Gerry McNamara to Serve as Spokesman for Community Bank, N.A. and First Liberty Bank & Trust

SYRACUSE, N.Y., June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Recent Syracuse University graduate and basketball star Gerry McNamara has been signed by Community Bank System, Inc. and its banking subsidiaries, Community Bank, N.A. in Upstate New York, and First Liberty Bank & Trust in Northeastern Pennsylvania to act as a spokesman for the company's great lineup of banking and financial service products.

A native of Scranton, Pa., McNamara starred for the Orangemen for four years, including playing a major role in the team's 2003 NCAA Championship Team as a freshman. He closed out his Syracuse career in dramatic style this past March, as his clutch shots, assists and defensive play in the waning seconds of Big East Tournament games led his team to capture the 2006 tournament title and earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Orangemen earned NCAA Tournament bids in each of McNamara's four years at Syracuse. He finished his Syracuse career as the Big East conference's leader in three- point field goals made (297), as well as Syracuse's leader in career free- throw percentage (.883). McNamara finished his high school career, where he played for Bishop Hannan in Scranton, ranked seventh all-time in career scoring within the state (2,917 points) and led the team to the 2002 PIAA Class AA Championship.

"Gerry McNamara is a nationally known and highly regarded sports figure, generally considered among the most successful and beloved athletes in Syracuse University history," said Sanford Belden, Community Bank System's President and Chief Executive Officer. "He is a tremendous fit to serve as a spokesman for our banking franchise, in that he not only starred in college just a few miles from our headquarters, but his home town of Scranton is in the heart of our First Liberty franchise as well."

Mark Tryniski, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, added, "In four short years, Gerry became a legend within our region. He embodies many of the same values that we do, as a bank, including determination, creativity and courage. He competed against a wide variety of opponents. So do we. And like Gerry, we have experienced winning far more often than not. That's why we're so excited to begin this partnership with this high-caliber, high-character individual."

"I'm very happy to be working with such a successful and growing company that has such strong roots in the only two places I've ever called home," McNamara said. "I've received a tremendous amount of support throughout my career from people in both upstate New York and North Eastern Pennsylvania, and I'm excited to work with Community Bank and First Liberty -- and to remain connected with, and continue contributing to, these two great communities."

Community Bank System, Inc. is a registered bank holding company based in DeWitt, N.Y. (near Syracuse), with $4.2 billion in assets and approximately 130 customer facilities. Its wholly-owned banking subsidiary operates as Community Bank, N.A. across Upstate New York, and as First Liberty Bank & Trust throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. For further information please visit our websites at http://www.communitybankna.com/ or http://www.firstlibertybank.com/.

For further information contact: Harold M. Wentworth Director of Sales and Marketing [phone]