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Investing in Infrastructure: M&T Bank Commits $105M to Tech Expansion in Amherst

Technology, Talent, and Tenure in Western New York

M&T Bank, one of the region’s most established financial institutions, is reinforcing its long-term commitment to Amherst with a $105 million investment spanning two major facilities. This multi-year project focuses on upgrading data infrastructure, repurposing office space, and ensuring Western New York remains a central node in the bank’s growing technology and operations network.

Project Overview and Strategic Intent

The investment involves extensive renovation and equipment purchases at two key locations.The project aims to:

  • 191 Park Club Lane, which will become M&T’s primary data center.
  • 626 Commerce Drive, the bank’s current data center, which will be transformed into additional office space.

By acquiring the Park Club Lane property and upgrading both sites over a 10-year timeline, M&T Bank will expand its technological capabilities and physical capacity to support new growth. These upgrades come in response to the bank’s recent acquisition of Wilmington Trust and anticipated future expansions.

The project goals include:

  • Establishing a primary, modernized data center in Amherst.
  • Reconfiguring space to accommodate future hiring and expansion.
  • Remaining competitive with out-of-state alternatives by maximizing infrastructure in Western New York.

Local Impact and Economic Highlights

This long-term project provides tangible economic and workforce benefits:

  • Job Creation and Retention: 45 existing jobs retained and 75 new full-time positions to be created.
  • Regional Employment Footprint: M&T Bank already employs over 1,300 individuals at operations centers and branches in Amherst, with approximately 8,000 employees across Western New York
  • Tax Contributions and Savings: $8,488,000 saved in sales taxes, anticipated over a 10-year term. No additional PILOT requests were made; existing PILOT agreements at Park Club Lane remain unchanged and expired in 2016 and 2023. The Commerce Drive site, already under Amherst IDA title, continues to pay the full equivalent of property taxes. 

Public Partnership and Competitive Edge

A Amherst Industrial Development Agency (AIDA) support plays a critical role in helping M&T maintain its competitive edge. When weighed against comparable sites in other states, the IDA’s participation helped tip the scale toward continued investment in Western New York — preserving a major employer and bolstering the region’s standing in financial technology.


Reinforcing Regional Leadership in Finance and Technology
M&T Bank’s $105 million investment secures the future of critical operations within Amherst while enabling broader digital and operational growth across its national and international footprint. With facilities in states across the eastern U.S. and in Ontario, Canada, this decision underscores Western New York’s continued importance in the company’s long-range plans.
This project is more than an infrastructure upgrade. It’s a strategic investment in place, people, and innovation — reinforcing Amherst’s status as a financial and technological cornerstone.

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