STICKELS ERIC 4

What Happened Eric Stickels, a director of Community Financial System, Inc. (CBU), was granted 1,220 deferred stock units (phantom stock units) on March 17, 2026. The award is reported as a derivative acquisition (transaction code A) at an acquisition price of $0.00. These units are recorded as the economic equivalent of common shares and will be settled in common stock at a predetermined date per the plan.

Key Details

• Transaction date: 2026-03-17; Form 4 filed 2026-03-18 (timely filing).
• Transaction type: Award/Grant of deferred stock units (derivative).
• Amount: 1,220 deferred stock units @ $0.00 (no immediate cash value reported).
• Shares owned after transaction: Not disclosed on the Form 4.
• Footnote: Units are "phantom" deferred stock units under the 2022 LTIP and will be settled in common stock at a predetermined date (see footnote F1).
• No 10b5-1 plan, tax withholding, or sale noted in this filing.

Context Deferred stock units are a form of compensation for directors that represent the right to receive shares later; they are not an open‑market purchase or sale and do not reflect an immediate change in market position. This is a routine equity grant as part of long-term incentive compensation and does not indicate an immediate buy or sell signal.