M&T CEO Robert G. Wilmers

American small business remains today, as it has always been, a bulwark of our economy. Small businesses, defined as firms with fewer than 100 employees, represent 98 percent of all businesses in America and employ more than 60 million people. By that measure and others, it is a sector whose health and potential for growth merits the attention of economists, policy analysts and the financial services industry. Today, moreover, it’s a sector that is in trouble—and that should be of concern to all of us. Read more.

Annual Report Message to Shareholders

In reflecting on my years in banking and the situation we confront today, I am mindful of the fact that banks have traditionally played a clear, if limited, role in the economy: to gather savings and to finance industry and commerce. Trading and speculation were nowhere included – nor should they be. Historically, bankers were viewed as among the more responsible and ethical members of their communities. In my view, the vast majority still are and have been ill-served by those whose non-traditional approach have caused banks to be the targets of public opprobrium. Read more.