M&T Bank Ranks No. 1 in SBA 7(a) Lending Across Its Footprint, Achieves Record Small Business Loan Growth

Bank rises to No. 5 nationally, providing nearly 3,000 loans totaling $326.4 million to small businesses in Fiscal Year 2026

M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB) ranked No. 1 in Fiscal Year 2026 in Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lending by number of loans across its communities, while achieving the highest SBA 7(a) loan volume and dollar amount in the bank’s history. M&T also climbed to No. 5 nation ally among SBA 7(a) lenders, up from No. 7 the previous year, marking 18 consecutive years among the nation’s leading SBA lenders.

M&T approved 2,975 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $326.44 million during the federal fiscal year which ended Sept. 30, 2026*. This represents an increase of 274 loans and $32.5 million compared with Fiscal Year 2025, approximately 10% growth in both loan units and dollars.

The bank’s record performance came amid a challenging national lending environment, with industrywide SBA 7(a) loan volume declining 26% and lending dollars falling 12% year over year.

M&T also ranked No. 8 (tied) nationally as an SBA 504 Third-Party Lender, providing 55 loans totaling $50.88 million. While the SBA 7(a) program helps small businesses finance a broad range of needs, the 504 program focuses on long-term investments such as purchasing commercial property, constructing facilities, and acquiring major equipment. Together, these programs allow M&T to support businesses across every stage of growth.

M&T Leads SBA Lending Across Its Communities

M&T’s SBA performance reflects the strength and consistency of its small business lending program in its footprint. In Fiscal Year 2026, the bank achieved No. 1 rankings in 10 SBA districts and top three positions in all 15 reporting districts.

The bank maintained particularly strong results across the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and New England regions, including No. 1 rankings in Baltimore, Buffalo/Rochester, Connecticut, Delaware, Metro New York City, Philadelphia, Richmond, Syracuse, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.

In New England, M&T ranked among the top three SBA lenders, including No. 1 positions in Connect icut and Vermont. The bank’s SBA 7(a) lending in New England has expanded significantly, from 107 approvals in Fiscal Year 2022 to 588 in Fiscal Year 2026.

Supporting Small Businesses at Every Stage

M&T’s commitment to small businesses extends beyond lending. Bank employees work closely with entrepreneurs to understand their businesses, connect them with resources, and help identify financing solutions that support their goals — whether launching a new venture, expanding an established business or investing in a long-term growth strategy.

Learn more about M&T Bank’s lending for small businesses at mtb. com/business/business-financing/ small-business-loans.