BALTIMORE, April 23, 2014 -- With deep sadness, M&T Bank announced that Vice Chairman Michael P. Pinto died yesterday after an extended illness.  He was 58. 

Before stepping back from his duties in January of this year due to health problems, Mr. Pinto served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE: MTB) ("M&T"), a member of M&T's Management Group, and CEO and Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic division of M&T's primary banking subsidiary, M&T Bank. 

"M&T has lost a great friend and a great leader, but Mike's contributions to our company have not ended.  Indeed, his impact and influence will continue long into the future," said M&T's Chairman and CEO, Robert G. Wilmers.  "Mike helped build M&T—not just in size, but in strength and stability as well.  Throughout his tenure, Mike has been both a conscience and a compass, helping to instill the values that define who we are and what we do, while playing a leading role in charting the course of the bank's strategic direction." 

A native of India, Mr. Pinto received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the University of Delhi in India.

Fresh out of graduate school, Mr. Pinto began his career at M&T Bank in 1985.  Over the years he was promoted, becoming Senior Vice President and Controller in 1993.  In 1996, he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and then named Vice Chairman of M&T Bank and elected to the boards of M&T and M&T Bank in 2003. 

Mr. Pinto is survived by his wife of 34 years, Priya, and their two children, Alok P. Pinto, and Ruchika C. Thiru and her husband Dinesh.  A wake will be held in Baltimore on Thursday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Loudon Park Funeral Home, 3620 Wilkens Avenue.  In Buffalo, visitation will be held on Friday, April 25 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Amigone Funeral Home, 1132 Delaware Avenue.  Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Cathedral, 50 Franklin Street, Buffalo.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mr. Pinto's name to Radio Mass of Baltimore (805 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202), which makes it possible for homebound individuals to attend weekly Mass, or to Mercy Health Foundation, Medical Oncology Department, 301 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202 for their wonderful and compassionate care.