Summer Executive Associate Program - Community Banking

Overview:

The Summer Executive Associate (SEA) Program is designed for 1st year MBAs 10 weeks of impactful project-based assignments, with significant access to senior management and the bank’s previous Executive Associates (EA).

Community Banking serves as the primary connection between M&T Bank and the individuals, families, businesses, and communities we serve throughout our footprint. The division is responsible for delivering exceptional customer experiences, deepening relationships, and driving sustainable growth through a combination of market leadership, community engagement, operational excellence, and strategic execution. Community Banking partners closely with Retail Banking, Business Banking, Community Markets, Marketing, Risk, Finance, Operations, and Technology to ensure customers receive personalized solutions that help them achieve their financial goals.

As the banking industry continues to evolve, the Community Banking team plays a vital role in balancing growth, customer experience, community impact, and organizational effectiveness. The team focuses on strengthening customer relationships, expanding market opportunities, supporting local communities, and identifying innovative ways to meet changing customer needs while preserving the Bank’s community-focused culture.

As an Executive Associate within Community Banking will gain exposure to enterprise strategy, regional execution, market development, community engagement, business performance management, and cross-functional leadership. This role offers the opportunity to work directly on initiatives that influence customer growth, community impact, organizational effectiveness, and the future direction of one of the Bank’s most visible businesses.

The Summer Executive Associate will support strategic initiatives and key priorities within Community Banking through business analysis, project management, stakeholder engagement, and executive decision support. Working closely with senior leaders, the Associate will help identify opportunities for growth, evaluate business performance, support community-focused initiatives, and contribute to projects that enhance customer and employee experiences.

• Develop and support the execution of strategies that support Community Banking priorities, including initiatives related to Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) objectives, sustainability efforts, and community development programs.
• Partner with Community Markets leadership, Office of Sustainability and M&T Charitable Foundation to identify opportunities that strengthen community impact while aligning with business objectives.
• Analyze business, market, customer, and operational performance data to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and recommendations for leadership.
• Develop executive-level analyses, presentations, dashboards, and briefing materials that support decision-making and performance management.
• Support initiatives focused on market growth, community engagement, customer acquisition, and relationship expansion.

• Demonstrated leadership potential through increasing levels of responsibility, ownership of high-impact initiatives, cross-functional influence, and a proven record of delivering results.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic-thinking skills.
• Experience using data to support decision-making and business recommendations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Demonstrated interest in community engagement, customer experience, organizational leadership, or business growth.

Perform project/management…