DeWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU), parent company of Community Bank, N.A., recently reported that its earnings plummeted in the first quarter, with net income falling nearly 88 percent to $5.8 million from $47.1 million a year ago, in the wake of a balance-sheet repositioning. 

Earnings per share dropped nearly as much, declining 85 percent to 11 cents per share in the quarter from 75 cents in the first quarter of 2022, according to the banking company’s April 25 earnings report.

Community Bank System announced in February that it had completed a balance-sheet repositioning related to its investment-securities portfolio. It included the sale of $786.1 million in book value of its lower-yielding available-for-sale debt securities with a pre-tax realized loss of $52.3 million. Community Bank used $733.8 million in proceeds to pay down overnight borrowings with rising and comparatively high variable interest rates. It says it expects to recoup the loss within two years.

“We are pleased with the core revenue performance of both our banking and nonbanking businesses despite the company’s first-quarter operating expenses being a bit elevated due to higher compensation and benefit-related expenses and other factors,” Mark E. Tryniski, president and CEO of Community Bank System, said in the earnings report. 

Total revenue for the quarter, at $124.5 million, decreased $36 million, or 22.4 percent, from the prior year’s first quarter, primarily driven by the securities-sale loss. Total operating revenue, which excludes securities gains and losses, was $176.6 million, up $16.2 million, or 10 percent, from a year ago. That was driven by a $16.2 million increase in net interest income, which totaled $111 million, and a $500,000 increase in financial-services business revenue. Those gains were partially offset by a $600,000 decrease in noninterest revenue, which totaled $16.4 million. Interest income and fees on loans totaled $100.4 million, up 38.4 percent from $72.5 million a year ago, per the earnings report.

“Despite solid operating revenues in the quarter, the company’s operating earnings per share decreased a penny compared to the prior year’s first quarter, largely due to an increase in the provision for credit losses and higher operating expenses,” Tryniski said. “Although asset quality remains strong, the company recorded $3.5 million in the provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2023, a $2.6 million increase over the prior year’s first quarter, primarily due to an adverse change in the economic outlook.”

Community Bank System’s operating expenses increased $14.2 million to $114 million, driven by higher salaries and employee-benefits expenses along with an increase in other expenses that included the impact of the second-quarter 2022 acquisition of Elmira Savings Bank.

Total assets at Community Bank System, as of March 31, stood at $15.26 billion, down almost $370 million from one year ago and down nearly $580 million from the end of 2022.

Community Bank operates 210 offices across New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and western Massachusetts. The banking company also offers financial-planning, insurance, and wealth-management services through Community Bank Wealth Management Group and OneGroup, NY, Inc. Its Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc., subsidiary provides employee-benefits administration, trust services, collective-investment-fund administration, and actuarial-consulting services.

ROME, N.Y. — Rome–based AmeriCU Credit Union “remains financially strong and well-capitalized.”

That’s part of the message that Ronald Belle, president and CEO of AmeriCU, delivered to the credit union’s annual membership meeting held March 13. John Stevenson, chairman of the AmeriCU board of directors, also addressed the current membership on the credit union’s financial performance and successes during 2022, per a March 16 news release about the meeting. 

As Belle looked ahead to 2023, he reviewed the organization’s growth and financial strength, highlighting what he called the “credit union difference.” 

“Being a not-for-profit, credit unions have a different governance model, meaning AmeriCU exists to return value to their collective membership through competitive pricing and enhanced services vs. a small group of stakeholders. This places a higher importance on wisely managing and investing those funds,” Belle said in the release. “At AmeriCU our number one priority is always our members financial well-being and we have several checks and balances in place to ensure the credit union keeps our financial ratios and key performance indicators balanced. Our strategic team stays attune to market shifts and meets on a regular basis to make adjustments as needed.” 

As for operational highlights in 2022, AmeriCU noted its new logo and brand, an updated modern financial-center design, interactive teller machines, online chat feature, redesigned credit cards, and rewards program. AmeriCU also was voted a “Best Company” to work for in New York State, the credit union added. 

NEWARK VALLEY, N.Y. — The newly reconstructed branch office of Visions Federal Credit Union (FCU) in Newark Valley in Tioga County is now open.

The branch opening concludes a year-long project to tear down and rebuild the structure at 7198 State Route 38, Visions FCU said in its April 5 announcement.

The new office includes all services that were available at the prior branch, including a full-service teller line, walk-up ATM, and office space to assist with lending, account services, and business services. Visions has also added a drive-up ATM at the location and is planning to install a free coin-counting machine for credit-union members.

The Newark Valley location has four employees, Visions tells CNYBJ in an email. 

“We have strong roots in Newark Valley, and this construction project was our way of reinvesting in the community,” Jessica Blaha, branch manager, said. “Our new building has more space, updated equipment, and it’s at our familiar location on the corner of Routes 38 and 38B.”

Visions noted that it will formally celebrate the newly rebuilt office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the beginning of June.