...Ratings Affirmed: Fitch affirmed Community Bank System Inc.'s (CBU) Long- and Short-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDR's) at BBB+/F2, with a Stable Rating Outlook on Aug. 24, 2018. Fitch Ratings' affirmation recognized CBU's consistent execution of a well-defined strategy that continues to result in strong, efficiency-driven performance and stable asset quality metrics over time. Disciplined Corporate Culture: A key to CBU's consistent results has been its disciplined approach in executing acquisitions and in managing operations. CBU has grown its banking franchise by careful expansion into markets adjacent to its core Upstate New York footprint and has increased fee revenue with acquisitions in the benefits administration segment. Similarly, adherence to disciplined underwriting, while lending only within its footprint, has yielded consistently low loan losses. Robust Underwriting: Fitch believes CBU's underwriting standards to be superior relative to peers as well as higher rated banks...
