As M&T Bank is one of the pillars of financial services serving Buffalo, it has been announced that the bank will close two of its facilities in Western New York, located in Buffalo and Lockport, on June 12, 2025.
The two branches, located at 1580 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, and 118 Walnut Street, Lockport, will be closed. These shutdowns have been attributed to changes in customer needs and banking practices. The decision aligns with the industry’s general trend of online banking and branch closures, which were announced in March 2025.
Strategic Closures Amid Changing Times
The rationale behind M&T Bank’s decision to shut down such branches is an outcome of a strategic review of its network, which aimed to position branches for greater efficiency. In the commercial corridor of North Buffalo, the Hertel Avenue branch is a mile away from a branch of M&T on Delaware and Hertel.
Equally, there is the Walnut Street branch situated at Lockport, and it is less than 2 miles from the bank on South Transit Road. Such close proximity enables M&T to merge services without causing major disruptions to customer access.
Effect on the Customers and Communities
Regular customers would be losers as they appreciate the personal touch of face-to-face banking. Hertel Avenue clients are advised to use the nearby Delaware Hertel store, and Lockport customers can access the South Transit branch.
Customers who have safe deposit boxes in the branch being closed will be advised on the transfer of their valuable property. The concentration of M&T on the close proximity of alternatives is also an attempt to reduce the discomfort of the clientele.
Employee Reassignments Ensure Continuity
M&T has pledged to support all workers affected by the closures. Employees of the two branches have been accommodated in any other local banks nearby or in other bank operations.
This strategy has been part of M&T for several decades, and it also means that its employees, most of whom come from Western New York, will be retained on board. As Thea Pecht, the bank’s spokesperson, continued to assure, no layoffs will be the outcome of the changes.
Shift to Digital Banking
The shutdowns also raise some attention to the larger trend in banking and other activities conducted online and on mobile devices. M&T has spent big on digital systems, and it has services through Zelle and mobile check deposit.
However much such tools may be convenient, they decrease physical traffic at local branches, and banks will have to consider closing their branches in dual locations.
Banking Legacy of Buffalo
Since its inception more than 160 years ago, M&T Bank is now headquartered in Buffalo; it is a regional juggernaut with over 950 branches in 12 states. Closing a branch in a busy neighborhood seems like a small change in a city where M&T is a brand name.
The fact that the bank has invested nearly $2 million in improvements to the East Side branches of Buffalo, due to be completed in 2025, speaks to its ongoing support in the area.
The Financial Changing Landscape of Lockport
At Lockport, the closure of a Walnut Street branch shrinks M&T in Niagara County, where five branches and three ATMs will be left behind. The closest location, South Transit Road, will take away a significant portion of the client base, as it is within a two-mile distance.
To a community used to local banking, this consolidation could be a problem for elderly residents or individuals whose needs and/or preferences require in-person services, but with local options, some of the concerns are addressed.
Industry-Wide Branch Reductions
The closures occurring at M&T can be considered a trend in the banking industry. Other rivals, such as KeyBank, which announced last year to close more than 70 of its branches in 2024, are also reorganizing.
Online banking has emerged, and with economic pressures, financial institutions have focused on efficiency. The previous acquisition of 29 Chase branches in 1999, among others, depicts M&T’s history of being able to adapt to market times, although it can be seen as a strong regional player.
Local Response and Adaptation
The response of the locals to the closures has been ambivalent. The business community on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo appreciates the role that M&T plays in the community, and some merchants fear they will fall victim to a lack of business.
Residents who are accustomed to the convenience of the Walnut Street branch in Lockport will take time to adapt. However, M&T took the initiative to contact customers directly through letters to address the affected customers, thus ensuring that the transition is less traumatic.
Looking Ahead for M&T Bank
Amid these shutdowns, M&T is doing well financially, as it recorded net income of $471 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. The bank’s executive, such as CFO Darren King, believes that the economy is stabilizing, which could give the company confidence in its strategic decisions. By balancing digital innovations with strategic physical investments, M&T hopes to be a key player in the economic life of Western New York.
A New Chapter Western New York
With the closure of the Hertel Avenue and Walnut Street branches, a new beginning has arrived for M&T Bank and its patrons. Although the choice is practical in terms of business requirements, it also highlights the changing face of the banking industry in a more digitalized world.
In the case of Buffalo and Lockport, the shortage of branches will not be a problem for M&T, and access to its services through the internet would still be available, keeping its reputation as a community partner intact.