Is Community Bank System, Inc. a Buy?

Community Bank System, Inc. (CBU) serves as the parent company for Community Bank, N.A., providing a broad array of banking and financial services to a diverse clientele including individual consumers, businesses, and local government entities. Its operations are structured into three primary divisions: Banking, Employee Benefit Services, and a residual "All Other" category. The company offers a comprehensive suite of deposit products, such as checking, savings, and money market accounts, alongside certificates of deposit. Its lending portfolio is equally varied, extending to consumer mortgages, personal installment loans, and lines of credit for individuals, as well as home equity products. For commercial clients, Community Bank System provides general purpose commercial and industrial loans, mortgages on commercial properties, and historically, Paycheck Protection Program loans. Additionally, it facilitates specialized installment loans for vehicles like automobiles, boats, and other recreational vehicles through partnerships with selected dealerships. Beyond traditional banking, the institution delivers broker-dealer and investment advisory services, along with extensive cash management, treasury, and asset management solutions. It also operates a full-service insurance agency, offering personal and commercial lines of insurance and various risk management products. The Employee Benefit Services segment provides a robust offering, including administration for contribution plans, employee benefit trusts, and collective investment funds. This segment also handles retirement plan administration, fund administration, transfer agency functions, actuarial and benefit consulting, VEBA/HRA, and health and welfare consulting. Furthermore, Community Bank System provides comprehensive wealth management services, covering retirement, higher education, and personal financial planning. It offers fiduciary and trust services, risk management advice, and access to diverse investment alternatives such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and advisory products, alongside master recordkeeping services. As of January 24, 2022, the company operated approximately 215 customer facilities geographically spread across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts. Community Bank System, Inc. was founded in 1866 and maintains its corporate headquarters in DeWitt, New York.