Effective today, Tuesday, August 10, 2004, M&T Bank will increase its prime lending rate from 4.25 to 4.50%.

M&T Bank is the principal subsidiary of Buffalo-based M&T Bank Corporation , which has offices in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

Contact:

Michael Zabel

(716) 842-5385

Web site: http://www.mandtbank.com/