Community Financial (NYSE: CBU) EVP reports stock vesting and tax share disposal

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SYSTEM, INC. executive Michael N. Abdo, EVP and General Counsel, reported equity compensation activity involving company common stock. On March 4, 2026, a three-year performance-based restricted stock award granted in 2023 vested at the target level, delivering 1,752 shares plus 196.2353 dividend reinvestment shares.

In connection with this vesting, 707.2353 shares were disposed of at $59.87 per share to cover tax liabilities, a non-open-market, tax-withholding transaction. After these changes, Abdo directly holds 8,010 common shares and indirectly holds 2,731.4068 shares through the company’s 401(K) Plan.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Abdo Michael N

(Last) (First) (Middle)

C/O COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SYSTEM, INC.

333 BUTTERNUT DRIVE

(Street)

SYRACUSE NY 13214

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SYSTEM, INC. [ CBU ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	EVP and General Counsel

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
03/04/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	03/04/2026		A		1,948.2353(1)	A	$0	8,717.2353	D
Common Stock	03/04/2026		F(2)		707.2353	D	$59.87	8,010	D
Common Stock								2,731.4068	I	By 401(K)(3)

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:

1. On March 4, 2026, the Compensation Committee approved the vesting of the three-year performance-based restricted stock award, granted to the reporting person in 2023, based on achievement of predetermined performance criteria at the target level. The reporting person received 1,752 shares of common stock under the award and 196.2353 shares of common stock acquired under the dividend reinvestment feature of the Community Financial System, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan").

2. Payment of tax liability associated with vesting of performance stock award.

3. The number of shares reported herein were acquired pursuant to Community Financial System, Inc.'s 401(K) Plan and are based on a current plan statement.

	/s/ Danielle M. Cima, pursuant to a Confirming Statement executed by Michael N. Abdo	03/06/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
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FAQ

What insider transactions did CBU executive Michael N. Abdo report?

Michael N. Abdo reported vesting of a performance-based restricted stock award and related tax withholding. He received 1,948.2353 shares in total from vesting and dividend reinvestment, and 707.2353 shares were disposed of to satisfy tax obligations.

Was the CBU insider transaction an open-market stock purchase or sale?

The CBU insider activity was not an open-market trade. Shares were acquired through vesting of a performance-based restricted stock award and disposed of via tax-withholding at $59.87 per share related to that vesting event.

How many CBU shares does Michael N. Abdo hold after these transactions?

After these transactions, Michael N. Abdo holds 8,010 common shares directly. He also has an additional 2,731.4068 shares held indirectly through Community Financial System, Inc.’s 401(K) Plan, based on a current plan statement.

What triggered the restricted stock vesting for CBU’s EVP and General Counsel?

The restricted stock vested after the Compensation Committee confirmed that predefined performance criteria for a three-year award granted in 2023 were met at the target level. This approval on March 4, 2026, released shares under the company’s long-term incentive plan.

What role did dividend reinvestment play in the CBU insider’s share award?

In addition to 1,752 vested shares, Michael N. Abdo received 196.2353 shares through the dividend reinvestment feature of Community Financial System, Inc.’s 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan, increasing the total shares acquired in the vesting event.

Why were some CBU shares disposed of in the Form 4 filing?

The Form 4 shows 707.2353 shares disposed of at $59.87 per share solely to pay tax liabilities associated with the vesting of the performance-based stock award, as permitted under the company’s compensation and tax withholding practices.