EXHIBIT 32.2

                       NORTH COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT 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 ss. 1350, and accompanies the annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2003, (the "Form 10-K") of North Country Financial
Corporation (the "Issuer").

     I, Joseph E. Petterson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of the Issuer, certify that:

         (1)  The Form 10-K 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-K fairly presents, in all
              material respects, the financial condition and results of
              operation of the Issuer.

 /s/ Joseph E. Petterson
--------------------------------------------
Joseph E. Petterson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(chief financial officer)
March 24, 2004