M&T Jefferson Branch: Giving soul, love, and flavor to the community

By Jewelean Magee

The M&T Bank located at 1300 Jefferson Avenue is more than just an average bank in the community.  It has a unique flair and soul not only to this branch but to Jefferson Avenue as well. This was and still is created by the staff that gives positive vibes and energy in several ways.

Ronald Owen of Security

For starters, this branch shows that young people of color can achieve careers in the banking industry, because this bank has and still maintains high standards a bank operate. The atmosphere of the branch welcomes customers that are young and old, rich and poor, and everyone else in between. It is a branch where customers are treated like family, friends, and neighbors. The local businesses, library, and churches come to rely on the excellent service given by the staff.

In the beginning, this branch was managed by Ms. India Walker, who gave the soul and flavor by making sure that the staff knew all the bank products, services and bank operations. She treated everyone with love, so much that the customers still drop in just to say hello and find out how the Bills game went or just to listen to the music being played in the bank. Ms. Walker has moved on to the M&T Branch inside the Broadway Market located at 999 Broadway. She still comes by at the Jefferson branch to say hello to everyone and show love to the community.

Today, the Jefferson branch is managed by Ms. Nicole Magby, who began working at this branch two years ago. While at this branch, Ms. Magby started as a teller and then moved into the position of a universal banker and later became a relationship banker. After Ms. Walker left to go to the Broadway branch, Ms. Magby became the branch manager. 

Ms. Magby welcomes all customers in the branch with the same love, soul and flavor along with her team consisting of Mr. Naz Bhuiyan, who is a relationship banker, when Ms. Magby was promoted to branch manager after being a floating teller at various branches. Mr. Syed Iyashui started out as a teller, now has become a universal banker, Mr. Amir Mayweather is working currently as a teller. He was once a security guard for this branch, and after much encouragement from the staff, he applied for a teller position at this branch now.  The newest teller to work at this branch is Ms. Aviel Brinson who started this fall.  Mr. Ronald Owen is the security guard of the branch who makes sure that the branch is safe.  At his table, there is always a chair for customers to sit and enjoy a pleasant conversation.  Mr. Owen has become well appreciated for his love to the branch, staff and community.

Ms. Magby went on to say that” the team is very knowledgeable about all the bank’s products, services and seeing to the customers’ needs with lots of love that makes coming to the bank enjoyable.” Beside their daily tasks, Ms. Magby, Ms. Walker and the staff play a vital role in community affairs by having a table of bank products and brochures at the annual Juneteenth Festival, the 5/14 Remembrance day, and other events going to show support for the neighborhood and its commitment to the community.

“Right now, today and every day we (staff) are educating the community on credit management, and home ownership.  Our seniors need to know everything about fraud and let them know that banking is safe.  The more knowledge the bank has, the more we can educate our customers.” Said Ms. Magby.

Ms. Magby stated that she would love to see more businesses come to Jefferson Avenue and the Family Dollar Plaza.  “Local businesses are able to come here and have their banking needs addressed.  I can open and set up accounts for them.  My goal is to bring in business.  I never know who I will