M&T Bank Invests in In-House Tech Talent

M&T Bank, a 170-year-old financial institution headquartered in Buffalo, has significantly shifted its technology strategy since 2018, aiming to leverage in-house expertise as a core competitive advantage. Michael Wisler, who joined M&T Bank as Chief Information Officer in 2018 after a career in technology leadership at Capital One, spearheaded this transformation. The initiative focused on bolstering the bank's internal information technology capabilities and talent pool, a move designed to decrease dependence on external tech contractors. This strategic pivot was intended to accelerate the bank's responsiveness to evolving technological landscapes and customer demands, while simultaneously constructing more robust and resilient IT systems. A key component of this strategy involved substantial investment in attracting and retaining skilled technology professionals. M&T Bank established a dedicated technology development program specifically to recruit recent college graduates. Furthermore, the bank actively cultivated connections with regional and national universities to draw in students eager to launch their careers in technology. This approach also sought to identify and onboard talent through non-traditional recruitment pathways, broadening the pool of potential hires beyond conventional sources. As a result of these efforts, M&T Bank now reports that over 80% of its technology and data teams are directly employed by the bank. These teams operate out of two dedicated technology centers established by M&T Bank in downtown Buffalo. Wisler, who transitioned to the role of Senior Executive Vice President for Technology and Operations in 2025, now oversees the technology infrastructure supporting approximately 22,000 employees. His purview also extends to the core operational functions that enable the bank to serve its millions of customers. M&T Bank operates online and maintains a physical presence across more than 900 branches spanning 12 Eastern states and the District of Columbia. In his expanded role, Wisler has focused on streamlining and unifying various operational facilities, such as call centers, which were historically fragmented across different business units. The objective is to ensure that operations teams are fully equipped to adopt and benefit from technological advancements and best practices that drive efficiency at scale. This emphasis on scaled efficiency and consistency is particularly crucial for a growing institution like M&T Bank, enabling the predictable application of its technological resources. The bank's commitment to in-house talent development and technological integration underscores its strategy to maintain a competitive edge in the financial services industry.