BUFFALO, N.Y.—Healthy communities are the foundation of successful businesses. This belief lies at the heart of M&T Bank’s 156-year tradition of community banking.

In its newly released Community Involvement Report [link to PDF], M&T Bank highlights a wide array of community initiatives in which it has taken an active role. The bank partners with a variety of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life and increasing economic opportunities where M&T Bank’s customers and employees live and work.

Among the projects highlighted in the new report is the Buffalo Promise Neighborhoodinitiative, a public-private partnership to invest more than $20 million into schools, health care programs and other services in a low-income neighborhood. The M&T Bank-led initiative is supported by the U.S. Department of Education.

The M&T Charitable Foundation distributed approximately $17 million in grants to hundreds of organizations across seven states and the District of Columbia in 2011. In the past decade, the bank has donated more than $147 million to a wide range of community-based organizations.

“Whether it’s transforming neighborhoods, promoting financial and personal well-being or helping a business customer secure financing to grow, M&T is proud of its community involvement,” said Mark Czarnecki, president of M&T Bank. “It is important to be part of initiatives that help strengthen the communities we serve.”

M&T Bank's commitment to communities is more than just monetary donations. Employees are encouraged to give back and get involved in their communities, volunteering thousands of hours each month last year to ensure their friends and neighbors can thrive.

Read more on M&T Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility page.