Community Bank Appoints Matt Durkee Chief Banking Officer

Matt Durkee

DEWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank, a subsidiary of Community Financial System Inc. (CFSI), announced that Matt Durkee has been appointed chief banking officer, effective Jan. 2. Durkee succeeds Jeff Levy, who retired at the end of the year following a distinguished banking career.

As chief banking officer, Durkee will oversee Community Bank’s banking strategy and performance across commercial, small business, and retail banking. His responsibilities will include driving balanced growth, strengthening client relationships, advancing credit and risk discipline, supporting market expansion, and ensuring alignment between banking operations and the company’s broader strategic objectives. The role also plays a central part in talent development, operational excellence, and delivering consistent value to customers and communities.

Durkee joined Community Bank in 2022 and made an immediate impact, first leading the bank’s New England market and most recently serving as president of Commercial Banking. In that role, he guided commercial growth initiatives, deepened client engagement, and partnered closely with regional leadership teams to deliver strong results.

“Matt is a proven leader with deep banking expertise and a clear focus on customers, talent, and performance,” said Dimitar Karaivanov, CFSI president and CEO. “He understands our markets, our culture, and our corporate strategy, and he is well-positioned to lead our banking business while identifying opportunities to deliver customer value across our full portfolio of CFSI companies. I am looking forward to his broad and positive impact as our new chief banking officer.”