Effective today, Wednesday, February 2, 2005, M&T Bank will increase its prime lending rate from 5.25% to 5.50%.

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/