Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank, based in Dewitt, NY, with branches across Vermont, is celebrating a remarkable milestone in 2026: 160 years of serving customers, supporting local businesses and investing in communities across the Northeast.
Founded in Canton, NY, as St. Lawrence National Bank in 1866, Community Bank has spent more than a century and a half helping individuals, families and businesses achieve their goals while remaining deeply connected to the communities it serves. Today, as part of parent company Community Financial System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU), the organization has grown to approximately $17 billion in assets, more than 200 branches, over 3,000 employees and a footprint spanning upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, western Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.
"Reaching 160 years is an extraordinary achievement, and one that belongs to the generations of customers, employees and community partners who have placed their trust in us," said Dimitar Karaivanov, President and CEO of Community Financial System, Inc. "While much has changed since 1866, our commitment to helping communities thrive remains at the heart of everything we do."
The anniversary comes at a time of continued growth and investment for the company. Over the past two years, Community Financial System, Inc. has invested more than $125 million across the Northeast, including the construction of 13 new branches, four new regional headquarters and a new corporate headquarters in Central New York. In Vermont, the company now operates 27 locations across the state and employs 169 Vermonters.
That growth has been accompanied by a continued commitment to community impact. In recent years, the company has contributed nearly $5 million in donations, grants and sponsorships, supported more than 1,400 nonprofit organizations and recorded nearly 19,000 employee volunteer hours.
$160,000 in Community Donations
As part of the anniversary celebration, Community Bank will donate $160,000 total to 20 nonprofit organizations across its five-state footprint through a special employee-driven giving initiative.
Employees throughout the organization helped identify and vote on nonprofit organizations making a meaningful difference in their local communities. The organizations will receive anniversary grants in recognition of the important role they play in strengthening the communities Community Bank has proudly served for generations.
“Our 160th anniversary provides an opportunity to deepen our investment in the communities and nonprofit partners who have stood with us—and placed their trust in us—for generations. Our donations across the Bank's footprint underscore how profoundly we value being part of the communities we serve," said Pam Brunet, director of community and corporate relations.
"Community Bank's success has always been about more than banking. It's about people helping people. Every day, our branch teams are building relationships, volunteering in their communities, supporting local organizations and finding ways to make a difference," said Lynne Wadsworth, Director of Branch Administration and a thirty-two-year Bank employee. "Our volunteer program reinforces that commitment and gives employees the opportunity to contribute beyond their day-to-day roles. After all these years, that spirit of community remains one of the things of which I'm most proud to be a part."
"We wanted our anniversary celebration to reflect our values," Karaivanov said. "By putting charitable giving decisions in the hands of our employees, we're empowering the people who know their communities best and helping support organizations that make a real difference every day."
Celebrating Communities That Have Supported Us
Throughout the summer and fall, Community Bank will host a series of community-focused anniversary events designed to thank customers, support local businesses and celebrate the communities that have contributed to the company's success over the past 160 years.
Among the initiatives will be "160 Minutes of Community," a series of local business partnerships across the company's footprint. During these events, Community Bank will surprise and delight customers by covering purchases for a designated period while helping drive traffic and support to local businesses.
The Bank will also host customer appreciation celebrations at branch locations, employee recognition activities and community-focused events throughout the year.
For more information on the 160th milestone please visit CBNA.com.
ABOUT COMMUNITY BANK
Community Financial System, Inc. is a diversified financial services company focused on four main business lines—banking services, 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 $17 billion in assets and operates approximately 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, Western Massachusetts and Southern 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 the Company’s stock trades under the symbol CBU. For more information about the Company and each of its four main business lines visit https://communityfinancialsystem.com.
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Vermont Business Magazine