Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank, a subsidiary of Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), has announced Vermonter Matt Durkee has been appointed Chief Banking Officer, effective January 2, 2026. Durkee succeeds Jeff Levy, who retired at the end of the year following a distinguished banking career.
As Chief Banking Officer, Durkee will oversee Community Bank’s banking strategy and performance across commercial, small business, and retail banking. His responsibilities will include driving balanced growth, strengthening client relationships, advancing credit and risk discipline, supporting market expansion, and ensuring alignment between banking operations and the company’s broader strategic objectives. The role also plays a central part in talent development, operational excellence, and delivering consistent value to customers and communities.
Durkee joined Community Bank in 2022 and made an immediate impact, first leading the bank’s New England market and most recently serving as President of Commercial Banking. In that role, he guided commercial growth initiatives, deepened client engagement, and partnered closely with regional leadership teams to deliver strong results.
“Matt is a proven leader with deep banking expertise and a clear focus on customers, talent, and performance,” said Dimitar Karaivanov, CFSI President and CEO. “He understands our markets, our culture, and our corporate strategy, and he is well positioned to lead our banking business while identifying opportunities to deliver customer value across our full portfolio of CFSI companies. I am looking forward to his broad and positive impact as our new Chief Banking Officer.”
Community Bank remains committed to serving its customers with strong local leadership, disciplined banking practices, and a continued focus on the communities in which it lives and works.
While his role takes him across the entire CBNA footprint -- Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire – he resides in Addison, Vermont.
About Community Financial System, Inc.
Community Financial System, Inc. (the “Company”) is a diversified financial services company focused on four main business lines: banking, employee benefit services, insurance services and wealth management services. Its banking subsidiary, Community Bank, N.A., is among the country’s 100 largest banking institutions, with over $16 billion in assets, and operates approximately 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, Western Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The Company’s Benefit Plans Administrative Services Inc. subsidiary is a leading provider of employee benefits administration, trust services, collective investment fund administration and actuarial consulting services to customers on a national scale. The Company’s OneGroup NY, Inc. subsidiary is a top 68 U.S. insurance agency. The Company also offers comprehensive financial planning, trust administration and wealth management services through its Nottingham Financial Group operating unit. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol CBU. For more information about Community Bank and Community Financial System, visit cbna.com or communityfinancialsystem.com.
1.12.2026. Dewitt, NY -- Community Bank N.A.
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