EXHIBIT 32.1

                       NORTH COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                           SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATIONS

This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, 18 U.S.C ss. 1350, and accompanies the quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, (the "Form 10-Q") of North Country
Financial Corporation (the "Issuer").

     I, C. James Bess, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer,
     certify that:

     (1)  The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
          Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)
          or 78o(d)); and

     (2)  The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of
          the Issuer.



/s/ C. James Bess
- -----------------------------------------
C. James Bess
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
November 12, 2003