Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a -15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, designed to: (i) record, process, summarize, and report within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulate and communicate to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. Based on evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), the CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2022.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting is included under the heading “Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” at Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
The report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm is included under the heading “Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” at Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company continually assesses the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting and enhances its controls in response to internal control assessments, and internal and external audit and regulatory recommendations. No change in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2022 has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate due to changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Item 9B. Other Information
None
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
None
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required to be furnished by this Item 10 pursuant to Items 401, 405, 406 and 407(c)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K will be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the SEC on or about March 27, 2023 (the “Proxy Statement”). The information concerning the Company’s Directors will appear under the caption “Director Nominee Qualifications and Experience” in the Proxy Statement. The information concerning the Company’s Code of Ethics will appear under the caption “Code of Ethics” in the Proxy Statement. The information regarding the Company’s Audit Committee and the Audit Committee Financial Expert will appear under the caption “Audit Committee Report.” The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) will appear under the caption “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports.” Such information is incorporated herein by reference. The information concerning the Company’s executive officers is presented under the “Information about our Executive Officers” section of Item 1 contained in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
135
Table of Contents
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” and “Executive Compensation Disclosure Tables” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Executive Officers” in the Company’s Proxy Statement. The information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K concerning equity compensation plans is presented under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” on page 30 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Director Independence” and “Related Persons Transactions” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Fees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents filed as part of this report
(1) All financial statements . The following consolidated financial statements of Community Bank System, Inc. and subsidiaries are included in Item 8:
- Consolidated Statements of Condition,
December 31, 2022 and 2021
- Consolidated Statements of Income,
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
- Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income,
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
- Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity,
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
- Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,
Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
- Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
December 31, 2022
- Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
136
Table of Contents
(2) Financial statement schedules . Schedules are omitted since the required information is either not applicable or shown elsewhere in the financial statements.
(3) Exhibits . The exhibits filed as part of this report and exhibits incorporated herein by reference to other documents are listed below:
2.1
Assignment, Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of January 19, 2012, by and among Community Bank, N.A. and First Niagara Bank, N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2012 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.2
Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of January 19, 2012, by and among Community Bank, N.A. and First Niagara Bank, N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2012 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.3
Assignment, Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of January 19, 2012, by and between Community Bank, N.A. and First Niagara Bank, N.A., as amended as restated as of July 19, 2012. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 24, 2012 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.4
Amendment No. 1 to Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2012, by and among Community Bank, N.A. and First Niagara Bank, N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2012 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.5
Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2013, by and between Community Bank, N.A. and Bank of America, N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2013 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.6
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 24, 2015, by and between Community Bank System, Inc. and Oneida Financial Corp. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2015 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.7
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 22, 2016, by and between Community Bank System, Inc. and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2016 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.8
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 2, 2016, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Northeast Retirement Services, Inc., Cohiba Merger Sub, LLC and Shareholder Representative Services LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2016 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.9
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 21, 2019, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., VB Merger Sub Inc., and Kinderhook Bank Corp. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2019 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.10
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 18, 2019, by and between Community Bank System, Inc. and Steuben Trust Corporation. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2019 (Registration No. 001-13695).
2.11
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 3, 2021, by and between Community Bank, N.A., Eagle Merger Sub Inc. and Elmira Savings Bank. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 7, 2021 (Registration No. 001-13695).
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Community Bank System, Inc., as amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on October 20, 2000 (Registration No. 333-48374).
137
Table of Contents
3.2
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Community Bank System, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2004 (Registration No. 001-13695).
3.3
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Community Bank System, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013 (Registration No. 001-13695).
3.4
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, dated May 20, 2020. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2020 (Registration No. 001-13695).
3.5
Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated December 14, 2022. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2022 (Registration No. 001-13695)
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to the Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 29, 2008 (Registration No. 333-153403).
4.2
Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 3, 2017, by and among Community Bank System, Inc. and the individuals and entities set forth on Schedule 1 thereto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on February 3, 2017 (Registration No. 333-215894).
4.3
Form of Replacement Organizers’ Warrant to purchase Community Bank System, Inc. Common Stock. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2017 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
4.4
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 12, 2017, by and among Wilmington Trust Company, Community Bank System, Inc., and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2017 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
4.5
Description of Community Bank System, Inc.’s securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act. (1)
10.1
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2021, by and between Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Mark E. Tryniski. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2021 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.2
Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, effective as of December 31, 2008, by and among Community Bank, N.A., Community Bank System, Inc., and Mark E. Tryniski. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2009 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.3
Amendment to Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, dated January 5, 2018, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E. Tryniski. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2018 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.4
Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and Scott A. Kingsley. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2020 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.5
Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, effective September 29, 2009, by and between Community Bank System Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Scott Kingsley. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2009 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.6
Retirement and Release Agreement, dated March 13, 2020, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and Scott A. Kingsley. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2020 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
138
Table of Contents
10.7
Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2013, by and between Community Bank System Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Brian D. Donahue. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 23, 2013 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.8
Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and George J. Getman. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2020 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.9
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated April 28, 2022, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and George J. Getman. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2022 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.10
Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2013, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and George J. Getman. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 23, 2013 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.11
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2022, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank N.A., and Joseph F. Serbun. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2022 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.12
Retirement Agreement, dated August 24, 2022, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Joseph F. Serbun. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2022 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.13
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2021, by and between Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Joseph E. Sutaris. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2021 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.14
Employment Agreement, dated March 22, 2021, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and Dimitar Karaivanov. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May10, 2022 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.15
Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective August 24, 2022, by and among Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Dimitar Karaivanov. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2022 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.16
Pre-2005 Supplemental Retirement Agreement, effective December 31, 2004, by and between Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Sanford Belden. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2005 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.17
Post-2004 Supplemental Retirement Agreement, effective January 1, 2005, by and between Community Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A., and Sanford Belden. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2005 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.18
Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, effective March 26, 2003, by and between Community Bank System Inc. and Thomas McCullough. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.11 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2004 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.19
2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program, as amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 99.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on December 19, 2012 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.20
2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2017 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
139
Table of Contents
10.21
Community Bank System, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2022 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.22
Stock Balance Plan for Directors, as amended. Incorporated by reference to Annex I to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 31, 1998 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.23
Community Bank System, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 99.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on June 30, 2017 (Registration No. 333-219098). (2)
10.24
Community Bank System, Inc. Pension Plan Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2005 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.25
Amendment #1 to the Community Bank System, Inc. Pension Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2004 (“Plan”). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2005 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.26
Community Bank System, Inc. 401(k) Employee Stock Ownership Plan, dated as of December 20, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on December 20, 2013 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
10.27
Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries Amended and Restated 1996 Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Merchants Bancshares, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2011. (2)
10.28
Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries Amended and Restated 2008 Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors and Trustees. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Merchants Bancshares, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2011. (2)
10.29
Merchants Bank Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Merchants Bancshares, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2011. (2)
10.30
Merchants Bank Salary Continuation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Merchants Bancshares, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 15, 2011. (2)
10.31
Community Bank System, Inc. Restoration Plan, effective June 1, 2018. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 21, 2018 (Registration No. 001-13695). (2)
21.1
Subsidiaries of Registrant. (1)
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. (1)
31.1
Certification of Mark E. Tryniski, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (1)
31.2
Certification of Joseph E. Sutaris, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (1)
32.1
Certification of Mark E. Tryniski, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (3)
140
Table of Contents
32.2
Certification of Joseph E. Sutaris, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (3)
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. (1)
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) (1)
(1) Filed herewith.
(2) Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(3) Furnished herewith.
B. Not applicable.
C. Not applicable.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None
141
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
By:
/s/ Mark E. Tryniski
Mark E. Tryniski
President and Chief Executive Officer
March 1, 2023
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 1 st day of March 2023.
By:
/s/ Mark E. Tryniski
Mark E. Tryniski
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
By:
/s/ Joseph E. Sutaris
Joseph E. Sutaris
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
Directors:
/s/ Brian R. Ace
/s/ John Parente
Brian R. Ace, Director
John Parente, Director
/s/ Mark J. Bolus
/s/ Raymond C. Pecor, III
Mark J. Bolus, Director
Raymond C. Pecor, III, Director
/s/ Jeffrey L. Davis
/s/ Susan E. Skerritt
Jeffrey L. Davis, Director
Susan E. Skerritt, Director
/s/ Neil E. Fesette
/s/ Sally A. Steele
Neil E. Fesette, Director
Sally A. Steele, Director
/s/ Jeffery J. Knauss
/s/ Eric E. Stickels
Jeffery J. Knauss, Director
Eric E. Stickels, Director and Chair of the
Board of Directors
/s/ Kerrie D. MacPherson
/s/ John F. Whipple, Jr.
Kerrie D. MacPherson, Director
John F. Whipple Jr., Director
142