10-Q 1 cbna201510q3rdqtr.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
| For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
| OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
| For the transition period from_______________to_______________.
| Commission File Number: 001-13695

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware |  | 16-1213679
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
5790 Widewaters Parkway, DeWitt, New York |  | 13214-1883
(Address of principal executive offices) |  | (Zip Code)
| (315) 445-2282 |
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
| NONE |
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted to its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company o.
| (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x .
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
41,099,876 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, were outstanding on October 31, 2015.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I. | Financial Information | Page
Item 1. | Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
| Consolidated Statements of Condition |
| September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 | 3
| Consolidated Statements of Income |
| Three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 | 4
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) |
| Three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 | 5
| Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2015 | 6
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
| Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 | 7
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements |
| September 30, 2015 | 8
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 26
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 41
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 42
Part II. | Other Information |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 43
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 43
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 43
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 43
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 44
Item 5. | Other Information | 44
Item 6. | Exhibits | 44

2

Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC. |  |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (Unaudited) |  |
(In Thousands, Except Share Data) |  |

| September 30, | December 31,
| 2015 | 2014
Assets: |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $156,836 | $138,396
Available-for-sale investment securities (cost of $2,766,581 and $2,397,886, respectively) | 2,867,439 | 2,472,925
Other securities, at cost | 49,824 | 40,049
Loans held for sale, at fair value | 1,014 | 1,042
Loans | 4,313,547 | 4,236,206
Allowance for loan losses | (45,588) | (45,341)
Net loans | 4,267,959 | 4,190,865
Goodwill, net | 375,174 | 375,174
Core deposit intangibles, net | 7,894 | 10,023
Other intangibles, net | 1,457 | 1,776
Intangible assets, net | 384,525 | 386,973
Premises and equipment, net | 92,491 | 93,633
Accrued interest and fees receivable | 28,873 | 24,645
Other assets | 148,205 | 140,912
Total assets | $7,997,166 | $7,489,440
Liabilities: |  |
Noninterest-bearing deposits | $1,357,554 | $1,324,661
Interest-bearing deposits | 4,790,556 | 4,610,603
Total deposits | 6,148,110 | 5,935,264
Borrowings | 558,100 | 338,000
Subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts | 102,140 | 102,122
Accrued interest and other liabilities | 143,790 | 126,150
Total liabilities | 6,952,140 | 6,501,536
Commitments and contingencies (See Note J) |  |
Shareholders' equity: |  |
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued | 0 | 0
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 41,929,301 and 41,606,422 shares issued, respectively | 41,929 | 41,606
Additional paid-in capital | 421,213 | 409,984
Retained earnings | 560,021 | 525,985
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 45,907 | 30,720
Treasury stock, at cost (910,278 and 858,701 shares, respectively) | (24,044) | (20,391)
Total shareholders' equity | 1,045,026 | 987,904
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $7,997,166 | $7,489,440

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Per-Share Data)

|  | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended
September 30, | September 30,
|  | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014
Interest income: |  |  |  |
| Interest and fees on loans | $47,040 | $46,883 | $138,422 | $138,649
| Interest and dividends on taxable investments | 13,454 | 12,239 | 38,802 | 37,481
| Interest and dividends on nontaxable investments | 4,790 | 5,165 | 14,394 | 15,505
| Total interest income | 65,284 | 64,287 | 191,618 | 191,635
Interest expense: |  |  |  |
| Interest on deposits | 1,694 | 1,962 | 5,225 | 6,265
| Interest on borrowings | 587 | 308 | 1,081 | 846
| Interest on subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts | 640 | 623 | 1,881 | 1,852
| Total interest expense | 2,921 | 2,893 | 8,187 | 8,963
Net interest income | 62,363 | 61,394 | 183,431 | 182,672
Provision for loan losses | 1,906 | 1,747 | 3,120 | 4,647
Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 60,457 | 59,647 | 180,311 | 178,025
Noninterest revenues: |  |  |  |
| Deposit service fees | 13,459 | 13,833 | 39,142 | 39,260
| Other banking services | 2,045 | 1,867 | 3,899 | 4,665
| Employee benefit services | 11,330 | 10,755 | 33,727 | 31,638
| Wealth management services | 4,552 | 4,617 | 13,383 | 13,529
Total noninterest revenues | 31,386 | 31,072 | 90,151 | 89,092
Noninterest expenses: |  |  |  |
| Salaries and employee benefits | 31,179 | 30,941 | 93,218 | 92,090
| Occupancy and equipment | 6,652 | 6,617 | 20,891 | 21,224
| Data processing and communications | 7,643 | 7,475 | 22,106 | 21,529
| Amortization of intangible assets | 843 | 1,051 | 2,642 | 3,293
| Legal and professional fees | 1,564 | 1,973 | 4,952 | 5,427
| Office supplies and postage | 1,636 | 1,466 | 4,733 | 4,664
| Business development and marketing | 1,889 | 1,764 | 5,711 | 5,424
| FDIC insurance premiums | 968 | 952 | 2,920 | 2,918
| Acquisition expenses and litigation settlement | 562 | 2,800 | 1,318 | 2,923
| Other | 3,143 | 3,772 | 9,584 | 10,404
| Total noninterest expenses | 56,079 | 58,811 | 168,075 | 169,896
Income before income taxes | 35,764 | 31,908 | 102,387 | 97,221
Income taxes | 10,742 | 9,537 | 31,228 | 29,001
Net income | $25,022 | $22,371 | $71,159 | $68,220
Basic earnings per share | $0.61 | $0.55 | $1.74 | $1.67
Diluted earnings per share | $0.60 | $0.54 | $1.72 | $1.65
Cash dividends declared per share | $0.31 | $0.30 | $0.91 | $0.86

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

| Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, |  | September 30,
| 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014
Pension and other post retirement obligations: |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of actuarial (gains)/losses included in net periodic pension cost, gross | $363 | ($79) |  | $1,090 | ($235)
Tax effect | (140) | 31 |  | (421) | 92
Amortization of actuarial (gains)/losses included in net periodic pension cost, net | 223 | (48) |  | 669 | (143)
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost, gross | (43) | (43) |  | (127) | (130)
Tax effect | 16 | 17 |  | 49 | 51
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost, net | (27) | (26) |  | (78) | (79)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) related to pension and other post retirement obligations, net of taxes | 196 | (74) |  | 591 | (222)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities: |  |  |  |  |
Net unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during period, gross | 44,019 | (1,808) |  | 25,819 | 75,214
Tax effect | (16,979) | 710 |  | (11,223) | (27,776)
Net unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during period, net | 27,040 | (1,098) |  | 14,596 | 47,438
Other comprehensive income/(loss) related to unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes | 27,040 | (1,098) |  | 14,596 | 47,438
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax | 27,236 | (1,172) |  | 15,187 | 47,216
Net income | 25,022 | 22,371 |  | 71,159 | 68,220
Comprehensive income | $52,258 | $21,199 |  | $86,346 | $115,436

| As of |  |  |
| September 30, 2015 | December 31, 2014 |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income By Component: |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized loss for pension and other postretirement obligations | ($25,979) | ($26,941) |  |  |
Tax effect | 9,854 | 10,225 |  |  |
Net unrealized loss for pension and other postretirement obligations | (16,125) | (16,716) |  |  |
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities | 100,858 | 75,039 |  |  |
Tax effect | (38,826) | (27,603) |  |  |
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities | 62,032 | 47,436 |  |  |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | $45,907 | $30,720 |  |  |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

|  |  |  |  | Accumulated |  |
| Common Stock | Additional |  | Other |  |
| Shares | Amount | Paid-In | Retained | Comprehensive | Treasury |
| Outstanding | Issued | Capital | Earnings | Income | Stock | Total
Balance at December 31, 2014 | 40,747,721 | $41,606 | $409,984 | $525,985 | $30,720 | ($20,391) | $987,904
Net income |  |  |  | 71,159 |  |  | 71,159
Other comprehensive income, net of tax |  |  |  |  | 15,187 |  | 15,187
Cash dividends declared: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common, $0.91 per share |  |  |  | (37,123) |  |  | (37,123)
Common stock issued under |  |  |  |  |  |  |
employee stock plan, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
including tax benefits of $1,541 | 322,879 | 323 | 8,065 |  |  |  | 8,388
Stock-based compensation |  |  | 3,164 |  |  |  | 3,164
Treasury stock purchased | (265,230) |  |  |  |  | (9,125) | (9,125)
Treasury stock issued to benefit plan | 213,653 |  |  |  |  | 5,472 | 5,472
Balance at September 30, 2015 | 41,019,023 | $41,929 | $421,213 | $560,021 | $45,907 | ($24,044) | $1,045,026

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

| Nine Months Ended
| September 30,
| 2015 | 2014
Operating activities: |  |
Net income | $71,159 | $68,220
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |
Depreciation | 9,820 | 9,801
Amortization of intangible assets | 2,642 | 3,293
Net accretion of premiums and discounts on securities, loans, and borrowings | (2,100) | (2,894)
Stock-based compensation | 3,164 | 3,073
Provision for loan losses | 3,120 | 4,647
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights | 307 | 337
Income from bank-owned life insurance policies | (775) | (760)
Net gain from sale of loans and other assets | (48) | (344)
Net change in loans originated for sale | 582 | 258
Change in other assets and liabilities | (6,219) | 5,448
Net cash provided by operating activities | 81,652 | 91,079
Investing activities: |  |
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investment securities | 131,709 | 101,228
Proceeds from maturities of other investment securities | 172 | 12
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities | (494,436) | (300,120)
Purchases of other securities | (9,947) | (7,761)
Net increase in loans | (84,064) | (114,603)
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired of $0 | 0 | (924)
Expenditure for intangible asset | (100) | 0
Purchases of premises and equipment, net | (9,184) | (7,839)
Net cash used in investing activities | (465,850) | (330,007)
Financing activities: |  |
Net increase in deposits | 212,846 | 71,287
Net change in borrowings, net of payments of $0 and $8 | 220,100 | 201,892
Issuance of common stock | 8,388 | 6,115
Purchases of treasury stock | (9,125) | 0
Issuances of treasury stock | 5,472 | 0
Cash dividends paid | (36,584) | (33,989)
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements | 1,541 | 1,476
Net cash provided by financing activities | 402,638 | 246,781
Change in cash and cash equivalents | 18,440 | 7,853
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 138,396 | 149,647
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $156,836 | $157,500
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |  |
Cash paid for interest | $8,249 | $9,079
Cash paid for income taxes | 21,334 | 19,527
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing and investing activities: |  |
Dividends declared and unpaid | 12,793 | 12,255
Transfers from loans to other real estate | 2,934 | 2,111
Purchase of intangible asset | 93 | 0

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
7

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
NOTE A: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The interim financial data as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 is unaudited; however, in the opinion of Community Bank System, Inc. (the “Company”), the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.
NOTE B: ACQUISITIONS
On January 1, 2014, the Company, through its subsidiary, Harbridge Consulting Group, LLC (“Harbridge”), completed its acquisition of a professional services practice from EBS-RMSCO, Inc., a subsidiary of The Lifetime Healthcare Companies (“EBS-RMSCO”). This professional services practice, which provides actuarial valuation and consulting services to clients who sponsor pension and post-retirement medical and welfare plans, enhances the Company’s participation in the Western New York market. The effects of the acquired assets and liabilities have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date.
The assets and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management's best estimates using information available at the dates of the acquisition, and are subject to adjustment based on updated information not available at the time of acquisition. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed during 2014:

(000’s omitted) |
Consideration paid: |
Cash/Total net consideration paid | $924
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: |
Other assets | 163
Other intangibles | 578
Total identifiable assets | 741
Goodwill | $183

The other intangibles related to the EBS-RMSCO acquisition is being amortized using an accelerated method over their estimated useful life of eight years. The goodwill, which is not amortized for book purposes, was assigned to the Employee Benefit Services segment for the EBS-RMSCO acquisition and is deductible for tax purposes.
Supplemental pro forma financial information related to the EBS-RMSCO acquisition has not been provided as it would be impracticable to do so. Historical financial information regarding EBS-RMSCO is not accessible and, thus, the amounts would require estimates so significant as to render the disclosure irrelevant.
On February 24, 2015, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Oneida Financial Corp. (“Oneida”), parent company of Oneida Savings Bank, headquartered in Oneida, NY, for approximately $142 million in Company stock and cash. The acquisition will extend the Company’s Central New York banking service area and complement and expand the Company’s existing service capacity in insurance, benefits administration and wealth management. Upon the completion of the merger, Community Bank N.A. (“the Bank”) will add 12 branch locations and approximately $813 million of assets, including approximately $397 million of loans and $708 million of deposits. The Oneida shareholders have approved the acquisition and the various required regulatory approvals for the transaction are expected in the fourth quarter. The Company expects to incur additional one-time, transaction-related costs during the remainder of 2015.
Direct costs related to acquisitions were expensed as incurred. Merger and acquisition integration-related expenses amount to $0.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
8

NOTE C: ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies of the Company, as applied in the consolidated interim financial statements presented herein, are substantially the same as those followed on an annual basis as presented on pages 55 through 60 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2015.
Critical Accounting Policies
Acquired Loans
Acquired loans are initially recorded at their acquisition date fair values. The carryover of allowance for loan losses is prohibited as any credit losses in the loans are included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date. Fair values for acquired loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that involves assumptions and judgments as to credit risk, prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default rates, loss severity, payment speeds, collateral values and discount rate.
Acquired Impaired Loans
Acquired loans that have evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments are accounted for as impaired loans under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310-30. The excess of undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loans using the interest method. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the non-accretable discount. The non-accretable discount represents estimated future credit losses and other contractually required payments that the Company does not expect to collect. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairments through a charge to the provision for credit losses resulting in an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent improvements in expected cash flows result in a recovery of previously recorded allowance for loan losses or a reversal of a corresponding amount of the non-accretable discount, which the Company then reclassifies as an accretable discount that is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loans using the interest method.
Acquired loans that met the criteria for non-accrual of interest prior to acquisition may be considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if the Company can reasonably estimate the timing and amount of the expected cash flows on such loans and if the Company expects to fully collect the new carrying value of the loans. As such, the Company may no longer consider the loan to be non-accrual or non-performing and may accrue interest on these loans, including the impact of any accretable discount.
Acquired Non-impaired Loans
Acquired loans that do not meet the requirements under ASC 310-30 are considered acquired non-impaired loans. The difference between the acquisition date fair value and the outstanding balance represents the fair value adjustment for a loan and includes both credit and interest rate considerations. Fair value adjustments may be discounts (or premiums) to a loan’s cost basis and are accreted (or amortized) to net interest income (or expense) over the loan’s remaining life in accordance with ASC 310-20. Fair value adjustments for revolving loans are accreted (or amortized) using a straight line method. Term loans are accreted (or amortized) using the constant effective yield method.
Subsequent to the purchase date, the methods used to estimate the allowance for loan losses for the acquired non-impaired loans are consistent with the policy described below. However, the Company compares the net realizable value of the loans to the carrying value, for loans collectively evaluated for impairment. The carrying value represents the net of the loan’s unpaid principal balance and the remaining purchase discount (or premium) that has yet to be accreted into interest income. When the carrying value exceeds the net realizable value, an allowance for loan losses is recognized.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Management continually evaluates the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, and performs a formal review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis. The allowance reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determination of the allowance is subjective in nature and requires significant estimates. The Company’s allowance methodology consists of two broad components - general and specific loan loss allocations.
9

The general loan loss allocation is composed of two calculations that are computed on five main loan segments: business lending; consumer direct; consumer indirect; home equity; and consumer mortgage. The first calculation is quantitative and determines an allowance level based on the latest 36 months of historical net charge-off data for each loan class (commercial loans exclude balances with specific loan loss allocations). The second calculation is qualitative and takes into consideration eight qualitative environmental factors: levels and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards, and other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations. A component of the qualitative calculation is the unallocated allowance for loan loss. The qualitative and quantitative calculations are added together to determine the general loan loss allocation. The specific loan loss allocation relates to individual commercial loans that are both greater than $0.5 million and in a nonaccruing status with respect to interest. Specific loan losses are based on discounted estimated cash flows, including any cash flows resulting from the conversion of collateral or collateral shortfalls. The allowance levels computed from the specific and general loan loss allocation methods are combined with unallocated allowances and allowances needed for acquired loans to derive the total required allowance for loan losses to be reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Condition.
Loan losses are charged off against the allowance, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance. A provision for loan losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of factors previously mentioned.
Investment Securities
The Company has classified its investments in debt and equity securities as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. Held-to-maturity securities are those for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, and are reported at cost, which is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses reflected as a separate component of shareholders' equity, net of applicable income taxes. None of the Company's investment securities have been classified as trading securities at September 30, 2015. Certain equity securities are stated at cost and include restricted stock of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“Federal Reserve”) and Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”).
Fair values for investment securities are based upon quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based upon quoted market prices of comparable instruments, or a discounted cash flow model using market estimates of interest rates and volatility.
The Company conducts an assessment of all securities in an unrealized loss position to determine if other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) exists on a quarterly basis. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis. The OTTI assessment considers the security structure, recent security collateral performance metrics, if applicable, external credit ratings, failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments, judgment about and expectations of future performance, and relevant independent industry research, analysis and forecasts. The severity of the impairment and the length of time the security has been impaired is also considered in the assessment. The assessment of whether an OTTI decline exists is performed on each security, regardless of the classification of the security as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity and involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment that is based on the information available to management at a point in time.
An OTTI loss must be recognized for a debt security in an unrealized loss position if there is intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. In this situation, the amount of loss recognized in income is equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the security. Even if management does not have the intent, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities, an evaluation of the expected cash flows to be received is performed to determine if a credit loss has occurred. For debt securities, a critical component of the evaluation for OTTI is the identification of credit-impaired securities, where the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. In the event of a credit loss, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss would be recognized in income. The portion of the unrealized loss relating to other factors, such as liquidity conditions in the market or changes in market interest rates, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Equity securities are also evaluated to determine whether the unrealized loss is expected to be recoverable based on whether evidence exists to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the amortized cost basis. If it is probable that the amortized cost basis will not be recovered, taking into consideration the estimated recovery period and the ability to hold the equity security until recovery, OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the security.
The specific identification method is used in determining the realized gains and losses on sales of investment securities and OTTI charges. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized and accreted, respectively, on the interest method basis over the period to maturity or estimated life of the related security. Purchases and sales of securities are recognized on a trade date basis.
10

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include core deposit intangibles, customer relationship intangibles and goodwill arising from acquisitions. Core deposit intangibles and customer relationship intangibles are amortized on either an accelerated or straight-line basis over periods ranging from seven to 20 years. The initial and ongoing carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets is based upon discounted cash flow modeling techniques that require management to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. It also requires use of a discount rate that reflects the current return requirements of the market in relation to present risk-free interest rates, required equity market premiums, peer volatility indicators, and company-specific risk indicators.
The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment. The implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to its carrying amount and the impairment loss is measured by the excess of the carrying value over fair value. The fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of that reporting unit in order to determine if impairment is indicated.
Retirement Benefits
The Company provides defined benefit pension benefits to eligible employees and post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to certain eligible retirees. The Company also provides deferred compensation and supplemental executive retirement plans for selected current and former employees, officers, and directors. Expense under these plans is charged to current operations and consists of several components of net periodic benefit cost based on various actuarial assumptions regarding future experience under the plans, including discount rate, rate of future compensation increases, and expected return on plan assets.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This new guidance supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, and is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. This guidance is effective prospectively for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations: Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (Topic 805). The amendments clarify that an acquirer recognizes adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The acquirer needs to record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income as a result of the change to the provisional amounts as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This amendment requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item as if the provisional adjustments had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. These provisions are not anticipated to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
NOTE D: INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

| September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
|  | Gross | Gross |  |  |  | Gross | Gross |
| Amortized | Unrealized | Unrealized | Fair |  | Amortized | Unrealized | Unrealized | Fair
(000's omitted) | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value |  | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value
Available-for-Sale Portfolio: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Treasury and agency securities | $1,864,199 | $69,071 | $0 | $1,933,270 |  | $1,479,134 | $39,509 | $910 | $1,517,733
Obligations of state and political subdivisions | 662,774 | 24,374 | 521 | 686,627 |  | 645,398 | 26,749 | 244 | 671,903
Government agency mortgage-backed securities | 208,817 | 8,087 | 968 | 215,936 |  | 228,971 | 9,782 | 1,025 | 237,728
Corporate debt securities | 16,705 | 115 | 38 | 16,782 |  | 26,803 | 363 | 75 | 27,091
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations | 13,836 | 582 | 0 | 14,418 |  | 17,330 | 695 | 0 | 18,025
Marketable equity securities | 250 | 167 | 11 | 406 |  | 250 | 195 | 0 | 445
Total available-for-sale portfolio | $2,766,581 | $102,396 | $1,538 | $2,867,439 |  | $2,397,886 | $77,293 | $2,254 | $2,472,925
Other Securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal Home Loan Bank common stock | $29,500 |  |  | $29,500 |  | $19,553 |  |  | $19,553
Federal Reserve Bank common stock | 16,050 |  |  | 16,050 |  | 16,050 |  |  | 16,050
Other equity securities | 4,274 |  |  | 4,274 |  | 4,446 |  |  | 4,446
Total other securities | $49,824 |  |  | $49,824 |  | $40,049 |  |  | $40,049

11

A summary of investment securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position is as follows:
As of September 30, 2015

| Less than 12 Months |  | 12 Months or Longer |  | Total
|  |  | Gross |  |  |  | Gross |  |  |  | Gross
|  | Fair | Unrealized |  |  | Fair | Unrealized |  |  | Fair | Unrealized
(000's omitted) | # | Value | Losses |  | # | Value | Losses |  | # | Value | Losses
Available-for-Sale Portfolio: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Obligations of state and political subdivisions | 70 | $38,526 | $473 |  | 3 | $1,198 | $48 |  | 73 | $39,724 | $521
Government agency mortgage-backed securities | 5 | 7,342 | 37 |  | 19 | 31,333 | 931 |  | 24 | 38,675 | 968
Corporate debt securities | 0 | 0 | 0 |  | 1 | 2,745 | 38 |  | 1 | 2,745 | 38
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations | 0 | 0 | 0 |  | 2 | 4 | 0 |  | 2 | 4 | 0
Marketable equity securities | 1 | 90 | 11 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  | 1 | 90 | 11
Total available-for-sale/investment portfolio | 76 | $45,958 | $521 |  | 25 | $35,280 | $1,017 |  | 101 | $81,238 | $1,538

As of December 31, 2014

| Less than 12 Months |  | 12 Months or Longer |  | Total
|  |  | Gross |  |  |  | Gross |  |  |  | Gross
|  | Fair | Unrealized |  |  | Fair | Unrealized |  |  | Fair | Unrealized
(000's omitted) | # | Value | Losses |  | # | Value | Losses |  | # | Value | Losses
Available-for-Sale Portfolio: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Treasury and agency obligations | 0 | $0 | $0 |  | 4 | $102,363 | $910 |  | 4 | $102,363 | $910
Obligations of state and political subdivisions | 23 | 13,413 | 34 |  | 46 | 26,490 | 210 |  | 69 | 39,903 | 244
Government agency mortgage-backed securities | 3 | 5 | 0 |  | 19 | 34,770 | 1,025 |  | 22 | 34,775 | 1,025
Corporate debt securities | 1 | 3,040 | 1 |  | 1 | 2,755 | 74 |  | 2 | 5,795 | 75
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations | 1 | 0 | 0 |  | 1 | 5 | 0 |  | 2 | 5 | 0
Total available-for-sale/investment portfolio | 28 | $16,458 | $35 |  | 71 | $166,383 | $2,219 |  | 99 | $182,841 | $2,254

The unrealized losses reported pertaining to securities issued by the U.S. government and its sponsored entities, include treasuries, agencies, and mortgage-backed securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the Federal Home Loan Corporation (“FHLMC”), which are currently rated AAA by Moody’s Investor Services, AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and are guaranteed by the U.S. government. The majority of the obligations of state and political subdivisions and corporations carry a credit rating of A or better. Additionally, a majority of the obligations of state and political subdivisions carry a secondary level of credit enhancement. The Company does not intend to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the amortized cost. The unrealized losses in the portfolios are primarily attributable to changes in interest rates. As such, management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2015 represents OTTI.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at September 30, 2015, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.

| Available-for-Sale
| Amortized | Fair
(000's omitted) | Cost | Value
Due in one year or less | $43,499 | $43,925
Due after one through five years | 157,648 | 161,758
Due after five years through ten years | 2,094,774 | 2,173,882
Due after ten years | 247,757 | 257,114
Subtotal | 2,543,678 | 2,636,679
Government agency mortgage-backed securities | 208,817 | 215,936
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations | 13,836 | 14,418
Total | $2,766,331 | $2,867,033

12

NOTE E: LOANS
The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are disaggregated into the following classes that allow management to monitor risk and performance:

● | Consumer mortgages consist primarily of fixed rate residential instruments, typically 10 – 30 years in contractual term, secured by first liens on real property.

● | Business lending is comprised of general purpose commercial and industrial loans including, but not limited to, agricultural-related and dealer floor plans, as well as mortgages on commercial properties.

● | Consumer indirect consists primarily of installment loans originated through selected dealerships and are secured by automobiles, marine and other recreational vehicles.

● | Consumer direct consists of all other loans to consumers such as personal installment loans and lines of credit.

● | Home equity products are consumer purpose installment loans or lines of credit most often secured by a first or second lien position on residential real estate with terms up to 30 years.

The balances of these classes are summarized as follows:

| September 30, | December 31,
(000's omitted) | 2015 | 2014
Consumer mortgage | $1,621,862 | $1,613,384
Business lending | 1,288,772 | 1,262,484
Consumer indirect | 872,988 | 833,968
Consumer direct | 184,479 | 184,028
Home equity | 345,446 | 342,342
Gross loans | 4,313,547 | 4,236,206
Allowance for loan losses | (45,588) | (45,341)
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses | $4,267,959 | $4,190,865

The outstanding balance related to credit impaired acquired loans was $5.2 million and $6.1 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The changes in the accretable discount related to the credit impaired acquired loans are as follows:

(000’s omitted) |
Balance at December 31, 2014 | $705
Accretion recognized, year-to-date | (437)
Net reclassification to accretable from non-accretable | 329
Balance at September 30, 2015 | $597

Credit Quality
Management monitors the credit quality of its loan portfolio on an ongoing basis. Measurement of delinquency and past due status are based on the contractual terms of each loan. Past due loans are reviewed on a monthly basis to identify loans for non-accrual status. The following is an aged analysis of the Company’s past due loans, by class as of September 30, 2015:
Legacy Loans (excludes loans acquired after January 1, 2009)

| Past Due | 90+ Days Past |  |  |  |
| 30 – 89 | Due and |  | Total |  |
(000’s omitted) | Days | Still Accruing | Nonaccrual | Past Due | Current | Total Loans
Consumer mortgage | $10,115 | $1,351 | $12,108 | $23,574 | $1,538,515 | $1,562,089
Business lending | 2,187 | 135 | 6,402 | 8,724 | 1,159,228 | 1,167,952
Consumer indirect | 9,785 | 58 | 0 | 9,843 | 862,571 | 872,414
Consumer direct | 1,148 | 41 | 1 | 1,190 | 179,428 | 180,618
Home equity | 1,023 | 291 | 1,993 | 3,307 | 289,015 | 292,322
Total | $24,258 | $1,876 | $20,504 | $46,638 | $4,028,757 | $4,075,395

13

Acquired Loans (includes loans acquired after January 1, 2009)

| Past Due | 90+ Days Past |  |  |  |  |
| 30 – 89 | Due and |  | Total | Acquired |  |
(000’s omitted) | Days | Still Accruing | Nonaccrual | Past Due | Impaired(1) | Current | Total Loans
Consumer mortgage | $1,271 | $130 | $1,473 | $2,874 | $0 | $56,899 | $59,773
Business lending | 192 | 0 | 710 | 902 | 4,675 | 115,243 | 120,820
Consumer indirect | 25 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 549 | 574
Consumer direct | 126 | 0 | 14 | 140 | 0 | 3,721 | 3,861
Home equity | 446 | 69 | 432 | 947 | 0 | 52,177 | 53,124
Total | $2,060 | $199 | $2,629 | $4,888 | $4,675 | $228,589 | $238,152

(1) | Acquired impaired loans were not classified as nonperforming assets as the loans are considered to be performing under ASC 310-30. As a result interest income, through the accretion of the difference between the carrying amount of the loans and the expected cashflows, is being recognized on all acquired impaired loans.

The following is an aged analysis of the Company’s past due loans by class as of December 31, 2014:
Legacy Loans (excludes loans acquired after January 1, 2009)

| Past Due | 90+ Days Past |  |  |  |
| 30 – 89 | Due and |  | Total |  |
(000’s omitted) | Days | Still Accruing | Nonaccrual | Past Due | Current | Total Loans
Consumer mortgage | $13,978 | $2,165 | $13,201 | $29,344 | $1,515,057 | $1,544,401
Business lending | 6,738 | 350 | 2,291 | 9,379 | 1,115,215 | 1,124,594
Consumer indirect | 10,529 | 82 | 10 | 10,621 | 822,124 | 832,745
Consumer direct | 1,389 | 36 | 2 | 1,427 | 177,158 | 178,585
Home equity | 1,802 | 195 | 2,172 | 4,169 | 278,904 | 283,073
Total | $34,436 | $2,828 | $17,676 | $54,940 | $3,908,458 | $3,963,398

Acquired Loans (includes loans acquired after January 1, 2009)

| Past Due | 90+ Days Past |  |  |  |  |
| 30 – 89 | Due and |  | Total | Acquired |  |
(000’s omitted) | Days | Still Accruing | Nonaccrual | Past Due | Impaired(1) | Current | Total Loans
Consumer mortgage | $1,892 | $232 | $2,122 | $4,246 | $0 | $64,737 | $68,983
Business lending | 608 | 0 | 489 | 1,097 | 5,312 | 131,481 | 137,890
Consumer indirect | 40 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 1,183 | 1,223
Consumer direct | 174 | 0 | 18 | 192 | 0 | 5,251 | 5,443
Home equity | 674 | 46 | 426 | 1,146 | 0 | 58,123 | 59,269
Total | $3,388 | $278 | $3,055 | $6,721 | $5,312 | $260,775 | $272,808

(1) | Acquired impaired loans were not classified as nonperforming assets as the loans are considered to be performing under ASC 310-30. As a result interest income, through the accretion of the difference between the carrying amount of the loans and the expected cashflows, is being recognized on all acquired impaired loans.

The Company uses several credit quality indicators to assess credit risk in an ongoing manner. The Company’s primary credit quality indicator for its business lending portfolio is an internal credit risk rating system that categorizes loans as “pass”, “special mention”, or “classified”. Credit risk ratings are applied individually to those classes of loans that have significant or unique credit characteristics that benefit from a case-by-case evaluation. In general, the following are the definitions of the Company’s credit quality indicators:

Pass | The condition of the borrower and the performance of the loans are satisfactory or better.
Special Mention | The condition of the borrower has deteriorated although the loan performs as agreed.
Classified | The condition of the borrower has significantly deteriorated and the performance of the loan could further deteriorate, if deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful | The condition of the borrower has deteriorated to the point that collection of the balance is improbable based on current facts and conditions.

14

The following table shows the amount of business lending loans by credit quality category:

| September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
(000’s omitted) | Legacy | Acquired | Total |  | Legacy | Acquired | Total
Pass | $990,125 | $84,944 | $1,075,069 |  | $949,960 | $93,510 | $1,043,470
Special mention | 111,496 | 15,343 | 126,839 |  | 103,176 | 18,038 | 121,214
Classified | 65,831 | 15,858 | 81,689 |  | 71,458 | 21,030 | 92,488
Doubtful | 500 | 0 | 500 |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Acquired impaired | 0 | 4,675 | 4,675 |  | 0 | 5,312 | 5,312
Total | $1,167,952 | $120,820 | $1,288,772 |  | $1,124,594 | $137,890 | $1,262,484

All other loans are underwritten and structured using standardized criteria and characteristics, primarily payment performance, and are normally risk rated and monitored collectively on a monthly basis. These are typically loans to individuals in the consumer categories and are delineated as either performing or nonperforming. Performing loans include loans classified as current as well as those classified as 30 - 89 days past due. Nonperforming loans include 90+ days past due and still accruing and nonaccrual loans. The following table details the balances in all other loan categories at September 30, 2015:
Legacy Loans (excludes loans acquired after January 1, 2009)

| Consumer | Consumer | Consumer | Home |
(000’s omitted) | Mortgage | Indirect | Direct | Equity | Total
Performing | $1,548,630 | $872,356 | $180,576 | $290,038 | $2,891,600
Nonperforming | 13,459 | 58 | 42 | 2,284 | 15,843
Total | $1,562,089 | $872,414 | $180,618 | $292,322 | $2,907,443

Acquired Loans (includes loans acquired after January 1, 2009)

| Consumer | Consumer | Consumer | Home |
(000’s omitted) | Mortgage | Indirect | Direct | Equity | Total
Performing | $58,170 | $574 | $3,847 | $52,623 | $115,214
Nonperforming | 1,603 | 0 | 14 | 501 | 2,118
Total | $59,773 | $574 | $3,861 | $53,124 | $117,332

The following table details the balances in all other loan categories at December 31, 2014:
Legacy Loans (excludes loans acquired after January 1, 2009)

| Consumer | Consumer | Consumer | Home |
(000’s omitted) | Mortgage | Indirect | Direct | Equity | Total
Performing | $1,529,035 | $832,653 | $178,547 | $280,706 | $2,820,941
Nonperforming | 15,366 | 92 | 38 | 2,367 | 17,863
Total | $1,544,401 | $832,745 | $178,585 | $283,073 | $2,838,804

Acquired Loans (includes loans acquired after January 1, 2009)

| Consumer | Consumer | Consumer | Home |
(000’s omitted) | Mortgage | Indirect | Direct | Equity | Total
Performing | $66,629 | $1,223 | $5,425 | $58,797 | $132,074
Nonperforming | 2,354 | 0 | 18 | 472 | 2,844
Total | $68,983 | $1,223 | $5,443 | $59,269 | $134,918

All loan classes are collectively evaluated for impairment except business lending, as described in Note C. A summary of individually evaluated impaired loans as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 follows:

| September 30, | December 31,
(000’s omitted) | 2015 | 2014
Loans with allowance allocation | $2,800 | $0
Loans without allowance allocation | 1,086 | 0
Carrying balance | 3,886 | 0
Contractual balance | 3,986 | 0
Specifically allocated allowance | 566 | 0

15

In the course of working with borrowers, the Company may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. In this scenario, the Company attempts to work-out an alternative payment schedule with the borrower in order to optimize collectability of the loan. Any loans that are modified are reviewed by the Company to identify if a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) has occurred, which is when, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Terms may be modified to fit the ability of the borrower to repay in line with its current financial standing and the restructuring of the loan may include the transfer of assets from the borrower to satisfy the debt, a modification of loan terms, or a combination of the two.
In accordance with the clarified guidance issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), loans that have been discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy but not reaffirmed by the borrower, are classified as TDRs, irrespective of payment history or delinquency status, even if the repayment terms for the loan have not been otherwise modified. The Company’s lien position against the underlying collateral remains unchanged. Pursuant to that guidance, the Company records a charge-off equal to any portion of the carrying value that exceeds the net realizable value of the collateral. The amount of loss incurred in 2015 and 2014 was immaterial.
TDRs that are less than $0.5 million are collectively included in the general loan loss allocation and the qualitative review. TDRs that are commercial loans and greater than $0.5 million are individually evaluated for impairment, and if necessary, a specific allocation of the allowance for loan losses is provided. As a result, the determination of the amount of allowance for loan losses related to TDRs is the same as detailed in the critical accounting policies.
Information regarding TDRs as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:

| September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
(000’s omitted) | Nonaccrual | Accruing | Total |  | Nonaccrual | Accruing | Total
| # | Amount | # | Amount | # | Amount |  | # | Amount | # | Amount | # | Amount
Consumer mortgage | 41 | $1,500 | 38 | $1,595 | 79 | $3,095 |  | 49 | $2,092 | 37 | $1,770 | 86 | $3,862
Business lending | 3 | 117 | 4 | 567 | 7 | 684 |  | 6 | 442 | 3 | 468 | 9 | 910
Consumer indirect | 0 | 0 | 74 | 700 | 74 | 700 |  | 0 | 0 | 79 | 615 | 79 | 615
Consumer direct | 0 | 0 | 16 | 35 | 16 | 35 |  | 0 | 0 | 25 | 69 | 25 | 69
Home equity | 7 | 101 | 12 | 258 | 19 | 359 |  | 13 | 218 | 13 | 278 | 26 | 496
Total | 51 | $1,718 | 144 | $3,155 | 195 | $4,873 |  | 68 | $2,752 | 157 | $3,200 | 225 | $5,952

The following table presents information related to loans modified in a TDR during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. Of the loans noted in the table below, all loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were modified due to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy as described previously. The financial effects of these restructurings were immaterial.

| Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 |  | Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
(000’s omitted) | Number of loans modified | Outstanding Balance |  | Number of loans modified | Outstanding Balance
Consumer mortgage | 4 | $404 |  | 6 | $283
Business lending | 0 | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Consumer indirect | 12 | 112 |  | 16 | 165
Consumer direct | 1 | 0 |  | 5 | 7
Home equity | 0 | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Total | 17 | $516 |  | 27 | $455

| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(000’s omitted) | Number of loans modified | Outstanding Balance |  | Number of loans modified | Outstanding Balance
Consumer mortgage | 8 | $585 |  | 22 | $1,016
Business lending | 0 | 0 |  | 7 | 556
Consumer indirect | 23 | 263 |  | 29 | 334
Consumer direct | 2 | 1 |  | 7 | 14
Home equity | 1 | 13 |  | 5 | 173
Total | 34 | $862 |  | 70 | $2,093

16

Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is general in nature and is available to absorb losses from any loan type despite the analysis below. The following presents by class the activity in the allowance for loan losses:

| Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
| Consumer | Business | Consumer | Consumer | Home |  | Acquired |
(000’s omitted) | Mortgage | Lending | Indirect | Direct | Equity | Unallocated | Impaired | Total
Beginning balance | $10,192 | $15,353 | $11,602 | $2,991 | $2,677 | $2,374 | $93 | $45,282
Charge-offs | (276) | (234) | (1,597) | (427) | (66) | 0 | (59) | (2,659)
Recoveries | 9 | 107 | 740 | 174 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1,059
Provision | 421 | 112 | 1,367 | 359 | 102 | (461) | 6 | 1,906
Ending balance | $10,346 | $15,338 | $12,112 | $3,097 | $2,742 | $1,913 | $40 | $45,588

| Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
| Consumer | Business | Consumer | Consumer | Home |  | Acquired |
(000’s omitted) | Mortgage | Lending | Indirect | Direct | Equity | Unallocated | Impaired | Total
Beginning balance | $9,375 | $16,553 | $11,354 | $3,298 | $1,860 | $2,012 | $163 | $44,615
Charge-offs | (203) | (435) | (1,711) | (307) | (74) | 0 | (10) | (2,740)
Recoveries | 14 | 335 | 1,025 | 239 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 1,651
Provision | 268 | 138 | 1,231 | 100 | 77 | (65) | (2) | 1,747
Ending balance | $9,454 | $16,591 | $11,899 | $3,330 | $1,901 | $1,947 | $151 | $45,273

| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
| Consumer | Business | Consumer | Consumer | Home |  | Acquired |
(000’s omitted) | Mortgage | Lending | Indirect | Direct | Equity | Unallocated | Impaired | Total
Beginning balance | $10,286 | $15,787 | $11,544 | $3,083 | $2,701 | $1,767 | $173 | $45,341
Charge-offs | (917) | (667) | (4,421) | (1,066) | (188) | 0 | (102) | (7,361)
Recoveries | 75 | 715 | 3,077 | 566 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 4,488
Provision | 902 | (497) | 1,912 | 514 | 174 | 146 | (31) | 3,120
Ending balance | $10,346 | $15,338 | $12,112 | $3,097 | $2,742 | $1,913 | $40 | $45,588

| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
| Consumer | Business | Consumer | Consumer | Home |  | Acquired |
(000’s omitted) | Mortgage | Lending | Indirect | Direct | Equity | Unallocated | Impaired | Total
Beginning balance | $8,994 | $17,507 | $10,248 | $3,181 | $1,830 | $2,029 | $530 | $44,319
Charge-offs | (734) | (940) | (4,573) | (1,219) | (450) | 0 | (30) | (7,946)
Recoveries | 67 | 607 | 2,826 | 677 | 76 | 0 | 0 | 4,253
Provision | 1,127 | (583) | 3,398 | 691 | 445 | (82) | (349) | 4,647
Ending balance | $9,454 | $16,591 | $11,899 | $3,330 | $1,901 | $1,947 | $151 | $45,273

NOTE F: GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each type of identifiable intangible asset are as follows:

| September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
| Gross |  | Net |  | Gross |  | Net
| Carrying | Accumulated | Carrying |  | Carrying | Accumulated | Carrying
(000's omitted) | Amount | Amortization | Amount |  | Amount | Amortization | Amount
Amortizing intangible assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core deposit intangibles | $40,326 | ($32,432) | $7,894 |  | $40,326 | ($30,303) | $10,023
Other intangibles | 10,213 | (8,756) | 1,457 |  | 10,019 | (8,243) | 1,776
Total amortizing intangibles | $50,539 | ($41,188) | $9,351 |  | $50,345 | ($38,546) | $11,799

17

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years ended December 31 is as follows:

(000's omitted)
Oct - Dec 2015 | $788
2016 | 2,652
2017 | 1,943
2018 | 1,453
2019 | 1,026
Thereafter | 1,489
Total | $9,351

Shown below are the components of the Company’s goodwill at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015:

(000’s omitted) | December 31, 2014 | Activity | September 30, 2015
Goodwill | $379,998 | $0 | $379,998
Accumulated impairment | (4,824) | 0 | (4,824)
Goodwill, net | $375,174 | $0 | $375,174

NOTE G: MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES
The Company sponsors two business trusts, Community Statutory Trust III and Community Capital Trust IV, of which 100% of the common stock is owned by the Company. The trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of such preferred securities solely in junior subordinated debt securities of the Company. The debentures held by each trust are the sole assets of that trust. Distributions on the preferred securities issued by each trust are payable quarterly at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate being earned by the trust on the debentures held by that trust and are recorded as interest expense in the consolidated financial statements. The preferred securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the debentures. The Company has entered into agreements which, taken collectively, fully and unconditionally guarantee the preferred securities subject to the terms of each of the guarantees. The terms of the preferred securities of each trust are as follows:

| Issuance | Par |  | Maturity |
Trust | Date | Amount | Interest Rate | Date | Call Price
III | 7/31/2001 | $24.5 million | 3 month LIBOR plus 3.58% (3.88%) | 7/31/2031 | Par
IV | 12/8/2006 | $75 million | 3 month LIBOR plus 1.65% (1.99%) | 12/15/2036 | Par

NOTE H: BENEFIT PLANS
The Company provides a qualified defined benefit pension to eligible employees and retirees, other post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to certain retirees, an unfunded supplemental pension plan for certain key executives, and an unfunded stock balance plan for certain of its nonemployee directors. The Company accrues for the estimated cost of these benefits through charges to expense during the years that employees earn these benefits. No contributions to the defined benefit pension plan are required or planned for 2015.
The net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

| Pension Benefits |  | Post-retirement Benefits
| Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended |  | Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, |  | September 30, |  | September 30, |  | September 30,
(000's omitted) | 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014
Service cost | $831 | $882 |  | $2,493 | $2,647 |  | $0 | $0 |  | $0 | $0
Interest cost | 1,375 | 1,318 |  | 4,124 | 3,953 |  | 22 | 26 |  | 65 | 76
Expected return on plan assets | (3,042) | (2,980) |  | (9,127) | (8,941) |  | 0 | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Amortization of unrecognized net loss | 366 | (77) |  | 1,099 | (230) |  | (3) | (2) |  | (10) | (5)
Amortization of prior service cost | 2 | 1 |  | 6 | 4 |  | (45) | (45) |  | (134) | (134)
Net periodic benefit income | ($468) | ($856) |  | ($1,405) | ($2,567) |  | ($26) | ($21) |  | ($79) | ($63)

18

NOTE I: EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average of the common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average of the shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect of restricted stock and the assumed exercise of stock options during the year. The dilutive effect of options is calculated using the treasury stock method of accounting. The treasury stock method determines the number of common shares that would be outstanding if all the dilutive options (those where the average market price is greater than the exercise price) were exercised and the proceeds were used to repurchase common shares in the open market at the average market price for the applicable time period. There were approximately 0.6 million weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and approximately 0.5 million weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to approximately 0.3 million weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2014, and approximately 0.2 million weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 that were not included in the computation below.
The following is a reconciliation of basic to diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

| Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, |  | September 30,
(000's omitted, except per share data) | 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014
Net income | $25,022 | $22,371 |  | $71,159 | $68,220
Income attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards | (129) | (115) |  | (352) | (337)
Income available to common shareholders | 24,893 | 22,256 |  | 70,807 | 67,883
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic | 40,873 | 40,596 |  | 40,741 | 40,543
Basic earnings per share | $0.61 | $0.55 |  | $1.74 | $1.67
Net income | $25,022 | $22,371 |  | $71,159 | $68,220
Income attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards | (129) | (115) |  | (352) | (337)
Income available to common shareholders | 24,893 | 22,256 |  | 70,807 | 67,883
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic | 40,873 | 40,596 |  | 40,741 | 40,543
Assumed exercise of stock options | 386 | 453 |  | 400 | 482
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted | 41,259 | 41,049 |  | 41,141 | 41,025
Diluted earnings per share | $0.60 | $0.54 |  | $1.72 | $1.65

Stock Repurchase Program
At its December 2014 meeting, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved a new repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with securities laws and regulations, through December 31, 2015. Any repurchased shares will be used for general corporate purposes, including those related to stock plan activities. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations as determined at the Company’s discretion. During the first nine months of 2015, the Company repurchased 265,230 shares of its common stock in open market transactions, compared to 123,000 shares repurchased during 2014.
NOTE J: COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments consist primarily of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers, generally having fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses that may require payment of a fee. These commitments consist principally of unused commercial and consumer credit lines. Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of an underlying contract with a third party. The credit risks associated with commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers and are subject to the Company’s normal credit policies. Collateral may be obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer’s creditworthiness. The fair value of the standby letters of credit is immaterial for disclosure.
The contract amounts of commitments and contingencies are as follows:

(000's omitted) | September 30, 2015 | December 31, 2014
Commitments to extend credit | $730,652 | $733,827
Standby letters of credit | 18,280 | 23,916
Total | $748,932 | $757,743

19

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject in the normal course of business to various pending and threatened legal proceedings in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. As of September 30, 2015, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the aggregate ultimate liability arising out of litigation pending or threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with such legal proceedings. For those matters where it is probable that the Company will incur losses and the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated, the Company records an expense and corresponding liability in its consolidated financial statements. To the extent the pending or threatened litigation could result in exposure in excess of that liability, the amount of such excess is not currently estimable. The range of reasonably possible losses for matters where an exposure is not currently estimable or considered probable, beyond the existing recorded liabilities, is between $0 and $1 million in the aggregate. Although the Company does not believe that the outcome of pending litigation will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, it cannot rule out the possibility that such outcomes will be material to the consolidated results of operations for a particular reporting period in the future.
On July 14, 2015, the Court issued an order preliminarily approving the settlement reached in the first of two related class actions pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which cases were commenced on October 30, 2013 and May 23, 2014, respectively. The two related cases allege, on behalf of similarly situated class members, that notices provided by the Bank in connection with the repossession of automobiles failed to comply with certain requirements of the Pennsylvania and New York Uniform Commercial Code and related statutes. In accordance with mediation which occurred in September 2014, the settlement provides for establishment of a settlement fund of $2.8 million in exchange for release of all claims of the class members covered by these actions. A litigation settlement charge of $2.8 million with respect to the settlement of the class actions was previously recorded in the third quarter of 2014. The settlement is subject to the Court’s final approval following notice to the class members, including the ability of class members to oppose or opt-out of the settlement.
NOTE K: FAIR VALUE
Accounting standards establish a framework for measuring fair value and require certain disclosures about such fair value instruments. It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e. exit price). Inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:

● | Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
● | Level 2 – Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
● | Level 3 – Significant valuation assumptions not readily observable in a market.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers between any of the levels for the periods presented.

| September 30, 2015
(000's omitted) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Fair Value
Available-for-sale investment securities: |  |  |  |
U.S. Treasury and agency securities | $1,933,270 | $0 | $0 | $1,933,270
Obligations of state and political subdivisions | 0 | 686,627 | 0 | 686,627
Government agency mortgage-backed securities | 0 | 215,936 | 0 | 215,936
Corporate debt securities | 0 | 16,782 | 0 | 16,782
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations | 0 | 14,418 | 0 | 14,418
Marketable equity securities | 406 | 0 | 0 | 406
Total available-for-sale investment securities | 1,933,676 | 933,763 | 0 | 2,867,439
Mortgage loans held for sale | 0 | 1,014 | 0 | 1,014
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale | 0 | 0 | 276 | 276
Forward sales commitments | 0 | (94) | 0 | (94)
Total | $1,933,676 | $934,683 | $276 | $2,868,635

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| December 31, 2014
(000's omitted) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Fair Value
Available-for-sale investment securities: |  |  |  |
U.S. Treasury and agency securities | $1,496,667 | $21,066 | $0 | $1,517,733
Obligations of state and political subdivisions | 0 | 671,903 | 0 | 671,903
Government agency mortgage-backed securities | 0 | 237,728 | 0 | 237,728
Corporate debt securities | 0 | 27,091 | 0 | 27,091
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations | 0 | 18,025 | 0 | 18,025
Marketable equity securities | 445 | 0 | 0 | 445
Total available-for-sale investment securities | 1,497,112 | 975,813 | 0 | 2,472,925
Mortgage loans held for sale | 0 | 1,042 | 0 | 1,042
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale | 0 | 0 | 185 | 185
Forward sales commitments | 0 | (43) | 0 | (43)
Total | $1,497,112 | $976,812 | $185 | $2,474,109

The valuation techniques used to measure fair value for the items in the table above are as follows:

● | Available for sale investment securities – The fair values of available-for-sale investment securities are based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using quoted market prices for similar securities or model-based valuation techniques. Level 1 securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and marketable equity securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. Level 2 securities include U.S. agency securities, mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored entities, municipal securities and corporate debt securities that are valued by reference to prices for similar securities or through model-based techniques in which all significant inputs, such as reported trades, trade execution data, LIBOR swap yield curve, market prepayment speeds, credit information, market spreads, and security’s terms and conditions, are observable. See Note D for further disclosure of the fair value of investment securities.

● | Mortgage loans held for sale –The Company has elected to value loans held for sale at fair value in order to more closely match the gains and losses associated with loans held for sale with the gains and losses on forward sales contracts. Accordingly, the impact on the valuation will be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of income. All mortgage loans held for sale are current and in performing status. The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined using quoted secondary-market prices of loans with similar characteristics and, as such, have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The unpaid principal value of mortgage loans held for sale at September 30, 2015 is approximately $1.0 million. The unrealized gain on mortgage loans held for sale was recognized in mortgage banking and other income in the consolidated statement and is immaterial.

● | Forward sales commitments – The Company enters into forward sales commitments to sell certain residential real estate loans. Such commitments are considered to be derivative financial instruments and, therefore, are carried at estimated fair value in the other asset or other liability section of the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of these forward sales commitments is primarily measured by obtaining pricing from certain government-sponsored entities and reflects the underlying price the entity would pay the Company for an immediate sale on these mortgages. As such, these instruments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

● | Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale – The Company enters into various commitments to originate residential real estate loans for sale. Such commitments are considered to be derivative financial instruments and, therefore, are carried at estimated fair value in the other asset or other liability section of the consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair value of these commitments is determined using quoted secondary market prices obtained from certain government-sponsored entities. Additionally, accounting guidance requires the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan to be included in the fair value measurement of the derivative. The expected net future cash flows are based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. Such assumptions include estimates of the cost of servicing loans, appropriate discount rate and prepayment speeds. The determination of expected net cash flows is considered a significant unobservable input contributing to the Level 3 classification of commitments to originate real estate loans for sale.

21

The changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following tables:

| Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, | September 30,
| 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
(000's omitted) | Commitments to Originate Real Estate Loans for Sale |  | Commitments to Originate Real Estate Loans for Sale |  | Commitments to Originate Real Estate Loans for Sale |  | Commitments to Originate Real Estate Loans for Sale
Beginning balance | $195 |  | $142 |  | $185 |  | $44
Total losses included in earnings (1) | (195) |  | (142) |  | (532) |  | (253)
Commitments to originate real estate loans held for sale, net | 276 |  | 170 |  | 623 |  | 379
Ending balance | $276 |  | $170 |  | $276 |  | $170
(1) Amounts included in earnings associated with the commitments to originate real estate loans for sale are reported as a component of other banking services in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis:

| September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
(000's omitted) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Fair Value |  | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Fair Value
Impaired loans | $0 | $0 | $2,708 | $2,708 |  | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0
Other real estate owned | 0 | 0 | 2,531 | 2,531 |  | 0 | 0 | 1,855 | 1,855
Mortgage servicing rights | 0 | 0 | 553 | 553 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total | $0 | $0 | $5,792 | $5,792 |  | $0 | $0 | $1,855 | $1,855

Loans are generally not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Periodically, the Company records nonrecurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Nonrecurring adjustments also include certain impairment amounts for collateral-dependent loans calculated when establishing the allowance for credit losses. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan and, as a result, the carrying value of the loan less the calculated valuation amount does not necessarily represent the fair value of the loan. Real estate collateral is typically valued using independent appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace, adjusted for non-observable inputs. Thus, the resulting nonrecurring fair value measurements are generally classified as Level 3. Estimates of fair value used for other collateral supporting commercial loans generally are based on assumptions not observable in the marketplace and, therefore, such valuations classify as Level 3.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) is valued at the time the loan is foreclosed upon and the asset is transferred to OREO. The value is based primarily on third party appraisals, less costs to sell. The appraisals are sometimes further discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the customer and customer’s business. Such discounts are significant, ranging from 5% to 65% at September 30, 2015 and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. OREO is reviewed and evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above. The Company recovers the carrying value of OREO through the sale of the property. The ability to affect future sales prices is subject to market conditions and factors beyond the Company’s control and may impact the estimated fair value of a property.

Originated mortgage servicing rights are recorded at their fair value at the time of sale of the underlying loan, and are amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model incorporating inputs that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. Such inputs include estimates of the cost of servicing loans, appropriate discount rate and prepayment speeds and are considered to be unobservable and contribute to the Level 3 classification of mortgage servicing rights. In accordance with GAAP, the Company must record impairment charges, on a nonrecurring basis, when the carrying value of a stratum exceeds its estimated fair value. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance. There is an immaterial valuation allowance at September 30, 2015.

22

The Company determines fair values based on quoted market values, where available, estimates of present values, or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including, but not limited to, the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, may not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. The significant unobservable inputs used in the determination of fair value of assets classified as Level 3 on a recurring or non-recurring basis are as follows:

(000's omitted) | Fair Value at September 30, 2015 | Valuation Technique | Significant Unobservable Inputs | Significant Unobservable Input Range (Weighted Average)
Impaired loans | $2,708 | Fair Value of Collateral | Estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment | 10.0% - 65.6% (61.5%)
Other real estate owned | 2,531 | Fair Value of Collateral | Estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment | 5.4% - 64.7% (23.9%)
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale | 276 | Discounted cash flow | Embedded servicing value | 1%
Mortgage servicing rights | 553 | Discounted cash flow | Weighted average constant prepayment rate | 11.4%
|  |  | Weighted average discount rate | 3.62%
|  |  | Adequate compensation | $7/loan

The significant unobservable inputs used in the determination of fair value of assets classified as Level 3 on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:

(000's omitted) | Fair Value at December 31, 2014 | Valuation Technique | Significant Unobservable Inputs | Significant Unobservable Input Range (Weighted Average)
Other real estate owned | $1,855 | Fair value of collateral | Estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment | 10.0% - 77.5% (30.6%)
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale | 185 | Discounted cash flow | Embedded servicing value | 1%

Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from fair value disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

| September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
| Carrying | Fair |  | Carrying | Fair
(000's omitted) | Value | Value |  | Value | Value
Financial assets: |  |  |  |  |
Net loans | $4,267,959 | $4,317,941 |  | $4,190,865 | $4,251,565
Financial liabilities: |  |  |  |  |
Deposits | 6,148,110 | 6,147,341 |  | 5,935,264 | 5,935,690
Borrowings | 558,100 | 558,100 |  | 338,000 | 338,000
Subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts | 102,140 | 87,170 |  | 102,122 | 85,189

The following is a further description of the principal valuation methods used by the Company to estimate the fair values of its financial instruments.
Loans have been classified as a Level 3 valuation. Fair values for variable rate loans that reprice frequently are based on carrying values. Fair values for fixed rate loans are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.
Deposits have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of demand deposits, interest-bearing checking deposits, savings accounts, and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposit obligations are based on current market rates for similar products.
Borrowings have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of FHLB overnight advances is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. Fair values for long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered on similar borrowings, and are immaterial as of the reporting dates.
23

Subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered on similar securities.
Other financial assets and liabilities – Cash and cash equivalents have been classified as a Level 1 valuation, while accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair values of each approximate the respective carrying values because the instruments are payable on demand or have short-term maturities and present relatively low credit risk and interest rate risk.
NOTE L: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company is party to derivative financial instruments in the normal course of its business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to manage its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments have been limited to commitments to originate real estate loans held for sale and forward sales commitments. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
The Company enters into forward sales commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans, and interest rate lock commitments to fund loans at a specified interest rate. The forward sales commitments are utilized to reduce interest rate risk associated with interest rate lock commitments and loans held for sale. Changes in the estimated fair value of the forward sales commitments and interest rate lock commitments subsequent to inception are based on changes in the fair value of the underlying loan resulting from the fulfillment of the commitment and changes in the probability that the loan will fund within the terms of the commitment, which is affected primarily by changes in interest rates and the passage of time. At inception and during the life of the interest rate lock commitment, the Company includes the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan as part of the fair value measurement of the interest rate lock commitments. These derivatives are recorded at fair value, which were immaterial at September 30, 2015. The effect of the changes to these derivatives for the three and nine months then ended was also immaterial.
NOTE M: SEGMENT INFORMATION
Operating segments are components of an enterprise, which are evaluated regularly by the “chief operating decision maker” in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company has identified Banking, Employee Benefit Services and Wealth Management as its reportable operating business segments. The Bank operates the banking segment that provides full-service banking to consumers, businesses and governmental units in northern, central and western New York as well as northern Pennsylvania. The employee benefit services segment, which includes Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc. (“BPAS”) and its subsidiaries, with offices throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, provides employee benefit trust, collective investment fund, retirement plan administration, actuarial, VEBA/HRA and health and welfare consulting services. The wealth management services segment includes trust services provided by the personal trust unit within the Bank, investment and insurance products and services provided by the Bank’s subsidiaries Community Investment Services, Inc. (“CISI”) and CBNA Insurance Agency, Inc., and asset management services provided by the Bank’s Nottingham Advisors, Inc. subsidiary. The accounting policies used in the disclosure of business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (See Note A, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the most recent Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015).
24

Information about reportable segments and reconciliation of the information to the consolidated financial statements follows:

(000's omitted) | Banking | Employee Benefit Services | Wealth Management | Eliminations | Consolidated Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 |  |  |  |  |
Net interest income | $62,295 | $37 | $31 | $0 | $62,363
Provision for loan losses | 1,906 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,906
Noninterest revenues | 15,503 | 11,674 | 4,735 | (526) | 31,386
Amortization of intangible assets | 680 | 125 | 38 | 0 | 843
Other operating expenses | 43,790 | 8,644 | 3,328 | (526) | 55,236
Income before income taxes | $31,422 | $2,942 | $1,400 | $0 | $35,764
Assets | $7,970,345 | $30,958 | $18,921 | ($23,058) | $7,997,166
Goodwill | $364,495 | $8,019 | $2,660 | $0 | $375,174
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 |  |  |  |  |
Net interest income | $61,350 | $21 | $23 | $0 | $61,394
Provision for loan losses | 1,747 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,747
Noninterest revenues | 15,700 | 11,049 | 4,809 | (486) | 31,072
Amortization of intangible assets | 850 | 153 | 48 | 0 | 1,051
Other operating expenses | 46,837 | 8,140 | 3,269 | (486) | 57,760
Income before income taxes | $27,616 | $2,777 | $1,515 | $0 | $31,908
Assets | $7,476,030 | $29,605 | $14,965 | ($17,957) | $7,502,643
Goodwill | $364,495 | $8,019 | $2,660 | $0 | $375,174
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 |  |  |  |  |
Net interest income | $183,243 | $102 | $86 | $0 | $183,431
Provision for loan losses | 3,120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,120
Noninterest revenues | 43,037 | 34,633 | 13,943 | (1,462) | 90,151
Amortization of intangible assets | 2,129 | 391 | 122 | 0 | 2,642
Other operating expenses | 131,002 | 26,052 | 9,841 | (1,462) | 165,433
Income before income taxes | $90,029 | $8,292 | $4,066 | $0 | $102,387
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 |  |  |  |  |
Net interest income | $182,537 | $67 | $68 | $0 | $182,672
Provision for loan losses | 4,647 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4,647
Noninterest revenues | 43,922 | 32,434 | 14,101 | (1,365) | 89,092
Amortization of intangible assets | 2,644 | 496 | 153 | 0 | 3,293
Other operating expenses | 133,680 | 24,622 | 9,666 | (1,365) | 166,603
Income before income taxes | $85,488 | $7,383 | $4,350 | $0 | $97,221

25

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) primarily reviews the financial condition and results of operations of Community Bank System, Inc. (the “Company” or “CBSI”) as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, although in some circumstances the second quarter of 2015 is also discussed in order to more fully explain recent trends. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes that appear on pages 3 through 25. All references in the discussion to the financial condition and results of operations are to those of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Unless otherwise noted, the term “this year” refers to results in calendar year 2015, “third quarter” refers to the three months ended September 30, 2015, “year-to-date”, or “YTD”, refers to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and earnings per share (“EPS”) figures refer to diluted EPS.
This MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those proposed by such forward-looking statements are set herein under the caption, “Forward-Looking Statements,” on page 41.
Critical Accounting Policies
As a result of the complex and dynamic nature of the Company’s business, management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying the most appropriate accounting policies for its various areas of operations. The policy decision process not only ensures compliance with the latest generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), but also reflects management’s discretion with regard to choosing the most suitable methodology for reporting the Company’s financial performance. It is management’s opinion that the accounting estimates covering certain aspects of the business have more significance than others due to the relative importance of those areas to overall performance, or the level of subjectivity in the selection process. These estimates affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity and disclosures of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management believes that critical accounting estimates include:

● | Acquired loans – Acquired loans are initially recorded at their acquisition date fair values based on a discounted cash flow methodology that involves assumptions and judgments as to credit risk, prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default rates, loss severity, payment speeds, collateral values, and discount rate.

Acquired loans deemed impaired at acquisition are recorded in accordance with ASC 310-30. The excess of undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the non-accretable discount, which represents estimated future credit losses and other contractually required payments that the Company does not expect to collect. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairments through a charge to the provision for loan credit losses resulting in an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent improvements in expected cash flows result in a recovery of previously recorded allowance for loan losses or a reversal of a corresponding amount of the non-accretable discount, which the Company then reclassifies as an accretable discount that is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loans using the interest method.
For acquired loans that are not deemed impaired at acquisition, the difference between the acquisition date fair value and the outstanding balance represents the fair value adjustment for a loan and includes both credit and interest rate considerations. Subsequent to the purchase date, the methods used to estimate the allowance for loan losses for the acquired non-impaired loans is consistent with the policy described below. However, the Company compares the net realizable value of the loans to the carrying value for loans collectively evaluated for impairment. The carrying value represents the net of the loan’s unpaid principal balance and the remaining purchase discount (or premium) that has yet to be accreted into interest income. When the carrying value exceeds the net realizable value an allowance for loan losses is recognized. For loans individually evaluated for impairment, a provision is recorded when the required allowance exceeds the remaining discount on the loan.

● | Allowance for loan losses – The allowance for loan losses reflects management’s best estimate of probable loan losses in the Company’s loan portfolio. Determination of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective. It requires significant estimates including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows and evaluation of collateral values on impaired loans and the amount of estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans which is based on historical loss experience and consideration of current economic trends, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.

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● | Investment securities – Investment securities can be classified as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The appropriate classification is based on management’s intentions with respect to either holding or selling the securities as well as on the Company’s ability to hold the securities to maturity. The classification of investment securities is significant since it directly impacts the accounting for unrealized gains and losses on securities. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, and do not affect earnings until realized. The fair values of investment securities are generally determined by reference to quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments, or a discounted cash flow model using market estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows, prepayment speed assumptions, expected interest rate curve attributes, and the selection of discount rates that appropriately reflect market and credit risks. Investment securities with significant declines in fair value are evaluated to determine whether they should be considered other-than-temporarily impaired (“OTTI”). An unrealized loss is generally deemed to be other-than-temporary and a credit loss is deemed to exist if the present value of the expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security. The credit loss component of an OTTI write-down is recorded in earnings, while the remaining portion of the impairment loss is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), provided the Company does not intend to sell the underlying security, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery of the full value of its amortized cost basis.

● | Retirement benefits – The Company provides defined benefit pension benefits to eligible employees and post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to certain eligible retirees. The Company also provides deferred compensation and supplemental executive retirement plans for selected current and former employees and officers. Expenses under these plans are charged to current operations and consist of several components of net periodic benefit cost based on various actuarial assumptions regarding future experience under the plans, including, but not limited to, discount rate, rate of future compensation increases, mortality rates, future health care costs, and expected return on plan assets.

● | Intangible assets – As a result of acquisitions, the Company has acquired goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill represents the value paid for acquired companies in excess of the fair value of net assets at the acquisition date. Goodwill is evaluated at least annually, or when business conditions suggest impairment may have occurred, and will be reduced to its carrying value through a charge to earnings if impairment exists. Core deposits and other identifiable intangible assets are amortized to expense over their estimated useful lives. The determination of whether or not impairment exists is based upon discounted cash flow modeling techniques that require management to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. It also requires them to select a discount rate that reflects the current return requirements of the market in relation to present risk-free interest rates, expected equity market premiums, peer volatility indicators and company-specific market and performance metrics, all of which are susceptible to change based on changes in economic conditions and other factors. Future events or changes in the estimates used to determine the carrying value of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.

A summary of the accounting policies used by management is disclosed in Note A, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” on pages 55-60 of the most recent Form 10-K (fiscal year ended December 31, 2014) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2015.
Executive Summary
The Company’s business philosophy is to operate as a community bank with local decision-making, principally in non-metropolitan markets, providing a broad array of banking and financial services to retail, commercial, and municipal customers. The Company’s banking subsidiary is Community Bank, N.A. (the “Bank” or “CBNA”).
The Company’s core operating objectives are: (i) grow the branch network, primarily through a disciplined acquisition strategy, and certain selective de novo expansions, (ii) build profitable loan and deposit volume using both organic and acquisition strategies, (iii) increase the noninterest revenues component of total revenues through development of banking-related fee income, growth in existing financial services business units, and the acquisition of additional financial services and banking businesses, and (iv) utilize technology to deliver customer-responsive products and services and to improve efficiencies.
Significant factors management reviews to evaluate achievement of the Company’s operating objectives and its operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: net income and earnings per share; return on assets and equity; net interest margins; noninterest revenues; noninterest expenses; asset quality; loan and deposit growth; capital management; performance of individual banking and financial services units; liquidity and interest rate sensitivity; enhancements to customer products and services and their underlying performance characteristics; technology advancements; market share; peer comparisons; and the performance of acquisition activities.
On January 1, 2014, Harbridge Consulting Group, LLC completed its acquisition of a professional services practice from EBS-RMSCO, Inc., a subsidiary of The Lifetime Healthcare Companies. This professional services practice, which provides actuarial valuation and consulting services to clients who sponsor pension and post-retirement medical and welfare plans, enhances the Company’s participation in the Western New York marketplace.
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Third quarter and year-to-date net income and earnings per share increased approximately 11% and 4%, respectively, compared to the comparable 2014 timeframes. For the quarter, the higher net income was due to lower noninterest expenses, primarily due to a $2.8 million litigation settlement recorded in the third quarter of 2014 that was partially offset by $0.6 million, or one cent per share, of acquisition expenses in 2015, higher net interest income, and increased noninterest revenues. These were partially offset by a higher provision for loan losses. For the year-to-date timeframe, the higher net income was due to lower operating expenses, primarily due to the aforementioned litigation settlement charge, a lower provision for loan losses, higher noninterest revenues, and higher net interest income, which were partially offset by a higher effective income tax rate.
The growth in loans and deposits was evident as loan and deposit balances showed increases on both an average and ending basis as compared to the corresponding prior year period and the fourth quarter of 2014. The increases were a result of organic growth. Additionally, the trend of larger proportions of deposits coming from lower rate and noninterest-bearing accounts continued and, as a result, assisted in the continued decline in the cost of funds.
The current quarter provision for loan losses was higher than that recorded in the second quarter of 2015 and third quarter of 2014, reflective of higher levels of net charge-offs and a larger loan portfolio. Asset quality in the third quarter of 2015 remained stable and favorable in comparison to averages for peer financial organizations. Third quarter net charge-off, nonperforming loan, and delinquent loan ratios were comparable to those experienced in the third quarter of 2014 and better than long-term historical averages.
On February 24, 2015, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Oneida Financial Corp., the parent company of Oneida Savings Bank and headquartered in Oneida, NY, for approximately $142 million in Company stock and cash. The acquisition will extend CBNA’s Central New York banking service area and complement and expand the Company’s existing service capacity in insurance, benefits administration, and wealth management. Upon the completion of the merger, the Bank will add 12 branch locations and approximately $813 million of assets, including approximately $397 million of loans and $708 million of deposits. The Oneida shareholders have approved the acquisition and the various required regulatory approvals for the transaction are expected in the fourth quarter. The Company expects to incur additional one-time, transaction-related costs during the remainder of 2015.
Net Income and Profitability
As shown in Table 1, net income for the third quarter and September year-to-date of $25.0 million and $71.2 million, respectively, was up $2.7 million, or 11.9%, as compared to the third quarter of 2014 and up $2.9 million, or 4.3%, compared to September year-to-date 2014. Earnings per share of $0.60 for the third quarter was six cents greater than was generated in the third quarter of 2014, while earnings per share for the first nine months of 2015 of $1.72 was seven cents more than the first nine months of 2014. The increases are due primarily to the recording of a litigation settlement charge of $2.8 million, or five cents per share, in the third quarter of 2014, as well as increased net interest income and noninterest revenues.
As reflected in Table 1, third quarter net interest income of $62.4 million was up $1.0 million, or 1.6%, from the comparable prior year period while net interest income for the first nine months of 2015 increased $0.8 million, or 0.4%, versus the first nine months of 2014. The quarterly and year-to-date improvement resulted from an increase in interest-earning assets, primarily due to organic loan growth and investment purchases made during 2015 which more than offset the decrease in net interest margin.
The provision for loan losses for the third quarter and September year-to-date increased $0.2 million and decreased $1.5 million, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, reflective of the corresponding net charge-offs levels.
Third quarter and year-to-date noninterest revenues were $31.4 million and $90.2 million, respectively, up $0.3 million, or 1.0%, from the third quarter of 2014 and up $1.1 million, or 1.2%, from the first nine months of 2014. The increases were a result of revenue growth generated by the Company’s financial services subsidiaries, partially offset by a decrease in revenues from banking sources.
Operating expenses of $56.1 million and $168.1 million for the third quarter and year-to-date periods resulted in a decrease of $2.7 million, or 4.6%, from the prior year third quarter and $1.8 million, or 1.1%, less than the comparable 2014 year-to-date period. Excluding acquisition-related expenses and the 2014 litigation settlement, 2015 operating expenses were $0.5 million, or 0.9%, lower for the third quarter and $0.2 million, or 0.1%, higher for the year-to-date timeframe.
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A condensed income statement is as follows:
Table 1: Condensed Income Statements

| Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, |  | September 30,
(000's omitted, except per share data) | 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014
Net interest income | $62,363 | $61,394 |  | $183,431 | $182,672
Provision for loan losses | 1,906 | 1,747 |  | 3,120 | 4,647
Noninterest revenues | 31,386 | 31,072 |  | 90,151 | 89,092
Noninterest expenses | 56,079 | 58,811 |  | 168,075 | 169,896
Income before income taxes | 35,764 | 31,908 |  | 102,387 | 97,221
Income taxes | 10,742 | 9,537 |  | 31,228 | 29,001
Net income | $25,022 | $22,371 |  | $71,159 | $68,220
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 41,470 | 41,260 |  | 41,343 | 41,227
Diluted earnings per share | $0.60 | $0.54 |  | $1.72 | $1.65

Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the amount by which interest and fees on earning assets (loans, investments and cash equivalents) exceed the cost of funds, primarily interest paid to the Company's depositors and interest on external borrowings. Net interest margin is the difference between the gross yield on earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing funds as a percentage of earning assets.
As shown in Table 2a, net interest income (with nontaxable income converted to a fully tax-equivalent basis) for the third quarter was $65.5 million, a $0.2 million, or 0.3%, increase from the same period last year. The increase resulted from a $457.7 million increase in average interest-earning assets, partially offset by a 24-basis point decrease in the net interest margin and a $317.2 million increase in interest-bearing liabilities. As reflected in Table 3, the third quarter volume increase in interest-earning assets combined with the rate decrease on interest-bearing liabilities had a $4.7 million favorable impact on net interest income, while the rate decrease on interest-earning assets and volume increase in interest-bearing liabilities had a $4.5 million unfavorable impact on net interest income. Year-to-date net interest income of $192.8 million, as reflected in Table 2b, decreased $1.6 million, or 0.8%, from the year-earlier period. The 18 basis point decrease in the net interest margin and $96.9 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities had a greater impact than the $259.0 million increase in interest-earning assets. The decrease in the yield on interest-bearing assets and the increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities had a $10.3 million unfavorable impact that was partially offset by an $8.7 million favorable impact from the increase in average interest-earning assets and the lower rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
The lower net interest margin for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014 was the result of the average yield on interest-earning assets decreasing 25 basis points while the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities decreased two basis points. The net interest margin of 3.74% for the first nine months of 2015 was an 18 basis point decrease from the comparable period of 2014. For the first nine months of 2015 the yield on interest-earning assets declined 20 basis points and the rate on interest-bearing liabilities declined two basis points as compared to the first nine months of 2014. Declining asset yields outweighed the positive effect that the reduction of funding costs had on the margin.
The average yield on earning assets continues to drop as the average yields for loans and investments decline. For the third quarter and year-to-date periods the average yield on loans decreased eight basis points and nine basis points, respectively, compared to the comparable prior year period while the average yield on investments, including cash equivalents, declined 43 basis points for the quarter and 34 basis points year-to-date. The decline in the loan yield was principally due to yields on new fixed-rate loan volume being below rates on the overall portfolio and a proportionally higher mix of shorter term adjustable rate business loans and promotional rates and short blended maturity terms on new originations or fixed rate home equity loans. The lower average yield of investments was the result of maturing higher rate investments being replaced with lower rate instruments, as well as the effect certain changes in state tax rates had on the fully tax-equivalent adjustment.
The average rate on interest-bearing liabilities has also continued to drop as the average rate for interest-bearing deposits and borrowings decline. The average rate on interest-bearing deposits decreased three basis points for the third quarter and year-to-date periods while the average rate on borrowings declined 15 basis points when compared to the prior year quarter and seven basis points on a year-to-date basis. The decrease in the average rate of interest-bearing deposits was reflective of a higher proportion of customer deposits supplied from lower rate interest-bearing deposit accounts as customer deposits held in higher cost time deposits have matured and been replaced by lower cost deposits over the last several quarters. The decrease in the average cost of borrowings was the result of lower-rate overnight FHLB borrowings becoming a larger proportion of this funding component.
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The average balance of investments, including cash equivalents, increased $350.9 million for the quarter and $163.0 million year-to-date as compared to the respective corresponding prior year periods. This growth was the result of U.S. Treasury securities purchased during the first and second quarters in anticipation of the expected liquidity from the Oneida transaction. Average loan balances increased $106.8 million for the quarter and $96.0 million on a year-to-date basis as compared to the prior year, due principally to organic loan growth in the consumer indirect, consumer mortgage, and business lending portfolios.
Average interest-bearing deposits grew primarily as a result of attracting new customers and growth in the balances of existing accounts and resulted in a quarterly increase of $68.3 million and year-to-date increase of $19.7 million. The average borrowing balance increased $248.9 million and $77.2 million for the quarter and year-to-date, respectively, and was reflective of the decision to purchase securities ahead of the anticipated liquidity to be received from the Oneida transaction, after paying down overnight FHLB borrowings early in the year.
Tables 2a and 2b below sets forth information related to average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and their associated yields and rates for the periods indicated. Interest income and yields are on a fully tax-equivalent basis (“FTE”) using a marginal income tax rate of 38.4% and 39.1% in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Average balances are computed by accumulating the daily ending balances in a period and dividing by the number of days in that period. Loan yields and amounts earned include amortization of deferred loan costs and accretion of acquired loan marks and loan fees. Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
Table 2a: Quarterly Average Balance Sheet

| Three Months Ended |  | Three Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
|  |  | Avg. |  |  |  | Avg.
| Average |  | Yield/Rate |  | Average |  | Yield/Rate
(000's omitted except yields and rates) | Balance | Interest | Paid |  | Balance | Interest | Paid
Interest-earning assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents | $12,395 | $7 | 0.22% |  | $8,225 | $4 | 0.17%
Taxable investment securities (1) | 2,187,818 | 13,586 | 2.46% |  | 1,834,590 | 12,745 | 2.76%
Nontaxable investment securities (1) | 635,627 | 7,360 | 4.59% |  | 642,114 | 8,274 | 5.11%
Loans (net of unearned discount)(2) | 4,287,062 | 47,493 | 4.40% |  | 4,180,283 | 47,187 | 4.48%
Total interest-earning assets | 7,122,902 | 68,446 | 3.81% |  | 6,665,212 | 68,210 | 4.06%
Noninterest-earning assets | 797,064 |  |  |  | 792,197 |  |
Total assets | $7,919,966 |  |  |  | $7,457,409 |  |
Interest-bearing liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest checking, savings, and money market deposits | $4,020,155 | 891 | 0.09% |  | $3,848,511 | 899 | 0.09%
Time deposits | 719,358 | 803 | 0.44% |  | 822,705 | 1,063 | 0.51%
Borrowings | 675,958 | 1,227 | 0.72% |  | 427,051 | 931 | 0.87%
Total interest-bearing liabilities | 5,415,471 | 2,921 | 0.21% |  | 5,098,267 | 2,893 | 0.23%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noninterest checking deposits | 1,363,022 |  |  |  | 1,281,626 |  |
Other liabilities | 125,025 |  |  |  | 118,032 |  |
Shareholders' equity | 1,016,448 |  |  |  | 959,484 |  |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $7,919,966 |  |  |  | $7,457,409 |  |
Net interest earnings |  | $65,525 |  |  |  | $65,317 |
Net interest spread |  |  | 3.60% |  |  |  | 3.83%
Net interest margin on interest-earning assets |  |  | 3.65% |  |  |  | 3.89%
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment |  | $3,162 |  |  |  | $3,923 |

(1) | Averages for investment securities are based on historical cost and the yields do not give effect to changes in fair value that are reflected as a component of noninterest-earning assets, shareholders’ equity, and deferred taxes.

(2) | Includes nonaccrual loans. The impact of interest and fees not recognized on nonaccrual loans was immaterial.

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Table 2b: Year-to-Date Average Balance Sheet

| Nine Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
|  |  | Avg. |  |  |  | Avg.
| Average |  | Yield/Rate |  | Average |  | Yield/Rate
(000's omitted except yields and rates) | Balance | Interest | Paid |  | Balance | Interest | Paid
Interest-earning assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents | $13,912 | $24 | 0.23% |  | $9,175 | $15 | 0.22%
Taxable investment securities (1) | 2,022,704 | 39,089 | 2.58% |  | 1,835,797 | 38,991 | 2.84%
Nontaxable investment securities (1) | 618,270 | 22,116 | 4.78% |  | 646,928 | 24,826 | 5.13%
Loans (net of unearned discount)(2) | 4,230,301 | 139,751 | 4.42% |  | 4,134,324 | 139,532 | 4.51%
Total interest-earning assets | 6,885,187 | 200,980 | 3.90% |  | 6,626,224 | 203,364 | 4.10%
Noninterest-earning assets | 812,346 |  |  |  | 773,446 |  |
Total assets | $7,697,533 |  |  |  | $7,399,670 |  |
Interest-bearing liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest checking, savings, and money market deposits | $3,999,234 | 2,658 | 0.09% |  | $3,857,970 | 2,695 | 0.09%
Time deposits | 741,133 | 2,567 | 0.46% |  | 862,656 | 3,570 | 0.55%
Borrowings | 482,169 | 2,962 | 0.82% |  | 405,006 | 2,698 | 0.89%
Total interest-bearing liabilities | 5,222,536 | 8,187 | 0.21% |  | 5,125,632 | 8,963 | 0.23%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noninterest checking deposits | 1,334,913 |  |  |  | 1,234,995 |  |
Other liabilities | 127,617 |  |  |  | 104,249 |  |
Shareholders' equity | 1,012,467 |  |  |  | 934,794 |  |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $7,697,533 |  |  |  | $7,399,670 |  |
Net interest earnings |  | $192,793 |  |  |  | $194,401 |
Net interest spread |  |  | 3.69% |  |  |  | 3.87%
Net interest margin on interest-earning assets |  |  | 3.74% |  |  |  | 3.92%
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment |  | $9,362 |  |  |  | $11,729 |

(1) | Averages for investment securities are based on historical cost and the yields do not give effect to changes in fair value that are reflected as a component of noninterest-earning assets, shareholders’ equity, and deferred taxes.

(2) | Includes nonaccrual loans. The impact of interest and fees not recognized on nonaccrual loans was immaterial.

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As discussed above and disclosed in Table 3 below, the quarterly change in net interest income (fully tax-equivalent basis) may be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of the changes in interest income and interest expense for each underlying category.
Table 3: Rate/Volume

| Three months ended September 30, 2015 |  | Nine months ended September 30, 2015
| versus September 30, 2014 |  | versus September 30, 2014
| Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in (1) |  | Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in (1)
|  |  | Net |  |  |  | Net
(000's omitted) | Volume | Rate | Change |  | Volume | Rate | Change
Interest earned on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents | $2 | $1 | $3 |  | $9 | $0 | $9
Taxable investment securities | 2,286 | (1,445) | 841 |  | 3,780 | (3,682) | 98
Nontaxable investment securities | (83) | (831) | (914) |  | (1,071) | (1,639) | (2,710)
Loans | 1,192 | (886) | 306 |  | 3,204 | (2,985) | 219
Total interest-earning assets (2) | 4,533 | (4,297) | 236 |  | 7,776 | (10,160) | (2,384)
Interest paid on: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest checking, savings and money market deposits | 40 | (48) | (8) |  | 97 | (134) | (37)
Time deposits | (125) | (135) | (260) |  | (465) | (538) | (1,003)
Borrowings | 473 | (177) | 296 |  | 486 | (222) | 264
Total interest-bearing liabilities (2) | 176 | (148) | 28 |  | 166 | (942) | (776)
Net interest earnings (2) | 4,340 | (4,132) | 208 |  | 7,438 | (9,046) | (1,608)

(1) | The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of such change in each component.

(2) | Changes due to volume and rate are computed from the respective changes in average balances and rates of the totals; they are not a summation of the changes of the components.

Noninterest Revenues
The Company’s sources of noninterest revenues are of three primary types: 1) general banking services related to loans, deposits and other core customer activities typically provided through the branch network and electronic banking channels (performed by CBNA); 2) employee benefit services (performed by BPAS and its subsidiaries); and 3) wealth management services, comprised of trust services (performed by the trust unit within CBNA), investment and insurance products and services (performed by Community Investment Services, Inc. and CBNA Insurance Agency, Inc.) and asset management services (performed by Nottingham Advisors, Inc.). Additionally, the Company has periodic transactions, most often net gains or losses from the sale of investment securities and prepayment of debt instruments.
Table 4: Noninterest Revenues

| Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, |  | September 30, |
(000's omitted) | 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014 |
Deposit service fees | $13,459 | $13,833 |  | $39,142 | $39,260 |
Employee benefit services | 11,330 | 10,755 |  | 33,727 | 31,638 |
Wealth management services | 4,552 | 4,617 |  | 13,383 | 13,529 |
Other banking services | 1,436 | 1,503 |  | 2,618 | 3,672 |
Mortgage banking | 609 | 364 |  | 1,281 | 993 |
Total noninterest revenues | 31,386 | $31,072 |  | 90,151 | $89,092 |
Noninterest revenues/operating revenues (FTE basis) (1) | 32.4% | 32.2% |  | 31.9% | 31.4% |
(1)For purposes of this ratio operating income is defined as net interest income on a fully-tax equivalent basis plus noninterest revenues.

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As displayed in Table 4, noninterest revenues were $31.4 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $90.2 million for the first three quarters of 2015. This represents an increase of $0.3 million, or 1.0%, for the quarter and $1.1 million, or 1.2%, for the year-to-date period in comparison to the same 2014 timeframes, as the growth in financial services revenues outpaced the decline in banking revenues.
General recurring banking noninterest revenue of $14.9 million for the third quarter and $41.8 million for the first nine months of 2015 were down $0.4 million, or 2.9%, and $1.2 million, or 2.7%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. This decline was primarily driven by the continuing trend of lower utilization of overdraft protection programs and a decline in certain other deposit-related services, partially offset by solid growth in debit card-related revenue.
Residential mortgage banking income totaled $0.6 million for the third quarter of 2015 and $1.3 million for the first nine months of 2015, up $0.2 million as compared to the third quarter of 2014 and up $0.3 million from the first nine months of 2014. Residential mortgage banking income consists of realized gains or losses from the sale of residential mortgage loans and the origination of mortgage loan servicing rights, unrealized gains and losses on residential mortgage loans held for sale and related commitments, mortgage loan servicing fees and other residential mortgage loan-related fee income. Residential mortgage loans sold to investors, primarily Fannie Mae, totaled $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $27.1 million for the first nine months of 2015. Residential mortgage loans held for sale at September 30, 2015 totaled $1.0 million. Realization of the unrealized gains or losses on mortgage loans held for sale and the related commitments, as well as future revenue generation from mortgage banking activities, are dependent on market conditions and long-term interest rate trends.
Employee benefit services revenue increased $0.6 million, or 5.4%, and $2.1 million, or 6.6%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as compared to the prior year periods. This business benefited from new customer generation and expanded service offerings. Wealth management services revenue for both the third quarter and year-to-date time periods of 2015 was down $0.1 million as compared to the comparable time periods of 2014 as market declines were partially offset by new customers and account retention.
The ratio of noninterest revenues to total revenues (FTE basis) was 32.4% for the quarter and 31.9% for the year-to-date period, versus 32.2% and 31.4% for the equivalent periods of 2014. The increase for the year-to-date period is a function of a 1.2% increase in non-interest income while net interest income (FTE basis) decreased 0.8%.
Noninterest Expenses
Table 5 below sets forth the quarterly and YTD results of the major operating expense categories for the current and prior year, as well as efficiency ratios (defined below), a standard measure of expense utilization effectiveness commonly used in the banking industry.
Table 5: Noninterest Expenses

| Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, |  | September 30, |
(000's omitted) | 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014 |
Salaries and employee benefits | $31,179 | $30,941 |  | $93,218 | $92,090 |
Occupancy and equipment | 6,652 | 6,617 |  | 20,891 | 21,224 |
Data processing and communications | 7,643 | 7,475 |  | 22,106 | 21,529 |
Amortization of intangible assets | 843 | 1,051 |  | 2,642 | 3,293 |
Legal and professional fees | 1,564 | 1,973 |  | 4,952 | 5,427 |
Office supplies and postage | 1,636 | 1,466 |  | 4,733 | 4,664 |
Business development and marketing | 1,889 | 1,764 |  | 5,711 | 5,424 |
FDIC insurance premiums | 968 | 952 |  | 2,920 | 2,918 |
Acquisition expenses and litigation settlement | 562 | 2,800 |  | 1,318 | 2,923 |
Other | 3,143 | 3,772 |  | 9,584 | 10,404 |
Total noninterest expenses | $56,079 | $58,811 |  | $168,075 | $169,896 |
Operating expenses(1)/average assets | 2.74% | 2.92% |  | 2.85% | 2.96% |
Efficiency ratio(2) | 56.4% | 57.0% |  | 58.0% | 57.7% |

(1) | Operating expenses, a non-GAAP measure, is calculated as total noninterest expenses less acquisition expenses, amortization of intangibles and litigation settlement.

(2) | Efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure, is calculated as operating expenses as defined in (1) divided by net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis plus noninterest revenues.

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As shown in Table 5, noninterest expenses were $56.1 million and $168.1 million for the third quarter and year-to-date, respectively, a decrease of $2.7 million, or 4.6%, and $1.8 million, or 1.1%, from the prior year periods. Included in the third quarter and year-to-date 2015 operating expenses are $0.6 million and $1.2 million more acquisition-related expenses, respectively, than the corresponding 2014 periods, while 2014 results include a $2.8 million litigation settlement charge. Salaries and employee benefits increased $0.2 million, or 0.8%, and $1.1 million, or 1.2%, for the third quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, as compared to the comparable periods of 2014. The main drivers of the increases were merit-based personnel cost increases and higher retirement plan costs caused by lower pension discount rates, partially offset by lower average full-time equivalent employees. The remaining change to operating expenses can be attributed to occupancy and equipment (up slightly for the quarter and down $0.3 million YTD), legal and professional (down $0.4 million for the quarter and down $0.5 million YTD), other expenses (down $0.4 million for the quarter and down $0.7 million YTD), amortization of intangible assets (down $0.2 million for the quarter and down $0.7 million YTD), data processing and communications (up $0.2 million for the quarter and up $0.6 million YTD), and business development and marketing (up $0.1 million for the quarter and up $0.3 million YTD).
The Company’s efficiency ratio (total operating expenses excluding intangible amortization, acquisition expenses and litigation settlement charge divided by net interest income (FTE)) was 56.4% for the second quarter, 0.6 percentage points favorable to the comparable quarter of 2014. This resulted from operating income increasing 0.5%, driven by higher FTE-adjusted net interest income and modest growth in noninterest revenues, while operating expenses (as described above) decreased 0.5%. The efficiency ratio of 58.0% for the first three quarters of 2015 was 0.3 percentage points unfavorable as compared to the first three quarters of 2014 due to operating income decreasing at a 0.2% rate, while core operating expenses increased at a 0.3% rate. Current year operating expenses, excluding intangible amortization and acquisition expenses, as a percentage of average assets decreased 18 basis points and 11 basis points versus the prior year quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively. Operating expenses (as defined above) decreased 0.5% for the quarter and increased 0.3% for the year-to-date period, while average assets increased at a faster 6.2% rate for the quarter and 4.0% for the year-to-date period, impacted by organic loan growth and investment purchases over the past six months.
Operating expenses, excluding acquisition-related charges and the litigation settlement charge, were down $0.5 million and $0.2 million compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, as a result of lower amortization of intangible assets and disciplined expense management, including six branch consolidations completed during 2014.
Income Taxes
The third quarter and year-to-date 2015 effective income tax rates were 30.0% and 30.5%, respectively, as compared to 29.9% and 29.8% for the comparable periods of 2014, reflective of a higher proportion of income being generated from fully taxable sources, as well as certain statutory changes to state tax rates and structures.
Investments
The carrying value of investments (including unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities) was $2.92 billion at the end of the third quarter, an increase of $404.3 million from December 31, 2014 and $411.0 million higher than September 30, 2014. The book value (excluding unrealized gains and losses) of investments increased $368.7 million from December 31, 2014 and $344.9 million from September 30, 2014. During the first nine months of 2015, the Company purchased $398.2 million of U.S. Treasury securities with an average yield of 1.96%, $82.4 million of obligations of state and political subdivisions with an average yield of 3.76%, and $13.8 million of government agency mortgage-backed securities with an average yield of 2.48%. The Company also had $131.6 million of investment maturities, calls, and principal payments received during the first nine months of 2015. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company purchased $10.4 million of securities. These purchases were more than offset by calls, maturities, and principal payments received of $36.0 million during the same period. With these transactions, the overall mix of securities within the portfolio over the last twelve months has changed, with an increase in the proportion of U.S. Treasury and agency securities and decreases in all other categories.
The change in the carrying value of investments is also impacted by the amount of net unrealized gains in the available-for-sale portfolio. At September 30, 2015, the portfolio had a $100.9 million net unrealized gain, an increase of $25.8 million from the unrealized gain at December 31, 2014 and a $56.6 million increase from the unrealized gain at September 30, 2014. These changes in the net unrealized gain were principally driven by the movement in longer-term interest rates.
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Table 6: Investment Securities

| September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014 |  | September 30, 2014
| Amortized |  |  | Amortized |  |  | Amortized |
| Cost/Book | Fair |  | Cost/Book | Fair |  | Cost/Book | Fair
(000's omitted) | Value | Value |  | Value | Value |  | Value | Value
Available-for-Sale Portfolio: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Treasury and agency securities | $1,864,199 | $1,933,270 |  | $1,479,134 | $1,517,733 |  | $1,476,678 | $1,486,627
Obligations of state and political subdivisions | 662,774 | 686,627 |  | 645,398 | 671,903 |  | 662,742 | 688,334
Government agency mortgage-backed securities | 208,817 | 215,936 |  | 228,971 | 237,728 |  | 236,819 | 244,122
Corporate debt securities | 16,705 | 16,782 |  | 26,803 | 27,091 |  | 26,835 | 27,287
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations | 13,836 | 14,418 |  | 17,330 | 18,025 |  | 18,394 | 19,130
Marketable equity securities | 250 | 406 |  | 250 | 445 |  | 250 | 431
Total available-for-sale portfolio | 2,766,581 | 2,867,439 |  | 2,397,886 | 2,472,925 |  | 2,421,718 | 2,465,931
Other Securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal Home Loan Bank common stock | 29,500 | 29,500 |  | 19,553 | 19,553 |  | 19,814 | 19,814
Federal Reserve Bank common stock | 16,050 | 16,050 |  | 16,050 | 16,050 |  | 16,050 | 16,050
Other equity securities | 4,274 | 4,274 |  | 4,446 | 4,446 |  | 4,447 | 4,447
Total other securities | 49,824 | 49,824 |  | 40,049 | 40,049 |  | 40,311 | 40,311
Total investments | $2,816,405 | $2,917,263 |  | $2,437,935 | $2,512,974 |  | $2,462,029 | $2,506,242

Loans
As shown in Table 7, loans ended the third quarter at $4.31 billion, up $96.3 million, or 2.3%, from one year earlier and up $77.3 million, or 1.8%, from the end of 2014. The growth during the last twelve months was attributable to organic growth in all portfolios, particularly the business lending and consumer installment loans. The increase during the first nine months of 2015 occurred primarily from consumer installment and business lending, with smaller increases in the consumer mortgage and home equity portfolios.
Table 7: Loans

(000's omitted) | September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014 |  | September 30, 2014
Consumer mortgage | $1,621,862 | 37.6% |  | $1,613,384 | 38.1% |  | $1,598,298 | 37.9%
Business lending | 1,288,772 | 29.9% |  | 1,262,484 | 29.8% |  | 1,251,178 | 29.7%
Consumer indirect | 872,988 | 20.2% |  | 833,968 | 19.7% |  | 841,975 | 20.0%
Consumer direct | 184,479 | 4.3% |  | 184,028 | 4.3% |  | 186,672 | 4.4%
Home equity | 345,446 | 8.0% |  | 342,342 | 8.1% |  | 339,121 | 8.0%
Total loans | 4,313,547 | 100.0% |  | $4,236,206 | 100.0% |  | $4,217,244 | 100.0%

Consumer mortgages increased $23.6 million, or 1.5%, from one year ago and $8.5 million, or 0.5%, from December 31, 2014. Consumer mortgage volume has been strong over the last few years due to historically low long-term rates and comparatively stable real estate valuations in the Company’s primary markets, but began slowing during 2014 as the market opportunities for refinancing declined. The Company chose to retain in portfolio most of its mortgage production in 2015, selling $27.1 million in the secondary market during the first nine months of 2015 as compared to $25.7 million during all of 2014. Interest rate levels and expected duration continue to be the most significant factors in determining whether the Company chooses to retain, versus sell and service, portions of its new mortgage production.
The combined total of general-purpose business lending to commercial and industrial customers, mortgages on commercial property, and dealer floor plan financing is characterized as the Company’s business lending activity. The business lending portfolio increased $37.6 million, or 3.0%, from September 30, 2014 and increased $26.3 million, or 2.1%, from December 31, 2014, as 2015 loan generation has outweighed contractual and other unscheduled principal reductions. Highly competitive conditions continue to prevail in the small and middle market segments in which the Company operates. The Company maintains its commitment to generating growth in its business portfolio in a manner that adheres to its twin goals of maintaining strong asset quality and producing profitable margins. The Company continues to invest in additional personnel, technology, and business development resources to further strengthen its capabilities in this important product category.
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Consumer installment loans, both those originated directly (such as personal installment and lines of credit), and indirectly (originated predominantly in automobile, marine, and recreational vehicle dealerships), increased $28.8 million, or 2.8%, on a year-over-year basis and $39.5 million, or 3.9%, as compared to December 31, 2014. The volume of new and used vehicle sales to upper tier credit profile customers in the Company’s primary markets has grown in recent years. The Company is focused on maintaining the solid profitability produced by its in-market and contiguous market indirect portfolio, while continuing to pursue its disciplined, long-term approach to expanding its dealer network. Market trends predicting moderate vehicle sales increases over the prior year levels along with a great deal of competition in this marketplace have led to moderate indirect loan growth in recent periods.
Home equity loans increased $6.3 million, or 1.9%, from one year ago and $3.1 million, or 0.9%, from December 31, 2014 due to proactive marketing efforts and competitive rate offerings. This has been partially offset by home equity loans being paid off or down as part of the mortgage refinancing activity that has occurred in the current low rate environment. In addition, home equity utilization has been adversely impacted by the heightened level of consumer deleveraging that has occurred in response to continued low-growth economic conditions.
Asset Quality
Table 8 below exhibits the major components of nonperforming loans and assets and key asset quality metrics for the periods ending September 30, 2015 and 2014 and December 31, 2014.
Table 8: Nonperforming Assets

| September 30, |  | December 31, |  | September 30,
(000's omitted) | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2014
Nonaccrual loans |  |  |  |  |
Consumer mortgage | $13,581 |  | $15,323 |  | $14,261
Business lending | 7,112 |  | 2,780 |  | 4,426
Consumer indirect | 0 |  | 10 |  | 11
Consumer direct | 15 |  | 20 |  | 2
Home equity | 2,425 |  | 2,598 |  | 2,623
Total nonaccrual loans | 23,133 |  | 20,731 |  | 21,323
Accruing loans 90+ days delinquent |  |  |  |  |
Consumer mortgage | 1,481 |  | 2,397 |  | 2,127
Business lending | 135 |  | 350 |  | 66
Consumer indirect | 58 |  | 82 |  | 115
Consumer direct | 41 |  | 36 |  | 38
Home equity | 360 |  | 241 |  | 344
Total accruing loans 90+ days delinquent | 2,075 |  | 3,106 |  | 2,690
Nonperforming loans |  |  |  |  |
Consumer mortgage | 15,062 |  | 17,720 |  | 16,388
Business lending | 7,247 |  | 3,130 |  | 4,492
Consumer indirect | 58 |  | 92 |  | 126
Consumer direct | 56 |  | 56 |  | 40
Home equity | 2,785 |  | 2,839 |  | 2,967
Total nonperforming loans | 25,208 |  | 23,837 |  | 24,013
Other real estate owned (OREO) | 2,531 |  | 1,855 |  | 3,619
Total nonperforming assets | $27,739 |  | $25,692 |  | $27,632
Nonperforming loans / total loans | 0.58% |  | 0.56% |  | 0.57%
Nonperforming assets / total loans and other real estate | 0.64% |  | 0.61% |  | 0.65%
Delinquent loans (30 days old to nonaccruing) to total loans | 1.19% |  | 1.46% |  | 1.32%
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (quarterly) | 0.15% |  | 0.23% |  | 0.10%
Net charge-offs to average legacy loans outstanding (quarterly) | 0.14% |  | 0.21% |  | 0.11%
Loan loss provision to net charge-offs (quarterly) | 119% |  | 103% |  | 160%
Legacy loan loss provision to net charge-offs (quarterly) (1) | 127% |  | 125% |  | 160%
(1) Legacy loans exclude loans acquired after January 1, 2009. These ratios are included for comparative purposes to prior periods.

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As displayed in Table 8, nonperforming assets at September 30, 2015 were $27.7 million, a $2.0 million increase versus the level at the end of 2014 and a $0.1 million increase as compared to one year earlier. Nonperforming loans increased $1.4 million from year-end 2014 and were up $1.2 million from September 30, 2014, primarily related to one oil and gas-related relationship in the Marcellus Shale region of Northeast Pennsylvania. Other real estate owned (“OREO”) at the end of September 2015 of $2.5 million increased $0.7 million from December 31, 2014 and decreased $1.1 million from the end of September 2014. At September 30, 2015, OREO consisted of five commercial properties and 32 residential properties as compared to four commercial and 29 residential OREO properties at December 31, 2014 and nine commercial and 27 residential OREO properties at September 30, 2014. Nonperforming loans were 0.58% of total loans outstanding at the end of the third quarter, two basis points higher than the level at December 31, 2014 and one basis point above the level at September 30, 2014.
Approximately 60% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2015 are related to the consumer mortgage portfolio. Collateral values of residential properties within the Company’s market area have generally trended lower over the past few years, although they did not experience the significant decline in values that certain other parts of the country encountered during the last recession. However, the soft economic conditions and comparatively high unemployment levels have adversely impacted both consumers and businesses, and have resulted in higher mortgage nonperforming levels over the past few years, but have improved recently. Also contributing to the historically above average level of nonperforming consumer mortgages is the increased length of time required to complete the consumer foreclosure process which is being driven by new regulatory requirements. Approximately 29% of the nonperforming loans at September 30, 2015 were related to the business lending portfolio, which is comprised of business loans broadly diversified by industry type. The level of nonperforming business loans has trended downward recently and, even with the increase shown in the current quarter, which is due primarily to one large relationship, is below the Company’s longer-term average results as a proportion of total business loans. The remaining 11% of nonperforming loans relate to consumer installment and home equity loans, with home equity non-performing loan levels being driven by the same factors identified for consumer mortgages. The allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans ratio, a general measure of coverage adequacy, was 181% at the end of the third quarter, as compared to 190% at year-end 2014 and 189% at September 30, 2014.
Members of senior management, special asset officers, and lenders review all delinquent and nonaccrual loans and OREO regularly in order to identify deteriorating situations, monitor known problem credits, and discuss any needed changes to collection efforts, if warranted. Based on the group’s consensus, a relationship may be assigned a special assets officer or other senior lending officer to review the loan, meet with the borrowers, assess the collateral and recommend an action plan. This plan could include foreclosure, restructuring loans, issuing demand letters, or other actions. The Company’s larger criticized credits are also reviewed on a quarterly basis by senior credit administration, as well as special assets and commercial lending management to monitor their status and discuss relationship management plans. Commercial lending management reviews the criticized loan portfolio on a monthly basis.
Delinquent loans (30 days past due through nonaccruing) as a percent of total loans was 1.19% at the end of the third quarter, 27 basis points below the 1.46% at year-end 2014 and 13 basis points lower than the 1.32% at September 30, 2014. The business lending delinquency ratio at the end of the third quarter was eight basis points below the level at December 31, 2014 and ten basis points higher than the level at September 30, 2014. The delinquency rate for consumer direct and consumer indirect loans also decreased as compared to both December 31, 2014 and were slightly lower than September 30, 2014. The delinquency ratio for consumer mortgages and the home equity portfolio were lower than both their level at December 31, 2014 as well as the level one year ago. The Company’s success at keeping the nonperforming and delinquency ratios at favorable levels despite soft economic conditions has been the result of its continued focus on maintaining strict underwriting standards, as well as the effective utilization of its collection and recovery capabilities.
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Table 9: Allowance for Loan Losses Activity

| Three Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, |  | September 30,
(000's omitted) | 2015 | 2014 |  | 2015 | 2014
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period | $45,282 | $44,615 |  | $45,341 | $44,319
Charge-offs: |  |  |  |  |
Consumer mortgage | 276 | 203 |  | 917 | 734
Business lending | 293 | 445 |  | 769 | 970
Consumer indirect | 1,597 | 1,711 |  | 4,421 | 4,573
Consumer direct | 427 | 307 |  | 1,066 | 1,219
Home equity | 66 | 74 |  | 188 | 450
Total charge-offs | 2,659 | 2,740 |  | 7,361 | 7,946
Recoveries: |  |  |  |  |
Consumer mortgage | 9 | 14 |  | 75 | 67
Business lending | 107 | 335 |  | 715 | 607
Consumer indirect | 740 | 1,025 |  | 3,077 | 2,826
Consumer direct | 174 | 239 |  | 566 | 677
Home equity | 29 | 38 |  | 55 | 76
Total recoveries | 1,059 | 1,651 |  | 4,488 | 4,253
Net charge-offs | 1,600 | 1,089 |  | 2,873 | 3,693
Provision for loans losses | 1,906 | 1,747 |  | 3,120 | 4,647
Allowance for loan losses at end of period | $45,588 | $45,273 |  | $45,588 | $45,273
Allowance for loan losses / total loans | 1.06% | 1.07% |  | 1.06% | 1.07%
Allowance for legacy loan losses / total legacy loans (1) | 1.10% | 1.14% |  | 1.10% | 1.14%
Allowance for loan losses / nonperforming loans | 181% | 189% |  | 181% | 189%
Allowance for legacy loan losses / legacy nonperforming loans (1) | 201% | 226% |  | 201% | 226%
Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans outstanding: |  |  |  |  |
Consumer mortgage | 0.07% | 0.05% |  | 0.07% | 0.06%
Business lending | 0.06% | 0.03% |  | 0.01% | 0.04%
Consumer indirect | 0.40% | 0.33% |  | 0.22% | 0.30%
Consumer direct | 0.53% | 0.14% |  | 0.36% | 0.39%
Home equity | 0.04% | 0.04% |  | 0.05% | 0.15%
Total loans | 0.15% | 0.10% |  | 0.09% | 0.12%

(1) | Legacy loans exclude loans acquired after January 1, 2009. These ratios are included for comparative purposes to prior periods.

As displayed in Table 9, net charge-offs during the third quarter of 2015 were $1.6 million, $0.5 million more than the third quarter of 2014. Net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $2.9 million, a $0.8 million, or 22%, decrease from the first nine months of 2014. Net charge-offs for all portfolios except consumer mortgage experienced lower levels of net charge-offs through the first nine months of 2015 as compared to the first nine months of 2014. The net charge-off ratio (net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding) for the third quarter of 2015 was 0.15%, eight basis points lower than the fourth quarter of 2014 and five basis points higher than the third quarter of 2014. Net charge-offs and the corresponding net charge-off ratios continue to be below the Company’s average long-term historical levels.
The provision for loan losses was $1.9 million in the third quarter, with almost the entire amount related to legacy loans as acquired loans accounted for only $0.03 million. The provision was $0.2 million higher than the equivalent prior year period, reflective of a larger portfolio and the higher net charge-off levels experienced. The third quarter 2015 loan loss provision was $0.3 million more than the level of net charge-offs for the quarter, reflective of the increase in loan balances. The allowance for loan losses of $45.6 million as of September 30, 2015 was an increase of $0.3 million from the level one year ago, reflective of the increase in the size of the loan portfolio. Stable asset quality metrics have resulted in an allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio of 1.06% at September 30, 2015, one basis point lower than the level reports at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014.
As of September 30, 2015, the purchase discount related to the $241 million of remaining non-impaired loan balances acquired from HSBC Bank USA, N.A., First Niagara Bank, N.A. and Wilber National Bank was approximately $7.7 million, or 3.2% of that portfolio, with less than $0.1 million included in the allowance for loan losses for acquired loans where the carrying value exceeded the estimated net recoverable value.
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Deposits
As shown in Table 10, average deposits of $6.1 billion in third quarter were up $149.7 million, or 2.5%, compared to the third quarter of 2014, and increased $119.0 million, or 2.0%, from the fourth quarter of last year. The mix of average deposits continues to change. The weightings of core deposits (noninterest checking, interest checking, savings and money markets accounts) have increased from their year-ago levels. Conversely, the proportion of time deposits decreased, consistent with the last several years. This change in deposit mix reflects the Company’s goal of expanding core account relationships and reducing higher cost time deposit balances, as well as the preference of certain customers to hold a higher proportion of their funds in liquid accounts in the low interest rate environment. This shift in product mix resulted in the quarterly average cost of deposits declining from 0.13% in the third quarter of 2014 to 0.11% in the most recent quarter. The Company continues to focus heavily on growing its core deposit relationships through its proactive marketing efforts, competitive product offerings, and high quality customer service.
The average nonpublic fund deposits for the third quarter of 2015 increased $43.5 million, or 0.8%, versus the fourth quarter of 2014 while increasing $59.2 million, or 1.1%, compared to the year-earlier period. Average public fund deposits for the third quarter increased $75.5 million, or 13.0%, from the fourth quarter of 2014 and $90.4 million, or 16.0%, from the third quarter of 2014. Public fund deposits as a percentage of total deposits increased from 9.5% in the third quarter of 2014 to 10.8% in the third quarter of 2015, as the Company has been able to expand municipal deposit relationships in its markets.
Table 10: Quarterly Average Deposits

| September 30, |  | December 31, |  | September 30,
(000's omitted) | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2014
Noninterest checking deposits | $1,363,022 |  | $1,293,760 |  | $1,281,626
Interest checking deposits | 1,410,825 |  | 1,358,667 |  | 1,331,239
Regular savings deposits | 1,117,855 |  | 1,044,423 |  | 1,048,057
Money market deposits | 1,491,475 |  | 1,493,952 |  | 1,469,215
Time deposits | 719,358 |  | 792,746 |  | 822,705
Total deposits | $6,102,535 |  | $5,983,548 |  | $5,952,842
Nonpublic fund deposits | 5,445,848 |  | $5,402,375 |  | $5,386,604
Public fund deposits | 656,687 |  | 581,173 |  | 566,238
Total deposits | $6,102,535 |  | $5,983,548 |  | $5,952,842

Borrowings
External borrowings were $660.2 million at the end of the third quarter, $220.1 million, or 50%, higher than borrowings at December 31, 2014, and $214.3 million more than the end of the third quarter of 2014. This was a result of the decision to utilize external borrowings to purchase investments in advance of the liquidity expected to be received from the Oneida transaction.
Shareholders’ Equity
Total shareholders’ equity of $1.0 billion at the end of the third quarter was an increase of $57.1 million from the balance at December 31, 2014. This increase consisted of net income of $71.2 million, a $15.2 million increase in other comprehensive income, $13.9 million from shares issued under the employee stock plan, and $3.2 million from employee stock options earned, partially offset by dividends declared of $37.1 million, and $9.1 million of treasury stock purchases. The change in other comprehensive income was comprised of a $14.6 million increase in the after-tax market value adjustment on the available-for-sale investment portfolio and a positive $0.6 million adjustment to the funded status of the Company’s retirement plans. Over the past 12 months, total shareholders’ equity increased by $79.5 million, as net income, a higher market value adjustment on investments, and the issuance of common stock related to the employee stock plan more than offset dividends declared, the change in the funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, and treasury stock purchases.
The Company’s Tier 1 leverage ratio, a primary measure of regulatory capital for which 5% is the requirement to be “well-capitalized”, was 10.09% at the end of the third quarter, up 13 basis points from year-end 2014 and 30 basis points higher than its level one year earlier. The increase in the Tier 1 leverage ratio in comparison to December 31, 2014 is the result of shareholders’ equity excluding intangibles and other comprehensive income items increasing 7.5%, primarily from net earnings retention, while average assets excluding intangibles and the market value adjustment on investments increased 6.1%. The Tier 1 leverage ratio increased as compared to the prior year’s third quarter as shareholders’ equity, excluding intangibles and other comprehensive income, increased 9.7% due to strong earnings retention, while average assets excluding intangibles and the market value adjustment increased 6.4%, driven by solid organic loan growth and investment purchases. The net tangible equity-to-assets ratio (a non-GAAP measure) of 9.14% increased 22 basis points from December 31, 2014 and increased 57 basis points versus September 30, 2014. The increase in the tangible equity ratio during 2015 is primarily attributable to proportionally larger increases in tangible equity levels than the increases in tangible assets due to earnings retention and the increase in the investment market value adjustment outpacing tangible asset growth.
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The dividend payout ratio (dividends declared divided by net income) for the first nine months of 2015 was 52.2%, up from 51.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Dividends declared increased 6.3% as the Company’s quarterly dividend per share was raised from $0.30 to $0.31 in July 2015, while net income for September year-to-date 2015 increased 4.3% over the prior year period. Additionally, the number of common shares outstanding increased 0.7% over the last twelve months. The dividend increase marked the Company’s 23rd consecutive year of increased dividend payouts to shareholders.
Liquidity
Liquidity risk is a measure of the Company’s ability to raise cash when needed at a reasonable cost and minimize any loss. The Bank maintains appropriate liquidity levels in both normal operating environments as well as stressed environments. The Company must be capable of meeting all obligations to its customers at any time and, therefore, the active management of its liquidity position remains an important management role. The Bank has appointed the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) to manage liquidity risk using policy guidelines and limits on indicators of potential liquidity risk. The indicators are monitored using a scorecard with three risk level limits. These risk indicators measure core liquidity and funding needs, capital at risk and change in available funding sources. The risk indicators are monitored using such statistics as the core basic surplus ratio, unencumbered securities to average assets, free loan collateral to average assets, loans to deposits, deposits to total funding and borrowings to total funding ratios.
Given the uncertain nature of our customers’ demands as well as the Company's desire to take advantage of earnings enhancement opportunities, the Company must have available adequate sources of on and off-balance sheet funds that can be acquired in time of need. Accordingly, in addition to the liquidity provided by balance sheet cash flows, liquidity must be supplemented with additional sources such as credit lines from correspondent banks and borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve. Other funding alternatives may also be appropriate from time to time, including wholesale and retail repurchase agreements, large certificates of deposit and the brokered CD market. The primary source of non-deposit funds is FHLB advances, of which $558 million are outstanding as of September 30, 2015.
The Bank’s primary sources of liquidity are its liquid assets, as well as unencumbered securities that can be used to collateralize additional funding. At September 30, 2015, the Bank had $157 million of cash and cash equivalents of which $16 million are interest- earning deposits held at the Federal Reserve, FHLB, and other correspondent banks. The Bank also had $622 million in unused FHLB borrowing capacity based on the Company’s quarter-end collateral levels. Additionally, the Company has $1.7 billion of unencumbered securities that could be pledged at the FHLB or Federal Reserve to obtain additional funding. There is $25 million available in unsecured lines of credit with other correspondent banks.
The Company’s primary approach to measuring short-term liquidity is known as the Basic Surplus/Deficit model. It is used to calculate liquidity over two time periods: first, the amount of cash that could be made available within 30 days (calculated as liquid assets less short-term liabilities as a percentage of average assets); and second, a projection of subsequent cash availability over an additional 60 days. As of September 30, 2015, this ratio was 20.5% for 30-days and 20.4% for 90-days, excluding the Company's capacity to borrow additional funds from the FHLB and other sources. At September 30, 2015 there was a sufficient amount of liquidity given the Company’s internal policy requirement of 7.5%.
A sources and uses statement is used by the Company to measure intermediate liquidity risk over the next twelve months. As of September 30, 2015, there is more than enough liquidity available during the next year to cover projected cash outflows. In addition, stress tests on the cash flows are performed in various scenarios ranging from high probability events with a low impact on the liquidity position to low probability events with a high impact on the liquidity position. The results of the stress tests as of September 30, 2015 indicate the Bank has sufficient sources of funds for the next year in all stressed scenarios.
To measure longer-term liquidity, a baseline projection of loan and deposit growth for five years is made to reflect how liquidity levels could change over time. This five-year measure reflects ample liquidity for loan and other asset growth over the next five years.
Though remote, the possibility of a funding crisis exists at all financial institutions. Accordingly, management has addressed this issue by formulating a Liquidity Contingency Plan, which has been reviewed and approved by both the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the Company’s ALCO. The plan addresses the actions that the Company would take in response to both a short-term and long-term funding crisis. A short-term funding crisis would most likely result from a shock to the financial system, either internal or external, which disrupts orderly short-term funding operations. Such a crisis should be temporary in nature and would not involve a change in credit ratings. A long-term funding crisis would most likely be the result of drastic credit deterioration at the Company. Management believes that both potential circumstances have been fully addressed through detailed action plans and the establishment of trigger points for monitoring such events.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains comments or information that constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which involve significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “forecast, ” “believe,” or other words of similar meaning. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Moreover, the Company’s plans, objectives and intentions are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control). Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include: (1) risks related to credit quality, interest rate sensitivity and liquidity; (2) the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies where the Company conducts its business; (3) the effect of, and changes in, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (4) inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; (5) the timely development of new products and services and customer perception of the overall value thereof (including, but not limited to, features, pricing and quality) compared to competing products and services; (6) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; (7) technological changes and implementation and financial risks associated with transitioning to new technology-based systems involving large multi-year contracts; (8) the ability of the Company to maintain the security of its financial, accounting, technology, data processing and other operating systems and facilities; (9) any acquisitions or mergers that might be considered or consummated by the Company and the costs and factors associated therewith, including differences in the actual financial results of the acquisition or merger compared to expectations and the realization of anticipated cost savings and revenue enhancements; (10) the ability to maintain and increase market share and control expenses; (11) the nature, timing and effect of changes in banking regulations or other regulatory or legislative requirements affecting the respective businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, including changes in laws and regulations concerning taxes, accounting, banking, risk management, securities and other aspects of the financial services industry, specifically the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; (12) changes in the Company’s organization, compensation and benefit plans and in the availability of, and compensation levels for, employees in its geographic markets; (13) the outcome of pending or future litigation and government proceedings; (14) other risk factors outlined in the Company’s filings with the SEC from time to time; and (15) the success of the Company at managing the risks of the foregoing.
The foregoing list of important factors is not all-inclusive. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made. If the Company does update or correct one or more forward-looking statements, investors and others should not conclude that the Company would make additional updates or corrections with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market rates, prices or credit risk. Credit risk associated with the Company's loan portfolio has been previously discussed in the asset quality section of the MD&A. Management believes that the tax risk of the Company's municipal investments associated with potential future changes in statutory, judicial and regulatory actions is minimal. Treasury, agency, mortgage-backed and CMO securities issued by government agencies comprise 76% of the total portfolio and are currently rated AAA by Moody’s Investor Services and AA+ by Standard & Poor’s. Municipal and corporate bonds account for 24% of the total portfolio, of which, 98% carry a minimum rating of A-. The remaining 2% of the portfolio is comprised of other investment grade securities. The Company does not have material foreign currency exchange rate risk exposure. Therefore, almost all the market risk in the investment portfolio is related to interest rates.
The ongoing monitoring and management of both interest rate risk and liquidity, in the short and long term time horizons, is an important component of the Company's asset/liability management process, which is governed by limits established in the policies reviewed and approved annually by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors delegates responsibility for carrying out the policies to the ALCO, which meets each month. The committee is made up of the Company's senior management as well as regional and line-of-business managers who oversee specific earning asset classes and various funding sources. As the Company does not believe it is possible to reliably predict future interest rate movements, it has maintained an appropriate process and set of measurement tools, which enables it to identify and quantify sources of interest rate risk in varying rate environments. The primary tool used by the Company in managing interest rate risk is income simulation.
While a wide variety of strategic balance sheet and treasury yield curve scenarios are tested on an ongoing basis, the following reflects the Company's projected net interest income sensitivity over the subsequent twelve months based on:

● | Asset and liability levels using September 30, 2015 as a starting point.

● | There are assumed to be conservative levels of balance sheet growth, low-to-mid single digit growth in loans and deposits, while using the cash flows from investment contractual maturities and prepayments to repay short-term capital market borrowings or reinvest into securities or cash equivalents.

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● | The prime rate and federal funds rates are assumed to move up 200 basis points over a 12-month period while moving the long end of the treasury curve to spreads over federal funds that are more consistent with historical norms (normalized yield curve). In the 0 basis point model, the prime and federal funds rates remain at current levels while moving the long end of the curve to levels over federal funds using spreads at a time when the yield curve was flat. Deposit rates are assumed to move in a manner that reflects the historical relationship between deposit rate movement and changes in the federal funds rate.

● | Cash flows are based on contractual maturity, optionality, and amortization schedules along with applicable prepayments derived from internal historical data and external sources.

Net Interest Income Sensitivity Model

Change in interest rates | Calculated annualized decrease in projected net interest income at September 30, 2015
+200 basis points | ($8,197,000)
0 basis points | ($560,000)

The modeled net interest income (NII), including certain attributes from the pending acquisition, decreases in a rising rate environment from a flat rate scenario. The decrease is largely a result of assumed deposit and funding costs increasing faster than the repricing of corresponding of assets. In the short term (years 1-2), the assumed increase of deposit rates in the rising rate environment temporarily outweighs the benefit of earning asset yields increasing to higher levels. However, over a longer time period (years 3-5), the growth in NII improves significantly in a rising rate environment as lower yielding assets mature and are replaced at higher rates.
In the 0 basis point model, the Bank shows interest rate risk exposure if the yield curve continues to flatten. Net interest income declines during the first twelve months largely from additional investment cash flows that are assumed to repay short term advances. Corresponding deposit rates are assumed to remain constant. Despite Fed Funds trading near 0%, the Company believes long-term Treasury rates could potentially fall further in this scenario, and thus, the model tests the impact of this lower Treasury rate scenario.
The analysis does not represent a Company forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions: the nature and timing of interest rate levels (including yield curve shape), prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and other factors. While the assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot make any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that ALCO might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.
Item 4. 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 (the “Exchange Act”), designed to ensure information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on management’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, it has concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company regularly assesses the adequacy of its internal controls over financial reporting. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation referenced in the paragraph above that occurred during the Company’s quarter ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject in the normal course of business to various pending and threatened legal proceedings in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. As of September 30, 2015, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the aggregate ultimate liability arising out of litigation pending or threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position. On at least a quarterly basis the Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with such legal proceedings. For those matters where it is probable that the Company will incur losses and the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated, the Company records an expense and corresponding liability in its consolidated financial statements. To the extent the pending or threatened litigation could result in exposure in excess of that liability, the amount of such excess is not currently estimable. The range of reasonably possible losses for matters where an exposure is not currently estimable or considered probable, beyond the existing recorded liabilities, is between $0 and $1 million in the aggregate. Although the Company does not believe that the outcome of pending litigation will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, it cannot rule out the possibility that such outcomes will be material to the consolidated results of operations for a particular reporting period in the future.
On July 14, 2015, the Court issued an order preliminarily approving the settlement reached in the first of two related class actions pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which cases were commenced on October 30, 2013 and May 23, 2014, respectively. The two related cases allege, on behalf of similarly situated class members, that notices provided by the Bank in connection with the repossession of automobiles failed to comply with certain requirements of the Pennsylvania and New York Uniform Commercial Code and related statutes. In accordance with mediation occurring in September 2014, the settlement provides for establishment of a settlement fund of $2.8 million in exchange for release of all claims of the class members covered by these actions. A litigation settlement charge of $2.8 million with respect to the settlement of the class actions was previously recorded in the third quarter of 2014. The settlement is subject to the Court’s final approval following notice to the class members, including the ability of class members to oppose or opt-out of the settlement.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There has not been any material change in the risk factors disclosure from that contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
a) Not applicable.
b) Not applicable.
c) At its December 2014 meeting, the Company’s Board approved a new repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 2,000,000 of its outstanding shares in open market or privately negotiated transactions in accordance with securities laws and regulations, through December 31, 2015. Any repurchased shares will be used for general corporate purposes, including those related to stock plan activities. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations as determined at the Company’s discretion.
The following table presents stock purchases made during the third quarter of 2015:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 1-31, 2015 | 0 | $0.00 | 0 | 1,734,770
August 1-31, 2015(1) | 355 | 38.23 | 0 | 1,734,770
September 1-30, 2015 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 1,734,770
Total | 355 | $38.23 |  |

(1) The common shares repurchased were acquired by the Company in connection with satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on stock issued pursuant to the employee benefit plan. These shares were not repurchased as part of the publicly announced repurchase plan described above.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description

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 Scott Kingsley, 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. (2)
32.2 | Certification of Scott Kingsley, 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. (2)
101 | Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Condition, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text and in detail.(3)

(1) | Filed herewith.

(2) | Furnished herewith.

(3) | XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements 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.

Date: November 6, 2015 |  | /s/ Mark E. Tryniski
|  | Mark E. Tryniski, President and Chief Executive
|  | Officer
Date: November 6, 2015 |  |
|  | /s/ Scott Kingsley
|  | Scott Kingsley, Treasurer and Chief
|  | Financial Officer

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