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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)

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Outperform 76 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$63.00
▲(13.55% Upside)
Community Bank System's strong financial performance and positive earnings call are the most significant factors contributing to its score. The stock's valuation is reasonable, offering a good dividend yield. However, technical indicators suggest a bearish trend, which slightly offsets the overall positive outlook.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
The consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, supporting long-term financial stability.
Net Interest Income Expansion
Sustained growth in net interest income enhances profitability and reflects effective asset-liability management, crucial for long-term success.
Diversified Revenue Streams
Diversification reduces risk and enhances resilience, ensuring steady income even if one segment underperforms, supporting long-term stability.
Negative Factors
Provision for Credit Losses
Rising credit loss provisions suggest increasing credit risk, which could impact future profitability and require more conservative lending practices.
Increase in Non-Interest Expenses
Higher non-interest expenses can pressure margins, potentially reducing profitability if not offset by revenue growth or cost efficiencies.
Higher Effective Tax Rate
An increased tax rate reduces net earnings, potentially impacting cash flow and limiting funds available for reinvestment or shareholder returns.

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:Oct 21, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 27, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a strong performance with record operating earnings and significant revenue growth across diversified segments. However, the increased provision for credit losses and higher non-interest expenses present challenges. Overall, the positive aspects significantly outweigh the negatives.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Operating Earnings Per Share
The company achieved record operating earnings per share, with a 23.9% increase year over year.
Strong Revenue Growth
Operating revenues reached a new quarterly high of $206.8 million, marking a 3.8% increase from the linked second quarter and a 9.4% increase from one year prior.
Net Interest Income Expansion
Net interest income was $128.2 million in the third quarter, a 2.7% increase over the linked second quarter and a 13.7% improvement over the previous year, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of expansion.
Recognition and Awards
The company received several recognitions, including top rankings for Employee Benefit Services and Wealth Management Services, and the Community Champion Award from the United Way of Central New York.
Diversified Revenue Streams
The company's revenue streams are diversified across insurance, banking, and wealth management, contributing to strong financial performance.
Capital Deployment Opportunities
The company is on track to deploy approximately $100 million in cash capital in strategic transactions, supporting future growth in high-priority markets.
Negative Updates
Provision for Credit Losses
The company recorded a $5.6 million provision for credit losses, compared to $4.1 million in the linked second quarter, indicating a potential increase in credit risk.
Increase in Non-Interest Expenses
Non-interest expenses increased by $4.1 million or 3.3% from the prior year's third quarter, partly due to expansion-related costs and increased data processing expenses.
Higher Effective Tax Rate
The effective tax rate during the quarter increased to 24.7% from 23% in the prior year's third quarter, impacting net earnings.
Company Guidance
During the Community Bank System, Inc. Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, President and CEO Dimitar Karaivanov highlighted several key metrics demonstrating the company's robust performance. The company achieved record operating earnings per share of 23.9% year over year, with a GAAP earnings per share of $1.04, marking a 25.3% increase from the previous year. Operating revenues reached a quarterly high of $206.8 million, reflecting a 9.4% rise from the prior year. The net interest income was $128.2 million, a 13.7% improvement over 2024, and the company's fully tax-equivalent net interest margin increased to 3.33%. The company reported a $5.6 million provision for credit losses and a total non-interest expense of $128.3 million, indicating a 3.3% rise from the previous year. Ending loans increased by 4.9% year over year, while total deposits grew by 4.3%. The company's liquidity position was strong, with readily available sources totaling $6.6 billion, and its Tier one leverage ratio stood at 9.46%. The call also mentioned the company's strategic capital deployment, including a $100 million investment across various areas and a minority investment in Leap Holdings, Inc.

Community Bank System Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Community Bank System exhibits strong financial health with consistent revenue and profit growth, efficient cost management, and a balanced capital structure. The company has shown resilience in cash flow generation, although there are minor concerns regarding cash conversion.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Community Bank System has demonstrated consistent revenue growth with a TTM revenue growth rate of 1.66%. The gross profit margin remains strong at 77.35%, indicating efficient cost management. The net profit margin is healthy at 19.91%, showing profitability. However, there is a slight decline in EBITDA margin from the previous year, which could indicate rising operational costs.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company maintains a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, reflecting a balanced approach to leveraging. The return on equity is solid at 10.72%, indicating effective use of equity capital. The equity ratio is stable, suggesting a strong capital structure. However, the decrease in total debt over the past year is a positive sign of improving financial health.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
The free cash flow growth rate is impressive at 132.9%, indicating strong cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low, suggesting potential issues with cash conversion. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 83.25%, highlighting efficient cash utilization.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue977.41M940.71M755.98M702.45M633.65M617.28M
Gross Profit756.01M723.53M640.67M664.58M629.49M582.19M
EBITDA280.58M265.36M196.58M270.74M271.51M236.72M
Net Income194.64M182.48M131.92M188.08M189.69M164.68M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets16.67B16.39B15.56B15.84B15.55B13.93B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.69B508.96M3.11B4.36B6.81B5.19B
Total Debt894.46M998.87M765.20M1.14B329.88M371.29M
Total Liabilities14.78B14.62B13.86B14.28B13.45B11.83B
Stockholders Equity1.88B1.76B1.70B1.55B2.10B2.10B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow198.80M221.57M209.84M201.68M189.17M164.70M
Operating Cash Flow238.79M242.28M228.42M214.60M202.55M179.48M
Investing Cash Flow-633.67M-835.62M335.78M-2.14B-1.53B-398.72M
Financing Cash Flow430.63M599.38M-583.13M259.22M1.56B1.66B

Community Bank System Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price55.48
Price Trends
50DMA
58.38
Negative
100DMA
57.11
Negative
200DMA
57.41
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.56
Positive
RSI
40.43
Neutral
STOCH
32.05
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CBU, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 55.48 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 56.76, below the 50-day MA of 58.38, and below the 200-day MA of 57.41, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.56 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 40.43 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 32.05 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative 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
$2.93B14.3211.02%3.30%9.41%20.61%
$2.92B10.7510.27%1.21%-3.49%
$2.89B15.315.25%4.94%41.12%-5.53%
$3.04B11.959.62%4.20%-4.57%16.92%
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
$2.64B14.497.37%3.18%9.48%12.83%
$2.51B-5.92-12.42%4.87%-55.54%-386.73%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CBU
Community Bank System
55.48
-3.47
-5.89%
SFNC
Simmons 1st Nat'l
17.38
-4.68
-21.21%
TOWN
TowneBank
32.51
1.46
4.70%
WSBC
WesBanco
30.18
0.58
1.96%
WSFS
Wsfs Financial
52.09
3.39
6.96%
FHB
First Hawaiian
24.38
0.34
1.41%

Community Bank System Corporate Events

Community Financial System Reports Strong Q3 2025 Results
Oct 22, 2025

Community Financial System, Inc. is a diversified financial services company that operates in the banking, employee benefit services, insurance services, and wealth management sectors. It is one of the largest banking institutions in the U.S. with over $16 billion in assets, offering a wide range of financial services across multiple states.

Community Bank Shines in Record Earnings Call
Oct 22, 2025

Community Bank’s Earnings Call Highlights Record Performance Amid Challenges

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Community Bank System Appoints New Independent Director
Positive
Sep 18, 2025

On September 17, 2025, Community Financial System, Inc. announced the appointment of John A. Vaccaro as a new independent director, effective October 1, 2025. Mr. Vaccaro, with a rich background in wealth management and insurance, previously served as Chairman Emeritus of MML Investors Services and Chairman of MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust. His appointment is expected to enhance the board’s expertise, particularly in the growth and oversight of the company’s broker-dealer, RIA, and insurance businesses, aligning with the company’s strategy for diversified financial services growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (CBU) stock is a Buy with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Community Bank System stock, see the CBU Stock Forecast page.

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: Oct 30, 2025