Exhibit 32.1

                       NORTH COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            CERTIFICATION PERSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                 SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES - OXLEY ACT OF 2002

This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, 18 U.S.C Section 1350, and accompanies the quarterly report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, (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
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C. James Bess
President and Chief Executive Officer
(chief executive officer)

November 15, 2004
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Date