Buffalo, New York, October 14th / PRNewswire / —— M&T ( NYSE : MTB ) announced that in the fiscal year 2026, the bank ranked first among U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loan providers within its service communities in terms of the number of loans issued. The bank also achieved the highest number and amount of 7(a) loans in its history. M&T's ranking among SBA 7(a) loan providers nationwide rose to fifth place, up from seventh the previous year, marking the 18th consecutive year that the bank has been among the leading SBA loan providers in the United States.

M&T stated that in the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, the bank approved a total of 2,975 SBA 7(a) loans, with a total amount of $326.44 million (326.44 million US dollars)*. Compared to the 2025 fiscal year, this number represents an increase of 274 loans and $32.5 million, representing a growth of about 10% in both the number of loans and the amount of loans.

This record-breaking performance occurs at a time when the national credit environment is facing numerous challenges. Overall in the industry, the number of SBA type (a) loans decreased by 26% year-on-year, and the loan amount decreased by 12%.

"M&T's long-term commitment to small businesses is not just about providing funding, but also about being a trusted partner at every stage of their development," said Eric Feldstein, Senior Vice President and Head of Retail and Commercial Banking at M& T Bank. "Our leading position in SBA lending is based on understanding our customers' goals and working with them to find the right path, whether they are starting a new business, investing in a permanent establishment, or seeking the next opportunity for growth. We are proud to help entrepreneurs transform their ideas and ambitions into businesses that can strengthen their communities."

M&T also ranks 8th among the 504 third-party lending institutions across the United States, providing 55 loans totaling $50.88 million. The 7(a) program helps small businesses finance a wide range of needs, while the 504 program focuses on long-term investments such as purchasing commercial real estate, building facilities, and acquiring large equipment. M&T states that these two programs enable them to provide support at various stages of a business's growth.

M&T leads in SBA loans within its business coverage area.

M&T stated that its SBA business performance reflects the strength and stability of the bank's small business loan programs within its service coverage area. In the fiscal year 2026, the bank ranked first in 10 SBA jurisdictions and was among the top three in all 15 reported jurisdictions.

It performed particularly strongly in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England regions, ranking first in Baltimore, Buffalo/Rochester, Connecticut, Delaware, the Greater New York City area, Philadelphia, Richmond, Syracuse, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.

In the New England region, M&T ranks among the top three lending institutions in SBA, and it holds the number 1 position in Connecticut and Vermont. The bank has significantly expanded its SBA 7(a) loan portfolio in New England, with the number of approvals increasing from 107 in the fiscal year 2022 to 588 in the fiscal year 2026.

The results of M&T for the fiscal year 2026, categorized by region, include:

Provide support at every stage of a company's growth.

M&T indicates that their support for small businesses goes beyond just lending. Bank employees work closely with entrepreneurs to understand their businesses, help them connect with resources, and find financing solutions that support their goals—whether it's starting a new business, expanding a mature enterprise, or investing in a long-term growth strategy.

“Every SBA loan represents a business owner pursuing their vision, creating opportunities, and strengthening the local economy,” Feldstein added. “These results reflect the daily collaboration of commercial banking, retail, credit, operations, risk management, and many other teams in providing services to our customers.”

Helping a company in the Mid-Atlantic region ensure its future

For Mid Atlantic Port Service, which is headquartered in Baltimore and provides services to the maritime and port industries, rising rents have presented an opportunity to invest in a permanent operating location. Instead of continuing to rent multiple sites, the company collaborated with M&T to secure a $5.7 million SBA financing to purchase a facility and consolidate its operations under one roof. This financing has helped the company to invest in its long-term future while maintaining the cash flow needed for daily operations and growth.

"As rental costs continue to rise, we understand that owning our own facilities is the right choice for the long-term development of our business. However, we need a financing partner who can help us achieve this goal without taking up the working capital we need for operations and growth," said Marc Cruise, the owner of Mid Atlantic Port Service. "M&T took the time to understand our immediate needs and long-term goals and helped to design a SBA 504 plan that allows us to integrate our business and invest in the future."

For more information about M& T Bank small business loans, please visit mtb.com / business / business-financing / small-business-loans.

*According to statistical data released by the U.S. Small Business Administration, this refers to the total number of loans approved under the SBA 7(a) loan program for the federal fiscal year as of September 30, 2026.*

About M&T

M& T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York State. Its main banking subsidiary, M& T Bank, has branches and a ATM network from Maine to Virginia in the eastern United States, as well as in Washington, D.C., providing banking products and services. Trust-related services are provided by companies affiliated with Wilmington Trust under M&T, as well as by M& T Bank in the United States and some overseas markets. For more information, please visit www.mtb.com.

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