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Community Bank System (CBU)
NYSE:CBU
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Community Bank System (CBU) AI Stock Analysis

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CBU

Community Bank System

(NYSE:CBU)

Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
$64.00
â–²(4.73% Upside)
Community Bank System's overall stock score of 73 reflects strong financial performance and a positive earnings outlook. The stock shows short-term bullish momentum, though long-term resistance remains. Valuation is fair with an attractive dividend yield. Key risks include rising debt levels and increased provisions for credit losses.
Positive Factors
Earnings Outlook
Analyst upgrades Community Financial System (CBU) to Strong Buy from Market Perform, reflecting an improved earnings outlook and continued strong growth from fee-based businesses.
Revenue Growth
CBU's fee businesses are experiencing revenue growth in the high-single to low-double-digit range, indicating strong performance relative to the community bank sector.
Negative Factors
Credit Quality Risks
Potential risks to CBU's target include rapid deterioration in credit quality, dilutive mergers and acquisitions, slower repricing, or general weakness in bank stocks.
Expense Impact
Third quarter results were modestly below expectations partly due to expenses, which masked positive revenue trends.

Community Bank System (CBU) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Community Bank System Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCommunity Bank System, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Community Bank, N.A. that provides various banking and other financial services to retail, commercial, and municipal customers. It operates through three segments: Banking, Employee Benefit Services, and All Other. The company offers various deposits products, such as checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as time deposits. It also provides loans, including consumer mortgages; general purpose commercial and industrial loans, and mortgages on commercial properties; paycheck protection program loans; installment loans that are originated through selected dealerships and are secured by automobiles, marine, and other recreational vehicles; personal installment loans and lines of credit for consumers; and home equity products. In addition, the company offers broker-dealer and investment advisory; cash management, investment, and treasury services; asset management; and employee benefit services, as well as operates as a full-service insurance agency that offers personal and commercial lines of insurance, and other risk management products and services. Further, it provides contribution plan administration, employee benefit trust, collective investment fund, retirement plan administration, fund administration, transfer agency, actuarial and benefit consulting, VEBA/HRA, and health and welfare consulting services. Additionally, the company offers wealth management, retirement planning, higher educational planning, fiduciary, risk management, trust, and personal financial planning services; and investment alternatives, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and advisory products, as well as master recordkeeping services. As of January 24, 2022, it operated approximately 215 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts. Community Bank System, Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in DeWitt, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyCommunity Bank System generates revenue primarily through net interest income and non-interest income. Net interest income is derived from the difference between interest earned on loans and interest paid on deposits and borrowings, which constitutes the majority of their total revenue. Key revenue streams include interest from commercial, residential, and consumer loans, as well as service fees from deposit accounts. Additionally, non-interest income is generated from various sources such as wealth management services, insurance sales, and transaction fees. The company has established partnerships with financial technology firms to enhance its service offerings, which also contributes to its earnings by attracting a broader customer base and increasing transaction volumes.

Community Bank System Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 22, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 27, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call conveyed a generally positive outlook with record earnings per share, strong net interest income growth, and strategic branch acquisitions. However, challenges included increased provisions for credit losses and higher non-interest expenses.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Operating Results Per Share
GAAP earnings per share of $0.97, up 6.6% over the second quarter of the prior year, and operating earnings per share were $1.04, the highest quarterly results for the company.
Strong Net Interest Income Growth
Net interest income was $124.7 million in the second quarter, a 14% improvement over the previous year, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth.
Insurance Services Revenue Increase
Year to date, the insurance services business is up 13% in revenue, with an operating margin increase to 23% driving a 70% expansion in operating pretax earnings.
Strategic Branch Acquisition
The acquisition of seven Santander branches in Pennsylvania is expected to close in Q4, enhancing market presence and liquidity without share issuance.
Positive Loan Growth
Ending loans increased by $98 million or 0.9% during the second quarter, driven by net organic growth in the consumer indirect lending portfolio.
Negative Updates
Provision for Credit Losses
A $4.1 million provision for credit losses recorded in the quarter, up from $2.7 million in the prior year's second quarter.
Increased Non-Interest Expenses
Total non-interest expenses increased by $10.1 million or 8.5% due to higher salaries, data processing expenses, and restructuring charges.
Seasonal Deposit Outflows
Total deposits decreased by $190.3 million or 1.4% from the end of the linked first quarter due to the seasonal outflow of municipal deposits.
Company Guidance
During the Community Bank System, Inc.'s Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided guidance highlighting several key financial metrics. GAAP earnings per share increased by 6.6% year-over-year to $0.97, including restructuring expenses and performance-based incentive accruals. Operating earnings per share reached a record $1.04, up from $0.95 in the prior year. Net interest income rose by 14% year-over-year to $124.7 million, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth, with a net interest margin increase to 3.3%. The company's nonperforming loans decreased by $21.7 million from the previous quarter, and the allowance for credit losses stood at $81.9 million. The company also announced a significant branch acquisition, expected to close in the fourth quarter, which will enhance their market presence without issuing new shares. Overall, the company expressed optimism about achieving its growth targets due to strong liquidity, a stable core deposit base, and a diversified revenue profile.

Community Bank System Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Community Bank System demonstrates strong financial health with consistent revenue growth and profitability. The balance sheet is stable, though rising debt levels warrant monitoring. Cash flows are robust, supporting operational and strategic initiatives. Overall, the company is well-positioned within the regional banking sector, though careful management of leverage and equity balance is recommended for sustained growth.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Community Bank System shows strong profitability with a consistent increase in total revenue from $617 million in 2020 to $961 million TTM. The gross profit margin remains high, indicating effective cost management. Net profit margin and EBIT margin have been stable, reflecting solid operational efficiency. Revenue growth is positive, highlighting the company's expansion capabilities.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
The balance sheet is robust with a healthy stockholders' equity of $1.83 billion TTM, although there is an increasing trend in total debt, which grew from $371 million in 2020 to $862 million TTM. The debt-to-equity ratio remains manageable, allowing for strategic leverage. Return on Equity (ROE) indicates effective utilization of equity, though there is room for improvement in equity ratio stability.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
Cash flow statements show a positive trend in operating cash flow, supporting the company's operational health. Free cash flow has been stable, enabling reinvestment and dividend opportunities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is strong, reflecting efficient cash conversion. However, fluctuations in investing and financing cash flows suggest ongoing strategic adjustments.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue961.45M940.71M755.98M702.45M633.65M617.28M
Gross Profit741.96M723.53M640.67M664.58M629.49M582.19M
EBITDA276.86M265.36M196.58M270.74M271.51M236.72M
Net Income191.22M182.48M131.92M188.08M189.69M164.68M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets16.76B16.39B15.56B15.84B15.55B13.93B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments834.27M508.96M3.11B4.36B6.81B5.19B
Total Debt862.04M998.87M765.20M1.14B329.88M371.29M
Total Liabilities14.93B14.62B13.86B14.28B13.45B11.83B
Stockholders Equity1.83B1.76B1.70B1.55B2.10B2.10B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow196.19M221.57M209.84M201.68M189.17M164.70M
Operating Cash Flow224.89M242.28M228.42M214.60M202.55M179.48M
Investing Cash Flow-651.25M-835.62M335.78M-2.14B-1.53B-398.72M
Financing Cash Flow606.00M599.38M-583.13M259.22M1.56B1.66B

Community Bank System Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price61.11
Price Trends
50DMA
56.68
Positive
100DMA
55.85
Positive
200DMA
59.22
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.26
Negative
RSI
69.24
Neutral
STOCH
92.04
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CBU, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 61.11 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 56.55, above the 50-day MA of 56.68, and above the 200-day MA of 59.22, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.26 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 69.24 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 92.04 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CBU.

Community Bank System Risk Analysis

Community Bank System disclosed 36 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Community Bank System reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Community Bank System Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$3.72B15.395.21%2.23%21.87%-3.27%
75
Outperform
$3.26B12.5710.32%1.08%0.30%1.46%
74
Outperform
$3.60B11.5010.08%3.58%17.61%1.89%
73
Outperform
$3.22B16.5610.91%3.02%11.95%14.53%
72
Outperform
$3.19B13.079.40%4.00%-2.56%12.05%
71
Outperform
$3.45B11.9510.38%2.70%-0.17%-0.29%
68
Neutral
$17.84B12.0310.32%3.73%9.70%0.76%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CBU
Community Bank System
61.11
2.17
3.68%
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
50.42
7.69
18.00%
FULT
Fulton Financial
19.86
1.40
7.58%
RNST
Renasant
39.47
5.81
17.26%
WSFS
Wsfs Financial
59.17
5.57
10.39%
FHB
First Hawaiian
26.01
2.62
11.20%

Community Bank System Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Community Bank System Announces Leadership Transition
Neutral
Jul 23, 2025

Community Financial System, Inc. announced that Jeffrey M. Levy will retire from his role as Senior Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of Community Bank, N.A., effective December 31, 2025. Levy, who has been instrumental in the bank’s commercial lending growth and regional expansion, will be succeeded by Matthew Durkee, currently the President of Commercial Banking, starting January 1, 2026.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Community Bank System Holds Annual Shareholders Meeting
Positive
May 23, 2025

On May 21, 2025, Community Financial System, Inc. held its Annual Shareholders Meeting virtually, where shareholders elected 12 directors for one-year terms, approved the executive compensation on an advisory basis, and ratified PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions reflect the shareholders’ support for the company’s leadership and financial oversight, potentially strengthening its governance and operational strategy moving forward.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 19, 2025