added 11 branch locations across a five-county area (Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Montgomery, and Rensselaer) in the state’s 
Capital District. The transaction established a broader and deeper banking presence in the Capital District, supporting our retail and business 
banking growth efforts there. We have long considered the Capital Region attractive for targeted expansion, with an economy driven by 
diverse technology and manufacturing industries. The Albany area has become one of the nation’s fastest growing tech job markets because 
of a highly productive and educated workforce, where one-third of workers have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

When Community Bank System was created with the 1983 merger of the Exchange National Bank of Olean, St. Lawrence County National 
Bank and the First National Bank of Ovid, we established the current Central New York headquarters location. At that time the Bank  
didn’t have a significant presence in the area beyond our administrative facility. Since then, our business profile in Central New York has 
changed dramatically. Through a series of acquisitions, we have built a sizable presence in the region with nearly 50 branch locations  
and more than $2 billion in deposits. 

Our 2011 acquisition of The Wilber Corporation extended the Community Bank brand to the south and east of Syracuse, providing branch 
locations in Otsego, Onondaga, Chenango, Broome, Delaware and Schoharie counties. The Mohawk Valley to the east also seemed to be a 
natural fit with markets that shared similar demographics as our existing service areas. Our 2015 acquisition of Oneida Financial Corp. added 
12 full-service locations in Madison and Oneida counties and connected the Syracuse and Utica metropolitan areas. The Mohawk Valley is 
experiencing growth in industries related to distribution, materials processing, industrial machinery and services, agriculture and technology. 
In addition, an innovation corridor is developing in Central New York, with a focus on the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry and the 
development of a 50-mile flight traffic management system between Syracuse and Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York.

Our Central New York market now covers more than 12,600 square miles from the southeast corner of Lake Ontario to the state’s border  
with Massachusetts. The area offers considerable opportunity with more than 155,000 businesses, annual business revenues that exceed 
$173.8 billion and total payrolls of approximately $29.4 billion.

Data sources: Empire State Development Corporation, U.S. Census Bureau American Fact Finder Surveys

11

We combine a deep-rooted commitment to  
slow-growth, non-urban markets with targeted expansion 
into higher-growth, mid-size urban areas.

M A R K E T   P R E S E N C E   12 /31/19

BRANCH LOCATIONS  

BRANCH DEPOSITS 

EMPLOYEES 

30

$1.1 billion

279

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE     Wilkes-Barre, PA

Ricketts Glen State Park
N O R T H E A S T E R N   P E N N S Y L V A N I A

12

flowing into northeast pennsylvania Our market-leading branch system thrives primarily in  
non-metropolitan markets with stable local economies that support steady and sustainable growth. While more densely populated than 
most of our other markets, the six Northeastern Pennsylvania counties where our branches are located offer a perfect fit. Community Bank  
began investing in the Northeast Pennsylvania market in 2001, and after three whole-bank transactions and the 2013 acquisition of eight  
branches, we have built a competitive local presence in and around the region’s two urban centers – Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.  
Our market area includes approximately 4,100 square miles and a population of 721,000, that we service through a network of 30 branch 
locations with approximately $1.1 billion in local deposits.    

Community Bank’s success at achieving best-in-class returns over the long term is a result of our regional approach to business, which  
is exemplified by our experience in Pennsylvania. We combine a deep-rooted commitment to slow-growth, non-urban markets with 
targeted expansion into higher-growth, mid-size urban areas that are then directed by knowledgeable regional market leadership teams.  
The smaller markets we have focused on provide deep and loyal deposit accounts with outstanding retention, and as a result,  
we enjoy a market-leading presence in most of the communities we bank. 

While our Northeastern Pennsylvania service area includes two mid-sized metropolitan areas, it is also home to many mid-sized and 
smaller towns. Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, with the population centers of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, are one of the state’s most 
densely populated areas outside of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The other four counties – Bradford, Carbon, Susquehanna and  
Wyoming – are non-urban in character, similar to the Bank’s other markets across Upstate New York. Our 10 locations in these four counties  
provides a strong market presence.     

The Northeast Pennsylvania region is noteworthy for its business and economic diversity across multiple industry segments, including 
healthcare, manufacturing, high-tech, logistics, distribution, defense and transportation. It’s also home to more than 20 higher educational 
institutions, including top-ranked graduate and undergraduate universities and community colleges, which attract more than 50,000 
college students to the region.

In addition to donations and volunteering across our four-state banking service area, each year we adopt community programs that provide  
assistance to a portion of the local population that could benefit from their targeted support activities. In Northeastern Pennsylvania, 
Community Bank sponsors the Hazleton Integration Project, securing proceeds to support the Hazleton One Community Center. The funding 
propels a community-based effort that seeks to embrace and unite people of many different cultures across the Hazleton area.

Data sources: Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry, PennsNortheast.com, U.S. Census American Community Survey

13

a mountain of opportunity in vermont The Vermont market has always been geographically 
close to the Bank’s service area, and actually resides much closer to our North Country service area than those same locations are to our 
branches in the central, south and western parts of New York State. With Community Bank’s commitment to the philosophy of serving the 
financial needs of customers in smaller towns and cities within its geographic market areas, the move into Vermont was natural.

In 2017, we secured this positioning with the acquisition of Merchants Bancshares, Inc., extending the Company’s footprint into the  
Vermont and Western Massachusetts markets. This transaction meant that Community Bank would immediately secure a strong market 
presence with the addition of 31 branch locations in 12 Vermont counties and a single location in Massachusetts. 

Vermont has a solid business economy and leads the region in job concentration in the semi-conductor and complex electronics industry 
sub-sector. Advanced manufacturing is an important part of the employment landscape, and half of all Vermont counties employ at  
least 25% of their manufacturing workforce in advanced sectors. There are more than 1,000 manufacturing firms located across Vermont’s 
8,800 square miles, and these firms are responsible for approximately 11% of its GDP. Along with manufacturing, the state also has  
strong agriculture and energy sectors, and more than 31,000 people are employed in Vermont’s $2.6 billion tourism business. The strength 
of its economy is reflected in the state’s 2019 year-end unemployment rate of 2.3% and median household income of $57,808. In 2018, 
Vermont was ranked the second-best state by the Opportunity Index, which provides data that indicates what opportunity looks like in the 
United States, based on a combination of economy, education, health and community factors.

Community Bank’s approach to business will always remain focused on the communities where we operate. Our branch managers are 
empowered to make loan decisions at the branch level, eliminating the wait for approval from far-off corporate offices. In New England, as 
in our other markets, we loan local and we decide local.

Across our multi-state banking footprint, Community Bank has made monetary contributions to nearly 600 cultural, civic, economic 
development and social service organizations. Team members have also chosen to give generously of their time and expertise by actively 
participating in causes for the greater good. Our New England market employees have also committed to making a positive difference 
outside of their work. In Vermont, the Bank recently presented Special Olympics Vermont with a donation of $11,154, which included 
$6,154 raised by our New England employees and a $5,000 sponsorship for the organization’s Penguin Plunge. Almost 30 bank employees 
participated in the event as part of the Bank’s Super-Hero Team, raising additional funds through personal donations and fundraisers.

Data sources: ThinkVermont.com, Vermont Department of Labor Economic & Labor Market Information,  
Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing 2015 Benchmark Report 

M A R K E T   P R E S E N C E   12 /31/19

BRANCH LOCATIONS  

BRANCH DEPOSITS 

EMPLOYEES 

32

$1.3 billion

225

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE     SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT

Mount Mansfield, Vermont
N E W   E N G L A N D

14

In New England, as with our other  
markets, our employees are committed to 
making a positive difference.

15

financial services 

BPAS

A national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund 

administration, and collective investment trusts, which  

supports 3,800 retirement plans, $86 billion in trust assets,  

and more than 450,000 participants. BPAS services it clients 

from five New York State locations, along with locations  

in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Texas  

and Puerto Rico.  

BPAS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Community Bank 

System, Inc., that through a series of acquisitions has 

assembled a broad range of related services which enables 

them to solve all of a client’s benefit plan challenges without 

engaging multiple providers. BPAS works to continually  

create differential value for its customers by hiring and 

training top talent; by staying at the forefront of technology, 

compliance and regulatory changes; and by assuming  

a higher level of responsibility for its clients’ plans.

This approach enabled BPAS to grow revenue to more  

than $97 million in 2019, a compound annual growth rate  

of 13.3% over the last 10 years. 

BPAS SERVICES

BPAS REVENUE
 $ in millions   

29.6 

 31.6

 35.9

 38.6

 42.6

 45.4

 46.6

 80.8

 92.3

 97.2

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10-YEAR CAGR = 13.3%

WEALTH MANAGEMENT  
AND INSURANCE SERVICES $ in millions   

 9.8

 10.7

 12.9

 15.6

 17.9

 20.2

 42.9

 48.2

 56.1

 58.0

Plan Administration & Recordkeeping  |  TPA 

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Actuarial & Pension  |  VEBA & HRA/HSA | Fiduciary 

10-YEAR CAGR = 21.1%

AutoRollovers & MyPlanLoan  |  Healthcare Consulting 

Transfer Agency | Fund Administration  |  Custody 

Collective Investment Trusts

FINANCIAL SERVICES  
2019 REVENUE: $155.2M
In millions   

$97.2M

Employee Benefit Services

Wealth Management and Insurance 

$58.0M 

Pine Creek
N O R T H E A S T E R N   P E N N S Y L V A N I A

16

COMMUNITY BANK  
WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND  
INSURANCE SERVICES

Investments | Insurance | Trust Services

COMMUNITY BANK TRUST SERVICES

Community Bank offers a range of wealth management  

and insurance services available either in branch or from  

wholly-owned subsidiary companies. These businesses 

generated revenue in excess of $58 million in 2019.    

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT SERVICES

  PERSONAL & BUSINESS RETIREMENT PLANNING   

  EDUCATION PLANNING   

  COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL PLANNING   

  ESTATE PLANNING   

LIFE, DISABILITY & LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE   

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT   

INDIVIDUAL MANAGED ADVISORY ACCOUNTS 

ONE GROUP 

Full-service investment services firm providing  

comprehensive investment fiduciary advice to plan sponsors 

  COMPETITIVE FEE & BENCHMARKING STUDY 

  EMPLOYEE EDUCATION ROADMAP TO RETIREMENT 

FIDUCIARY SUPPORT

THE CARTA GROUP 

A premier fee-based comprehensive financial planning firm

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE/RETIREMENT PLANNING 

INVESTMENT PLANNING 

  RISK MANAGEMENT PLANNING 

  ESTATE PLANNING 

  BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANNING 

  EDUCATION PLANNING

  TRUST ADMINISTRATION 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT 

  ESTATE PLANNING 

  ESTATE ADMINISTRATION & SETTLEMENT 

  CUSTODY AND BILL PAYING 

  RETIREMENT PLANNING 

FOUNDATION MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTING 

  GUARDIANSHIPS 

  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SERVICING

NOTTINGHAM ADVISORS   

Manages and advises on over $1 billion of client assets

Specializing in low-cost, risk-aware Exchange Traded  

Fund (ETF)-based investment strategies

  GLOBAL ASSET ALLOCATION SPECIALISTS 

  SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS 

INDIVIDUAL AND INSTITUTIONAL PORTFOLIO   

  MANAGEMENT 

  PIONEERS IN THE USE OF EXCHANGE   

  TRADED FUNDS

INSURANCE SERVICES

LIFE INSURANCE 

  DISABILITY INSURANCE 

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE 

  EXECUTIVE BENEFIT 

  CUSTOMIZED INSURANCE PLANS 

  ESTATE PLAN FUNDING 

  AUTO INSURANCE 

  HOME INSURANCE 

  PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE 

  BUSINESS INSURANCE 

  RISK MANAGEMENT

17

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
selected financial highlights 

Income Statement  
In millions 

Net interest income 

Noninterest income 

Total revenue1 

Noninterest expenses 

Net income 

Net interest margin 

2019 

2009 

  CAGR
(10-year)

$ 

359.2 

230.6 

584.9 

372.0 

$ 

165.5 

8.1%

83.5 

  10.7%

249.0 

186.2 

8.9%

7.2%

$ 

169.1 

$ 

41.4 

  15.1%

3.76% 

3.80% 

N/A

Per Share Data (Diluted)

Diluted earnings per share 

$ 

Operating earnings per share 

Cash dividends declared 

Book value 

$ 

3.23 

3.29 

1.58 

35.82 

Tangible book value 

$ 

20.52 

$ 

1.26 

1.30 

0.88 

17.25 

8.09 

Balance Sheet Data  
End of period, In millions

Assets 

Loans 

Deposits 

$ 

11,410  

$ 

5,403  

6,891 

8,995 

1,855 

3,099 

3,924 

Shareholders’ equity 

$ 

$ 

566 

  12.6%

9.9%

9.7% 

6.0%

7.6%

9.8%

7.8%

8.3%

8.6%

1  Excluding securities gains/losses and debt extinguishment charges

Green Mountains, Vermont
N E W   E N G L A N D

18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
NONPERFORMING LOANS / TOTAL LOANS  

 At 12/31

0.61% 

0.85% 

0.75% 

0.54% 

0.56% 

0.50%

0.48%

0.44% 

0.40%

0.35%

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

NET CHARGE-OFFS / AVERAGE LOANS  

 At 12/31

0.21%

0.15%

0.23%

0.17%

0.15%

0.15%

0.13%

0.18%

0.15%

0.12%

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

EFFICIENCY RATIO1 

59.4%  

57.6% 

57.4%  

59.3%  

58.4%  

58.2% 

59.6% 

58.3%  

58.0%

59.6%

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

1  Efficiency ratio provides a ratio of operating expenses to operating income. It excludes  

intangible amortization, acquisition expenses, and litigation settlement from expenses and 
  acquired non-impaired loan accretion, gains and losses on investment securities and loss on  
  debt extinguishment from income while adding a fully-taxable equivalent adjustment.

19

 
executive management

Mark E. Tryniski 
President and Chief Executive Officer

Joined CBU in 2003 and has previously served as CFO and 
COO. Prior to joining the company, he was a  
partner with PriceWaterhouse Coopers.

Scott A. Kingsley 
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Joined CBU in 2004 and previously served as CFO.  
Prior to joining the Company, he served as  
CFO of Carlisle Engineered Products.

George J. Getman 
Executive Vice President, General Counsel

Prior to joining CBU in 2008, he provided corporate  
counsel to CBU as a senior partner at  
Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC.

Joseph F. Serbun 
Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer

Joined the Company in 2008. Prior to that, he had  
worked at Partners Trust Bank and  
JPMorgan Chase Bank.

Joseph E. Sutaris  
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer 

Joined CBU in 2011 following the Company’s acquisition  
of The Wilber Corporation, where he held  
several roles, including CFO. 

C O M M U N I T Y   B A N K ,   N . A .   

P E N N S Y LV A N I A   R E G I O N A L   

A D V I S O R Y   B O A R D

Colleen Doyle, Esq.

John Graham

Donald Karpovich, Esq.

Gerard O’Donnell

William Ruark

Lissa Bryan-Smith

James Shoemaker, Esq.

20

board of directors

Sally A. Steele  
Chairman of the Board

Attorney at Law

DIRECTOR SINCE 2003

Brian R. Ace  
Retired Owner of  
Laceyville Hardware

COMMITTEES   
Governance; 
Trust and Financial Services; 
Compensation 

Mark J. Bolus  
President and CEO of 
Bolus Motor Lines, Inc.

COMMITTEES   
Risk, Chair;  
Compensation, Vice Chair;  
Strategic/Executive

DIRECTOR SINCE 2003

DIRECTOR SINCE 2010

Jeffrey L. Davis  
President of J.L. Davis, Inc.

COMMITTEES   
Governance, Chair;  
Audit/Compliance

DIRECTOR SINCE 2017

Neil E. Fesette  
Owner, President and CEO of 
Fesette Realty, LLC and Fesette 
Property Management

COMMITTEES   
Compensation, Chair; 
Governance; Strategic/Executive

DIRECTOR SINCE 2010

Michael R. Kallet   
Retired Chairman and CEO  
of Oneida Financial Corp.

Kerrie D. MacPherson   
Retired senior partner  
of Ernst & Young, LLP

COMMITTEES   
Trust and Financial Services, Chair

COMMITTEES   
Audit/Compliance

DIRECTOR SINCE 2015

DIRECTOR SINCE 2019

John Parente  
CEO of CP Media, LLC

COMMITTEES   
Strategic/Executive, Chair;  
Risk, Vice Chair;  
Audit/Compliance

DIRECTOR SINCE 2010

Raymond C. Pecor, III 
President of Lake Champlain  
Transportation Company 

Eric E. Stickels  
Retired President, COO and 
Secretary of Oneida Financial Corp.

COMMITTEES   
Compensation; Trust and  
Financial Services

COMMITTEES   
Strategic/Executive;  
Trust and Financial Services

DIRECTOR SINCE 2017

DIRECTOR SINCE 2015

Mark E. Tryniski  
President and CEO of  
Community Bank System, Inc.

DIRECTOR SINCE 2006

John F. Whipple, Jr.  
Lead Director  
CEO of Buffamante  
Whipple Buttafaro, P.C. 

COMMITTEES   
Audit/Compliance, Chair; 
Governance

DIRECTOR SINCE 2010

Note: All bank board members participate in the Risk Committee

21

BENEFIT PLAN SERVICES

B PA S

6 Rhoads Drive, Utica, NY

Barry Kublin, Chief Executive Officer
Paul M. Neveu, President, BPAS, LLC
Linda S. Pritchard, Senior Vice President,  
  Recordkeeping Services

3401 Masons Mill Road, Suite 601, 
  Huntingdon Valley, PA

Mary Anne Geary, Senior Vice President, 
  DC Plan Services

B PA S   A C T U A R I A L   A N D   P E N S I O N   S E R V I C E S

706 North Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY

Vincent F. Spina, President
Steven P. Chase, Senior Vice President
Sarah E. Dam, Senior Vice President 

60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1062, New York, NY

Sheryl Gabriel, Senior Vice President 

H A N D   B E N E F I T S   &   T R U S T

820 Gessner, Suite 1250, Houston, TX

W. David Hand, Chief Executive Officer
Stephen Hand, President
James Goodwin, Vice President

B PA S   T R U S T   C O M PA N Y   P U E R T O   R I C O

VIG Tower, 1225 Ponce De Leon Ave, Suite 804 
  San Juan, PR

Alfredo Matheu, BPAS President, Puerto Rico

N O R T H E A S T   R E T I R E M E N T   S E R V I C E S ,   I N C .   ( N R S )

12 Gill Street, Suite 2600, Woburn, MA

Chris Hulse, Chief Executive Officer 
Arvind Kesireddy, Chief Operating Officer
Frank Lallos, Chief Business Officer
Christopher Ellis, Chief Financial Officer
Freddie Jacobs, Chief Risk Officer

EXECUTIVE
Mark E. Tryniski, President and  
  Chief Executive Officer
Scott A. Kingsley, Executive Vice President,  
  Chief Operating Officer
Joseph E. Sutaris, Executive Vice President,  
  Chief Financial Officer
George J. (Joe) Getman, Executive  
  Vice President, General Counsel
Joseph F. Serbun, Executive Vice President,  
  Chief Credit Officer

RETAIL BANKING
Hal Wentworth, Senior Vice President,  
  Retail Banking and Marketing
Kent Backus, Regional Retail Banking Manager
Anita Bourgeois, Retail and Municipal  
  Banking Manager
George Cooper, Vice President Capital District  
Eric M. Garvin, Regional Retail Banking Manager
Paul Lepore, Regional Retail Banking Manager
Barbara Maculloch, Regional President 
  Pennsylvania  
Rita J. Walldroff, Regional Retail Banking Manager
Lynne Wadsworth, Branch Services  Administrator

COMMERCIAL/CONSUMER LENDING   
AND CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
Scott Boser, Senior Vice President,  
  Director of Consumer and Mortgage Lending
Luke Fagan, Senior Vice President,  
  Commercial Banking
Mark Houghtaling, Director of Credit Administration

FINANCE & TREASURY MANAGEMENT
Joseph Lemchak, Senior Vice President,  
  Chief Investment Officer
Deresa Durkee, Corporate Controller
Robert Frost, Vice President of Finance,  
  Director of Capital Planning and Analysis
Sean Howard, Senior Treasury Officer

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Bernadette Barber, Senior Vice President,  
  Chief Human Resources Officer
Michael Abdo, Senior Vice President,  
  Senior Associate General Counsel
Danielle Cima, Associate General Counsel,  
  Corporate Secretary
Dorothy Quarltere, Chief Compliance Officer 
Brett Fisk, Director of Facilities
Randy Pray, Corporate Purchasing Manager

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS
Aaron Friot, Senior Vice President,  
  Chief Technology Officer
Susan Fox, Senior Vice President,  
  Chief Information Officer
Christina Sullivan, Director of Business  

Information Systems

Robin Dumas, Electronic Banking Manager
Barbara Snyder, Loan Operations Manager
Paula Demo, Deposit Operations Manager

RISK MANAGEMENT
Paul Ward, Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer
Dennelle Michalski, Director of Risk Management
Timothy Miller, Director of Information Security
Daniel O’Connell, Director of Internal Audit
Larry Witter, Bank Secrecy Officer

COMMUNITY BANK   
COMMERCIAL BANKING 

W E S T E R N   R E G I O N
James Rahill, Commercial Banking Team Leader
Richard Ferrari, Commercial Banking Officer

N O R T H E R N   R E G I O N
Nicholas Russell, Senior Vice President,  
  Commercial Banking Group Manager

S Y R A C U S E / O N E I D A   R E G I O N
Russell Sturtz, Commercial Banking Team Leader  
Russell Brewer, Commercial Banking Team Leader

S O U T H E R N   R E G I O N
Stephen Rich, Senior Vice President,  
  Commercial Banking Group Manager
D. James Vedora, Commercial Banking Team Leader

C E N T R A L   R E G I O N
Jeffrey Lord, Senior Vice President,  
  Commercial Banking Group Manager

C A P I TA L   R E G I O N
Jeffrey Levy, Senior Vice President,  
  Commercial Banking Group Manager
Ken Countermine, Commercial Banking Team Leader

P E N N S Y LV A N I A   R E G I O N
Richard Kazmerick, Commercial Banking  

Team Leader

Matthew Dougherty, Commercial Banking  

Team Leader

N E W   E N G L A N D   R E G I O N
Bruce Bernier, Senior Vice President,  
  Commercial Banking Group Manager
Patrick Calecas, Commercial Banking Team Leader

WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP
Paul Restante, Managing Director

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
Theresa Kalil-Lennon, Senior Vice President,  
  Sales and Marketing Director
Scott Duggleby, Senior Vice President,  
  Regional Sales Manager 
Chasity Jaynes, Senior Vice President,  
  Director of Operations

TRUST SERVICES
Catherine Koebelin, Senior Vice President,  
  Chief Trust Officer, Olean
Charles Perrillo, Senior Vice President,  
  Chief Trust Investment Officer,  
  South Burlington

NOTTINGHAM ADVISORS, LLC

100 Corporate Parkway, Suite 338, Amherst, NY

Thomas Quealy, Chief Executive Officer
Lawrence Whistler, President,  
  Chief Investment Officer

ONEGROUP

706 North Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY

Pierre Morrisseau, Chief Executive Officer
Chris Mason, President
Kevin Bryans, Chief Financial Officer

22

ADMINISTRATION 
 
 
NORTHERN NEW YORK

Adams 
Alexandria Bay 
Ausable Forks 
Black River 
Boonville  (Main St and Headwaters Plaza)
Canton 
Champlain 
Chateaugay 
Clayton 
Fort Covington 
Gouverneur 
Harrisville 
Hermon
Heuvelton 
Indian Lake 
Lake Placid 
Long Lake 
Lowville  (State St) 
Lowville  (Turin Rd) 
Lyons Falls
Madrid 
Malone  (Elm St) 
Malone  (West Main St) 
Massena 
North Creek 
Norwood 
Ogdensburg  (Ford St) 
Ogdensburg  (State St) 
Old Forge 
Plattsburgh  (Margaret St)   
Plattsburgh  (Route 3) 
Plattsburgh  (Wal-Mart) 
Potsdam  (Market St) 
Potsdam  (May Rd) 
Saranac Lake  (Broadway) 
Saranac Lake  (Lake Flower) 
St. Regis Falls 
Star Lake 
Ticonderoga 
Tupper Lake
Waddington 
Watertown  (Arsenal St) 
Watertown  (Washington St) 
West Carthage 
Whitehall

SOUTHERN NEW YORK

Addison 
Alfred 
Allegany 
Angelica 
Avon 
Bath 
Belfast 
Bolivar 
Canandaigua 
Cassadaga 
Cato
Clifton Springs  (Main St) 
Clifton Springs  (Clifton Plaza) 
Clymer 
Corning  (West Market St) 
Corning North
Cuba 
Dansville 
Dunkirk  (Central Ave) 
Dunkirk  (Vineyard Dr) 
Elmira 
Erwin/Painted Post 
Falconer
Fillmore 
Franklinville 
Geneseo 
Geneva  (Canandaigua Rd) 
Geneva  (Seneca St) 
Gowanda 
Hammondsport 
Hornell

Horseheads  (Consumer Square) 
Houghton College
Interlaken 
Ithaca 
Jamestown  (Brooklyn Square) 
Jamestown  (North Main St) 
Lakewood 
Livonia
Moravia 
Mount Morris 
Naples 
Newark  (Church St) 
Newark Plaza 
Nichols 
North Collins      
Olean  (North Union St) 
Olean  (Delaware Park) 
Orchard Park 
Ovid 
Owego 
Palmyra 
Penn Yan  (Lake St) 
Penn Yan  (Main St) 
Phelps 
Portville  (East State Rd) 
Portville  (North Main St)
Randolph 
Ripley 
Rushville 
Salamanca 
Seneca Falls 
Sherman 
Silver Creek 
Springville  (Cascade Dr)
Springville  (North Buffalo St) 
Waterloo 
Watkins Glen 
Wellsville  (Bolivar Rd) 
Wellsville  (Main St)
Westfield
Woodhull 
Yorkshire

CENTRAL NEW YORK

Albany 
Amsterdam 
Boiceville 
Camden 
Canajoharie 
Canastota 
Cazenovia 
Chatam
Chittenango 
Cicero 
Cobleskill 
Cooperstown  (Main St) 
Cooperstown  (Otsego) 
Delhi 
Delmar
Dewitt 
Downsville 
East Greenbush 
Fleischmanns 
Fulton 
Greenport 
Hamilton 
Hannibal 
Johnson City 
Johnstown 
Kinderhook 
Latham 
Milford 
Morris 
Norwich  (State Highway)
Norwich  (Broad St)
Oneida  (182 Main St) 
Oneida  (585 Main St) 
Oneonta  (Foxcare Center) 
Oneonta  (Main St) 
Oneonta  (Chestnut St) 

Oneonta  (Southside) 
Oswego 
Otego 
Pulaski 
Rome  (Griffiss Park) 
Rome  (Turin Rd) 
Schenevus 
Sidney 
Skaneateles 
Valatie  (Hannaford Shopping Plaza) 
Vernon 
Walton 
Westmoreland

NEW ENGLAND

Barre 
Bennington 
Bradford 
Brattleboro 
Bristol 
Burlington  (College St) 
Burlington  (North Ave)
Enosburg 
Essex Junction 
Fair Haven 
Hardwick 
Hinesburg 
Jericho 
Johnson 
Manchester 
Northfield 
Rutland  (Green Mountain Plaza) 
Rutland  (Woodstock Ave) 
South Burlington  (Kennedy Dr)
South Burlington  (Shelburne Rd) 
South Burlington  (Williston Rd) 
South Hero 
Springfield, VT
Springfield, MA 
St. Albans 
St. Johnsbury 
Thetford 
Vergennes 
Waterbury 
White River Junction
Wilmington 
Winooski

PENNSYLVANIA

Carbondale 
Clarks Summit 
Daleville 
Dickson City 
Edwardsville 
Freeland
Hazleton  (Airport Rd) 
Hazleton  (South Church St)
Jermyn 
Jessup 
Kingston 
Laceyville 
Lansford 
Lehighton 
Little Meadows 
Meshoppen
Montrose 
Noxen/Bowman’s Creek 
Olyphant 
Pittston 
Scranton  (Keyser Ave)
Scranton  (Minooka) 
Scranton  (North Washington Ave) 
Scranton  (Wyoming Ave)
Towanda 
Tunkhannock 
Trucksville/Back Mountain 
Wilkes Barre  (North Franklin St)
Wilkes Barre  (South Main St) 
Wyalusing

23

BRANCH LOCATIONS 
 
investor overview   

INSTITUTIONAL  
OWNERSHIP SUMMARY

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS (ANNUALIZED)

Through December 31, 2019, or most recent available, including reinvestment of dividends.

51.8

million shares outstanding

37.2

million shares held by institutions

CBU 

S&P 600 Commercial Bank 

KBW Regional Bank 

S&P 500 

DJIA 

Source: Bloomberg

1 YEAR   

5 YEARS  

10 YEARS  

12 YEARS 

13.2% 

1.8% 

3.4% 

21.7% 

6.4% 

17.6% 

11.2% 

9.7% 

12.4% 

13.2% 

15.8% 

13.5%

11.7% 

10.0% 

14.0% 

13.7% 

4.5%

4.5%

9.6%

9.7%

STOCK OWNERSHIP 
At 12/31/19   

MARKET CAP   
$ in billions at 12/31

1.75  

2.75  

2.73   

2.99

3.67

Institutional  72%

Retail 

28%

15

16

17

18

19

72%

of shares outstanding

274

institutional holders

349

portfolio positions

Boldt Castle, Thousand Islands
N O R T H E R N   N E W   Y O R K

24

INSTITUTIONAL  OWNERSHIP SUMMARY   
corporate and shareholder information   

CORPORATE HEAD QU ARTERS 
Community Bank System, Inc. 
5790 Widewaters Parkway 
DeWitt, NY 13214-1883 
Phone:  315.445.2282 or 800.724.2262 
Fax: 315.445.7347 
cbna.com

STOCK LISTING 
Common stock of Community Bank 
System, Inc. is listed on the New York 
Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the 
symbol: CBU. Newspaper listing for 
common stock: CmntyBkSys.

ANNUAL MEETI NG 
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 
11:00 am EST 
Wolferts Roost Country Club 
120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard 
Albany, NY 12204

TRANSFER AGENT AND   

REGISTRANT OF STOCK 
Shareholders requiring a change of 
name, address or ownership of stock,  
or information about shareholder 
records, lost or stolen certificates, and 
dividend checks, direct deposit and 
reinvestment should contact:

AST 
Operations Center 
6201 15th Avenue 
Brooklyn, NY 11219 
astfinancial.com 
General questions: 877.253.6847 

INVES T OR   INFO R M ATIO N 
Investor and shareholder information 
regarding Community Bank System, Inc., 
including all filings with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission, is available 
through the company’s website:  
cbna.com

Hovde Group LLC  
Joseph A. Fenech / 646.281.4946 
jfenech@hovdegroup.com

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc.  
Collyn B. Gilbert / 973.549.4092 
collyn.gilbert@kbw.com

Piper Sandler   
Alexander Twerdahl / 212.466.7916 
alex.twerdahl@psc.com 

Raymond James Financial Inc. 
William J. Wallace IV / 703.749.1485 
william.wallace@raymondjames.com

INV ES T OR ’ S  C HO IC E  P RO GR A M 
CBU offers convenient,  
low-cost options for investors  
wishing to steadily buy shares.  
For information, contact:

AST 
Operations Center 
6201 15th Avenue 
Brooklyn, NY 11219 
astfinancial.com 
General questions: 877.253.6847

Copies may also be obtained without 
charge upon written request to:

Ms. Marguerite Geiss 
Investor Relations Department 
Community Bank System, Inc. 
5790 Widewaters Parkway 
DeWitt, NY 13214-1883 
315.445.7313 
marguerite.geiss@cbna.com

INDE P END ENT  A UD ITO R S 
The Board of Directors appointed 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP as auditor 
for the company for the year ended 
December 31, 2019.

ANALY S T  CO V ER A GE 
The following analysts published 
research about Community Bank System 
in 2019:

American Capital Partners 
Anthony Polini / 908.625.1931 
apolini@acpweb.com

Boenning & Scattergood 
Erik E. Zwick / 610.862.5322 
ezwick@boenninginc.com

D.A. Davidson & Co. 
Russell E. T. Gunther / 212.223.5403 
rgunther@dadco.com

SAFE HARBOR STATEME NT

The Community Bank System, Inc. Annual Report contains forward-looking statements, within the provisions of the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 
that are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the industry, markets and economic environment in which the company operates. 
Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in these statements. These risks are 
detailed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise  
publicly any forward-looking statements.

25

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
5790 Widewaters Parkway
DeWitt, NY 13214-1883
800.724.2262
315.445.7347 fax

cbna.com