Colleen Young

CATTARAUGUS — Patrick J. Cullen of Bank of Cattaraugus is pleased to announce the election of Colleen C. Young as president and CEO. Young joined Bank of Cattaraugus in 1997, became vice president in 2003 and a director in 2004.

“She comes to his position with 22 years of experience at this bank and is a strong and trusted leader. She has been a key part of the bank’s success and we are thrilled to promote her to this important position,” said Cullen.

Young graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in business and a major in accounting. Young succeeds her father, Cullen, who has been president of the bank for 37 years and her grandfather, L. Edgar Cullen, who was the bank’s president for 25 years. Cullen, who is stepping down as president, was named chairman of the board of directors and will participate in the bank’s corporate strategic planning and serve on various committees. He will continue his efforts and involvements in the historic preservation of the Cattaraugus area.

Bank of Cattaraugus is the oldest independent commercial bank in Western New York state and is one of the oldest banks in the country. The bank has one office in the village of Cattaraugus. The bank’s practice of keeping local deposits available for local loans has been a successful formula for Bank of Cattaraugus for 137 years.