Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | October 19, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 43 Big-Bank Strength, Local Business Insight A government subcontractor had a chance to win its own contract — one that could increase revenue up to fivefold. A standard credit line based only on current revenue would have fallen short of what the opportunity demanded. Instead, M&T Bank's local team brought in its GovCon specialty group to model projected contract performance, revenue and staffing needs. e result was an increased credit line, tailored to support the company's growth once the contract was approved. "What set this opportunity apart was timing," explains Rob Drake, M&T's Business Banking Regional Manager for Massachusetts. "e contract had the ability to transform the business almost overnight, creating needs that outpaced what current financials alone could support. By bringing in our GovCon specialists, we were able to look past the historical numbers, model future operating requirements and structure financing around where the business was headed — and help turn possibilities into realities." M&T Bank understands small business. It began as one in 1856, when two merchants set out to meet the banking needs of manufacturers and traders. Today, as part of its corporate family, M&T is one of the 15 largest U.S.-owned commercial bank holding companies,1 with 200 consecutive quarters of profitability and $219.3 billion in AUM2 — a powerful combination of strength and experience seen at the state level as well. But while the numbers are strong, Rob says the real power lies in the relationships his team builds with clients. He stresses, "Our goal is not to promote SBA loans, but rather to meet with a broad client base, ask questions to understand their specific business needs and find the appropriate solutions to provide capital and help them grow." M&T's commitment to small business lending in Massachusetts has been consistently recognized by the SBA3 — most notably earning Massachusetts District Office FY 2025 Lender of the Year to Women- Owned Businesses4 and #1 Minority Lender of the Year Award in Massachusetts for 2024.5 An education-focused equipment rental company was seeking to expand beyond Massachusetts and growth depended on keeping more equipment available. e company had been relying on one-year vendor financing, which strained cash flow and limited flexibility. M&T helped replace that structure with a larger capex line that enabled the business to buy equipment directly and repay borrowing over three years. "We are proactive advocates for our clients, not just a responder to funding requests," notes Rob. "Clients may seek the only option they know, but we show up, listen closely and can suggest a number of tailored solutions they may not have considered. In this case, that meant creating a financing structure that helped the business continue serving customers as it expanded." "M&T Bank isn't some national brand passing through Worcester," observes Stephanie Luz, the newest member of the local team and a banking relationship manager with over 30 years' experience. "Part of what drew me to M&T was the way we invest in local businesses for the long term. Instead of cookie-cutter offerings, we bring locally relevant specialty capabilities backed by deep expertise." And the local focus extends beyond banking. Whether in Worcester, Marlboro — home to M&T's newest branch — or elsewhere across the state, M&T supports local communities through 364 nonprofits, $3.4 million in grants and over 6,100 employee volunteer hours, in addition to corporate partnerships. e bank is the co-presenting sponsor of the Pan-Mass Challenge bicycle race fundraiser, benefiting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It will also support Worcester's Mass Half Marathon — returning aer a decade-long absence — and serve as opening night presenter for the Worcester Railers, a professional ice hockey team. An energy management company serving new construction projects was ready to move from leasing space to owning its first facility. M&T understood what the business required next. e team increased its line of credit, added an equipment term loan and delivered a broader financing package — structuring support for both immediate needs and long- term goals. For Massachusetts businesses, that means access to the strength of a major commercial bank and the guidance of a local team invested in helping them grow. 1 S&P Global Market Intelligence, as of June 30, 2026. Methodology excludes subsidiaries of foreign bank parents, investment banks, credit card companies, insurance company subsidiar- ies, brokers, and asset managers. 2 M&T Bank Corporation data, as of June 30, 2026. 3 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for total approved loans through the SBA's 7(a) lending program. 4 U.S. Small Business Administration, Massachusetts District Office, fiscal year 2025. Recognition applies to SBA lending activity in Massachusetts during the federal fiscal year 2025, which ended September 30, 2025. 5 U.S. Small Business Administration, Massachusetts District Office. Based on SBA 7(a) loans approved for minority-owned businesses in Massachusetts during federal fiscal year 2024, which ended September 30, 2024. © 2026 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. All rights reserved. is article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any financial product or service or as a determination that any investment strategy is suitable for a specific investor. S P O N S O R E D A D V E R T I S E M E N T Rob Drake serves as M&T's Business Banking Regional Manager in Massachusetts and has over 20 years' experience in the banking industry. Reach him at rdrake@mtb.com to discuss how he and his team can help drive your future success.

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