UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

or

Commission file number 1-9861

 

M&T BANK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

716-635-4000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Aggregate market value of the Common Stock, $0.50 par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price as of the close of business on June 30, 2017: $22,601,176,633.

Number of shares of the Common Stock, $0.50 par value, outstanding as of the close of business on January 31, 2018: 150,176,904 shares.

Documents Incorporated By Reference:

(1) Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of M&T Bank Corporation in Parts II and III.

 

 

 

 

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M&T BANK CORPORATION

Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017

CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET

 

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PART I

M&T Bank Corporation (“Registrant” or “M&T”) is a New York business corporation which is registered as a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”) and as a bank holding company (“BHC”) under Article III-A of the New York Banking Law (“Banking Law”). The principal executive offices of M&T are located at One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14203. M&T was incorporated in November 1969. M&T and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.” As of December 31, 2017 the Company had consolidated total assets of $118.6 billion, deposits of $92.4 billion and shareholders’ equity of $16.3 billion. The Company had 15,913 full-time and 881 part-time employees as of December 31, 2017.

At December 31, 2017, M&T had two wholly owned bank subsidiaries: Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T Bank”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association (“Wilmington Trust, N.A.”). The banks collectively offer a wide range of retail and commercial banking, trust and wealth management, and investment services to their customers. At December 31, 2017, M&T Bank represented 99% of consolidated assets of the Company.

The Company from time to time considers acquiring banks, thrift institutions, branch offices of banks or thrift institutions, or other businesses within markets currently served by the Company or in other locations that would complement the Company’s business or its geographic reach. The Company has pursued acquisition opportunities in the past, continues to review different opportunities, including the possibility of major acquisitions, and intends to continue this practice.

Subsidiaries

M&T Bank is a banking corporation that is incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. M&T Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Home Loan Bank System, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to applicable limits. M&T acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of M&T Bank in December 1969. The stock of M&T Bank represents a major asset of M&T. M&T Bank operates under a charter granted by the State of New York in 1892, and the continuity of its banking business is traced to the organization of the Manufacturers and Traders Bank in 1856. The principal executive offices of M&T Bank are located at One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14203. As of December 31, 2017, M&T Bank had 780 domestic banking offices located in New York State, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, a full-service commercial banking office in Ontario, Canada, and an office in George Town, Cayman Islands. As of December 31, 2017, M&T Bank had consolidated total assets of $118.1 billion, deposits of $94.4 billion and shareholder’s equity of $14.3 billion. The deposit liabilities of M&T Bank are insured by the FDIC through its Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”). As a commercial bank, M&T Bank offers a broad range of financial services to a diverse base of consumers, businesses, professional clients, governmental entities and financial institutions located in its markets. Lending is largely focused on consumers residing in New York State, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., and on small and medium-size businesses based in those areas, although loans are originated through offices in other states and in Ontario, Canada. In addition, the Company conducts lending activities in various states through other subsidiaries. Trust and other fiduciary services are offered by M&T Bank and through its wholly owned subsidiary, Wilmington Trust Company. M&T Bank and certain of its subsidiaries also offer commercial mortgage loans secured by income producing properties or properties used by borrowers in a trade or business. Additional financial services are provided through other operating subsidiaries of the Company.

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Wilmington Trust, N.A., a national banking association and a member of the Federal Reserve System and the FDIC, commenced operations on October 2, 1995. The deposit liabilities of Wilmington Trust, N.A. are insured by the FDIC through the DIF. The main office of Wilmington Trust, N.A. is located at 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890. Wilmington Trust, N.A. offers various trust and wealth management services. Historically, Wilmington Trust, N.A. offered selected deposit and loan products on a nationwide basis, through direct mail, telephone marketing techniques and the Internet. As of December 31, 2017, Wilmington Trust, N.A. had total assets of $5.0 billion, deposits of $4.4 billion and shareholder’s equity of $530 million.

Wilmington Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T Bank, was incorporated as a Delaware bank and trust company in March 1901 and amended its charter in July 2011 to become a nondepository trust company. Wilmington Trust Company provides a variety of Delaware based trust, fiduciary and custodial services to its clients. As of December 31, 2017, Wilmington Trust Company had total assets of $1.1 billion and shareholder’s equity of $572 million. Revenues of Wilmington Trust Company were $134 million in 2017. The headquarters of Wilmington Trust Company are located at 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890.

M&T Insurance Agency, Inc. (“M&T Insurance Agency”), a wholly owned insurance agency subsidiary of M&T Bank, was incorporated as a New York corporation in March 1955. M&T Insurance Agency provides insurance agency services principally to the commercial market. As of December 31, 2017, M&T Insurance Agency had assets of $41 million and shareholder’s equity of $20 million. M&T Insurance Agency recorded revenues of $32 million during 2017. The headquarters of M&T Insurance Agency are located at 285 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202.

M&T Real Estate Trust (“M&T Real Estate”) is a Maryland Real Estate Investment Trust that traces its origin to the incorporation of M&T Real Estate, Inc. in July 1995. M&T Real Estate engages in commercial real estate lending and provides loan servicing to M&T Bank. As of December 31, 2017, M&T Real Estate had assets of $26.5 billion, common shareholder’s equity of $25.7 billion, and preferred shareholders’ equity, consisting of 9% fixed rate preferred stock (par value $1,000), of $1 million. All of the outstanding common stock and 89% of the preferred stock of M&T Real Estate is owned by M&T Bank. The remaining 11% of M&T Real Estate’s outstanding preferred stock is owned by officers or former officers of the Company. M&T Real Estate recorded $997 million of revenue in 2017. The headquarters of M&T Real Estate are located at M&T Center, One Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14203.

M&T Realty Capital Corporation (“M&T Realty Capital”), a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T Bank, was incorporated as a Maryland corporation in October 1973. M&T Realty Capital engages in multifamily commercial real estate lending and provides loan servicing to purchasers of the loans it originates. As of December 31, 2017, M&T Realty Capital serviced $16.2 billion of commercial mortgage loans for non-affiliates and had assets of $812 million and shareholder’s equity of $151 million. M&T Realty Capital recorded revenues of $145 million in 2017. The headquarters of M&T Realty Capital are located at 25 South Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

M&T Securities, Inc. (“M&T Securities”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T Bank that was incorporated as a New York business corporation in November 1985. M&T Securities is registered as a broker/dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisors Act”). M&T Securities is licensed as a life insurance agent in each state where M&T Bank operates branch offices and in a number of other states. It provides securities brokerage, investment advisory and insurance services. As of December 31, 2017, M&T Securities had assets of $53 million and shareholder’s equity of $45 million. M&T Securities recorded $94 million of revenue during 2017. The headquarters of M&T Securities are located at One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14203.

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Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (“WT Investment Advisors”), a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T Bank, was incorporated as a Maryland corporation on June 30, 1995. WT Investment Advisors, a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act, serves as an investment advisor to the Wilmington Funds, a family of proprietary mutual funds, and institutional clients. As of December 31, 2017, WT Investment Advisors had assets of $48 million and shareholder’s equity of $42 million. WT Investment Advisors recorded revenues of $39 million in 2017. The headquarters of WT Investment Advisors are located at 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

Wilmington Funds Management Corporation (“Wilmington Funds Management”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T that was incorporated in September 1981 as a Delaware corporation. Wilmington Funds Management is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act and serves as an investment advisor to the Wilmington Funds. Wilmington Funds Management had assets and shareholder’s equity of $39 million each as of December 31, 2017. Wilmington Funds Management recorded revenues of $24 million in 2017. The headquarters of Wilmington Funds Management are located at 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890.

Wilmington Trust Investment Management, LLC (“WTIM”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T and was incorporated in December 2001 as a Georgia limited liability company. WTIM is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act and provides investment management services to clients, including certain private funds. As of December 31, 2017, WTIM has assets and shareholder’s equity of $25 million each. WTIM recorded revenues of $1 million in 2017. WTIM’s headquarters is located at Terminus 27^th Floor, 3280 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30305.

The Registrant and its banking subsidiaries have a number of other special-purpose or inactive subsidiaries. These other subsidiaries did not represent, individually and collectively, a significant portion of the Company’s consolidated assets, net income and shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2017.

Segment Information, Principal Products/Services and Foreign Operations

Information about the Registrant’s business segments is included in note 22 of Notes to Financial Statements filed herewith in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and is further discussed in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The Registrant’s reportable segments have been determined based upon its internal profitability reporting system, which is organized by strategic business unit. Certain strategic business units have been combined for segment information reporting purposes where the nature of the products and services, the type of customer and the distribution of those products and services are similar. The reportable segments are Business Banking, Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate, Discretionary Portfolio, Residential Mortgage Banking and Retail Banking. The Company’s international activities are discussed in note 17 of Notes to Financial Statements filed herewith in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

The only activity that, as a class, contributed 10% or more of the sum of consolidated interest income and other income in any of the last three years was interest on loans. The amount of income from such sources during those years is set forth on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income filed herewith in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Supervision and Regulation of the Company

M&T and its subsidiaries are subject to the comprehensive regulatory framework applicable to bank and financial holding companies and their subsidiaries. Regulation of financial institutions such as M&T and its subsidiaries is intended primarily for the protection of depositors, the FDIC’s DIF and

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the banking and financial system as a whole, and generally is not intended for the protection of shareholders, investors or creditors other than insured depositors.

Proposals to change the applicable regulatory framework may be introduced in the United States Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. A change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to M&T or any of its subsidiaries could have a material effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

Significant changes in the regulatory scheme arose from the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) which is an extensive and comprehensive system of regulatory oversight that affects nearly all aspects of a financial institution, particularly having an effect on the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, various federal regulatory agencies proposed or adopted a broad range of implementing rules and regulations that are subject to further rulemaking, guidance and interpretation by the applicable federal regulators.  However, given that many of these regulatory changes are highly complex and are not completely implemented, the full impact of the Dodd-Frank Act regulatory reform, both on consumers and M&T, will not be known until the rules are implemented and market practices develop under the final regulations. Furthermore, political developments, including the change in administration in the United States, have added uncertainty to the implementation, scope and timing of regulatory reforms, including those relating to the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act.  

Described hereafter are material elements of the significant federal and state laws and regulations applicable to M&T and its subsidiaries. The descriptions are not intended to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes and regulations described and do not include any potential or proposed changes in current laws or regulations.

Overview

M&T is registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) as a financial holding company and BHC under the BHCA. As such, M&T and its subsidiaries are subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the BHCA and the regulations of the Federal Reserve. In addition, M&T’s banking subsidiaries are subject to regulation, supervision and examination by, as applicable, the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYSDFS”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the FDIC and the Federal Reserve and their consumer financial products and services are regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”).  Further, financial services entities such as M&T’s investment advisor subsidiaries and M&T’s broker-dealer are subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”), among others. Other non-bank affiliates and activities, particularly insurance brokerage and agency activities, are subject to other federal and state laws and regulations as well as licensing and regulation by state insurance and bank regulatory agencies.  Although the scope of regulation and form of supervision may vary from state to state, insurance laws generally grant broad discretion to regulatory authorities in adopting regulations and supervising regulated activities. This supervision generally includes the licensing of insurance brokers and agents and the regulation of the handling of customer funds held in a fiduciary capacity

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as well as regulations requiring, among other things, maintenance of capital, record keeping, and reporting. M&T’s non-U.S. (European) businesses are subject to bank secrecy/anti-money laundering/know your customer-type regulations by non-U.S. regulators in the jurisdictions where those businesses operate. 

In general, the BHCA limits the business of a BHC to banking, managing or controlling banks, and other activities that the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. In addition, bank holding companies are expected to serve as a managerial and financial source of strength to their subsidiary depository institutions, including committing resources to support such subsidiaries. This support may be required at times when M&T may not be inclined or able to provide it. In addition, any capital loans by a BHC to a subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a BHC’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the BHC to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.

Bank holding companies that qualify and elect to be financial holding companies may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (i) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity (as determined by the Federal Reserve, by regulation or order, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury) or (ii) complementary to a financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally (as solely determined by the Federal Reserve). Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting and merchant banking. In order for a financial holding company to commence any new activity or to acquire a company engaged in any activity pursuant to the financial holding company provisions of the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have at least a “satisfactory” rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (the “CRA”). See the section captioned “Community Reinvestment Act” included elsewhere in this discussion.

M&T elected to become a financial holding company on March 1, 2011. To maintain financial holding company status, a financial holding company and all of its depository institution subsidiaries must be “well capitalized” and “well managed.” The failure to meet such requirements could result in material restrictions on the activities of M&T and may also adversely affect the Company’s ability to enter into certain transactions or obtain necessary approvals in connection therewith, as well as loss of financial holding company status.

Current federal law also establishes a system of functional regulation under which, in addition to the broad supervisory authority that the Federal Reserve has over both the banking and non-banking activities of bank holding companies, functional regulators such as the SEC regulate their affiliates’ securities activities and state insurance regulators regulate their insurance activities.

M&T Bank is a New York chartered bank and a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”). As a result, it is subject to extensive regulation, examination and oversight by the NYSDFS and the FRBNY. New York laws and regulations govern many aspects of M&T Bank’s operations, including branching, dividends, subsidiary activities, fiduciary activities, lending, and deposit taking. M&T Bank is also subject to Federal Reserve regulations and guidance, including oversight of capital levels. Its deposits are insured by the FDIC to $250,000 per depositor, which also exercises regulatory oversight over certain aspects of M&T Bank’s operations. Certain subsidiaries of M&T Bank are subject to regulation by other federal and state regulators as well. For example, M&T Securities is regulated by the SEC, FINRA, SIPC, and state securities regulators, and WT Investment Advisors is also subject to SEC regulation.

Wilmington Trust, N.A. is a national bank with operations that include fiduciary and related activities with limited lending and deposit business. It is subject to extensive regulation, examination

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and oversight by the OCC which governs many aspects of the operations, including fiduciary activities, capital levels, office locations, dividends and subsidiary activities. Its deposits are insured by the FDIC to $250,000 per depositor, which also exercises regulatory oversight over certain aspects of the operations of Wilmington Trust, N.A.

The Dodd-Frank Act broadened the base for FDIC insurance assessments which are based on average consolidated total assets less average Tier 1 capital and certain allowable deductions of a financial institution. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions.

Distributions

M&T is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and other subsidiaries. Historically, the majority of M&T’s revenue has been from dividends paid to M&T by its subsidiary banks. M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust, N.A. are subject to laws and regulations imposing restrictions on the amount of dividends they may declare and pay. Future dividend payments to M&T by its subsidiary banks will be dependent on a number of factors, including the earnings and financial condition of each such bank, and are subject to the limitations referred to in note 23 of Notes to Financial Statements filed herewith in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and to other statutory powers of bank regulatory agencies.

An insured depository institution is prohibited from making any capital distribution to its owner, including any dividend, if, after making such distribution, the depository institution fails to meet the required minimum level for any relevant capital measure, including the risk-based capital adequacy and leverage standards discussed herein.

Dividend payments by M&T to its shareholders and common stock repurchases by M&T are subject to the oversight of the Federal Reserve. As described below in this section under “Stress Testing and Capital Plan Review,” dividends and common stock repurchases (net of any new stock issuances as per a capital plan) generally may only be paid or made under a capital plan as to which the Federal Reserve has not objected.

Capital Requirements

M&T and its subsidiary banks are required to comply with applicable capital adequacy standards established by the federal banking agencies. Beginning on January 1, 2015, M&T and its subsidiary banks became subject to a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations that was issued by the federal banking agencies in July 2013 (the “New Capital Rules”), subject to phase-in periods for certain components and other provisions.

The New Capital Rules generally implement the Basel Committee’s December 2010 final capital framework referred to as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards. The New Capital Rules substantially revised the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and their depository institution subsidiaries, including M&T, M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust, N.A., as compared to the U.S. general risk-based capital rules that were applicable to the Company through December 31, 2014. The New Capital Rules revised the definitions and the components of regulatory capital, as well as addressed other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The New Capital Rules also addressed asset risk weights and other matters affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios.

Among other matters, the New Capital Rules: (i) introduced a capital measure called “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”) and related regulatory capital ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets; (ii) specify that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting certain revised requirements; (iii) mandate that most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital; and (iv) expand the scope of

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the deductions from and adjustments to capital as compared to the previous regulations. Under the New Capital Rules, for most banking organizations, including M&T, the most common form of Additional Tier 1 capital is non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and the most common forms of Tier 2 capital are subordinated notes and a portion of the allowance for loan and lease losses, in each case, subject to the New Capital Rules’ specific requirements.

Pursuant to the New Capital Rules, the minimum capital ratios are as follows:

In calculating regulatory capital ratios M&T must assign risk weights to the Company’s assets and off-balance sheet items. M&T has an ongoing process to review data elements associated with certain assets that from time to time may affect how specific assets are classified and could lead to increases or decreases of the regulatory risk weights assigned to such assets.

The New Capital Rules also introduce a new “capital conservation buffer,” composed entirely of CET1, on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity and other capital instrument repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. Thus, when fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, the capital standards applicable to M&T will include an additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of CET1, effectively resulting in minimum ratios inclusive of the capital conservation buffer of (i) CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.5%; (iii) Total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10.5% and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets. In addition, M&T is also subject to the Federal Reserve’s capital plan rule and supervisory Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (“CCAR”) process, pursuant to which its ability to make capital distributions and repurchase or redeem capital securities may be limited unless M&T is able to demonstrate its ability to meet applicable minimum capital ratios, as well as other requirements, over a nine quarter planning horizon under a “severely adverse” macroeconomic scenario generated yearly by the federal banking regulators. See “Stress Testing and Capital Plan Review” herein.

The New Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks, and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such items, in the aggregate, exceed 15% of CET1, although a notice of proposed rulemaking is pending which may change these thresholds.

In addition, under the risk-based capital rules applicable to the Company through December 31, 2014, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss (“AOCI”) items included in shareholders’ equity (for example, unrealized gains and losses on securities held in the available-for-sale portfolio) under U.S. GAAP were reversed for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios. Pursuant to the New Capital Rules, the effects of certain AOCI items are not excluded; however, non-advanced approaches banking organizations, including M&T, were permitted to make a one-time permanent election to continue to exclude these items. M&T made such election in 2015. The New Capital Rules also preclude certain hybrid securities, such as trust preferred securities, from

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inclusion in bank holding companies’ Tier 1 capital, subject to phase-out in the case of bank holding companies, such as M&T, that had $15 billion or more in total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009. As a result, beginning in 2015, 25% of M&T’s trust preferred securities were includable in Tier 1 capital, and beginning in 2016, none of M&T’s trust preferred securities were includable in Tier 1 capital. Trust preferred securities no longer included in M&T’s Tier 1 capital may nonetheless be included as a component of Tier 2 capital on a permanent basis without phase-out and irrespective of whether such securities otherwise meet the revised definition of Tier 2 capital set forth in the New Capital Rules. M&T’s regulatory capital ratios are presented in note 23 of Notes to Financial Statements filed herewith in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Stress Testing and Capital Plan Review

As part of the enhanced prudential requirements applicable to systemically important financial institutions, the Federal Reserve conducts annual analyses of bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in assets, such as M&T, to determine whether the companies have sufficient capital on a consolidated basis necessary to absorb losses in three economic and financial scenarios generated by the Federal Reserve: baseline, adverse and severely adverse scenarios. M&T is also required to conduct its own stress analysis (together with the Federal Reserve’s stress analysis, the “stress tests”) to assess the potential impact on M&T of the economic and financial conditions used as part of the Federal Reserve’s annual stress analysis. The Federal Reserve may also use, and require companies to use, additional components in the adverse and severely adverse scenarios or additional or more complex scenarios designed to capture salient risks to specific business groups. M&T Bank is also required to conduct annual stress testing using the same economic and financial scenarios as M&T and report the results to the Federal Reserve. A summary of results of the Federal Reserve’s analysis under the adverse and severely adverse stress scenarios are publicly disclosed, and bank holding companies subject to the rules, including M&T, must disclose a summary of the company-run severely adverse stress test results. M&T is required to include in its disclosure a summary of the severely adverse scenario stress test conducted by M&T Bank.

In addition, bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, such as M&T, must submit annual capital plans for approval as part of the Federal Reserve’s CCAR process. Covered bank holding companies may execute capital actions, such as paying dividends and repurchasing stock, only in accordance with a capital plan that has been reviewed and approved by the Federal Reserve (or any approved amendments to such plan). The comprehensive capital plans include a view of capital adequacy under various scenarios — including a BHC-defined baseline scenario, a baseline scenario provided by the Federal Reserve, at least one BHC-defined stress scenario, and adverse and severely adverse scenarios provided by the Federal Reserve. The CCAR process is intended to help ensure that these bank holding companies have robust, forward-looking capital planning processes that account for each company’s unique risks and that permit continued operations during times of economic and financial stress. Each of the bank holding companies participating in the CCAR process is also required to collect and report certain related data to the Federal Reserve on a quarterly basis to allow the Federal Reserve to monitor progress against the approved capital plans. Each capital plan must include a view of capital adequacy under the stress test scenarios described above. The Federal Reserve may object to a capital plan if the plan does not show that the covered BHC will maintain sufficient regulatory capital ratios on a pro forma basis under expected and stressful conditions throughout the nine-quarter planning horizon covered by the capital plan. The rules also provide that a covered BHC may not make a capital distribution unless after giving effect to the distribution it will meet all minimum regulatory capital ratios. The CCAR rules, consistent with prior Federal Reserve guidance, also provide that capital plans contemplating

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dividend payout ratios exceeding 30% of net income will receive particularly close scrutiny. M&T’s annual CCAR capital plan is due in April each year and the Federal Reserve will publish the results of its supervisory CCAR review of M&T’s capital plan by June 30 of each year.

The Federal Reserve generally limits a BHC’s ability to make quarterly capital distributions – that is, dividends and share repurchases, if the amount of the BHC’s actual cumulative quarterly capital issuances of instruments that qualify as regulatory capital are less than the BHC had indicated in its submitted capital plan as to which it received a non-objection from the Federal Reserve. For example, if the BHC issued a smaller amount of additional common stock than it had stated in its capital plan, it would be required to reduce common dividends and/or the amount of common stock repurchases so that the dollar amount of capital distributions, net of the dollar amount of additional common stock issued (“net distributions”), is no greater than the dollar amount of net distributions relating to its common stock included in its capital plan, as measured on an aggregate basis beginning in the third quarter of the nine-quarter planning horizon through the end of the then current quarter. However, not raising sufficient amounts of common stock as planned would not affect distributions related to Additional Tier 1 Capital instruments and/ or Tier 2 Capital. These limitations also contain several important qualifications and exceptions, including that scheduled dividend payments on (as opposed to repurchases of) a BHC’s Additional Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital instruments are not restricted if the BHC fails to issue a sufficient amount of such instruments as planned, as well as provisions for certain de minimis excess distributions.

Liquidity

Historically, regulation and monitoring of bank and BHC liquidity has been addressed as a supervisory matter, both in the U.S. and internationally, without required formulaic measures. However, in January 2016 M&T became subject to final rules adopted by the Federal Reserve and other banking regulators (“Final LCR Rule”) implementing a U.S. version of the Basel Committee’s Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”) requirement. The LCR requirement is intended to ensure that banks hold sufficient amounts of so-called “high quality liquid assets” (“HQLA”) to cover the anticipated net cash outflows during a hypothetical acute 30-day stress scenario. The LCR is the ratio of an institution’s amount of HQLA (the numerator) over projected net cash out-flows over the 30-day horizon (the denominator), in each case, as calculated pursuant to the Final LCR Rule. The Final LCR Rule requires a subject institution to maintain an LCR equal to at least 100% in order to satisfy this regulatory requirement. Only specific classes of assets, including U.S. Treasury securities, other U.S. government obligations and agency mortgaged-backed securities, qualify under the rule as HQLA, with classes of assets deemed relatively less liquid and/or subject to greater degree of credit risk subject to certain haircuts and caps for purposes of calculating the numerator under the Final LCR Rule. The total net cash outflows amount is determined under the rule by applying prescribed hypothetical outflow and inflow rates, which reflect standardized stressed assumptions, against the balances of the banking organization’s funding sources, obligations, transactions and assets over the 30-day stress period. Inflows that can be included to offset outflows are limited to 75% of outflows (which effectively means that banking organizations must hold high-quality liquid assets equal to 25% of outflows even if outflows perfectly match inflows over the stress period).  As of January 1, 2017, the Final LCR Rule has been fully phased-in and M&T will be required to publicly disclose its LCR beginning in October 2018.

The Basel III framework also included a second standard, referred to as the net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”), which is designed to promote more medium- and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banks over a one-year time horizon. In May 2016, the Federal Reserve and other federal banking regulators issued a proposed rule that would implement the NSFR for large U.S. banking organizations.  Under the proposed rule, the most stringent requirements would apply to bank

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holding companies with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets or $10 billion or more in on-balance sheet foreign exposure, and would require such organizations to maintain a minimum NSFR of 1.0 on an ongoing basis, calculated by dividing the organization’s available stable funding (“ASF”) by its required stable funding (“RSF”).  Bank holding companies with less than $250 billion, but more than $50 billion, in total consolidated assets and less than $10 billion in on-balance sheet foreign exposure, such as M&T, would be subject to a modified NSFR requirement.  The modified requirement allows the qualifying bank to apply a 70% factor to the RSF denominator in determining the NSFR. Under the proposed rule, a banking organization’s ASF would be calculated by applying specified standard weightings to its equity and liabilities based on their expected stability over a one-year time horizon and its RSF would be calculated by applying specified standardized weightings to its assets, derivative exposures and commitments based on their liquidity characteristics over the same one-year time horizon. Originally proposed to take effect in January 2018, the rule is yet to be finalized with no indication of a new implementation date.

 

Cross Guaranty Provision

The cross guaranty provisions in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”) were enacted by Congress in the Financial Institutions, Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”) and require each insured depository institution owned by the same BHC to be financially responsible for the failure or resolution costs of any affiliated insured institution. Generally, the amount of the cross guaranty liability is equal to the estimated loss to the DIF for the resolution of the affiliated institution(s) in default. The FDIC’s claim under the cross guaranty provision is superior to claims of shareholders of the insured depository institution or its BHC and to most claims arising out of obligations or liabilities owed to affiliates of the institution, but is subordinate to claims of depositors, secured creditors and holders of subordinated debt (other than affiliates) of the commonly controlled insured depository institution. The FDIC may decline to enforce the cross guaranty provision if it determines that a waiver is in the best interest of the DIF.

 

Enhanced Supervision and Prudential Standards

The Dodd-Frank Act directed the Federal Reserve to enact enhanced prudential standards applicable to foreign banking organizations (“FBOs”) and bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, such as M&T. The Federal Reserve adopted amendments to Regulation YY to implement certain of the required enhanced prudential standards. Those amendments, which are intended to strengthen supervision and regulation of bank holding companies and FBOs incorporate new requirements to help increase the resiliency of the operations of these organizations and ensure the stability of the U.S. financial system and economy in the event of such an organization’s failure.  These requirements include regulatory reporting, capital adequacy, capital stress testing, risk management, and liquidity. The liquidity requirements and risk management requirements became effective as to M&T on January 1, 2015. In March 2016, the Federal Reserve issued a revised proposal regarding single counterparty credit limits, which would impose a limit on a banking organization’s credit exposure to any single unaffiliated counterparty as a percentage of the organization’s capital.  A final rule has not been issued.

Volcker Rule

On December 10, 2013, the federal banking regulators and the SEC adopted the so-called Volcker Rule to implement the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act limiting proprietary trading and investing in and sponsoring certain hedge funds and private equity funds (defined as “covered funds” in the Volcker Rule). The Volcker Rule was effective on April 1, 2014; however, the Federal Reserve exercised its authority to extend the compliance deadline to July 21, 2017 with respect to covered

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funds.  The Company does not engage in any significant amount of proprietary trading as defined in the Volcker Rule and implemented the required procedures for those areas in which trading does occur. The covered funds limits are imposed through a conformance period that ended in July 2017. During 2016, to comply with requirements of the Volcker Rule, the Company sold the collateralized debt obligations that had been held in the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.  Further, the Company sought, and received, from the Federal Reserve, a five-year extension (to July 21, 2022) to either divest or terminate its investment in one venture capital fund.

Safety and Soundness Standards

Guidelines adopted by the federal bank regulatory agencies pursuant to the FDIA establish general standards relating to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits. In general, these guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risk and exposures specified in the guidelines. Additionally, the agencies adopted regulations that authorize, but do not require, an agency to order an institution that has been given notice by an agency that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan. If, after being so notified, an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any material respect to implement an acceptable compliance plan, the agency must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to which an undercapitalized institution is subject. If an institution fails to comply with such an order, the agency may seek to enforce such order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil money penalties.

Limits on Undercapitalized Depository Institutions

The FDIA establishes a system of regulatory remedies to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions, referred to as the prompt corrective action. The federal banking regulators have established five capital categories (“well-capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized”) and must take certain mandatory supervisory actions, and are authorized to take other discretionary actions, with respect to institutions which are undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized. The severity of these mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. The FDIC has specified by regulation the relevant capital levels for each category. The FDIA’s prompt corrective action provisions only apply to depository institutions and not to bank holding companies. The Federal Reserve’s regulations applicable to bank holding companies separately define “well capitalized.”  A financial holding company that is not well-capitalized and well-managed (or whose bank subsidiaries are not well capitalized and well managed) under applicable prompt corrective action standards may be restricted in certain of its activities and ultimately may lose financial holding company status. Under existing rules, an institution that is not an advanced approaches institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has (i) a CET1 ratio of at least 6.5%, (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8%, (iii) a Total capital ratio of at least 10%, and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%.

An institution that is categorized as undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized is required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan to its appropriate federal banking regulator. Under the FDIA, in order for the capital restoration plan to be accepted by the appropriate federal banking agency, a BHC must guarantee that a subsidiary depository institution will comply with its capital restoration plan, subject to certain limitations. The BHC must also provide appropriate assurances of performance.  An undercapitalized institution is also generally prohibited from increasing its average total assets, accepting brokered deposits or offering interest

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rates on any deposits significantly higher than prevailing market rates, making acquisitions, establishing any branches or engaging in any new line of business, except in accordance with an accepted capital restoration plan or with the approval of the FDIC. Institutions that are significantly undercapitalized or undercapitalized and either fail to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan or fail to implement an approved capital restoration plan may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. Critically undercapitalized depository institutions failing to submit or implement an acceptable capital restoration plan are subject to appointment of a receiver or conservator.

Transactions with Affiliates

There are various legal restrictions on the extent to which M&T and its non-bank subsidiaries may borrow or otherwise obtain funding from M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust, N.A. In general, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Regulation W require that any “covered transaction” by M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust, N.A. (or any of their respective subsidiaries) with an affiliate must in certain cases be secured by designated amounts of specified collateral and must be limited as follows: (a) in the case of any single such affiliate, the aggregate amount of covered transactions of the insured depository institution and its subsidiaries may not exceed 10% of the capital stock and surplus of such insured depository institution, and (b) in the case of all affiliates, the aggregate amount of covered transactions of an insured depository institution and its subsidiaries may not exceed 20% of the capital stock and surplus of such insured depository institution. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly expanded the coverage and scope of the limitations on affiliate transactions within a banking organization, including for example, the requirement that the 10% of capital limit on covered transactions begin to apply to financial subsidiaries. “Covered transactions” are defined by statute to include, among other things, a loan or extension of credit, as well as a purchase of securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets (unless otherwise exempted by the Federal Reserve) from the affiliate, certain derivative transactions that create a credit exposure to an affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by the affiliate as collateral for a loan, and the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate. All covered transactions, including certain additional transactions (such as transactions with a third party in which an affiliate has a financial interest), must be conducted on market terms.

FDIC Insurance Assessments

Deposit Insurance Assessments. M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust, N.A. deposits are insured by the DIF of the FDIC up to the limits set forth under applicable law.  The FDIC imposes a risk-based premium assessment system that determines assessment rates for financial institutions.  Deposit insurance assessments are based on average total assets minus average tangible equity. For larger institutions, such as M&T Bank, the FDIC uses a performance score and a loss-severity score that are used to calculate an initial assessment rate. In calculating these scores, the FDIC uses a bank’s capital level and supervisory ratings and certain financial measures to assess an institution’s ability to withstand asset-related stress and funding-related stress. The FDIC has the ability to make discretionary adjustments to the total score based upon significant risk factors that are not adequately captured in the calculations.  Under the current system, premiums are assessed quarterly.

In March 2016, the FDIC adopted a final rule that imposes a surcharge of 4.5 cents per $100 of assessment base, after making certain adjustments, for depository institutions with total assets of at least $10 billion, including M&T Bank. The surcharge became effective July 1, 2016 and will last until the DIF has reached the required level set forth in the DIF restoration plan.  If the DIF has not reached the required level by the prescribed time, the FDIC will impose a special assessment on institutions with assets greater than $10 billion.  M&T Bank recognized $95 million of expense

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related to its FDIC assessment and large bank surcharge and Wilmington Trust, N.A. recognized $579 thousand of FDIC insurance expense in 2017. Beginning in 2018, amounts paid for FDIC deposit insurance will no longer be deductible for purposes of determining federal taxable income.

Under the FDIA, insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC.

FICO Assessments. In addition, the Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 authorized the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) to impose assessments on DIF applicable deposits in order to service the interest on FICO’s bond obligations from deposit insurance fund assessments. The amount assessed on individual institutions by FICO is in addition to the amount, if any, paid for deposit insurance according to the FDIC’s risk-related assessment rate schedules. FICO assessment rates may be adjusted quarterly to reflect a change in assessment base. M&T Bank recognized $6 million of expense related to its FICO assessments and Wilmington Trust, N.A. recognized $87 thousand of such expense in 2017.

Acquisitions

The BHCA requires every BHC to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before: (1) it may acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank or savings and loan association, if after such acquisition, the BHC will directly or indirectly own or control 5% or more of the voting shares of the institution; (2) it or any of its subsidiaries, other than a bank, may acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank or savings and loan association; or (3) it may merge or consolidate with any other BHC. Since July 2011, financial holding companies and bank holding companies with consolidated assets exceeding $50 billion, such as M&T, have been required to (i) obtain prior approval from the Federal Reserve before acquiring certain nonbank financial companies with assets exceeding $10 billion and (ii) provide prior written notice to the Federal Reserve before acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any company having consolidated assets of $10 billion or more.

The BHCA further provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any transaction that would result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any section of the United States, or the effect of which may be substantially to lessen competition or to tend to create a monopoly in any section of the country, or that in any other manner would be in restraint of trade, unless the anticompetitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the convenience and needs of the community to be served. Consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, and consideration of convenience and needs issues includes the parties’ performance under the CRA and compliance with consumer protection laws. The Federal Reserve must take into account the institutions’ effectiveness in combating money laundering. In addition, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the BHCA was amended to require the Federal Reserve, when evaluating a proposed transaction, to consider the extent to which the transaction would result in greater or more concentrated risks to the stability of the United States banking or financial system.

Executive and Incentive Compensation

Guidelines adopted by several federal banking agencies prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as “excessive” when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee,

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director or principal stockholder. The Federal Reserve issued comprehensive guidance on incentive compensation policies (the “Incentive Compensation Guidance”) intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The Incentive Compensation Guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors. These three principles are incorporated into the proposed joint compensation regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act, discussed below. Any deficiencies in compensation practices that are identified may be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect its ability to make acquisitions or perform other actions. The Incentive Compensation Guidance provides that enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements or related risk-management control or governance processes pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies and the SEC to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities having at least $1 billion in total assets, such as M&T and M&T Bank. The agencies proposed initial regulations in April 2011 and proposed revised regulations in 2016 that would establish general qualitative requirements applicable to all covered entities, additional specific requirements for entities with total consolidated assets of at least $50 billion, such as M&T, and further, more stringent requirements for those with total consolidated assets of at least $250 billion. The general qualitative requirements include (i) prohibiting incentive arrangements that encourage inappropriate risks by providing excessive compensation; (ii) prohibiting incentive arrangements that encourage inappropriate risks that could lead to a material financial loss; (iii) establishing requirements for performance measures to appropriately balance risk and reward; (iv) requiring board of director oversight of incentive arrangements; and (v) mandating appropriate record-keeping. For larger financial institutions, including M&T, the proposed revised regulations would also introduce additional requirements applicable only to “senior executive officers” and “significant risk-takers” (as defined in the proposed regulations), including (i) limits on performance measures and leverage relating to performance targets; (ii) minimum deferral periods; and (iii) subjecting incentive compensation to possible downward adjustment, forfeiture and clawback. If the final regulations are adopted in the form proposed, they will impose limitations on the manner in which M&T may structure compensation for its executives.

In October 2016, the NYSDFS issued guidance emphasizing that its regulated banking institutions, including M&T Bank, must ensure that any incentive compensation arrangements tied to employee performance indicators are subject to effective risk management, oversight and control.

The scope and content of the banking regulators’ policies on incentive compensation are continuing to develop and are likely to continue evolving in the future. It cannot be determined at this time whether compliance with such policies will adversely affect the ability of M&T and its subsidiaries to hire, retain and motivate their key employees.

Resolution Planning

Bank holding companies with consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, such as M&T, are required to report periodically to regulators a resolution plan for their rapid and orderly resolution in the event of material financial distress or failure. M&T’s resolution plan must, among other things, ensure that

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its depository institution subsidiaries are adequately protected from risks arising from its other subsidiaries. The regulation adopted by the Federal Reserve and FDIC sets specific standards for the resolution plans, including requiring a strategic analysis of the plan’s components, a description of the range of specific actions the company proposes to take in resolution, and a description of the company’s organizational structure, material entities, core business lines, interconnections and interdependencies, and management information systems, among other elements.  The most recent resolution plan for M&T was filed in December 2017.

In addition, insured depository institutions with $50 billion or more in total assets, such as M&T Bank, are required to submit to the FDIC periodic plans for resolution in the event of the institution’s failure.  M&T Bank submitted its most recent resolution plan in December 2015, as required. The next resolution plan for M&T Bank is required to be filed by July 1, 2018, reflecting an FDIC-directed extension from the original filing due date of December 31, 2017.

Insolvency of an Insured Depository Institution or a Bank Holding Company

If the FDIC is appointed as conservator or receiver for an insured depository institution such as M&T Bank or Wilmington Trust, N.A., upon its insolvency or in certain other events, the FDIC has the power:

In addition, under federal law, the claims of holders of domestic deposit liabilities and certain claims for administrative expenses against an insured depository institution would be afforded a priority over other general unsecured claims against such an institution, including claims of debt holders of the institution, in the “liquidation or other resolution” of such an institution by any receiver. As a result, whether or not the FDIC ever sought to repudiate any debt obligations of M&T Bank or Wilmington Trust, N.A., the debt holders would be treated differently from, and could receive, if anything, substantially less than, the depositors of the bank. The Dodd-Frank Act created a new resolution regime (known as “orderly liquidation authority”) for systemically important financial companies, including bank holding companies and their affiliates. Under the orderly liquidation authority, the FDIC may be appointed as receiver for the systemically important institution, and its failed subsidiaries, for purposes of liquidating the entity if, among other conditions, it is determined at the time of the institution’s failure that it is in default or in danger of default and the failure poses a risk to the stability of the U.S. financial system.

If the FDIC is appointed as receiver under the orderly liquidation authority, then the powers of the receiver, and the rights and obligations of creditors and other parties who have dealt with the institution, would be determined under the Dodd-Frank Act provisions, and not under the insolvency law that would otherwise apply. The powers of the receiver under the orderly liquidation authority were based on the powers of the FDIC as receiver for depository institutions under the FDIA. However, the provisions governing the rights of creditors under the orderly liquidation authority were modified in certain respects to reduce disparities with the treatment of creditors’ claims under

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the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as compared to the treatment of those claims under the new authority. Nonetheless, substantial differences in the rights of creditors exist as between these two regimes, including the right of the FDIC to disregard the strict priority of creditor claims in some circumstances, the use of an administrative claims procedure to determine creditors’ claims (as opposed to the judicial procedure utilized in bankruptcy proceedings), and the right of the FDIC to transfer claims to a “bridge” entity.

An orderly liquidation fund will fund such liquidation proceedings through borrowings from the Treasury Department and risk-based assessments made, first, on entities that received more in the resolution than they would have received in liquidation to the extent of such excess, and second, if necessary, on bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, such as M&T. If an orderly liquidation is triggered, M&T could face assessments for the orderly liquidation fund.

The FDIC has developed a strategy under the orderly liquidation authority referred to as the “single point of entry” strategy, under which the FDIC would resolve a failed financial holding company by transferring its assets (including shares of its operating subsidiaries) and, potentially, very limited liabilities to a “bridge” holding company; utilize the resources of the failed financial holding company to recapitalize the operating subsidiaries; and satisfy the claims of unsecured creditors of the failed financial holding company and other claimants in the receivership by delivering securities of one or more new financial companies that would emerge from the bridge holding company. Under this strategy, management of the failed financial holding company would be replaced and shareholders and creditors of the failed financial holding company would bear the losses resulting from the failure.

Depositor Preference

Under federal law, depositors and certain claims for administrative expenses and employee compensation against an insured depository institution would be afforded a priority over other general unsecured claims against such an institution in the “liquidation or other resolution” of such an institution by any receiver. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including depositors whose deposits are payable only outside of the United States and the parent BHC, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.

Financial Privacy and Cyber Security

The federal banking regulators have adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a non-affiliated third party. These regulations affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors. In addition, consumers may also prevent disclosure of certain information among affiliated companies that is assembled or used to determine eligibility for a product or service, such as that shown on consumer credit reports and asset and income information from applications. Consumers also have the option to direct banks and other financial institutions not to share information about transactions and experiences with affiliated companies for the purpose of marketing products or services. Federal law makes it a criminal offense, except in limited circumstances, to obtain or attempt to obtain customer information of a financial nature by fraudulent or deceptive means.

In October 2016, the federal banking regulators jointly issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on enhanced cyber risk management standards that are intended to increase the operational resilience of large and interconnected entities under their supervision. Once established,

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the enhanced cyber risk management standards would help to reduce the potential impact of a cyber-attack or other cyber-related failure on the financial system. The advance notice of proposed rulemaking addresses five categories of cyber standards: (1) cyber risk governance; (2) cyber risk management; (3) internal dependency management; (4) external dependency management; and (5) incident response, cyber resilience, and situational awareness. In March 2017, regulations enacted by the NYSDFS became effective that require financial institutions regulated by the NYSDFS, including M&T Bank, to, among other things, (i) establish and maintain a cyber security program designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their information systems; (ii) implement and maintain a written cyber security policy setting forth policies and procedures for the protection of their information systems and nonpublic information; and (iii) designate a Chief Information Security Officer.  M&T Bank is in full compliance with these requirements.

Consumer Protection Laws and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Supervision

In connection with their respective lending and leasing activities, M&T Bank, Wilmington Trust, N.A. and certain of their subsidiaries, are each subject to a number of federal and state laws designed to protect borrowers and promote lending to various sectors of the economy. Such laws include: the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and various state law counterparts. Furthermore, the CFPB has issued integrated disclosure requirements under the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act that relate to the provision of disclosures to borrowers. There are also consumer protection laws governing deposit taking activities (e.g. Truth in Savings Act), as well securities and insurance laws governing certain aspects of the Company’s consolidated operations.

The Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB with broad powers to supervise and enforce most federal consumer protection laws. The CFPB has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The CFPB has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, including M&T Bank.

The CFPB has focused on:

One of the important rules in governing deposits is the Electronic Fund Transfer Act which, among other things, prohibits financial institutions from charging consumers fees for paying overdrafts on automated teller machines (“ATM”) and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer consents, or opts in, to the overdraft service for those type of transactions. If a consumer does not opt in, any ATM transaction or one-time debit card transaction sent for approval that exceeds the customer’s available balance will be declined. Overdrafts on other types of transactions (e.g. checks, recurring debit card transactions and ACH transactions) are not covered by this rule. Before opting in, the consumer must be provided a notice that explains the financial institution’s overdraft services, including the fees associated with the service, and the consumer’s choices. Financial institutions must

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provide consumers who do not opt in with the same account terms, conditions and features (including pricing) that they provide to consumers who do opt in.

The CFPB issued final rules that change the reporting requirements for lenders under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act.  The new rules, which went into effect on January 1, 2018, expand the range of transactions subject to the requirements to include most securitized residential mortgage loans and credit lines. The rules also increased the overall amount of data required to be collected and submitted, including additional data points about loans and borrowers.

Community Reinvestment Act

The CRA is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound operations. CRA examinations are conducted by the federal agencies that are responsible for supervising depository institutions: the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC. A financial institution's performance in helping to meet the credit needs of its community is evaluated in the context of information about the institution (capacity, constraints and business strategies), its community (demographic and economic data, lending, investment, and service opportunities), and its competitors and peers. Upon completion of a CRA examination, an overall CRA Rating is assigned using a four-tiered rating system. These ratings are: “Outstanding,” “Satisfactory,” “Needs to Improve” and “Substantial Noncompliance.” The CRA evaluation is used in evaluating applications for future approval of bank activities including mergers, acquisitions, charters, branch openings and deposit facilities. M&T Bank has a rating of “Outstanding.” M&T Bank is also subject to New York State CRA examination and is assessed using a 1 to 4 scoring system.  M&T Bank has an “Outstanding” rating from the NYSDFS. Wilmington Trust, N.A. was subject to the CRA until March 3, 2016 when the OCC changed its designation of Wilmington Trust, N.A. to a special purpose trust company, which exempts Wilmington Trust, N.A. from the requirements of the CRA.

Bank Secrecy and Anti-Money Laundering

Federal laws and regulations impose obligations on U.S. financial institutions, including banks and broker/dealer subsidiaries, to implement and maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls which are reasonably designed to prevent, detect and report instances of money laundering and the financing of terrorism and to verify the identity of their customers. In addition, these provisions require the federal financial institution regulatory agencies to consider the effectiveness of a financial institution’s anti-money laundering activities when reviewing bank mergers and BHC acquisitions. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution. As a result of an examination by the FRBNY, on June 17, 2013, M&T and M&T Bank entered into a written agreement with the FRBNY related to M&T Bank’s Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”)/Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) procedures pursuant to which M&T and M&T Bank implemented a BSA/AML program with significantly expanded scale and scope. M&T and M&T Bank resolved all outstanding issues in the written agreement and the FRBNY terminated the written agreement on July 27, 2017.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation

The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. These are typically known as the “OFAC” rules based on their administration by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). The OFAC-administered sanctions targeting countries take many different forms. Generally, however,

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they contain one or more of the following elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on “U.S. persons” engaging in financial transactions relating to making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons). Blocked assets (e.g. property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences.

Federal Reserve Policies

The earnings of the Company are significantly affected by the monetary and fiscal policies of governmental authorities, including the Federal Reserve. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the Federal Reserve are open-market operations in U.S. Government securities and federal funds, changes in the discount rate on member bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits. These instruments of monetary policy are used in varying combinations to influence the overall level of bank loans, investments and deposits, and the interest rates charged on loans and paid for deposits. The Federal Reserve frequently uses these instruments of monetary policy, especially its open-market operations and the discount rate, to influence the level of interest rates and to affect the strength of the economy, the level of inflation or the price of the dollar in foreign exchange markets. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have had a significant effect on the operating results of banking institutions in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future. It is not possible to predict the nature of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies or the effect which they may have on the Company’s business and earnings.

Competition

The Company competes in offering commercial and personal financial and wealth services with other banking institutions and thrifts and with firms in a number of other industries, such as credit unions, personal loan companies, sales finance companies, leasing companies, securities brokerage firms, mutual fund companies, hedge funds, wealth and investment advisory firms, insurance companies and other financial services-related entities. Furthermore, diversified financial services companies are able to offer a combination of these services to their customers on a nationwide basis. The Company’s operations are significantly impacted by state and federal regulations applicable to the banking industry. Moreover, provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, the Interstate Banking Act and state banking laws have allowed for increased competition among diversified financial services providers and e-commerce and other Internet-based companies.

Other Information

Through a link on the Investor Relations section of M&T’s website at www.mtb.com, copies of M&T’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are made available, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the SEC. Copies of such reports and other information are also available at no charge to any person who requests them or at www.sec.gov. Such requests may be directed to M&T Bank Corporation, Shareholder Relations Department, One M&T Plaza, 8th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203-2399 (Telephone: (716) 842-5138). The public may read and

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copy any materials that M&T files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

Corporate Governance

M&T’s Corporate Governance Standards and the following corporate governance documents are also available on M&T’s website at the Investor Relations link: Disclosure and Regulation FD Policy; Executive Committee Charter; Nomination, Compensation and Governance Committee Charter; Audit Committee Charter; Risk Committee Charter; Financial Reporting and Disclosure Controls and Procedures Policy; Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers; Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; Employee Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters; and Excessive or Luxury Expenditures Policy. Copies of such governance documents are also available, free of charge, to any person who requests them. Such requests may be directed to M&T Bank Corporation, Shareholder Relations Department, One M&T Plaza, 8th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203-2399 (Telephone: (716) 842-5138).

Statistical Disclosure Pursuant to Guide 3

See cross-reference sheet for disclosures incorporated elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional information is included in the following tables.

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Table 1

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED YEAR-END BALANCES

 

Table 2

SHAREHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES AND OFFICES

 

 

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Table 3

CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS

 

 

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Table 4

COMMON SHAREHOLDER DATA

 

 

Table 5

CHANGES IN INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE(a)

 

 

 

 

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M&T and its subsidiaries could be adversely impacted by a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.  As a financial institution certain risk elements are inherent in the ordinary course of the Company’s business activities and adverse experience with those risks could have a material impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as on the values of the Company’s financial instruments and M&T’s common stock.  The Company has developed a risk management process to identify, understand, mitigate and balance its exposure to significant risks. The following risk factors set forth some of the risks that could materially and adversely impact the Company, although there may be additional risks that are not presently material or known that may adversely affect the Company.

Market Risk

Weakness in the economy has adversely affected the Company in the past and may adversely affect the Company in the future.

Poor business and economic conditions in general or specifically in markets served by the Company could have one or more of the following adverse effects on the Company’s business:

The Company’s business and financial performance is impacted significantly by market interest rates and movements in those rates. The monetary, tax and other policies of governmental agencies, including the Federal Reserve, have a significant impact on interest rates and overall financial market performance over which the Company has no control and which the Company may not be able to anticipate adequately.

As a result of the high percentage of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are in the form of interest-bearing or interest-related instruments, changes in interest rates, in the shape of the yield curve or in spreads between different market interest rates, can have a material effect on the Company’s business and profitability and the value of the Company’s assets and liabilities. For example:

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The monetary, tax and other policies of the government and its agencies, including the Federal Reserve, have a significant impact on interest rates and overall financial market performance. These governmental policies can thus affect the activities and results of operations of banking companies such as the Company. An important function of the Federal Reserve is to regulate the national supply of bank credit and certain interest rates. The actions of the Federal Reserve influence the rates of interest that the Company charges on loans and that the Company pays on borrowings and interest-bearing deposits and can also affect the value of the Company’s on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet financial instruments. Also, due to the impact on rates for short-term funding, the Federal Reserve’s policies also influence, to a significant extent, the Company’s cost of such funding. In addition, the Company is routinely subject to examinations from various governmental taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in challenges to the tax return treatment applied by the Company to specific transactions. Management believes that the assumptions and judgment used to record tax-related assets or liabilities have been appropriate. Should tax laws change or the tax authorities determine that management’s assumptions were inappropriate, the result and adjustments required could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations. In December 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which is one of the most significant overhauls to the United States federal tax code since 1986 and could have a significant impact on domestic and international tax consequences. M&T cannot predict the nature or timing of future changes in monetary, tax and other policies or the effect that they may have on the Company’s business activities, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s business and performance is vulnerable to the impact of volatility in debt and equity markets.

As most of the Company’s assets and liabilities are financial in nature, the Company’s performance tends to be sensitive to the performance of the financial markets. Turmoil and volatility in U.S. and global financial markets can be a major contributory factor to overall weak economic conditions, leading to some of the risks discussed herein, including the impaired ability of borrowers and other counterparties to meet obligations to the Company. Financial market volatility also can have some of the following adverse effects on the Company and its business, including adversely affecting the Company’s financial condition and results of operations:

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Volatility in the markets for real estate and other assets commonly securing financial products has been and may continue to be a significant contributor to overall volatility in financial markets.

The Company’s regional concentrations expose it to adverse economic conditions in its primary retail banking office footprint.

The Company’s core banking business is largely concentrated within the Company’s retail banking office network footprint, located principally in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Therefore, the Company is, or in the future may be, particularly vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Risks Relating to Compliance and the Regulatory Environment

The Company is subject to extensive government regulation and supervision and this regulatory environment can be and has been significantly impacted by financial regulatory reform initiatives.

The Company is subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the financial system as a whole, not stockholders. These regulations and supervisory guidance affect the Company’s lending practices, capital structure, amounts of capital, investment practices, dividend policy, growth and expansionary activity, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, policies or supervisory guidance could result in civil or criminal penalties, including monetary penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocation of a banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In this regard, government authorities, including the bank regulatory agencies, can pursue aggressive enforcement actions with respect to compliance and other legal matters involving financial activities, which heightens the risks associated with actual and perceived compliance failures and may also adversely affect the Company’s ability to enter into certain transactions or engage in certain activities, or obtain necessary regulatory approvals in connection therewith.

The U.S. government and others have undertaken major reforms of the regulatory oversight structure of the financial services industry. M&T has been subject to increased regulation of its industry as a result of certain and possible future initiatives. M&T continues to expect scrutiny in the examination process and more aggressive enforcement of regulations on both the federal and state levels. Compliance with new regulations and supervisory initiatives could increase the Company’s costs, reduce its revenue and/or limit its ability to pursue certain desirable business opportunities.

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Any new regulatory requirements or changes to existing requirements could require changes to the Company’s businesses, result in increased compliance costs and affect the profitability of such businesses. Additionally, such activity could affect the behaviors of third parties with which the Company deals in the ordinary course of business, such as rating agencies, insurance companies and investors. Heightened regulatory practices, requirements or expectations could affect the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways, and, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Capital and liquidity standards adopted by the U.S. banking regulators have resulted in banks and bank holding companies needing to maintain more and higher quality capital and greater liquidity than has historically been the case.

Capital standards imposed as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and the U.S. Basel III-based capital rules have had a significant effect on banks and bank holding companies, including M&T. The U.S. capital rules require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain substantially more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity. For additional information, see “Capital Requirements” under Part I, Item 1 “Business.”

The requirement to maintain more and higher quality capital, as well as greater liquidity than historically has been required, and generally increased regulatory scrutiny with respect to capital and liquidity levels, could limit the Company’s business activities, including lending, and its ability to expand, either organically or through acquisitions. It could also result in M&T being required to take steps to increase its regulatory capital that may be dilutive to shareholders or limit its ability to pay dividends or otherwise return capital to shareholders, or sell or refrain from acquiring assets, the capital requirements for which are not justified by the assets’ underlying risks.

In addition, the U.S. Basel III-based liquidity coverage ratio requirement and the liquidity-related provisions of the Federal Reserve’s liquidity-related enhanced prudential supervision requirements adopted pursuant to Section 165 of the Dodd-Frank Act require the Company to hold increased levels of unencumbered highly liquid investments, thereby reducing the Company’s ability to invest in other longer-term assets even if deemed more desirable from a balance sheet management perspective. Moreover, U.S. federal banking agencies have been taking into account expectations regarding the ability of banks to meet these requirements, including under stressed conditions, in approving actions that represent uses of capital, such as dividend increases, common stock share repurchases and acquisitions.

M&T’s ability to return capital to shareholders and to pay dividends on common stock may be adversely affected by market and other factors outside of its control and will depend, in part, on a review of its capital plan by the Federal Reserve.

Any decision by M&T to return capital to shareholders, whether through a common stock dividend or through a common stock share repurchase program, requires the approval of M&T’s Board of Directors and depends in large part on receiving regulatory approval, including through the Federal Reserve’s CCAR process and the supervisory stress tests required under the Dodd-Frank Act whereby M&T’s financial position is tested under assumed severely adverse economic conditions. Prior to the public disclosure of a BHC’s CCAR results, the Federal Reserve will provide the BHC with the results of its supervisory stress test and will offer a one-time opportunity for the BHC to reduce planned capital distributions through the submission of a revised capital plan. The Federal Reserve may object to any capital plan in which a BHC’s regulatory capital ratios inclusive of adjustments to planned capital distributions, if any, would not meet the minimum requirements throughout a nine-quarter period under severely adverse stress conditions. In January 2017, the

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Federal Reserve finalized a rule modifying the capital plan and stress testing rules for the 2017 cycle. The rule eliminated the qualitative component of CCAR for bank holding companies with total consolidated assets between $50 billion and $250 billion, such as M&T. The qualitative assessment considered factors including the comprehensiveness of a BHC’s capital plan, the assumptions and analysis underlying the plan, and the extent to which the BHC had satisfied certain supervisory matters related to its processes, analyses, controls and governance. The Federal Reserve will continue to evaluate these factors through the regular supervisory process and targeted horizontal reviews of particular aspects of capital planning. If the Federal Reserve objects to M&T’s capital plan, it could impose restrictions on M&T’s ability to return capital to shareholders, including through paying dividends, entering into acquisitions or repurchasing its common stock, which in turn could negatively impact market and investor perceptions of M&T. In June 2017, the Federal Reserve announced that it did not object to M&T’s capital plan; however, M&T cannot be certain that the Federal Reserve will not object to future capital plans submitted through the CCAR program.

In addition, Federal Reserve capital planning and stress testing rules generally limit a BHC’s ability to make quarterly capital distributions – dividends and common stock share repurchases – if the amount of actual cumulative quarterly capital issuances of instruments that qualify as regulatory capital are less than the BHC had indicated in its submitted capital plan as to which it received a non-objection from the Federal Reserve. Under these rules, for example, if a BHC issued a smaller amount of additional common stock than it had stated in its capital plan, it would be required to reduce common dividends and/or the amount of common stock repurchases so that the dollar amount of capital distributions, net of the dollar amount of additional common stock issued (“net distributions”), is no greater than the dollar amount of net distributions relating to its common stock included in its capital plan, as measured on an aggregate basis beginning in the third quarter of the nine-quarter planning horizon through the end of the then current quarter. As such, M&T’s ability to declare and pay dividends on its common stock, as well as the amount of such dividends, will depend, in part, on its ability to issue stock in accordance with its capital plan or to otherwise remain in compliance with its capital plan, which may be adversely affected by market and other factors outside of M&T’s control.

The effect of resolution plan requirements may have a material adverse impact on M&T.

Bank holding companies with consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, such as M&T, are required to report periodically to regulators a resolution plan for their rapid and orderly resolution in the event of material financial distress or failure. M&T’s resolution plan must, among other things, ensure that its depository institution subsidiaries are adequately protected from risks arising from its other subsidiaries. The regulation adopted by the Federal Reserve and FDIC prescribes specific standards for the resolution plans, including requiring a strategic analysis of the plan’s components, a description of the range of specific actions the Company proposes to take in resolution, and a description of the Company’s organizational structure, material entities, core business lines, interconnections and interdependencies, and management information systems, among other elements. The most recent resolution plan for M&T was filed in December 2017. In addition, insured depository institutions with $50 billion or more in total assets, such as M&T Bank, are required to submit to the FDIC periodic plans for resolution in the event of the institution’s failure.  M&T Bank submitted its most recent resolution plan in December 2015, as required. The next resolution plan for M&T Bank is required to be filed by July 1, 2018.

To address effectively any shortcomings in the Company’s resolution plan, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC could require the Company to change its business structure or dispose of businesses, which could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity and ability to pay dividends on its stock or interest and principal on its debt.

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If an orderly liquidation of a systemically important BHC or non-bank financial company were triggered, M&T could face assessments for the Orderly Liquidation Fund (“OLF”).

The Dodd-Frank Act creates a mechanism, the OLF, for liquidation of systemically important bank holding companies and non-bank financial companies. The OLF is administered by the FDIC and is based on the FDIC’s bank resolution model. The Secretary of the U.S. Treasury may trigger a liquidation under this authority after consultation with the President of the U.S. and after receiving a recommendation from the boards of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve upon a two-thirds vote. Liquidation proceedings will be funded by the OLF, which will borrow from the U.S. Treasury and impose risk-based assessments on covered financial companies. Risk-based assessments would be first made on entities that received more in the resolution than they would have received in the liquidation to the extent of such excess, and second, if necessary, on, among others, bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more, such as M&T. Any such assessments may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Credit Risk

Deteriorating credit quality could adversely impact the Company.

As a lender, the Company is exposed to the risk that customers will be unable to repay their loans in accordance with the terms of the agreements, and that any collateral securing the loans may be insufficient to assure full repayment. Credit losses are inherent in the business of making loans.

Factors that influence the Company’s credit loss experience include overall economic conditions affecting businesses and consumers, generally, but also residential and commercial real estate valuations, in particular, given the size of the Company’s real estate loan portfolios. Factors that can influence the Company’s credit loss experience include: (i) the impact of residential real estate values on loans to residential real estate builders and developers and other loans secured by residential real estate; (ii) the concentrations of commercial real estate loans in the Company’s loan portfolio; (iii) the amount of commercial and industrial loans to businesses in areas of New York State outside of the New York City area and in central Pennsylvania that have historically experienced less economic growth and vitality than many other regions of the country; (iv) the repayment performance associated with first and second lien loans secured by residential real estate; and (v) the size of the Company’s portfolio of loans to individual consumers, which historically have experienced higher net charge-offs as a percentage of loans outstanding than loans to other types of borrowers.

Commercial real estate valuations can be highly subjective as they are based upon many assumptions. Such valuations can be significantly affected over relatively short periods of time by changes in business climate, economic conditions, interest rates and, in many cases, the results of operations of businesses and other occupants of the real property. Similarly, residential real estate valuations can be impacted by housing trends, the availability of financing at reasonable interest rates, governmental policy regarding housing and housing finance, and general economic conditions affecting consumers.

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses which represents, in management’s judgment, the amount of losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. The allowance is determined by management’s evaluation of the loan and lease portfolio based on such factors as the differing economic risks associated with each loan category, the current financial condition of specific borrowers, the economic environment in which borrowers operate, the level of delinquent loans, the value of any collateral and, where applicable, the existence of any guarantees or indemnifications.

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The effects of probable decreases in expected principal cash flows on loans acquired at a discount are also considered in the establishment of the allowance for credit losses.

Management believes that the allowance for credit losses appropriately reflects credit losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. However, there is no assurance that the allowance will be sufficient to cover such credit losses, particularly if housing and employment conditions worsen or the economy experiences a downturn. In those cases, the Company may be required to increase the allowance through an increase in the provision for credit losses, which would reduce net income.

 

The Company may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions.

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships.  The Company has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Company cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to the Company. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Liquidity Risk

The Company must maintain adequate sources of funding and liquidity.

The Company must maintain adequate funding sources in the normal course of business to support its operations and fund outstanding liabilities, as well as meet regulatory expectations. The Company primarily relies on deposits to be a low cost and stable source of funding for the loans it makes and the operations of its business. Core customer deposits, which include noninterest-bearing deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts, savings deposits and time deposits of $250,000 or less, have historically provided the Company with a sizeable source of relatively stable and low-cost funds. In addition to customer deposits, sources of liquidity include borrowings from third party banks, securities dealers, various Federal Home Loan Banks and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The Company’s liquidity and ability to fund and operate the business could be materially adversely affected by a variety of conditions and factors, including financial and credit market disruptions and volatility or a lack of market or customer confidence in financial markets in general, which may result in a loss of customer deposits or outflows of cash or collateral and/or ability to access capital markets on favorable terms. Other conditions and factors that could materially adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and funding include a lack of market or customer confidence in, or negative news about, the Company or the financial services industry generally which also may result in a loss of deposits and/or negatively affect the ability to access the capital markets; the loss of customer deposits to alternative investments; inability to sell or securitize loans or other assets; and downgrades in one or more of the Company’s credit ratings. A downgrade in the Company’s credit ratings, which could result from general industry-wide or regulatory factors not solely related to the Company, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to borrow funds and raise the cost of borrowings substantially and could cause creditors and business counterparties to raise collateral requirements or take other actions that could adversely affect M&T’s ability to raise capital. Many of the above conditions and factors may be caused by events over which M&T has little or no control. There can be no assurance that significant disruption and volatility in the financial markets will not occur in the future.

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Recent regulatory changes relating to liquidity and risk management have also impacted the Company’s results of operations and competitive position. These regulations address, among other matters, liquidity stress testing, minimum liquidity requirements and restrictions on short-term debt issued by top-tier holding companies.

If the Company is unable to continue to fund assets through customer bank deposits or access funding sources on favorable terms or if the Company suffers an increase in borrowing costs or otherwise fails to manage liquidity effectively, the Company’s liquidity, operating margins, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

M&T relies on dividends from its subsidiaries for its liquidity.

M&T is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries. M&T typically receives substantially all of its revenue from subsidiary dividends. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on M&T stock and interest and principal on its debt. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations, as well as regulatory expectations, limit the amount of dividends that M&T’s banking subsidiaries and certain non-bank subsidiaries may pay. Regulatory scrutiny of capital levels at bank holding companies and insured depository institution subsidiaries has increased in recent years and has resulted in increased regulatory focus on all aspects of capital planning, including dividends and other distributions to shareholders of banks, such as parent bank holding companies. See “Item 1. Business — Distributions” for a discussion of regulatory and other restrictions on dividend declarations. Also, M&T’s right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors. Limitations on M&T’s ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity and ability to pay dividends on its stock or interest and principal on its debt.

Strategic Risk

 

The financial services industry is highly competitive and creates competitive pressures that could adversely affect the Company’s revenue and profitability.

The financial services industry in which the Company operates is highly competitive. The Company competes not only with commercial and other banks and thrifts, but also with insurance companies, mutual funds, hedge funds, securities brokerage firms and other companies offering financial services in the U.S., globally and over the Internet. Some of the Company’s non-bank competitors are not subject to the same extensive regulations the Company and its subsidiaries are, and may have greater flexibility in competing for business. In particular, the activity and prominence of so-called marketplace lenders and other technological financial services companies have grown significantly in recent years and is expected to continue growing.  The Company competes on the basis of several factors, including capital, access to capital, revenue generation, products, services, transaction execution, innovation, reputation and price. Over time, certain sectors of the financial services industry have become more concentrated, as institutions involved in a broad range of financial services have been acquired by or merged into other firms. These developments could result in the Company’s competitors gaining greater capital and other resources, such as a broader range of products and services and geographic diversity. The Company may experience pricing pressures as a result of these factors and as some of its competitors seek to increase market share by reducing prices or paying higher rates of interest on deposits. Finally, technological change is influencing how individuals and firms conduct their financial affairs and changing the delivery channels for financial

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services, with the result that the Company may have to contend with a broader range of competitors including many that are not located within the geographic footprint of its banking office network.

Operational Risk

 

The Company is subject to operational risk which could adversely affect the Company’s business and reputation and create material legal and financial exposure.

Like all businesses, the Company is subject to operational risk, which represents the risk of loss resulting from human error, inadequate or failed internal processes and systems, and external events. Operational risk also encompasses reputational risk and compliance and legal risk, which is the risk of loss from violations of, or noncompliance with, laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices or ethical standards, as well as the risk of noncompliance with contractual and other obligations. The Company is also exposed to operational risk through outsourcing arrangements, and the effect that changes in circumstances or capabilities of its outsourcing vendors can have on the Company’s ability to continue to perform operational functions necessary to its business. In addition, along with other participants in the financial services industry, the Company frequently attempts to introduce new technology-driven products and services that are aimed at allowing the Company to better serve customers and to reduce costs. The Company may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services that allow it to remain competitive or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Although the Company seeks to mitigate operational risk through a system of internal controls that are reviewed and updated, no system of controls, however well designed and maintained, is infallible. Control weaknesses or failures or other operational risks could result in charges, increased operational costs, harm to the Company’s reputation or foregone business opportunities.

Changes in accounting standards could impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The accounting standard setters, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), the SEC and other regulatory bodies, periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. These changes can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, which would result in the restating of the Company’s prior period financial statements.

M&T’s accounting policies and processes are critical to the reporting of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. They require management to make estimates about matters that are uncertain.

Accounting policies and processes are fundamental to the Company’s reported financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets or liabilities and financial results. Several of M&T’s accounting policies are critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. Pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, management is required to make certain assumptions and estimates in preparing the Company’s financial statements. If assumptions or estimates underlying the Company’s financial statements are incorrect, the Company may experience material losses.

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Management has identified certain accounting policies as being critical because they require management’s judgment to ascertain the valuations of assets, liabilities, commitments and contingencies. A variety of factors could affect the ultimate value that is obtained either when earning income, recognizing an expense, recovering an asset, valuing an asset or liability, or recognizing or reducing a liability. M&T has established detailed policies and control procedures that are intended to ensure these critical accounting estimates and judgments are well controlled and applied consistently. In addition, the policies and procedures are intended to ensure that the process for changing methodologies occurs in an appropriate manner. Because of the uncertainty surrounding judgments and the estimates pertaining to these matters, M&T could be required to adjust accounting policies or restate prior period financial statements if those judgments and estimates prove to be incorrect. For additional information, see Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “Critical Accounting Estimates” and Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies,” of Notes to Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

Difficulties in combining the operations of acquired entities with the Company’s own operations may prevent M&T from achieving the expected benefits from its acquisitions.

M&T has expanded its business through past acquisitions and may do so in the future. Inherent uncertainties exist when integrating the operations of an acquired entity. M&T may not be able to fully achieve its strategic objectives and planned operating efficiencies in an acquisition. In addition, the markets and industries in which the Company and its actual or potential acquisition targets operate are highly competitive. The Company may lose customers or fail to retain the customers of acquired entities as a result of an acquisition. Acquisition and integration activities require M&T to devote substantial time and resources, and as a result M&T may not be able to pursue other business opportunities while integrating acquired entities with the Company.

After completing an acquisition, the Company may not realize the expected benefits of the acquisition due to lower financial results pertaining to the acquired entity. For example, the Company could experience higher credit losses, incur higher operating expenses or realize less revenue than originally anticipated related to an acquired entity.

M&T could suffer if it fails to attract and retain skilled personnel.

M&T’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract and retain key individuals and to have a diverse workforce. Competition for qualified and diverse candidates in the activities and markets that the Company serves is significant and the Company may not be able to hire candidates and retain them. Growth in the Company’s business, including through acquisitions, may increase its need for additional qualified personnel. If the Company is not able to hire or retain these type of individuals, it may be unable to execute its business strategies and may suffer adverse consequences to its business, financial condition and results of operations.

The federal banking agencies have issued joint guidance on executive compensation designed to help ensure that a banking organization’s incentive compensation policies do not encourage imprudent risk taking and are consistent with the safety and soundness of the organization. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act required those agencies, along with the SEC, to adopt rules to require reporting of incentive compensation and to prohibit certain compensation arrangements. If as a result of complying with such rules the Company is unable to attract and retain qualified employees, or do so at rates necessary to maintain its competitive position, or if the compensation costs required to attract and retain employees become more significant, the Company’s performance, including its competitive position, could be materially adversely affected.

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Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could significantly impact the Company’s business.

Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to conduct business. Such events could affect the stability of the Company’s deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause the Company to incur additional expenses. Although the Company has established disaster recovery plans and procedures, and monitors for significant environmental effects on its properties or its investments, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company’s information systems may experience interruptions or breaches in security.

The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in disruptions to its accounting, deposit, loan and other systems, and adversely affect the Company’s customer relationships. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of these possible events, there can be no assurance that any such failure, interruption or security breach will not occur or, if any does occur, that it can be sufficiently or timely remediated.

Information security risks for large financial institutions such as M&T have increased significantly in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, such as Internet and mobile banking to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, nation-states, activists and other external parties.  There have been increasing efforts on the part of third parties, including through cyber attacks, to breach data security at financial institutions or with respect to financial transactions. There have been several instances involving financial services and consumer-based companies reporting unauthorized access to and disclosure of client or customer information or the destruction or theft of corporate data, including by executive impersonation and third party vendors. There have also been several highly publicized cases where hackers have requested “ransom” payments in exchange for not disclosing customer information.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance its layers of defense or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. The techniques used by cyber criminals change frequently, may not be recognized until launched and can be initiated from a variety of sources, including terrorist organizations and hostile foreign governments. These actors may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, customers or other users of the Company’s systems to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to data or the Company’s systems. These risks may increase as the use of mobile payment and other Internet-based applications expands.

The occurrence of any failure, interruption or security breach of the Company’s systems, particularly if widespread or resulting in financial losses to customers, could damage the Company’s reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject it to additional regulatory scrutiny and potential sanctions, or expose it to civil litigation and financial liability.

The Company is or may become involved from time to time in suits, legal proceedings, information-gathering requests, investigations and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory agencies that may lead to adverse consequences.

Many aspects of the Company’s business and operations involve substantial risk of legal liability. M&T and/or its subsidiaries have been named or threatened to be named as defendants in various lawsuits arising from its or its subsidiaries’ business activities (and in some cases from the activities

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of companies M&T has acquired). In addition, from time to time, M&T is, or may become, the subject of governmental and self-regulatory agency information-gathering requests, reviews, investigations and proceedings and other forms of regulatory inquiry, including by bank and other regulatory agencies, the SEC and law enforcement authorities. The SEC has announced a policy of seeking admissions of liability in certain settled cases, which could adversely impact the defense of private litigation. M&T is also at risk when it has agreed to indemnify others for losses related to legal proceedings, including for litigation and governmental investigations and inquiries, such as in connection with the purchase or sale of a business or assets. The results of such proceedings could lead to significant civil or criminal penalties, including monetary penalties, damages, adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restrictions on the way in which the Company conducts its business, or reputational harm.

Although the Company establishes accruals for legal proceedings when information related to the loss contingencies represented by those matters indicates both that a loss is probable and that the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company does not have accruals for all legal proceedings where it faces a risk of loss. In addition, due to the inherent subjectivity of the assessments and unpredictability of the outcome of legal proceedings, amounts accrued may not represent the ultimate loss to the Company from the legal proceedings in question. Thus, the Company’s ultimate losses may be higher, and possibly significantly so, than the amounts accrued for legal loss contingencies, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

M&T relies on other companies to provide key components of the Company’s business infrastructure.

Third parties provide key components of the Company’s business infrastructure such as banking services, processing, and Internet connections and network access. Any disruption in such services provided by these third parties or any failure of these third parties to handle current or higher volumes of use could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to clients and otherwise to conduct business. Technological or financial difficulties of a third party service provider could adversely affect the Company’s business to the extent those difficulties result in the interruption or discontinuation of services provided by that party. The Company may not be insured against all types of losses as a result of third party failures and insurance coverage may be inadequate to cover all losses resulting from system failures or other disruptions. Failures in the Company’s business infrastructure could interrupt the operations or increase the costs of doing business.

Discussions of the specific risks outlined above and other risks facing the Company are included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part I, Item 1 “Business,” and Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Furthermore, in Part II, Item 7 under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” is included a description of certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions identified by management that are difficult to predict and that could materially affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, as well as the value of the Company’s financial instruments in general, and M&T common stock, in particular.

In addition, the market price of M&T common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of other factors, including changes in securities analysts’ estimates of financial performance, volatility of stock market prices and volumes, rumors or erroneous information, changes in market valuations of similar companies and changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the FASB or other regulatory agencies.

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None.

Both M&T and M&T Bank maintain their executive offices at One M&T Plaza in Buffalo, New York. This twenty-one story headquarters building, containing approximately 300,000 rentable square feet of space, is owned in fee by M&T Bank and was completed in 1967. M&T, M&T Bank and their subsidiaries occupy approximately 98% of the building and the remainder is leased to non-affiliated tenants. At December 31, 2017, the cost of this property (including improvements subsequent to the initial construction), net of accumulated depreciation, was $9.6 million.

M&T Bank owns and occupies an additional facility in Buffalo, New York (known as M&T Center) with approximately 395,000 rentable square feet of space.  At December 31, 2017, the cost of this building (including improvements subsequent to acquisition), net of accumulated depreciation, was $10.6 million.

M&T Bank also owns and occupies three separate facilities in the Buffalo area which support certain back-office and operations functions of the Company. The total square footage of these facilities approximates 290,000 square feet and their combined cost (including improvements subsequent to acquisition), net of accumulated depreciation, was $27.5 million at December 31, 2017.

M&T Bank owns a facility in Syracuse, New York with approximately 160,000 rentable square feet of space. Approximately 46% of that facility is occupied by M&T Bank. At December 31, 2017, the cost of that building (including improvements subsequent to acquisition), net of accumulated depreciation, was less than $1 million.

M&T Bank owns facilities in Wilmington, Delaware, with approximately 340,000 (known as Wilmington Center) and 295,000 (known as Wilmington Plaza) rentable square feet of space, respectively. M&T Bank occupies approximately 97% of Wilmington Center. Wilmington Plaza is occupied by a tenant. At December 31, 2017, the cost of these buildings (including improvements subsequent to acquisition), net of accumulated depreciation, was $41.6 million and $12.3 million, respectively.

M&T Bank also owns facilities in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Millsboro, Delaware with approximately 220,000 and 325,000 rentable square feet of space, respectively. M&T Bank occupies approximately 30% and 89% of those facilities, respectively. At December 31, 2017, the cost of those buildings (including improvements subsequent to acquisition), net of accumulated depreciation, was $10.3 million and $8.8 million, respectively.

No other properties owned by M&T Bank have more than 100,000 square feet of space. The cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, of the Company’s premises and equipment is detailed in note 6 of Notes to Financial Statements filed herewith in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Of the 782 domestic banking offices of M&T’s subsidiary banks at December 31, 2017, 308 are owned in fee and 474 are leased.

M&T and its subsidiaries are subject in the normal course of business to various pending and threatened legal proceedings and other matters in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. On an on-going basis management, after consultation with legal counsel, assesses the Company’s liabilities and contingencies in connection with such proceedings. For those matters where it is

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probable that the Company will incur losses and the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated, the Company records an expense and corresponding liability in its consolidated financial statements. To the extent the pending or threatened litigation could result in exposure in excess of that liability, the amount of such excess is not currently estimable. Although not considered probable, the range of reasonably possible losses for such matters in the aggregate, beyond the existing recorded liability, was between $0 and $50 million. Although the Company does not believe that the outcome of pending litigations will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, it cannot rule out the possibility that such outcomes will be material to the consolidated results of operations for a particular reporting period in the future.

Wilmington Trust Corporation Litigation Matter

M&T’s Wilmington Trust Corporation subsidiary is the subject of certain litigation arising from actions undertaken by Wilmington Trust Corporation prior to M&T’s acquisition of Wilmington Trust Corporation and its subsidiaries, as set forth below.

 In Re Wilmington Trust Securities Litigation (U.S. District Court, District of Delaware, Case No. 10-CV-0990-SLR): Beginning on November 18, 2010, a series of parties, purporting to be class representatives, commenced a putative class action lawsuit against Wilmington Trust Corporation, alleging that Wilmington Trust Corporation’s financial reporting and securities filings were in violation of securities laws. The cases were consolidated. Wilmington Trust Corporation moved to dismiss. The Court issued an order denying Wilmington Trust Corporation’s motion to dismiss on March 20, 2014. Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was granted on September 3, 2015.  Fact discovery was stayed by Court order during extended periods of this litigation. On December 19, 2016, the Court issued an order lifting the existing stay in its entirety.  Fact discovery was completed on or about August 15, 2017. On December 12, 2017, the Court issued an order extending certain pre-trial deadlines, pushing all dates off until after the completion of the criminal trial involving certain individual witnesses. Expert discovery must now be completed by July 31, 2018 and summary judgment motions must be fully briefed by October 31, 2018. The Court has removed this matter from the trial calendar and no trial date has been set.

  Due to their complex nature, it is difficult to estimate when litigation or investigatory matters may be resolved. As set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Item 1 — Legal Proceedings, losses from current litigation and regulatory matters which the Company is subject to that are not currently considered probable are within a range of reasonably possible losses for such matters in the aggregate, beyond the existing recorded liability, and are included in the range of reasonably possible losses set forth above.  

Not applicable.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Information concerning M&T’s executive officers is presented below as of February 22, 2018. The year the officer was first appointed to the indicated position with M&T or its subsidiaries is shown parenthetically. In the case of each entity noted below, officers’ terms run until the first meeting of the board of directors after such entity’s annual meeting, which in the case of M&T takes place immediately following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

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René F. Jones, age 53, is chief executive officer, chairman of the board and a director of M&T and M&T Bank (2017).  Previously, he was an executive vice president (2006) of M&T and a vice chairman (2014) of M&T Bank. Mr. Jones had overall responsibility for the Company’s Wealth and Institutional Services Division, Treasury Division, and Mortgage and Consumer Lending Divisions. Mr. Jones is chairman, president and chief executive officer (2017) and a director (2007) of Wilmington Trust, N.A., and he is chairman of the board, president (2009) and a trustee (2005) of M&T Real Estate. Mr. Jones is chairman of the board and a director (2014) of Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, and is a director (2007) of M&T Insurance Agency. Mr. Jones is chairman of the board and a director (2014) of Wilmington Trust Company. Previously, Mr. Jones served as chief financial officer (2005) of M&T, M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust, N.A. and had held a number of management positions within M&T Bank’s Finance Division since 1992.

Richard S. Gold, age 57, is president, chief operating officer and a director of M&T and M&T Bank (2017).  Mr. Gold is responsible for the Mortgage, Consumer Lending, Retail, Business Banking and Legal Divisions. Previously, he was an executive vice president (2006) and chief risk officer (2014) of M&T and was a vice chairman and chief risk officer (2014) of M&T Bank. Mr. Gold had been responsible for overseeing the Company’s governance and strategy for risk management, as well as relationships with key regulators and supervisory agencies.  He served as a senior vice president of M&T Bank from 2000 to 2006 and has held a number of management positions since he began his career with M&T Bank in 1989.  Mr. Gold is an executive vice president (2006) and a director (2017) of Wilmington Trust, N.A. and a director of Wilmington Trust Company (2017).

Kevin J. Pearson, age 56, is an executive vice president (2002) of M&T and is a vice chairman (2014) of M&T Bank. He is a member of the Directors Advisory Council (2006) of the New York City/Long Island Division of M&T Bank. Mr. Pearson is responsible for M&T Bank’s Commercial Banking, Credit, and Technology and Banking Operations Divisions. Previously, Mr. Pearson served as senior vice president of M&T Bank from 2000 to 2002, and has held a number of management positions since he began his career with M&T Bank in 1989. He is an executive vice president (2003) and a trustee (2014) of M&T Real Estate, chairman of the board (2009) and a director (2003) of M&T Realty Capital, and an executive vice president and a director of Wilmington Trust, N.A. (2014).

Robert J. Bojdak, age 62, is an executive vice president and chief credit officer (2004) of M&T and M&T Bank, and is responsible for the Company’s Credit Division. From April 2002 to April 2004, Mr. Bojdak served as senior vice president and credit deputy for M&T Bank. He is an executive vice president and a director (2004) of Wilmington Trust, N.A.

Janet M. Coletti, age 54, is an executive vice president (2015) of M&T and M&T Bank, overseeing the Company’s Human Resources Division. Ms. Coletti previously served as senior vice president of M&T Bank, most recently responsible for the Business Banking Division, and has held a number of management positions within M&T Bank since 1985.

William J. Farrell II, age 60, is an executive vice president (2011) of M&T and M&T Bank, and is responsible for managing administrative and business development functions of the Company’s Wealth and Institutional Services Division, which includes Institutional Client Services and M&T Insurance Agency. Mr. Farrell joined M&T through the Wilmington Trust Corporation acquisition. He joined Wilmington Trust Corporation in 1976, and held a number of senior management positions, most recently as executive vice president and head of the Corporate Client Services business. Mr. Farrell is president, chief executive officer and a director (2012) of Wilmington Trust Company, an executive vice president and a director (2011) of Wilmington Trust, N.A. and a director (2013) of M&T Securities.

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Brian E. Hickey, age 65, is an executive vice president of M&T (1997) and M&T Bank (1996). He is a member of the Directors Advisory Council (1994) of the Rochester Division of M&T Bank. Mr. Hickey is responsible for co-managing with Mr. Martocci M&T Bank’s commercial banking lines of business and all of the non-retail banking segments in Upstate New York, Western New York and in the Northern, Central and Western Pennsylvania and Connecticut regions. Mr. Hickey is also responsible for the Dealer Commercial Services line of business.

Darren J. King, age 48, is an executive vice president (2010) and chief financial officer (2016) of M&T and executive vice president (2009) and chief financial officer (2016) of M&T Bank. Mr. King has responsibility for the overall financial management of the Company.  Prior to his current role, Mr. King was the Retail Banking executive with responsibility for overseeing Business Banking, Consumer Deposits, Consumer Lending and M&T Bank’s Marketing and Communications team. Mr. King previously served as senior vice president of M&T Bank and has held a number of management positions within M&T Bank since 2000. Mr. King is an executive vice president (2009) and chief financial officer (2016) of Wilmington Trust, N.A.

Gino A. Martocci, age 52, is an executive vice president (2014) of M&T and M&T Bank, and is responsible for co-managing with Mr. Hickey M&T Bank’s commercial banking lines of business and all non-retail banking segments in the metropolitan New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Delaware, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. markets.  He is also responsible for M&T Realty Capital. Mr. Martocci was a senior vice president of M&T Bank from 2002 to 2013, serving in a number of management positions. He is an executive vice president (2015) and a director (2009) of M&T Realty Capital, an executive vice president of M&T Real Estate, co-chairman of the Senior Loan Committee and a member of the New York City Mortgage Investment Committee. Mr. Martocci is also a member of the Directors Advisory Council of the New York City/Long Island (2013) and the New Jersey (2015) Divisions of M&T Bank.

Doris P. Meister, age 62, is an executive vice president (2016) of M&T and M&T Bank, and is responsible for overseeing the Company’s wealth management business, including Wealth Advisory Services, M&T Securities and Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors. Ms. Meister is an executive vice president and a director (2016) of Wilmington Trust, N.A., an executive vice president and director of Wilmington Trust Company (2016), and a director (2016) of M&T Securities. Prior to joining M&T in 2016, Ms. Meister served as President of U.S. Markets for BNY Mellon Wealth Management and was a Managing Director of the New York office of Bernstein Global Wealth Management.

Michael J. Todaro, age 56, is an executive vice president (2015) of M&T and M&T Bank, and is responsible for the Mortgage, Consumer Lending and Customer Asset Management Divisions. Mr. Todaro previously served as senior vice president of M&T Bank and has held a number of management positions within M&T Bank’s Mortgage Division since 1995. He is an executive vice president (2015) of Wilmington Trust, N.A.

Michele D. Trolli, age 56, is an executive vice president and chief information officer (2005) of M&T and M&T Bank. Ms. Trolli leads a wide range of the Company’s Technology and Banking Operations, which includes banking services, corporate services, digital and telephone banking, the enterprise data office, enterprise and cyber security, and enterprise technology.

D. Scott N. Warman, age 52, is an executive vice president (2009) and treasurer (2008) of M&T and M&T Bank. He is responsible for managing the Company’s Treasury Division. Mr. Warman previously served as senior vice president of M&T Bank and has held a number of management positions within M&T Bank since 1995. He is an executive vice president and treasurer of Wilmington Trust, N.A. (2008), a trustee of M&T Real Estate (2009), and is an executive vice president and treasurer of Wilmington Trust Company (2012).

  

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PART II

M&T’s common stock is traded under the symbol MTB on the New York Stock Exchange. See cross-reference sheet for disclosures incorporated elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for market prices of M&T’s common stock, approximate number of common shareholders at year-end, frequency and amounts of dividends on common stock and restrictions on the payment of dividends.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, M&T did not issue any shares of its common stock that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2017 with respect to shares of common stock that may be issued under M&T’s existing equity compensation plans. M&T’s existing equity compensation plans include the M&T Bank Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan, the 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan, which replaced the 2001 Stock Option Plan, and the 2009 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, each of which has been previously approved by shareholders, and the M&T Bank Corporation 2008 Directors’ Stock Plan and the M&T Bank Corporation Deferred Bonus Plan, each of which did not require shareholder approval.

The table does not include information with respect to shares of common stock subject to outstanding options and rights assumed by M&T in connection with mergers and acquisitions of the companies that originally granted those options and rights. Footnote (1) to the table sets forth the total number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of such assumed options and rights as of December 31, 2017, and their weighted-average exercise price.

 

 

Equity compensation plans adopted without the approval of shareholders are described below:

2008 Directors’ Stock Plan. M&T maintains a plan for non-employee members of the Board of Directors of M&T and the members of its Directors Advisory Council, and the non-employee members of the Board of Directors of M&T Bank and the members of its regional Directors Advisory Councils, which allows such directors, advisory directors and members of regional Directors Advisory Councils to receive all or a portion of their directorial compensation in shares of M&T common stock.

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Deferred Bonus Plan. M&T maintains a deferred bonus plan which was frozen effective January 1, 2010 and did not allow any additional deferrals after that date. Prior to January 1, 2010, the plan allowed eligible officers of M&T and its subsidiaries to elect to defer all or a portion of their annual incentive compensation awards and allocate such awards to several investment options, including M&T common stock. At the time of the deferral election, participants also elected the timing of distributions from the plan. Such distributions are payable in cash, with the exception of balances allocated to M&T common stock which are distributable in the form of shares of common stock.

Performance Graph

The following graph contains a comparison of the cumulative shareholder return on M&T common stock against the cumulative total returns of the KBW Nasdaq Bank Index, compiled by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., and the S&P 500 Index, compiled by Standard & Poor’s Corporation, for the five-year period beginning on December 31, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2017. The KBW Nasdaq Bank Index is a market capitalization index consisting of 24 banking stocks representing leading large U.S. national money centers, regional banks and thrift institutions.

 

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Return*

Shareholder Value at Year End*

 

 

* Assumes a $100 investment on December 31, 2012 and reinvestment of all dividends.

In accordance with and to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, the information set forth above under the heading “Performance Graph” shall not be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On July 18, 2017, M&T announced that it had been authorized by its Board of Directors to purchase up to $900 million of shares of its common stock through June 30, 2018. A repurchase program authorized in July 2016 by M&T’s Board of Directors was completed during 2017. In total, M&T repurchased 7,369,105 common shares for $1.21 billion during 2017.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, M&T purchased shares of its common stock as follows:

 

 

(3)    On February 21, 2018, M&T’s Board of Directors approved a program to purchase an additional $745 million of M&T common stock through June 30, 2018.

See cross-reference sheet for disclosures incorporated elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

Corporate Profile

M&T Bank Corporation (“M&T”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York with consolidated assets of $118.6 billion at December 31, 2017. The consolidated financial information presented herein reflects M&T and all of its subsidiaries, which are referred to collectively as “the Company.” M&T’s wholly owned bank subsidiaries are Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T Bank”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association (“Wilmington Trust, N.A.”).

M&T Bank, with total assets of $118.1 billion at December 31, 2017, is a New York-chartered commercial bank with 780 domestic banking offices in New York State, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, a full-service commercial banking office in Ontario, Canada, and an office in the Cayman Islands. M&T

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Bank and its subsidiaries offer a broad range of financial services to a diverse base of consumers, businesses, professional clients, governmental entities and financial institutions located in their markets. Lending is largely focused on consumers residing in the states noted above and on small and medium size businesses based in those areas, although loans are originated through offices in other states and in Ontario, Canada. Certain lending activities are also conducted in other states through various subsidiaries. Trust and other fiduciary services are offered by M&T Bank and through its wholly owned subsidiary, Wilmington Trust Company. Other subsidiaries of M&T Bank include: M&T Real Estate Trust, a commercial mortgage lender; M&T Realty Capital Corporation, a multifamily commercial mortgage lender; M&T Securities, Inc., which provides brokerage, investment advisory and insurance services; Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc., which serves as an investment advisor to the Wilmington Funds, a family of proprietary mutual funds, and other funds and institutional clients; and M&T Insurance Agency, Inc., an insurance agency.

Wilmington Trust, N.A. is a national bank with total assets of $5.0 billion at December 31, 2017. Wilmington Trust, N.A. and its subsidiaries offer various trust and wealth management services.  Wilmington Trust, N.A. also offered selected deposit and loan products on a nationwide basis, largely through telephone, Internet and direct mail marketing techniques.

On November 1, 2015, M&T completed its acquisition of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. (“Hudson City”). Immediately following completion of the merger, Hudson City Savings Bank merged with and into M&T Bank. Pursuant to the merger agreement, M&T paid cash consideration of $2.1 billion and issued 25,953,950 shares of M&T common stock in exchange for Hudson City shares outstanding at the time of acquisition that added $3.1 billion to M&T’s common shareholders’ equity.  Assets acquired totaled approximately $36.7 billion, including $19.0 billion of loans (predominantly residential real estate loans) and $7.9 billion of investment securities. Liabilities assumed aggregated $31.5 billion, including $17.9 billion of deposits and $13.2 billion of borrowings. Immediately following the acquisition, the Company restructured its balance sheet by selling $5.8 billion of investment securities obtained in the acquisition and repaying $10.6 billion of borrowings assumed in the transaction.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The Company’s significant accounting policies conform with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and are described in note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements. In applying those accounting policies, management of the Company is required to exercise judgment in determining many of the methodologies, assumptions and estimates to be utilized. Certain of the critical accounting estimates are more dependent on such judgment and in some cases may contribute to volatility in the Company’s reported financial performance should the assumptions and estimates used change over time due to changes in circumstances. Some of the more significant areas in which management of the Company applies critical assumptions and estimates include the following:

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Overview

Net income for the Company during 2017 was $1.41 billion or $8.70 of diluted earnings per common share, up 7% and 12%, respectively, from $1.32 billion or $7.78 of diluted earnings per common share in 2016. Basic earnings per common share also increased 12% to $8.72 in 2017 from $7.80 in 2016. Net income in 2015 totaled $1.08 billion, while diluted and basic earnings per common share were $7.18 and $7.22, respectively. Expressed as a rate of return on average assets, net income in 2017 was 1.17%, compared with 1.06% in each of 2016 and 2015. The return on average common shareholders’ equity was 8.87% in 2017, 8.16% in 2016 and 8.32% in 2015.

The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) on December 22, 2017 reduced the corporate Federal income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and made other changes to U.S. corporate income tax laws.  GAAP requires that the impact of the provisions of the Tax Act be accounted for in the period of enactment.  Accordingly, the incremental income tax expense recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the Tax Act was $85 million, representing $.56 of diluted earnings per common share.  The additional expense was largely attributable to the reduction in carrying value of net deferred tax assets reflecting lower future tax benefits resulting from the lower corporate tax rate.  

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company realized after-tax gains from investment securities of $14 million ($21 million pre-tax) that added $.09 to diluted earnings per common share. Gains from investment securities increased the Company’s net income in 2016 by $18 million ($30 million pre-tax), representing $.12 of diluted earnings per common share.  There were no significant gains or losses on investment securities in 2015.

The Company increased its contribution to The M&T Charitable Foundation by $44 million in the final 2017 quarter, bringing total charitable contributions for all of 2017 to $50 million, thereby reducing net income by $30 million, or $.20 of diluted earnings per common share.  Charitable contributions were $30 million in 2016 and $46 million in 2015.  After applicable tax effect, those contributions equated to $.12 and $.20 per diluted common share in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

On October 9, 2017, Wilmington Trust Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T, reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware related to alleged conduct that took place between 2009 and 2010 prior to the acquisition of Wilmington Trust Corporation by M&T.  Under the terms of that agreement, Wilmington Trust Corporation was required to pay $60 million and settled the government’s claims.  The settlement amount included $16 million previously paid to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in a related action.  The result was a payment of $44 million that is not deductible for income tax purposes.  Wilmington Trust Corporation did not admit any liability.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company increased the reserve for legal matters by $50 million.  That increase, coupled with the non-deductible nature of the $44 million payment, reduced net income in 2017 by $48 million, or $.31 of diluted earnings per common share.

The Hudson City transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the results of operations acquired in such transaction have been included in the Company’s financial results for the final two months of 2015 and for all of 2016 and 2017. The acquired operations added to the Company’s average earning assets, net interest income and non-interest expenses. Net acquisition and integration-related expenses (included herein as merger-related

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expenses) associated with the Hudson City acquisition totaled $22 million after-tax effect, or $.14 of diluted earnings per common share during 2016 and $61 million after-tax effect, or $.44 of diluted earnings per common share in 2015. There were no merger-related expenses in 2017.

Taxable-equivalent net interest income increased 9% to $3.82 billion in 2017 from $3.50 billion in 2016. That improvement resulted from a widening of the net interest margin, or taxable-equivalent net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, from 3.11% in 2016 to 3.47% in 2017. Partially offsetting the impact of the widened net interest margin was a 2% decline in average earning assets to $110.0 billion in 2017 from $112.6 billion in 2016. Taxable-equivalent net interest income in 2016 was 22% higher than $2.87 billion in 2015 due predominantly to a $21.4 billion increase in average earning assets. That increase reflected higher average balances of loans and leases of $17.8 billion, principally due to the full-year impact of the Hudson City acquisition, and interest-bearing deposits at banks of $3.1 billion. Offsetting the impact of higher earning assets was a three basis point (hundredths of one percent) narrowing of the net interest margin from 3.14% in 2015. Lower yields on investment securities and an increase in rates on interest-bearing deposits, reflecting the impact of time deposits in the former Hudson City markets, led to that narrowing.

The provision for credit losses decreased 12% to $168 million in 2017 from $190 million in 2016. The provision in 2015 of $170 million reflected $21 million, as provided for by GAAP, for incurred credit losses in connection with the $18.3 billion of loans acquired in the Hudson City transaction at a premium that were not individually identifiable as impaired at the acquisition date. Net charge-offs were $140 million in 2017, $157 million in 2016 and $134 million in 2015. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases were .16% in 2017, .18% in 2016 and .19% in 2015.

Other income totaled $1.85 billion in 2017, compared with $1.83 billion in each of 2016 and 2015. Comparing 2017 with 2016, higher trust income and service charges on deposit accounts were partially offset by a decline in residential mortgage banking revenues and lower gains on investment securities. During 2016, higher gains recognized on sales of investment securities and increased trading account and foreign exchange gains as compared with 2015 were offset by a $45 million gain in 2015 on the sale of the Company’s trade processing business.

Other expense increased 3% to $3.14 billion in 2017 from $3.05 billion in 2016. Other expense in 2015 totaled $2.82 billion. Included in those amounts are expenses considered by M&T to be “nonoperating” in nature, consisting of amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets of $31 million, $43 million and $26 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and merger-related expenses of $36 million and $76 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Exclusive of those nonoperating expenses, noninterest operating expenses aggregated $3.11 billion in 2017, compared with $2.97 billion in 2016 and $2.72 billion in 2015. The increase in such expenses in 2017 as compared with 2016 was largely due to higher costs for salaries and employee benefits, professional services and charitable contributions, and increases to the reserve for legal matters. The increase in noninterest operating expenses in 2016 as compared with 2015 reflects the full-year impact of the Hudson City acquisition and higher costs for salaries and employee benefits and FDIC assessments.

The efficiency ratio measures the relationship of operating expenses to revenues. The Company’s efficiency ratio, or noninterest operating expenses (as previously defined) divided by the sum of taxable-equivalent net interest income and noninterest income (exclusive of gains and losses from bank investment securities), was 55.1% in 2017, compared with 56.1% and 58.0% in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The calculations of the efficiency ratio are presented in table 2.

In 2017, in addition to the impact of the Tax Act already noted, M&T adopted new accounting guidance for share-based transactions.  That guidance requires that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with share-based compensation be recognized in income tax expense in the income statement.  Previously, tax effects resulting from changes in M&T’s share price subsequent to the grant date were recorded through shareholders’ equity at the time of vesting or exercise.  The

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adoption of the amended accounting guidance resulted in a $22 million reduction of income tax expense in 2017, or $.15 of diluted earnings per common share.  

On June 28, 2017, M&T announced that the Federal Reserve did not object to M&T’s proposed 2017 Capital Plan.  That capital plan includes provisions for the repurchase of up to $900 million of common shares during the four-quarter period starting on July 1, 2017, an increase in the quarterly common stock dividend in the second quarter of 2018 of up to $.05 per share to $.80 per share, and the issuance of subordinated capital notes in the third quarter of 2017 of $500 million.  M&T may continue to pay dividends and interest on equity and debt instruments included in regulatory capital, including preferred stock, trust preferred securities and subordinated debt, consistent with the contractual terms of those instruments.  Dividends are subject to declaration by M&T’s Board of Directors.  In July 2017, M&T’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program to repurchase up to $900 million of shares of M&T’s common stock subject to all applicable regulatory limitations, including those set forth in M&T’s 2017 Capital Plan. In accordance with M&T’s 2017 Capital Plan, M&T repurchased 2,726,102 shares of its common stock during the last six months of 2017 at a cost of $449 million and issued $500 million of subordinated capital notes during 2017’s third quarter.   In accordance with M&T’s revised 2016 Capital Plan, during the first half of 2017, M&T repurchased 4,643,003 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $757 million, and during the first quarter of 2017 M&T increased the quarterly common stock dividend from $.70 to $.75 per share. In the aggregate, M&T repurchased 7,369,105 shares of its common stock during 2017 at a cost of $1.21 billion.

On February 5, 2018, M&T received notice of non-objection from the Federal Reserve to repurchase an additional $745 million of shares of its common stock by June 30, 2018.  This amount is in addition to the previously announced $900 million of common stock authorized for repurchase under M&T’s 2017 Capital Plan and its current stock repurchase program.  The additional repurchases of up to $745 million will be made under the terms of a new stock repurchase program approved by M&T’s Board of Directors on February 21, 2018.

On July 25, 2017, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York terminated its written agreement with M&T and its principal bank subsidiary, M&T Bank, that had been entered into in June 2013.  Under the terms of that agreement, M&T and M&T Bank implemented an enhanced compliance risk management program designed to ensure compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money-laundering laws and regulations (“BSA/AML”) and took other steps to enhance their compliance practices.

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Table 1

EARNINGS SUMMARY

Dollars in millions

 

 

Supplemental Reporting of Non-GAAP Results of Operations

As a result of business combinations and other acquisitions, the Company had intangible assets consisting of goodwill and core deposit and other intangible assets totaling $4.7 billion at each of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Included in such intangible assets was goodwill of $4.6 billion at each of those dates. Amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets, after-tax effect, totaled $19 million, $26 million and $16 million during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

M&T consistently provides supplemental reporting of its results on a “net operating” or “tangible” basis, from which M&T excludes the after-tax effect of amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets (and the related goodwill, core deposit intangible and other intangible asset balances, net of applicable deferred tax amounts) and gains and expenses associated with merging acquired operations into the Company, since such items are considered by management to be “nonoperating” in nature. Those merger-related expenses generally consist of professional services and other temporary help fees associated with the actual or planned conversion of systems and/or integration of operations; costs related to branch and office consolidations; costs related to termination of existing contractual arrangements to purchase various services; initial marketing and promotion expenses designed to introduce M&T Bank to its new customers; severance; incentive compensation costs; travel costs; and printing, supplies and other costs of completing the transactions and commencing operations in new markets and offices. Those expenses totaled $36 million ($22 million after-tax) in 2016 and $76 million ($48 million after-tax) in 2015. Also considered as a merger-related expense in 2015 was a provision for credit losses of $21 million. GAAP provides that an allowance for credit losses associated with probable incurred losses on loans acquired at a

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premium be recognized. Given the recognition of such losses above and beyond the impact of forecasted losses used in determining the fair value of acquired loans, the Company considered that provision to be a merger-related expense. There were no merger-related expenses in 2017. Although “net operating income” as defined by M&T is not a GAAP measure, M&T’s management believes that this information helps investors understand the effect of acquisition activity in reported results.

Net operating income was $1.43 billion in 2017, compared with $1.36 billion in 2016 and $1.16 billion in 2015. Diluted net operating earnings per common share were $8.82 in 2017, $8.08 in 2016 and $7.74 in 2015.

Net operating income expressed as a rate of return on average tangible assets was 1.23% in 2017, compared with 1.14% in 2016 and 1.18% in 2015. Net operating income represented a return on average tangible common equity of 13.00% in 2017 and 2015, compared with 12.25% in 2016.

Reconciliations of GAAP amounts with corresponding non-GAAP amounts are presented in table 2.

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Table 2

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

 

 

 

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Net Interest Income/Lending and Funding Activities

Net interest income expressed on a taxable-equivalent basis aggregated $3.82 billion in 2017, up 9% from $3.50 billion in 2016.   That growth resulted from a widening of the net interest margin to 3.47% in 2017 from 3.11% in 2016. The improvement in the net interest margin was predominantly the result of higher yields on loans due to the higher interest rate environment in 2017.  The Federal Reserve raised its target Federal funds rate by .25% in December 2016 and by the same increment in each of March, June and December 2017. Partially offsetting the favorable impact of higher interest rates was a $2.6 billion, or 2%, decline in average earning assets to $110.0 billion in 2017 from $112.6 billion in 2016 that reflected lower interest-bearing deposits at banks.

Average loans and leases increased to $88.8 billion in 2017 from $88.6 billion in 2016.  

Average balances of commercial loans and leases increased $584 million or 3% to $22.0 billion in 2017 from $21.4 billion in 2016. Average commercial real estate loans increased $2.3 billion or 7% in 2017 to $33.2 billion from $30.9 billion in 2016. Consumer loans averaged $12.6 billion in 2017, up $784 million or 7% from $11.8 billion in 2016 due to growth in recreational vehicle and automobile loans. Average residential real estate loans declined $3.5 billion or 14% to $21.0 billion in 2017 from $24.5 billion in 2016, predominantly due to ongoing repayments of loans obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City.

Taxable-equivalent net interest income in 2016 increased 22% from $2.87 billion in 2015. That growth was predominantly attributable to higher average earning assets in 2016, partially offset by a three basis point narrowing of the net interest margin in 2016 from 3.14% in 2015. Average earning assets rose $21.4 billion or 23% to $112.6 billion in 2016, reflecting higher average loans and leases.  The higher level of average earning assets reflected the full-year impact of assets obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City on November 1, 2015. The narrowing of the margin reflected higher rates paid on interest-bearing deposits, including the impact of time deposits in the former Hudson City markets.

Average loans and leases rose $17.8 billion or 25% in 2016 from $70.8 billion in 2015.  The most significant factors contributing to that increase were the residential real estate loans obtained in the Hudson City acquisition and growth in the commercial real estate loan and commercial loan and lease portfolios.  Reflecting average balances of loans obtained in the Hudson City transaction of $16.3 billion in 2016 and $3.1 billion in 2015, average residential real estate loans increased $13.0 billion to $24.5 billion in 2016 from $11.5 billion in the previous year.  Average commercial loans and leases increased $1.5 billion or 8% to $21.4 billion in 2016 from $19.9 billion in 2015.  Commercial real estate loan average balances in 2016 were up $2.6 billion or 9% from $28.3 billion in 2015.  Average consumer loans rose $638 million or 6% in 2016 from $11.2 billion in the prior year, predominantly due to growth in average automobile loan balances.

 

 

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Table 3

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND TAXABLE-EQUIVALENT RATES

 

 

 

 

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Table 4 summarizes average loans and leases outstanding in 2017 and percentage changes in the major components of the portfolio over the past two years.

Table 4

AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES

(Net of unearned discount)

 

 

Commercial loans and leases, excluding loans secured by real estate, totaled $21.7 billion at December 31, 2017, representing 25% of total loans and leases. Table 5 presents information on commercial loans and leases as of December 31, 2017 relating to geographic area, size, borrower industry and whether the loans are secured by collateral or unsecured. Of the $21.7 billion of commercial loans and leases outstanding at the end of 2017, approximately $19.4 billion, or 89%, were secured, while 39%, 24% and 23% were granted to businesses in New York State, Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic area (which includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia), respectively. The Company provides financing for leases to commercial customers, primarily for equipment. Commercial leases included in total commercial loans and leases at December 31, 2017 aggregated $1.3 billion, of which 47% were secured by collateral located in New York State, 18% were secured by collateral in Pennsylvania and another 14% were secured by collateral in the Mid-Atlantic area.

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Table 5

COMMERCIAL LOANS AND LEASES, NET OF UNEARNED DISCOUNT

(Excludes Loans Secured by Real Estate)

December 31, 2017

 

 

International loans included in commercial loans and leases totaled $77 million and $228 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Included in such loans were $54 million and $95 million, respectively, of loans at M&T Bank’s commercial banking office in Ontario, Canada. The remaining international loans are predominantly to domestic companies with foreign operations.

Loans secured by real estate, including outstanding balances of home equity loans and lines of credit which the Company classifies as consumer loans, represented approximately 67% of the loan

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and lease portfolio during 2017, compared with 69% and 64% in 2016 and 2015, respectively. At December 31, 2017, the Company held approximately $33.4 billion of commercial real estate loans, $19.6 billion of consumer real estate loans secured by one-to-four family residential properties (including $356 million of loans originated for sale) and $5.3 billion of outstanding balances of home equity loans and lines of credit, compared with $33.5 billion, $22.6 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2016. The decrease in residential real estate loans reflects pay downs of loans obtained in the Hudson City acquisition. Included in commercial real estate loans at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were construction loans of $8.1 billion and $8.0 billion, respectively, including amounts due from builders and developers of residential real estate aggregating $1.6 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Commercial real estate loans also included loans held for sale totaling $22 million and $643 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Commercial real estate loans originated by the Company include fixed rate instruments with monthly payments and a balloon payment of the remaining unpaid principal at maturity, in many cases five years after origination. For borrowers in good standing, the terms of such loans may be extended by the customer for an additional five years at the then-current market rate of interest. The Company also originates fixed rate commercial real estate loans with maturities of greater than five years, generally having original maturity terms of approximately seven to ten years, and adjustable-rate commercial real estate loans. Adjustable-rate commercial real estate loans represented approximately 75% of the commercial real estate loan portfolio at the 2017 year-end. Table 6 presents commercial real estate loans by geographic area, type of collateral and size of the loans outstanding at December 31, 2017. New York City area commercial real estate loans totaled $8.9 billion at December 31, 2017. The $8.1 billion of investor-owned commercial real estate loans in the New York City area were largely secured by multifamily residential properties, retail space and office space. The Company’s experience has been that office, retail and service-related properties tend to demonstrate more volatile fluctuations in value through economic cycles and changing economic conditions than do multifamily residential properties. Approximately 33% of the aggregate dollar amount of New York City area loans were for loans with outstanding balances of $10 million or less, while loans of more than $50 million made up approximately 20% of the total.

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Table 6

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOANS, NET OF UNEARNED DISCOUNT

December 31, 2017

 

 

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Commercial real estate loans secured by properties located in other parts of New York State, Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic area tend to have a greater diversity of collateral types and include a significant amount of lending to customers who use the mortgaged property in their trade or business (owner-occupied). Approximately 64% of the aggregate dollar amount of commercial real estate loans in New York State secured by properties located outside of the New York City area were for loans with outstanding balances of $10 million or less. Of the outstanding balances of commercial real estate loans in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic area, approximately 58% and 46%, respectively, were for loans with outstanding balances of $10 million or less.

Commercial real estate loans secured by properties located outside of Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic area and New York State comprised 15% of total commercial real estate loans as of December 31, 2017.

Commercial real estate construction and development loans made to investors presented in table 6 totaled $7.7 billion at December 31, 2017, or 9% of total loans and leases. Approximately 99% of those construction loans had adjustable interest rates. Included in such loans at the 2017 year-end were $1.6 billion of loans to builders and developers of residential real estate properties.  The remainder of the commercial real estate construction loan portfolio was comprised of loans made for various purposes, including the construction of office buildings, multifamily residential housing, retail space and other commercial development.

M&T Realty Capital Corporation, a commercial real estate lending subsidiary of M&T Bank, participates in the Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) program of Fannie Mae, pursuant to which commercial real estate loans are originated in accordance with terms and conditions specified by Fannie Mae and sold. Under this program, loans are sold with partial credit recourse to M&T Realty Capital Corporation. The amount of recourse is generally limited to one-third of any credit loss incurred by the purchaser on an individual loan, although in some cases the recourse amount is less than one-third of the outstanding principal balance. The Company’s maximum credit risk for recourse associated with sold commercial real estate loans was approximately $3.3 billion and $2.8 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. There have been no material losses incurred as a result of those recourse arrangements. Commercial real estate loans held for sale at December 31, 2017 and 2016 aggregated $22 million and $643 million, respectively. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, commercial real estate loans serviced by the Company for other investors were $16.2 billion and $11.8 billion, respectively. Those serviced loans are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. In January 2017, M&T Realty Capital Corporation began sub-servicing a commercial mortgage loan portfolio and obtained other assets increasing loans serviced for others by $2.7 billion. The assets acquired were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position.

Real estate loans secured by one-to-four family residential properties were $19.6 billion at December 31, 2017, including approximately 35% secured by properties located in New York State, 8% secured by properties located in Pennsylvania, 28% secured by properties in New Jersey and 11% secured by properties located in other Mid-Atlantic areas. The Company’s portfolio of alternative (“Alt-A”) residential real estate loans (referred to as “limited documentation loans”) held for investment decreased by $571 million to $3.0 billion at December 31, 2017 from $3.6 billion at December 31, 2016. A portfolio of limited documentation loans acquired with the Hudson City transaction totaled $2.8 billion and $3.3 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Alt-A loans represent loans that at origination typically included some form of limited borrower documentation requirements as compared with more traditional residential real estate loans. Hudson City loans that were eligible for limited documentation processing were available in amounts up to 65% of the lower of the appraised value or purchase price of the property. Hudson City discontinued its limited documentation loan program in January 2014. Loans in the Company’s Alt-A portfolio prior to the Hudson City transaction were originated by the Company prior to 2008. Loans to

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individuals to finance the construction of one-to-four family residential properties totaled $22 million at December 31, 2017 and $21 million at December 31, 2016, or less than .1% of total loans and leases at each of those dates. Information about the credit performance of the Company’s residential real estate loans is included herein under the heading “Provision For Credit Losses.”

Consumer loans comprised approximately 15% and 13% of total loans and leases at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Outstanding balances of home equity loans and lines of credit represent the largest component of the consumer loan portfolio. Such balances represented approximately 6% of total loans and leases at each of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Approximately 40% of home equity loans and lines of credit outstanding at December 31, 2017 were secured by properties in New York State, 25% in Maryland, 21% in Pennsylvania and 3% in New Jersey. Outstanding automobile loan balances rose to $3.5 billion at December 31, 2017 from $2.9 billion at December 31, 2016. That increase reflects continued consumer demand for motor vehicles.

Table 7 presents the composition of the Company’s loan and lease portfolio at the end of 2017, including outstanding balances to businesses and consumers in New York State, Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic area and other states.

Table 7

LOANS AND LEASES, NET OF UNEARNED DISCOUNT

December 31, 2017

 

 

The investment securities portfolio averaged $15.5 billion in 2017, up from $15.0 billion and $14.5 billion in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The changes in the average balances reflect the net effect of purchases, offset by maturities and pay downs of mortgage-backed securities. During 2017, the Company purchased $1.4 billion of mortgage-backed securities, predominantly Ginnie Mae and Freddie Mac securities, and $219 million of U.S. Treasury notes. The Company sold $512 million of

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available-for-sale Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities during 2017 largely due to the limitations on the amount of those type of securities that are permitted to be included in the highest tier of “high quality liquid assets” for the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”) calculation. The Company also sold a portion of its holdings of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock during December 2017 for a gain of $18 million.  The preferred stock sold had a cost basis (after previous write-downs) of $3 million. During 2016, the Company sold all of its collateralized debt obligations that were held in the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio for a gain of approximately $30 million. Those securities were sold in large part in response to the provisions of the so-called Volcker Rule included in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”).

The investment securities portfolio is largely comprised of residential mortgage-backed securities, debt securities issued by municipalities, trust preferred securities issued by certain financial institutions, and shorter-term U.S. Treasury and federal agency notes. When purchasing investment securities, the Company considers its liquidity position and its overall interest-rate risk profile as well as the adequacy of expected returns relative to risks assumed, including prepayments. The Company manages its investment securities portfolio, in part, to satisfy the requirements of the LCR that became effective in January 2016. The LCR is intended to ensure that banks hold a sufficient amount of “high quality liquid assets” to cover the anticipated net cash outflows during a hypothetical acute 30-day stress scenario. For additional information concerning the LCR rules, refer to Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the heading “Liquidity.”

In addition to the sales noted above, the Company may occasionally sell investment securities as a result of changes in interest rates and spreads, actual or anticipated prepayments, credit risk associated with a particular security, or as a result of restructuring its investment securities portfolio in connection with a business combination. The amounts of investment securities held by the Company are influenced by such factors as demand for loans, which generally yield more than investment securities, ongoing repayments, the levels of deposits, and management of liquidity (including the LCR) and balance sheet size and resulting capital ratios.

The Company regularly reviews its investment securities for declines in value below amortized cost that might be characterized as “other than temporary.” There were no other-than-temporary impairment charges recognized in 2017, 2016 or 2015. Based on management’s assessment of future cash flows associated with individual investment securities as of December 31, 2017, the Company concluded that declines in value below amortized cost associated with the investment securities portfolio were temporary in nature. A further discussion of fair values of investment securities is included herein under the heading “Capital.” Additional information about the investment securities portfolio is included in notes 3 and 20 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Other earning assets include interest-bearing deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and other banks, trading account assets and federal funds sold. Those other earning assets in the aggregate averaged $5.6 billion in 2017, $8.9 billion in 2016 and $5.9 billion in 2015. Interest-bearing deposits at banks averaged $5.6 billion in 2017, compared with $8.8 billion and $5.8 billion in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amounts of interest-bearing deposits at banks at the respective dates were predominantly comprised of deposits held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The levels of those deposits often fluctuate due to changes in trust-related deposits of commercial entities, purchases or maturities of investment securities, or borrowings to manage the Company’s liquidity.

The most significant source of funding for the Company is core deposits. The Company considers noninterest-bearing deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts, savings deposits and time deposits of $250,000 or less as core deposits. The Company’s branch network is its principal source of core deposits, which generally carry lower interest rates than wholesale funds of comparable maturities. Average core deposits totaled $92.1 billion in 2017, compared with $92.2 billion in 2016 and $74.2 billion in 2015. The decline in average core deposits in 2017 as compared with 2016 reflected a $3.6 billion, or 33%, decrease in time deposits, predominantly related to

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maturities of relatively high-rate deposits obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City, partially offset by growth in noninterest-bearing deposits, in part reflecting balances associated with trust customers. The higher average core deposits in 2016 as compared with 2015 were predominantly reflective of the impact of the merger with Hudson City. The Hudson City acquisition added approximately $17.0 billion of core deposits on November 1, 2015, including $9.7 billion of time deposits, $6.6 billion of savings deposits and $691 million of noninterest-bearing deposits. Funding provided by core deposits represented 84% of average earning assets in 2017, compared with 82% and 81% in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Table 8 summarizes average core deposits in 2017 and percentage changes in the components of such deposits over the past two years. Core deposits totaled $90.4 billion and $93.1 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Table 8

AVERAGE CORE DEPOSITS

 

 

The Company also receives funding from other deposit sources, including branch-related time deposits over $250,000, deposits associated with the Company’s Cayman Islands office, and brokered deposits. Time deposits over $250,000, excluding brokered deposits, averaged $775 million in 2017, $1.2 billion in 2016 and $501 million in 2015. The decline in such deposits in 2017 from 2016 was predominantly the result of maturities of time deposits obtained in the Hudson City acquisition. The higher level of time deposits over $250,000 in 2016 as compared with 2015 was due to the full-year impact of deposits obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City. Cayman Islands office deposits averaged $185 million in 2017, $199 million in 2016 and $216 million in 2015. Brokered time deposits averaged $59 million in each of 2017 and 2016 and $37 million in 2015. The Company also had brokered savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts that averaged $1.2 billion in 2017 and $1.1 billion in each of 2016 and 2015. Additional amounts of Cayman Islands office deposits or brokered deposits may be added in the future depending on market conditions, including demand by customers and other investors for those deposits, and the cost of funds available from alternative sources at the time.

The Company also uses borrowings from banks, securities dealers, various Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and others as sources of funding. Short-term borrowings represent borrowing arrangements that at the time they were entered into had a contractual maturity of one year or less. Average short-term borrowings were $205 million in 2017, $894 million in 2016 and $548 million in 2015. The higher levels of such borrowings in 2016 and 2015 were predominantly due to short-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of New York assumed in the Hudson City acquisition. Those short-term fixed rate borrowings matured throughout 2016. Also included in short-term borrowings were unsecured federal funds borrowings, which generally mature on the next business day, that averaged $132 million, $151 million and $138 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Overnight federal

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funds borrowings totaled $125 million at December 31, 2017 and $112 million at December 31, 2016.

Long-term borrowings averaged $8.3 billion in 2017, $10.3 billion in 2016 and $10.2 billion in 2015. M&T Bank has a Bank Note Program whereby M&T Bank may offer unsecured senior and subordinated notes. Unsecured senior notes issued under that program totaled $5.0 billion and $5.2 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Average balances of outstanding senior notes issued under that program were $4.8 billion in 2017, compared with $5.3 billion in each of 2016 and 2015. The lower average balances of the senior notes in 2017 resulted from redemptions and maturities that exceeded new issuances under the Bank Note Program. Also included in average long-term borrowings were amounts borrowed from the Federal Home Loan Banks of New York, Atlanta and Pittsburgh of $820 million in 2017, compared with $1.2 billion in each of 2016 and 2015, and subordinated capital notes of $1.7 billion in 2017, compared with $1.5 billion in each of 2016 and 2015. During 2017, in accordance with M&T’s 2017 Capital Plan M&T Bank issued $500 million of fixed rate subordinated capital notes that mature in 2027.  Junior subordinated debentures associated with trust preferred securities that were included in average long-term borrowings were $518 million in 2017, $515 million in 2016 and $605 million in 2015. In accordance with its 2015 capital plan, on April 15, 2015 M&T redeemed the junior subordinated debentures associated with the $310 million of trust preferred securities of M&T Capital Trusts I, II and III. Those borrowings had a weighted-average interest rate of 8.24%. Also included in long-term borrowings were agreements to repurchase securities, which averaged $490 million in 2017, $1.8 billion in 2016 and $1.5 billion during 2015.  Agreements to repurchase securities assumed in connection with the Hudson City acquisition totaled $6.9 billion at November 1, 2015. Immediately following the November 1, 2015 Hudson City acquisition date the balance sheet was restructured and $6.4 billion of the assumed repurchase agreements were repaid. Matured repurchase agreements totaled $650 million and $800 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The repurchase agreements held at December 31, 2017 totaled $422 million and have various repurchase dates through 2020, however, the contractual maturities of the underlying securities extend beyond such repurchase dates. Additional information regarding long-term borrowings, including information regarding contractual maturities of such borrowings, is provided in note 9 of Notes to Financial Statements. The Company has utilized interest rate swap agreements to modify the repricing characteristics of certain components of long-term debt. As of December 31, 2017, interest rate swap agreements were used to hedge approximately $4.6 billion of outstanding fixed rate long-term borrowings. Further information on interest rate swap agreements is provided in note 18 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Changes in the composition of the Company’s earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as discussed herein, as well as changes in interest rates and spreads, can impact net interest income. Net interest spread, or the difference between the taxable-equivalent yield on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, was 3.27% in 2017, compared with 2.93% in 2016 and 2.95% in 2015. The yield on the Company’s earning assets increased 33 basis points to 3.82% in 2017 from 3.49% in 2016, while the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased one basis point to .55% in 2017 from .56% in 2016. The widening of the net interest spread in 2017 as compared with 2016 was predominantly due to the effect of increases in short-term interest rates initiated by the Federal Reserve during late 2016 and 2017 that contributed most significantly to higher yields on loans and leases. The slight narrowing of the net interest spread in 2016 as compared with 2015 reflected the ongoing impact of the low interest rate environment in those years on the yields earned on investment securities, higher rates paid on interest-bearing deposits (largely associated with time deposits obtained in the Hudson City acquisition) and higher amounts of relatively low yielding balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Net interest-free funds consist largely of noninterest-bearing demand deposits and shareholders’ equity, partially offset by bank owned life insurance and non-earning assets, including goodwill and

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core deposit and other intangible assets. Net interest-free funds averaged $39.7 billion in 2017, compared with $36.8 billion in 2016 and $31.7 billion in 2015. The increases in average net interest-free funds in 2017 from 2016 and in 2016 as compared with 2015 reflect higher balances of noninterest-bearing deposits. Those deposits averaged $32.5 billion in 2017, $30.2 billion in 2016 and $27.3 billion in 2015. The growth in average noninterest-bearing deposits in 2017 as compared with 2016 reflects higher levels of deposits of trust customers.  In connection with the November 1, 2015 acquisition of Hudson City, the Company added noninterest-bearing deposits of $691 million at the acquisition date. In addition to the impact of the Hudson City acquisition, growth in noninterest-bearing deposits in 2016 as compared with 2015 reflected an increase in commercial and trust customer deposits. Shareholders’ equity averaged $16.3 billion, $16.4 billion and $13.2 billion in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The rise in shareholders’ equity from 2015 to 2016 reflected $3.1 billion of common equity issued in connection with the acquisition of Hudson City, as well as net retained earnings. Goodwill and core deposit and other intangible assets averaged $4.7 billion in each of 2017 and 2016, compared with $3.7 billion in 2015. Goodwill of $1.1 billion and core deposit intangible of $132 million resulted from the November 1, 2015 Hudson City acquisition. The cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance averaged $1.8 billion in 2017, compared with $1.7 billion in each of 2016 and 2015. Increases in the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance are not included in interest income, but rather are recorded in “other revenues from operations.” The contribution of net interest-free funds to net interest margin was .20% in 2017, .18% in 2016 and .19% in 2015.

Reflecting the changes to the net interest spread and the contribution of net interest-free funds as described herein, the Company’s net interest margin was 3.47% in 2017, 3.11% in 2016 and 3.14% in 2015. Future changes in market interest rates or spreads, as well as changes in the composition of the Company’s portfolios of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities that result in reductions in spreads, could adversely impact the Company’s net interest income and net interest margin.

Management assesses the potential impact of future changes in interest rates and spreads by projecting net interest income under several interest rate scenarios. In managing interest rate risk, the Company has utilized interest rate swap agreements to modify the repricing characteristics of certain portions of its earnings assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Periodic settlement amounts arising from these agreements are reflected in either the yields on earning assets or the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The notional amount of interest rate swap agreements entered into for interest rate risk management purposes was $7.4 billion (excluding $2.0 billion of forward-starting swap agreements) at December 31, 2017 and $900 million at December 31, 2016. Under the terms of those interest rate swap agreements, the Company received payments based on the outstanding notional amount at fixed rates and made payments at variable rates. The $6.5 billion increase in notional amount from December 31, 2016 reflects additions of $2.9 billion of interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges of variable rate commercial real estate loans and $3.6 billion of interest rate swap agreements designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate long-term borrowings. There were no interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges at December 31, 2016.

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In a fair value hedge, the fair value of the derivative (the interest rate swap agreement) and changes in the fair value of the hedged item are recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with the corresponding gain or loss recognized in current earnings. The difference between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements and the hedged items represents hedge ineffectiveness and is recorded in “other revenues from operations” in the Company’s consolidated statement of income. In a cash flow hedge, unlike in a fair value hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss is reported in “other revenues from operations” immediately. The amounts of hedge ineffectiveness recognized in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations. Information regarding the fair value of interest rate swap agreements and hedge ineffectiveness is presented in note 18 of Notes to Financial Statements.  Information regarding the effective portion of cash flow hedges is presented in note 15 of Notes to Financial Statements.  The changes in the fair values of the interest rate swap agreements and the hedged items primarily result from the effects of changing interest rates and spreads. The Company’s credit exposure as of December 31, 2017 with respect to the estimated fair value of interest rate swap agreements used for managing interest rate risk has been substantially mitigated through master netting arrangements with trading account interest rate contracts with the same counterparty as well as counterparty postings of $12 million of collateral with the Company.  The average notional amounts of interest rate swap agreements entered into for interest rate risk management purposes, the related effect on net interest income and margin, and the weighted-average interest rates paid or received on those swap agreements are presented in table 9.

Table 9

INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS

 

 

 

In addition to interest rate swap agreements, the Company has entered into interest rate floor agreements that are not accounted for as hedging instruments but, nevertheless, provide the Company with protection against the possibility of future declines in interest rates on its earning assets.  At December 31, 2017, outstanding notional amounts of such agreements totaled $6.3 billion.  There were no similar agreements at December 31, 2016. The fair value of those interest rate floor

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agreements was $3.7 million and was included in trading account assets at December 31, 2017. Changes in the fair value of those agreements are recorded as “trading account and foreign exchange gains” in the consolidated statement of income.

 

Provision for Credit Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses that in management’s judgment appropriately reflects losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. A provision for credit losses is recorded to adjust the level of the allowance as deemed necessary by management. The provision for credit losses was $168 million in 2017, compared with $190 million in 2016 and $170 million in 2015. Net charge-offs of loans were $140 million in 2017, $157 million in 2016 and $134 million in 2015. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans and leases outstanding were .16% in 2017, compared with .18% in 2016 and .19% in 2015. A summary of the Company’s loan charge-offs, provision and allowance for credit losses is presented in table 10 and in note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Table 10

LOAN CHARGE-OFFS, PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

 

 

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Loans acquired in connection with acquisition transactions subsequent to 2008 were recorded at fair value with no carry-over of any previously recorded allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the acquired loans required estimating cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at then-current interest rates. For acquired loans where fair value was less than outstanding principal as of the acquisition date and the resulting discount was due, at least in part, to credit deterioration, the excess of expected cash flows over the carrying value of the loans is recognized as interest income over the lives of the loans. The difference between contractually required payments and the cash flows expected to be collected is referred to as the nonaccretable balance and is not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet. The nonaccretable balance reflects estimated future credit losses and other contractually required payments that the Company does not expect to collect. The Company regularly evaluates the reasonableness of its cash flow projections associated with such loans, including its estimates of lifetime principal losses. Any decreases to the expected cash flows require the Company to evaluate the need for an additional allowance for credit losses and could lead to charge-offs of loan balances. Any significant increases in expected cash flows result in additional interest income to be recognized over the then-remaining lives of the loans. The carrying amount of loans acquired at a discount subsequent to 2008 and accounted for based on expected cash flows was $1.0 billion and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The nonaccretable balance related to remaining principal losses associated with loans acquired at a discount as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is presented in table 11. During each of the last three years, based largely on improving economic conditions and borrower repayment performance, the Company’s estimates of cash flows expected to be generated by loans acquired at a discount and accounted for based on expected cash flows improved, resulting in increases in the accretable yield. In 2017, estimated cash flows expected to be generated by acquired loans increased by $66 million, or approximately 3%. That improvement reflected higher estimated principal, interest and other recoveries largely associated with purchased-impaired residential real estate loans acquired from Hudson City. In 2016, estimated cash flows expected to be generated by acquired loans increased by $50 million, or approximately 2%. That improvement reflected a lowering of estimated principal losses by approximately $33 million, primarily due to a $19 million decrease in expected principal losses in the commercial real estate loan portfolios, as well as interest and other recoveries. Similarly, in 2015, excluding expected cash flows on the purchased impaired loans acquired from Hudson City on November 1, 2015, estimated cash flows expected to be generated increased by $77 million, or approximately 3%. That improvement reflected a lowering of estimated principal losses by approximately $58 million, primarily due to a $42 million decrease in expected principal losses in the commercial real estate loan portfolios, as well as interest and other recoveries.

Table 11

NONACCRETABLE BALANCE — PRINCIPAL

 

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For acquired loans where the fair value exceeded the outstanding principal balance, the resulting premium is recognized as a reduction of interest income over the lives of the loans. Immediately following the acquisition date and thereafter, an allowance for credit losses is recorded for incurred losses inherent in the portfolio, consistent with the accounting for originated loans and leases. The carrying amount of Hudson City loans acquired at a premium totaled $11.5 billion and $14.2 billion at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. GAAP does not allow the credit loss component of the net premium associated with those loans to be bifurcated and accounted for as a nonaccreting balance as is the case with purchased impaired loans and other loans acquired at a discount. Despite the fact that the determination of aggregate fair value reflects the impact of expected credit losses, GAAP provides that incurred losses in a portfolio of loans acquired at a premium be recognized even though in a relatively homogenous portfolio of residential mortgage loans the specific loans to which the losses relate cannot be individually identified at the acquisition date.  As a result, in addition to the impact of estimated credit losses included in the determination of the fair value of loans acquired from Hudson City at a premium, the Company recorded a $21 million provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2015 for incurred losses inherent in those loans at that time. Subsequent to the acquisition date, incurred losses associated with those loans are evaluated using methods consistent with those applied to originated loans and such losses are considered by management in evaluating the Company’s allowance for credit losses.

Nonaccrual loans aggregated $883 million at December 31, 2017, compared with $920 million and $799 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As a percentage of total loans and leases outstanding, nonaccrual loans represented 1.00%, 1.01% and .91% at the end of 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The lower level of nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2017 as compared with December 31, 2016 reflects the effects of borrower repayment performance and charge-offs. The increase in nonaccrual loans since the 2015 year-end reflected previously performing residential real estate loans obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City that subsequently became over 90 days past due and, as such, were not identifiable as purchased impaired as of the acquisition date.  Those nonaccrual loans totaled $215 million and $190 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Following the acquisition accounting provisions of GAAP, Hudson City-related loans classified as nonaccrual were not significant at December 31, 2015.

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more (excluding loans acquired at a discount) totaled $244 million or .28% of total loans and leases at December 31, 2017, compared with $301 million or .33% at December 31, 2016 and $317 million or .36% at December 31, 2015. Those amounts included loans guaranteed by government-related entities of $235 million, $283 million and $276 million at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Guaranteed loans included one-to-four family residential mortgage loans serviced by the Company that were repurchased to reduce associated servicing costs, including a requirement to advance principal and interest payments that had not been received from individual mortgagors. Despite the loans being purchased by the Company, the insurance or guarantee by the applicable government-related entity remains in force. The outstanding principal balances of the repurchased loans that are guaranteed by government-related entities totaled $207 million at December 31, 2017, $224 million at December 31, 2016 and $221 million at December 31, 2015. The remaining accruing loans past due 90 days or more not guaranteed by government-related entities were loans considered to be with creditworthy borrowers that were in the process of collection or renewal. A summary of nonperforming assets and certain past due, renegotiated and impaired loan data and credit quality ratios is presented in table 12.

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Table 12

NONPERFORMING ASSET AND PAST DUE, RENEGOTIATED AND IMPAIRED LOAN DATA

 

 

Purchased impaired loans are loans obtained in acquisition transactions subsequent to 2008 that as of the acquisition date were specifically identified as displaying signs of credit deterioration and for which the Company did not expect to collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. Those loans were impaired at the date of acquisition, were recorded at estimated fair value and were generally delinquent in payments, but, in accordance with GAAP, the Company continues to accrue interest income on such loans based on the estimated expected cash flows associated with the loans. The carrying amount of such loans aggregated $410 million at December 31, 2017, or .5% of total loans. Of that amount, $378 million related to the Hudson City acquisition. Purchased impaired loans totaled $578 million at December 31, 2016, of which $512 million related to the acquisition of Hudson City.

The Company modified the terms of select loans in an effort to assist borrowers. If the borrower was experiencing financial difficulty and a concession was granted, the Company considered such modifications as troubled debt restructurings. Loan modifications included such actions as the extension of loan maturity dates and the lowering of interest rates and monthly payments. The objective of the modifications was to increase loan repayments by customers and thereby reduce net

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charge-offs. In accordance with GAAP, the modified loans are included in impaired loans for purposes of determining the level of the allowance for credit losses. Information about modifications of loans that are considered troubled debt restructurings is included in note 4 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Residential real estate loans modified under specified loss mitigation programs prescribed by government guarantors have not been included in renegotiated loans because the loan guarantee remains in full force and, accordingly, the Company has not granted a concession with respect to the ultimate collection of the original loan balance. Such loans totaled $189 million and $171 million at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Charge-offs of commercial loans and leases, net of recoveries, aggregated $44 million in 2017, $29 million in 2016 and $31 million in 2015.  Commercial loans and leases in nonaccrual status were $241 million at December 31, 2017, $261 million at December 31, 2016 and $242 million at December 31, 2015.

Net recoveries of previously charged-off commercial real estate loans during 2017 and 2016 were $5 million and $2 million, respectively, compared with net charge-offs of commercial real estate loans during 2015 of $7 million. Reflected in those amounts were net recoveries of $9 million in 2017, $4 million in 2016 and $2 million in 2015 of loans to residential real estate builders and developers. Commercial real estate loans classified as nonaccrual aggregated $202 million at December 31, 2017, compared with $211 million at December 31, 2016 and $224 million at December 31, 2015.  Nonaccrual commercial real estate loans included construction-related loans of $17 million, $35 million and $45 million at the end of 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Those nonaccrual construction loans included loans to residential builders and developers of $6 million at December 31, 2017, $17 million at December 31, 2016 and $28 million at December 31, 2015.

Net charge-offs of residential real estate loans totaled $12 million in 2017, $18 million in 2016 and $9 million in 2015. Residential real estate loans in nonaccrual status at December 31, 2017 were $332 million, compared with $336 million and $215 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The higher levels of residential real estate loans classified as nonaccrual since 2015 reflect previously performing loans obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City that subsequently became more than 90 days delinquent after 2015.  Such nonaccrual residential real estate loans aggregated $215 million and $190 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Those loans could not be identified as purchased impaired loans at the acquisition date because the borrowers were making loan payments at the time and the loans were not recorded at a discount. Following the acquisition accounting provisions of GAAP, Hudson City-related nonaccrual residential real estate loans were not significant at December 31, 2015. Net charge-offs of limited documentation first mortgage loans aggregated $2 million in 2017, $4 million in 2016 and $1 million in 2015. Nonaccrual limited documentation first mortgage loans were $96 million at December 31, 2017 (including $65 million obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City), compared with $107 million (including $70 million obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City) and $62 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Residential real estate loans past due 90 days or more and accruing interest (excluding loans acquired at a discount) totaled $233 million (including $21 million obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City) at December 31, 2017, $281 million (including $49 million obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City) at December 31, 2016 and $284 million (including $44 million obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City) at December 31, 2015. A substantial portion of such amounts related to guaranteed loans repurchased from government-related entities. Information about the location of nonaccrual and charged-off residential real estate loans as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 is presented in table 13.

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Table 13

SELECTED RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE-RELATED LOAN DATA

 

 

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Net charge-offs of consumer loans during 2017 aggregated $89 million, compared with $112 million in 2016 and $87 million in 2015. During 2016, the Company accelerated the charge off of consumer loans associated with customers who were either deceased or had filed for bankruptcy that, in accordance with GAAP, had previously been considered when determining the level of the allowance for credit losses and were charged-off following the Company’s normal charge-off procedures to the extent the loans subsequently became delinquent. Charge-offs of such loans totaled $25 million and $32 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and included $17 million and $22 million of loan balances with a current payment status at the time of charge-off. Included in net charge-offs of consumer loans were: automobile loans of $34 million in 2017, $32 million in 2016 and $12 million in 2015; recreational vehicle loans of $16 million, $24 million and $12 million during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively; and home equity loans and lines of credit secured by one-to-four family residential properties of $11 million in 2017, $17 million in 2016 and $15 million in 2015. Nonaccrual consumer loans were $108 million at December 31, 2017, compared with $112 million and $118 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Included in nonaccrual consumer loans at the 2017, 2016 and 2015 year-ends were: automobile loans of $24 million, $19 million and $17 million, respectively; recreational vehicle loans of $6 million, $7 million and $9 million, respectively; and outstanding balances of home equity loans and lines of credit of $75 million, $82 million and $84 million, respectively. Information about the location of nonaccrual and charged-off home equity loans and lines of credit as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 is presented in table 13.

Information about past due and nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is also included in note 4 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Real estate and other foreclosed assets totaled $112 million at December 31, 2017, compared with $139 million at December 31, 2016 and $195 million at December 31, 2015. Net gains or losses associated with real estate and other foreclosed assets were not material in 2017, 2016 or 2015. At December 31, 2017, the Company’s holding of residential real estate-related properties comprised approximately 96% of foreclosed assets.

Management determined the allowance for credit losses by performing ongoing evaluations of the loan and lease portfolio, including such factors as the differing economic risks associated with each loan category, the financial condition of specific borrowers, the economic environment in which borrowers operate, the level of delinquent loans, the value of any collateral and, where applicable, the existence of any guarantees or indemnifications. Management evaluated the impact of changes in interest rates and overall economic conditions on the ability of borrowers to meet repayment obligations when quantifying the Company’s exposure to credit losses and the allowance for such losses as of each reporting date. Factors also considered by management when performing its assessment, in addition to general economic conditions and the other factors described above, included, but were not limited to: (i) the impact of real estate values on the Company’s portfolio of loans secured by commercial and residential real estate; (ii) the concentrations of commercial real estate loans in the Company’s loan portfolio; (iii) the amount of commercial and industrial loans to businesses in areas of New York State outside of the New York City metropolitan area and in central Pennsylvania that have historically experienced less economic growth and vitality than the vast majority of other regions of the country; (iv) the expected repayment performance associated with the Company’s first and second lien loans secured by residential real estate, including loans obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City that were not classified as purchased impaired; and (v) the size of the Company’s portfolio of loans to individual consumers, which historically have experienced higher net charge-offs as a percentage of loans outstanding than other loan types. The level of the allowance is adjusted based on the results of management’s analysis.

Management cautiously and conservatively evaluated the allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2017 in light of: (i) residential real estate values and the level of delinquencies of loans secured by residential real estate; (ii) economic conditions in the markets served by the Company;

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(iii) slower growth in private sector employment in upstate New York and central Pennsylvania than in other regions served by the Company and nationally; (iv) the significant subjectivity involved in commercial real estate valuations; and (v) the amount of loan growth experienced by the Company. While there has been general improvement in economic conditions, concerns continue to exist about the strength and sustainability of such improvements; the volatile nature of global commodity and export markets, including the impact international economic conditions could have on the U.S. economy; Federal Reserve positioning of monetary policy; and continued stagnant population growth in the upstate New York and central Pennsylvania regions (approximately 53% of the Company’s loans and leases are to customers in New York State and Pennsylvania).

As described in note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements, the Company utilizes a loan grading system to differentiate risk amongst its commercial loans and commercial real estate loans. Loans with a lower expectation of default are assigned one of ten possible “pass” loan grades and are generally ascribed lower loss factors when determining the allowance for credit losses. Loans with an elevated level of credit risk are classified as “criticized” and are ascribed a higher loss factor when determining the allowance for credit losses. Criticized loans may be classified as “nonaccrual” if the Company no longer expects to collect all amounts according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement or the loan is delinquent 90 days or more. Criticized commercial loans and commercial real estate loans totaled $2.5 billion at December 31, 2017 and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2016. Approximately 99% of loan balances added to the criticized category during 2017 were less than 90 days past due and 96% had a current payment status. Given payment performance, amount of supporting collateral, and, in certain instances, the existence of loan guarantees, the Company still expects to collect the full outstanding principal balance on most of these loans.  

Loan officers in different geographic locations with the support of the Company’s credit department personnel continuously review and reassign loan grades based on their detailed knowledge of individual borrowers and their judgment of the impact on such borrowers resulting from changing conditions in their respective regions. At least annually, updated financial information is obtained from commercial borrowers associated with pass grade loans and additional analysis is performed. On a quarterly basis, the Company’s centralized credit department reviews all criticized commercial loans and commercial real estate loans greater than $1 million to determine the appropriateness of the assigned loan grade, including whether the loan should be reported as accruing or nonaccruing. For criticized nonaccrual loans, additional meetings are held with loan officers and their managers, workout specialists and senior management to discuss each of the relationships. In analyzing criticized loans, borrower-specific information is reviewed, including operating results, future cash flows, recent developments and the borrower’s outlook, and other pertinent data. The timing and extent of potential losses, considering collateral valuation and other factors, and the Company’s potential courses of action are contemplated. To the extent that these loans are collateral-dependent, they are evaluated based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral as estimated at or near the financial statement date. As the quality of a loan deteriorates to the point of classifying the loan as “criticized,” the process of obtaining updated collateral valuation information is usually initiated, unless it is not considered warranted given factors such as the relative size of the loan, the characteristics of the collateral or the age of the last valuation. In those cases where current appraisals may not yet be available, prior appraisals are utilized with adjustments, as deemed necessary, for estimates of subsequent declines in value as determined by line of business and/or loan workout personnel in the respective geographic regions. Those adjustments are reviewed and assessed for reasonableness by the Company’s credit department. Accordingly, for real estate collateral securing larger commercial loans and commercial real estate loans, estimated collateral values are based on current appraisals and estimates of value. For non-real estate loans, collateral is assigned a discounted estimated liquidation value and, depending on the nature of the collateral, is verified

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through field exams or other procedures. In assessing collateral, real estate and non-real estate values are reduced by an estimate of selling costs.

With regard to residential real estate loans, the Company’s loss identification and estimation techniques make reference to loan performance and house price data in specific areas of the country where collateral securing the Company’s residential real estate loans is located. For residential real estate-related loans, including home equity loans and lines of credit, the excess of the loan balance over the net realizable value of the property collateralizing the loan is charged-off when the loan becomes 150 days delinquent. That charge-off is based on recent indications of value from external parties that are generally obtained shortly after a loan becomes nonaccrual. Loans to consumers that file for bankruptcy are generally charged off to estimated net collateral value shortly after the Company is notified of such filings.  At December 31, 2017, approximately 56% of the Company’s home equity portfolio consisted of first lien loans and lines of credit. Of the remaining junior lien loans in the portfolio, approximately 69% (or approximately 30% of the aggregate home equity portfolio) consisted of junior lien loans that were behind a first lien mortgage loan that was not owned or serviced by the Company. To the extent known by the Company, if a senior lien loan would be on nonaccrual status because of payment delinquency, even if such senior lien loan was not owned by the Company, the junior lien loan or line that is owned by the Company is placed on nonaccrual status. At December 31, 2017, the balance of junior lien loans and lines that were in nonaccrual status solely as a result of first lien loan performance was $10 million, compared with $12 million at December 31, 2016. In monitoring the credit quality of its home equity portfolio for purposes of determining the allowance for credit losses, the Company reviews delinquency and nonaccrual information and considers recent charge-off experience. When evaluating individual home equity loans and lines of credit for charge off and for purposes of estimating incurred losses in determining the allowance for credit losses, the Company gives consideration to the required repayment of any first lien positions related to collateral property. Home equity line of credit terms vary but such lines are generally originated with an open draw period of ten years followed by an amortization period of up to twenty years. At December 31, 2017, approximately 83% of all outstanding balances of home equity lines of credit related to lines that were still in the draw period, the weighted-average remaining draw periods were approximately five years, and approximately 21% were making contractually allowed payments that do not include any repayment of principal.

Factors that influence the Company’s credit loss experience include overall economic conditions affecting businesses and consumers, generally, but also residential and commercial real estate valuations, in particular, given the size of the Company’s real estate loan portfolios. Commercial real estate valuations can be highly subjective, as they are based upon many assumptions. Such valuations can be significantly affected over relatively short periods of time by changes in business climate, economic conditions, interest rates, and, in many cases, the results of operations of businesses and other occupants of the real property. Similarly, residential real estate valuations can be impacted by housing trends, the availability of financing at reasonable interest rates, and general economic conditions affecting consumers.

In determining the allowance for credit losses, the Company estimates losses attributable to specific troubled credits identified through both normal and targeted credit review processes and also estimates losses inherent in other loans and leases. In quantifying incurred losses, the Company considers the factors and uses the techniques described herein and in note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements. For purposes of determining the level of the allowance for credit losses, the Company segments its loan and lease portfolio by loan type. The amount of specific loss components in the Company’s loan and lease portfolios is determined through a loan-by-loan analysis of commercial loans and commercial real estate loans in nonaccrual status. Measurement of the specific loss components is typically based on expected future cash flows, collateral values or other factors that may impact the borrower’s ability to pay. Losses associated with residential real estate loans and consumer

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loans are generally determined by reference to recent charge-off history and are evaluated (and adjusted if deemed appropriate) through consideration of other factors including near-term forecasted loss estimates developed by the Company’s credit department. These forecasts give consideration to overall borrower repayment performance and current geographic region changes in collateral values using third party published historical price indices or automated valuation methodologies. With regard to collateral values, the realizability of such values by the Company contemplates repayment of any first lien position prior to recovering amounts on a junior lien position. Approximately 44% of the Company’s home equity portfolio consists of junior lien loans and lines of credit. Except for consumer loans and residential real estate loans that are considered smaller balance homogeneous loans and are evaluated collectively and loans obtained at a discount in acquisition transactions, the Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement or the loan is delinquent 90 days or more and has been placed in nonaccrual status. Those impaired loans are evaluated for specific loss components. Modified loans, including smaller balance homogenous loans, that are considered to be troubled debt restructurings are evaluated for impairment giving consideration to the impact of the modified loan terms on the present value of the loan’s expected cash flows. Loans less than 90 days delinquent are deemed to have a minimal delay in payment and are generally not considered to be impaired. For loans acquired at a discount, the impact of estimated future credit losses represents the predominant difference between contractually required payments and the cash flows expected to be collected. Subsequent decreases to those expected cash flows require the Company to evaluate the need for an additional allowance for credit losses and could lead to charge-offs of acquired loan balances. Additional information regarding the Company’s process for determining the allowance for credit losses is included in note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements.

The inherent base level loss components of the Company’s allowance for credit losses are generally determined by applying loss factors to specific loan balances based on loan type and management’s classification of commercial loans and commercial real estate loans under the Company’s loan grading system. As previously described, loan officers are responsible for continually assigning grades to these loans based on standards outlined in the Company’s Credit Policy. Internal loan grades are also extensively monitored by the Company’s credit department to ensure consistency and strict adherence to the prescribed standards. Loan balances utilized in the inherent base level loss component computations exclude loans and leases for which specific allocations are maintained. Loan grades are assigned loss component factors that reflect the Company’s loss estimate for each group of loans and leases. Factors considered in assigning loan grades and loss component factors include borrower-specific information related to expected future cash flows and operating results, collateral values, financial condition, payment status, and other information; levels of and trends in portfolio charge-offs and recoveries; levels of and trends in portfolio delinquencies and impaired loans; changes in the risk profile of specific portfolios; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in credit concentrations; and observed trends and practices in the banking industry. In determining the allowance for credit losses, management also gives consideration to such factors as customer, industry and geographic concentrations, as well as national and local economic conditions, including: (i) the comparatively poorer economic conditions and unfavorable business climate in many market regions served by the Company, including upstate New York and central Pennsylvania, that result in such regions generally experiencing significantly poorer economic growth and vitality as compared with much of the rest of the country; (ii) portfolio concentrations regarding loan type, collateral type and geographic location, in particular the large concentrations of commercial real estate loans secured by properties in the New York City area and other areas of New York State; and (iii) risk associated with the Company’s portfolio of consumer loans, in particular automobile and recreational vehicle loans, which generally have higher rates of loss than other types of collateralized loans.

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The inherent base level loss components related to residential real estate loans and consumer loans are generally determined by applying loss factors to portfolio balances after consideration of payment performance and recent loss experience and trends, which are mainly driven by current collateral values in the market place as well as the amount of loan defaults. Loss rates for loans secured by residential real estate, including home equity loans and lines of credit, are determined by reference to recent charge-off history and are evaluated (and adjusted if deemed appropriate) through consideration of other factors as previously described.

In evaluating collateral, the Company relies on internally and externally prepared valuations. Residential real estate valuations are usually based on sales of comparable properties in the respective location. Commercial real estate valuations also refer to sales of comparable properties but oftentimes are based on calculations that utilize many assumptions and, as a result, can be highly subjective. Specifically, commercial real estate values can be significantly affected over relatively short periods of time by changes in business climate, economic conditions and interest rates, and, in many cases, the results of operations of businesses and other occupants of the real property. Additionally, management is aware that there is oftentimes a delay in the recognition of credit quality changes in loans and, as a result, in changes to assigned loan grades due to time delays in the manifestation and reporting of underlying events that impact credit quality. Accordingly, loss estimates derived from the inherent base level loss component computation are adjusted for current national and local economic conditions and trends. The Federal Reserve stated in December 2017 that the U.S. labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a solid rate. Economic indicators in the most significant market regions served by the Company also showed improvement in 2017. For example, in 2017, average private sector employment in areas served by the Company was 1.6% above year-ago levels, but still trailed the 1.7% U.S. average growth rate. Private sector employment increased 0.5% in upstate New York, 1.0% in areas of Pennsylvania served by the Company, 1.6% in New Jersey, 2.0% in Maryland, 2.0% in Greater Washington D.C. and 0.8% in the State of Delaware. In New York City, private sector employment increased by 1.9% in 2017.

The specific loss components and the inherent base level loss components together comprise the total base level or “allocated” allowance for credit losses. Such allocated portion of the allowance represents management’s assessment of losses existing in specific larger balance loans that are reviewed in detail by management and pools of other loans that are not individually analyzed. In addition, the Company has always provided an inherent unallocated portion of the allowance that is intended to recognize probable losses that are not otherwise identifiable. The inherent unallocated allowance includes management’s subjective determination of amounts necessary for such things as the possible use of imprecise estimates in determining the allocated portion of the allowance and other risks associated with the Company’s loan portfolio which may not be specifically allocable.

A comparative allocation of the allowance for credit losses for each of the past five year-ends is presented in table 14. Amounts were allocated to specific loan categories based on information available to management at the time of each year-end assessment and using the methodology described herein. Variations in the allocation of the allowance by loan category as a percentage of those loans reflect changes in management’s estimate of specific loss components and inherent base level loss components, including the impact of delinquencies and nonaccrual loans. As described in note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements, loans considered impaired aggregated $760 million and $761 million at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The allocated portion of the allowance for credit losses related to impaired loans totaled $76 million at December 31, 2017 and $83 million at December 31, 2016. The unallocated portion of the allowance for credit losses was equal to .09% of gross loans outstanding at each of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Considering the inherent imprecision in the many estimates used in the determination of the allocated portion of the allowance, management deliberately remained cautious and conservative in establishing the

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overall allowance for credit losses. Given the Company’s high concentration of real estate loans and considering the other factors already discussed herein, management considers the allocated and unallocated portions of the allowance for credit losses to be prudent and reasonable. Furthermore, the Company’s allowance is general in nature and is available to absorb losses from any loan or lease category. Additional information about the allowance for credit losses is included in note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Table 14

ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES TO LOAN CATEGORIES

 

 

Management believes that the allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2017 appropriately reflected credit losses inherent in the portfolio as of that date. The allowance for credit losses was $1.0 billion or 1.16% of total loans and leases at December 31, 2017, compared with $989 million or 1.09% at December 31, 2016 and $956 million or 1.09% at December 31, 2015. The ratio of the allowance to total loans and leases at each respective year-end reflects the impact of loans obtained in acquisition transactions subsequent to 2008 that have been recorded at estimated fair value. As noted earlier, GAAP prohibits any carry-over of an allowance for credit losses for acquired loans recorded at fair value. However, for loans acquired at a premium, GAAP provides that an allowance for credit losses be recognized for incurred losses inherent in the portfolio. The increase in the ratio of the allowance to total loans and leases at December 31, 2017 as compared with December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 reflects the pay down of Hudson City acquired residential real estate loans, which generally had lower ascribed loss factors, offset by an increase in automobile and recreational vehicle loans with higher ascribed loss factors. The level of the allowance reflects management’s evaluation of the loan and lease portfolio using the methodology and considering the factors as described herein. Should the various credit factors considered by management in establishing the allowance for credit losses change and should management’s assessment of losses inherent in the loan portfolios also change, the level of the allowance as a percentage of loans could increase or decrease in future periods. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans at the end of 2017, 2016 and 2015 was 115%, 107% and 120%, respectively. Given the Company’s general position as a secured lender and its practice of charging-off loan balances when collection is deemed doubtful, that ratio and changes in that ratio are generally not an indicative measure of the adequacy of the Company’s allowance for credit losses, nor does management rely upon that ratio in

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assessing the adequacy of the Company’s allowance for credit losses. The level of the allowance reflects management’s evaluation of the loan and lease portfolio as of each respective date.

In establishing the allowance for credit losses, management follows the methodology described herein, including taking a conservative view of borrowers’ abilities to repay loans. The establishment of the allowance is subjective and requires management to make many judgments about borrower, industry, regional and national economic health and performance. In order to present examples of the possible impact on the allowance from certain changes in credit quality factors, the Company assumed the following scenarios for possible deterioration of credit quality:

For possible improvement in credit quality factors, the scenarios assumed were:

The scenario analyses resulted in an additional $87 million that could be identifiable under the assumptions for credit deterioration, whereas under the assumptions for credit improvement a $29 million reduction could occur. These examples are only a few of numerous reasonably possible scenarios that could be utilized in assessing the sensitivity of the allowance for credit losses based on changes in assumptions and other factors.

The Company had no concentrations of credit extended to any specific industry that exceeded 10% of total loans at December 31, 2017, however residential real estate loans comprised approximately 22% of the loan portfolio. Outstanding loans to foreign borrowers aggregated $159 million at December 31, 2017, or .2% of total loans and leases.

 

 

Other Income

Other income totaled $1.85 billion in 2017, compared with $1.83 billion in each of 2016 and 2015. The rise in other income from 2016 to 2017 was largely attributable to higher trust income, merchant discount and credit card fees and service charges on deposit accounts, and lower losses associated with M&T’s share of the operating losses of Bayview Lending Group LLC (“BLG”). Partially offsetting those improvements were a decline in mortgage banking revenues and lower gains on investment securities. As compared with 2015, the impact of gains realized on investment securities and higher trading account and foreign exchange gains in 2016 were offset by the impact of a $45 million gain recognized in 2015 on the sale of the Company’s trade processing business within the retirement services division. Revenues and net income attributable to the sold business were not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations in 2015.

Mortgage banking revenues aggregated $364 million in 2017, $374 million in 2016 and $376 million in 2015. Mortgage banking revenues are comprised of both residential and commercial mortgage banking activities. The Company’s involvement in commercial mortgage banking activities

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includes the origination, sales and servicing of loans under the multifamily loan programs of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Residential mortgage banking revenues, consisting of realized gains from sales of residential real estate loans and loan servicing rights, unrealized gains and losses on residential real estate loans held for sale and related commitments, residential real estate loan servicing fees, and other residential real estate loan-related fees and income, were $245 million in 2017, $255 million in 2016 and $281 million in 2015. The lower residential mortgage banking revenues in 2017 as compared with 2016 were the result of a decrease in gains from origination activities, reflecting a decline in origination volumes and a narrowing of the associated margins. The decline in such revenues from 2015 to 2016 predominantly reflects a decrease in revenues associated with servicing residential real estate loans for others.

New commitments to originate residential real estate loans to be sold declined 5% to approximately $3.0 billion in 2017 from $3.1 billion in 2016. Such commitments aggregated $3.5 billion in 2015. Realized gains from sales of residential real estate loans and loan servicing rights and recognized net unrealized gains or losses attributable to residential real estate loans held for sale, commitments to originate loans for sale and commitments to sell loans aggregated to gains of $60 million in 2017, $71 million in 2016 and $74 million in 2015.

Loans held for sale that were secured by residential real estate aggregated $356 million and $414 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Commitments to sell residential real estate loans and commitments to originate residential real estate loans for sale at pre-determined rates totaled $595 million and $347 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017, $777 million and $479 million, respectively, at December 31, 2016 and $687 million and $489 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015. Net recognized unrealized gains on residential real estate loans held for sale, commitments to sell loans and commitments to originate loans for sale were $10 million at December 31, 2017, $15 million at December 31, 2016 and $16 million at December 31, 2015. Changes in such net unrealized gains are recorded in mortgage banking revenues and resulted in net decreases in revenue of $5 million in 2017 and $3 million in 2015. The aggregate impact of changes in net unrealized gains was less than $1 million in 2016.

Revenues from servicing residential real estate loans for others were $185 million in 2017, $183 million in 2016 and $206 million in 2015. Residential real estate loans serviced for others aggregated $79.2 billion at December 31, 2017, $53.2 billion a year earlier and $61.7 billion at December 31, 2015. Reflected in residential real estate loans serviced for others were loans sub-serviced for others of $56.6 billion, $30.4 billion and $37.8 billion at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Revenues earned for sub-servicing loans totaled $103 million in 2017, compared with $98 million in 2016 and $116 million in 2015. During 2017, the Company acquired additional sub-servicing of residential real estate loans aggregating $35.6 billion of outstanding principal balances. The contractual servicing rights associated with loans sub-serviced by the Company were predominantly held by affiliates of BLG. Information about the Company’s relationship with BLG and its affiliates is included in note 24 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Capitalized servicing rights consist largely of servicing associated with loans sold by the Company. Capitalized residential mortgage servicing assets totaled $115 million at December 31, 2017, compared with $117 million and $118 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Additional information about the Company’s capitalized residential mortgage servicing assets, including information about the calculation of estimated fair value, is presented in note 7 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Commercial mortgage banking revenues totaled $119 million in each of 2017 and 2016, compared with $95 million in 2015. Included in such amounts were revenues from loan origination and sales activities of $66 million in 2017, $76 million in 2016 and $53 million in 2015. The changes in such revenues from year-to-year reflect changes in loan origination volumes. Commercial real

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estate loans originated for sale to other investors totaled approximately $2.5 billion in 2017, compared with $2.9 billion in 2016 and $2.0 billion in 2015. Loan servicing revenues aggregated $53 million in 2017, $43 million in 2016 and $42 million in 2015. Capitalized commercial mortgage servicing assets were $114 million at December 31, 2017, $104 million at December 31, 2016 and $84 million at December 31, 2015. Commercial real estate loans serviced for other investors totaled $16.2 billion at December 31, 2017, $11.8 billion at December 31, 2016 and $11.0 billion at December 31, 2015, and included $3.3 billion, $2.8 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, of loan balances for which investors had recourse to the Company if such balances are ultimately uncollectible. Commitments to sell commercial real estate loans and commitments to originate commercial real estate loans for sale aggregated $217 million and $195 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017, $713 million and $70 million, respectively, at December 31, 2016 and $96 million and $58 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015. Commercial real estate loans held for sale were $22 million, $643 million and $39 million at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The higher balance at December 31, 2016 reflects loans originated later in the year that had not yet been delivered to investors.

Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $427 million in 2017, compared with $419 million in 2016 and $421 million in 2015. The increase in service charges in 2017 as compared with 2016 reflects higher consumer and commercial service charges of $5 million and $3 million, respectively.

Trust income includes fees related to two significant businesses. The Institutional Client Services (“ICS”) business provides a variety of trustee, agency, investment management and administrative services for corporations and institutions, investment bankers, corporate tax, finance and legal executives, and other institutional clients who: (i) use capital markets financing structures; (ii) use independent trustees to hold retirement plan and other assets; and (iii) need investment and cash management services. The Wealth Advisory Services (“WAS”) business helps high net worth clients grow their wealth, protect it, and transfer it to their heirs. A comprehensive array of wealth management services are offered, including asset management, fiduciary services and family office services. Trust income aggregated $501 million in 2017, compared with $472 million in 2016 and $471 million in 2015. Revenues associated with the ICS business were $254 million in 2017, $230 million in 2016 and $220 million in 2015. Improvements in ICS revenue in 2017 and 2016 as compared with the respective prior year reflect increased fees earned from money-market funds and stronger sales activities. Retirement services income also rose in 2017 as a result of higher revenues resulting from growth in collective funds balances. Revenues attributable to WAS totaled $222 million, $212 million and $218 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The increased revenues in 2017 as compared with the earlier years reflect stronger sales activities and improved equity market performance. Total trust assets, which include assets under management and assets under administration, totaled $241.5 billion at December 31, 2017, compared with $210.6 billion at December 31, 2016.  Trust assets under management were $82.5 billion and $70.7 billion at December 31 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Trust assets under management include the Company’s proprietary mutual funds’ assets of $11.2 billion at December 31, 2017 and $10.9 billion at December 31, 2016. Additional trust income from investment management activities was $25 million, $30 million and $33 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and relates to fees earned from retail customer investment accounts and from an affiliated investment manager. The decline in such revenues in 2017 reflects, in part, lower balances managed. Assets managed by the affiliated manager totaled $6.7 billion and $7.3 billion at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Company’s trust income from that affiliate was not material during 2017, 2016 or 2015.

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Brokerage services income, which includes revenues from the sale of mutual funds and annuities and securities brokerage fees, aggregated $61 million in 2017, $63 million in 2016 and $65 million in 2015. Trading account and foreign exchange activity resulted in gains of $35 million in 2017, $41 million in 2016 and $31 million in 2015. The lower level of such gains in 2017 as compared with 2016 resulted largely from reduced activity related to interest rate swap transactions executed on behalf of commercial customers. As compared with 2015, the higher level of such gains in 2016 resulted largely from increased activity related to interest rate swap transactions executed on behalf of commercial customers and higher gains associated with foreign exchange activities. The Company enters into interest rate and foreign exchange contracts with customers who need such services and concomitantly enters into offsetting trading positions with third parties to minimize the risks involved with these types of transactions. Information about the notional amount of interest rate, foreign exchange and other contracts entered into by the Company for trading account purposes is included in note 18 of Notes to Financial Statements and herein under the heading “Liquidity, Market Risk, and Interest Rate Sensitivity.”

The Company realized net gains from sales of investment securities of $21 million in 2017 and $30 million in 2016. There were no significant gains or losses on investment securities in 2015. Of the $21 million of net gains recognized during 2017, $18 million were associated with the sale of a portion of the Company’s Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock holdings.  The preferred stock sold had an amortized cost basis (after previous other-than-temporary impairment write-downs) of approximately $3 million. During 2016, the Company sold all of its collateralized debt obligations that had been held in the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio and that had been obtained through the acquisition of other banks. In total, securities with an amortized cost of $28 million were sold. Divestiture of the majority of those securities would have been required in accordance with the provisions of the Volcker Rule. There were no other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment securities in 2017, 2016 or 2015. Additional information about other-than-temporary impairment considerations is included herein under the heading “Capital.”

Other revenues from operations aggregated $441 million in 2017, compared with $426 million in 2016 and $463 million in 2015. The increase in other revenues from operations in 2017 as compared with 2016 reflects lower losses from BLG and higher merchant discount and credit card fees.  The decline from 2015 to 2016 was largely due to the $45 million gain from the sale of the trade processing business in 2015.

Included in other revenues from operations were the following significant components. Letter of credit and other credit-related fees totaled $123 million, $120 million and $134 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease from 2015 to 2016 was largely due to a decline in loan syndication fees. Revenues from merchant discount and credit card fees were $120 million in 2017, $111 million in 2016 and $105 million in 2015. The continued trend of higher revenues since 2015 was largely attributable to increased transaction volumes related to merchant activity and usage of the Company’s credit card products. Tax-exempt income earned from bank owned life insurance, which includes increases in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and benefits received, aggregated $58 million in 2017, compared with $54 million in 2016 and $53 million in 2015.  The increase from 2016 to 2017 was due to higher proceeds received from death benefits. Insurance-related sales commissions and other revenues totaled $43 million in each of 2017 and 2016, compared with $38 million in 2015. Automated teller machine usage fees aggregated $15 million in 2017 and $14 million in each of 2016 and 2015. Gains from sales of equipment previously leased to commercial customers were $6 million in 2017, $8 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2015.

M&T’s share of the operating losses of BLG recognized using the equity method of accounting and cash distributions received resulted in gains of less than $1 million in 2017, compared with losses of $11 million and $14 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Those amounts are reflected in

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“other revenues from operations.” During the second quarter of 2017, the operating losses of BLG resulted in M&T reducing the carrying value of its investment in BLG to zero. During that quarter, M&T received a cash distribution from BLG that resulted in the recognition of income by M&T. M&T expects cash distributions from BLG in the future, but the timing and amount of those distributions cannot be estimated at this time. BLG is entitled to receive distributions from affiliates that provide asset management and other services that are available for distribution to BLG’s owners, including M&T. The operating losses of BLG in 2016 and 2015 reflect provisions for losses associated with securitized loans and other loans held by BLG and loan servicing and other administrative costs. Information about the Company’s relationship with BLG and its affiliates is included in note 24 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Other Expense

Other expense aggregated $3.14 billion in 2017, compared to $3.05 billion in 2016 and $2.82 billion in 2015. Included in those amounts are expenses considered to be “nonoperating” in nature consisting of amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets of $31 million, $43 million and $26 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and merger-related expenses of $36 million and $76 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. There were no merger-related expenses in 2017. Exclusive of those nonoperating expenses, noninterest operating expenses aggregated $3.11 billion in 2017, $2.97 billion in 2016 and $2.72 billion in 2015. The most significant factors contributing to the increase in such expenses from 2016 to 2017 were higher legal-related and professional services expenses, increased salaries and employee benefit costs, and higher contributions to The M&T Charitable Foundation. The rise in noninterest operating expenses in 2016 as compared with 2015 was largely attributable to costs associated with the operations obtained in the Hudson City acquisition, higher salaries and employee benefits expenses and increased FDIC assessments.

Salaries and employee benefits expense aggregated $1.65 billion in 2017, compared with $1.62 billion and $1.55 billion in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The higher level of expenses in 2017 reflects the impact of annual merit increases and higher incentive-based compensation costs. The higher level of expenses in 2016 as compared with 2015 reflects the full-year impact of the additional employees formerly associated with Hudson City as well as annual merit increases and incentive compensation costs. There were $51 million of merger-related expenses included in salaries and employee benefits expense in 2015 predominantly related to severance for former Hudson City employees. Stock-based compensation totaled $61 million in 2017, compared with $65 million in 2016 and $67 million in 2015. The number of full-time equivalent employees were 16,456 and 16,593 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, compared with 16,979 at December 31, 2015.

The Company provides pension and other postretirement benefits (including a retirement savings plan) for its employees. Expenses related to such benefits totaled $92 million in 2017, $94 million in 2016 and $100 million in 2015. The Company sponsors both defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. Pension benefit expense for those plans was $51 million in 2017, $52 million in 2016 and $63 million in 2015. Included in those amounts were $30 million in 2017, $25 million in 2016 and $23 million in 2015 for a defined contribution pension plan that the Company began on January 1, 2006. The decrease in pension and other postretirement benefits expense in 2016 as compared to 2015 reflected a $15 million decrease in amortization of actuarial losses accumulated in the defined benefit pension plans.  The Company made $200 million of voluntary contributions to the qualified defined benefit pension plan in 2017.  No contributions were required or made in 2016 or 2015.

The accounting guidance for defined benefit pension plans reflects the long-term nature of benefit obligations and the investment horizon of plan assets. Amounts recorded in the financial statements reflect actuarial assumptions about participant benefits and plan asset returns. Changes in actuarial assumptions and differences in actual plan experience compared with actuarial assumptions

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are deferred and recognized in expense in future periods.  Amortization of accumulated unrealized losses had the effect of increasing the Company’s pension expense by $29 million in 2017, $30 million in 2016 and $45 million in 2015.  Information about the Company’s pension plans, including significant assumptions utilized in completing actuarial calculations for the plans, is included in note 12 of Notes to Financial Statements.

The Company also provides a retirement savings plan (“RSP”) that is a defined contribution plan in which eligible employees of the Company may defer up to 50% of qualified compensation via contributions to the plan. The Company makes an employer matching contribution in an amount equal to 75% of an employee’s contribution, up to 4.5% of the employee’s qualified compensation. RSP expense totaled $38 million in 2017, $37 million in 2016 and $34 million in 2015.

Excluding the nonoperating expense items already noted, nonpersonnel operating expenses were $1.46 billion in 2017, compared with $1.35 billion in 2016 and $1.22 billion in 2015. The rise in nonpersonnel operating expenses in 2017 as compared with 2016 was predominantly the result of higher legal-related and professional services costs, including $64 million of additions to the Company’s reserve for legal matters in 2017, and increased contributions to The M&T Charitable Foundation.  As previously noted, in 2017 Wilmington Trust Corporation reached an agreement related to alleged conduct of that subsidiary prior to its acquisition by M&T. The increase in nonpersonnel operating expenses in 2016 as compared with 2015 was largely due to costs associated with the operations obtained in the Hudson City acquisition and higher expenses for FDIC assessments, advertising and marketing, partially offset by lower charitable contributions.

 

 

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $916 million in 2017, $743 million in 2016 and $595 million in 2015. The effective tax rates were 39.4% in 2017, 36.1% in 2016 and 35.5% in 2015. The increase in the effective rate in 2017 from 2016 primarily reflects the impact of the enactment of the Tax Act that was signed into law on December 22, 2017, reducing the corporate Federal income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and making other changes to U.S. corporate income tax laws.  GAAP requires that the impact of the provisions of the Tax Act be accounted for in the period of enactment.  Accordingly, the estimated incremental income tax expense recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the Tax Act was $85 million.  That additional expense was largely attributable to the reduction in carrying value of net deferred tax assets reflecting lower future tax benefits resulting from the lower corporate tax rate.  The Company also adopted new accounting guidance for share-based transactions during the first quarter of 2017. That guidance requires that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with share-based compensation be recognized as a component of income tax expense in the income statement. Previously, tax effects resulting from changes in M&T’s share price subsequent to the grant date were recorded through shareholders’ equity at the time of vesting or exercise.  The adoption of the amended accounting guidance resulted in a $22 million reduction of income tax expense in 2017.   The October 2017 settlement between Wilmington Trust Corporation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware resulted in a $44 million payment by Wilmington Trust Corporation that is not deductible for income tax purposes, resulting in a higher effective tax rate in 2017. Excluding the impact of the Tax Act, the change in accounting, and the non-deductible nature of the payment referred to above, the Company’s effective tax rate in 2017 would have been 36.0%.

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The increase in the effective rate in 2016 from 2015 reflects the impact of generally recurring tax credits and other tax-exempt income being a smaller percentage of 2016’s higher income before income taxes. Income tax expense in 2015 reflected two largely offsetting items. The Company attributed $11 million of non-deductible goodwill to the basis of the trade processing business sold in April 2015, which reduced the recorded gain, but did not result in an income tax benefit. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the provision for income taxes was reduced by $5 million to reflect technology research credits related to 2011 through 2014 that were accepted by the Internal Revenue Service in December 2015.

The effective tax rate is affected by the level of income earned that is exempt from tax relative to the overall level of pre-tax income, the level of income allocated to the various state and local jurisdictions where the Company operates, because tax rates differ among such jurisdictions, and the impact of any large but infrequently occurring items. The Company’s effective tax rate in future periods will also be affected by any change in income tax laws or regulations and interpretations of income tax regulations that differ from the Company’s interpretations by any of various tax authorities that may examine tax returns filed by M&T or any of its subsidiaries. Information about amounts accrued for uncertain tax positions and a reconciliation of income tax expense to the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to pre-tax income is provided in note 13 of Notes to Financial Statements.

International Activities

Assets and revenues associated with international activities represent less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated assets and revenues. International assets included $159 million and $292 million of loans to foreign borrowers at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Deposits in the Company’s office in the Cayman Islands aggregated $178 million at December 31, 2017 and $202 million at December 31, 2016. The Company uses such deposits to facilitate customer demand and as an alternative to short-term borrowings when the costs of such deposits seem reasonable. Loans at M&T Bank’s commercial banking office in Ontario, Canada included in the amount noted above as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 totaled $114 million and $133 million, respectively. Deposits at that office were $45 million at December 31, 2017 and $50 million at December 31, 2016. The Company also offers trust-related services in Europe. Revenues from providing such services during 2017, 2016 and 2015 were approximately $24 million, $25 million and $26 million, respectively.

 

 

Liquidity, Market Risk, and Interest Rate Sensitivity

As a financial intermediary, the Company is exposed to various risks, including liquidity and market risk. Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to ensure that sufficient cash flow and liquid assets are available to satisfy current and future obligations, including demands for loans and deposit withdrawals, funding operating costs, and other corporate purposes. Liquidity risk arises whenever the maturities of financial instruments included in assets and liabilities differ.

The most significant source of funding for the Company is core deposits, which are generated from a large base of consumer, corporate and institutional customers. That customer base has, over the past several years, become more geographically diverse as a result of acquisitions and expansion of the Company’s businesses. Nevertheless, the Company faces competition in offering products and services from a large array of financial market participants, including banks, thrifts, mutual funds, securities dealers and others. Core deposits financed 84% of the Company’s earning assets at December 31, 2017, compared with 83% at December 31, 2016 and 81% at December 31, 2015.

The Company supplements funding provided through core deposits with various short-term and long-term wholesale borrowings, including federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, brokered deposits, Cayman Islands office deposits and longer-term

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borrowings. At December 31, 2017, M&T Bank had short-term and long-term credit facilities with the FHLBs aggregating $20.2 billion. Outstanding borrowings under FHLB credit facilities totaled $577 million and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Such borrowings were secured by loans and investment securities. M&T Bank had an available line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York that totaled approximately $12.0 billion at December 31, 2017. The amount of that line is dependent upon the balances of loans and securities pledged as collateral. There were no borrowings outstanding under such line of credit at December 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016. M&T Bank has a Bank Note Program whereby M&T Bank may offer unsecured senior and subordinated notes. The outstanding senior notes issued under the program totaled $5.0 billion at December 31, 2017 and $5.2 billion at December 31, 2016. The proceeds from those borrowings have been predominantly utilized to purchase high-quality liquid assets that meet the requirements of the LCR. Pursuant to the Bank Note Program, during 2017 M&T Bank issued senior notes consisting of $900 million that mature in 2022 and $750 million that mature in 2020, and subordinated notes of $500 million that mature in 2027. In January 2018 M&T Bank issued an additional $1.0 billion of senior notes under the Bank Note Program that mature in 2021.

From time to time, the Company has issued subordinated capital notes and junior subordinated debentures associated with trust preferred securities to provide liquidity and enhance regulatory capital ratios. However, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company’s junior subordinated debentures associated with trust preferred securities have been phased-out of the definition of Tier 1 capital but, similar to other subordinated capital notes, are considered Tier 2 capital and are includable in total regulatory capital. Information about the Company’s borrowings is included in note 9 of Notes to Financial Statements.

The Company has informal and sometimes reciprocal sources of funding available through various arrangements for unsecured short-term borrowings from a wide group of banks and other financial institutions. Short-term federal funds borrowings totaled $125 million and $112 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In general, those borrowings were unsecured and matured on the next business day. In addition to satisfying customer demand, Cayman Islands office deposits may be used by the Company as an alternative to short-term borrowings. Cayman Islands office deposits totaled $178 million and $202 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company has also benefited from the placement of brokered deposits. The Company has brokered savings and interest-bearing checking deposit accounts that aggregated $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Brokered time deposits were not a significant source of funding as of those dates.

The Company’s ability to obtain funding from these other sources could be negatively impacted should the Company experience a substantial deterioration in its financial condition or its debt ratings, or should the availability of short-term funding become restricted due to a disruption in the financial markets. The Company attempts to quantify such credit-event risk by modeling scenarios that estimate the liquidity impact resulting from a short-term ratings downgrade over various grading levels. Such impact is estimated by attempting to measure the effect on available unsecured lines of credit, available capacity from secured borrowing sources and securitizable assets. Information about the credit ratings of M&T and M&T Bank is presented in table 15. Additional information regarding the terms and maturities of all of the Company’s short-term and long-term borrowings is provided in note 9 of Notes to Financial Statements. In addition to deposits and borrowings, other sources of liquidity include maturities of investment securities and other earning assets, repayments of loans and investment securities, and cash generated from operations, such as fees collected for services.

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Table 15

DEBT RATINGS

 

 

Certain customers of the Company obtain financing through the issuance of variable rate demand bonds (“VRDBs”). The VRDBs are generally enhanced by letters of credit provided by M&T Bank. M&T Bank oftentimes acts as remarketing agent for the VRDBs and, at its discretion, may from time-to-time own some of the VRDBs while such instruments are remarketed. When this occurs, the VRDBs are classified as trading account assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Nevertheless, M&T Bank is not contractually obligated to purchase the VRDBs. There were no VRDBs in the Company’s trading account at December 31, 2017, while the value of VRDBs in the Company’s trading account at December 31, 2016 totaled $30 million (all of which were remarketed in January 2017). The total amount of VRDBs outstanding backed by M&T Bank letters of credit was $1.0 billion and $1.3 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. M&T Bank also serves as remarketing agent for most of those bonds.

Table 16

MATURITY DISTRIBUTION OF SELECTED LOANS(a)

 

 

The Company enters into contractual obligations in the normal course of business that require future cash payments. The contractual amounts and timing of those payments as of December 31, 2017 are summarized in table 17. Off-balance sheet commitments to customers may impact liquidity, including commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, commercial letters of credit, financial guarantees and indemnification contracts, and commitments to sell real estate loans. Because many of these commitments or contracts expire without being funded in whole or in part, the contract amounts

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are not necessarily indicative of future cash flows. Further discussion of these commitments is provided in note 21 of Notes to Financial Statements. Table 17 summarizes the Company’s other commitments as of December 31, 2017 and the timing of the expiration of such commitments.

Table 17

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS

 

 

M&T’s primary source of funds to pay for operating expenses, shareholder dividends and treasury stock repurchases has historically been the receipt of dividends from its banking subsidiaries, which are subject to various regulatory limitations. Dividends from any banking subsidiary to M&T are limited by the amount of earnings of the banking subsidiary in the current year and the two preceding years. For purposes of that test, at December 31, 2017 approximately $397 million was available for payment of dividends to M&T from banking subsidiaries. Information regarding the long-term debt obligations of M&T is included in note 9 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Table 18

MATURITY AND TAXABLE-EQUIVALENT YIELD OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

 

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Table 19

MATURITY OF DOMESTIC CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND TIME DEPOSITS

WITH BALANCES OF $100,000 OR MORE

 

 

Management closely monitors the Company’s liquidity position on an ongoing basis for compliance with internal policies and believes that available sources of liquidity are adequate to meet funding needs anticipated in the normal course of business. Management does not anticipate engaging in any activities, either currently or in the long-term, for which adequate funding would not be available and would therefore result in a significant strain on liquidity at either M&T or its subsidiary banks. Banking regulators have enacted the LCR rules requiring a banking company to maintain a minimum amount of liquid assets to withstand a standardized supervisory liquidity stress scenario. The Company is in compliance with the requirements of those rules.

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in the market prices and/or interest rates of the Company’s financial instruments. The primary market risk the Company is exposed to is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk arises from the Company’s core banking activities of lending and deposit-taking, because assets and liabilities reprice at different times and by different amounts as interest rates change. As a result, net interest income earned by the Company is subject to the effects of changing interest rates. The Company measures interest rate risk by calculating the variability of net interest income in future periods under various interest rate scenarios using projected balances for earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities and derivatives used to hedge interest rate risk. Management’s philosophy toward interest rate risk management is to limit the variability of net interest income. The balances of financial instruments used in the projections are based on expected growth from forecasted business opportunities, anticipated prepayments of loans and investment securities, and expected maturities of investment securities, loans and deposits. Management uses a “value of equity” model to supplement the modeling technique described above. Those supplemental analyses are based on discounted cash flows associated with on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments. Such analyses are modeled to reflect changes in interest rates and provide management with a long-term interest rate risk metric. The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements to help manage exposure to interest rate risk. At December 31, 2017, the aggregate notional amount of interest rate swap agreements entered into for interest rate risk management purposes that were currently in effect was $7.4 billion. In addition, the Company has entered into $2.0 billion of forward-starting interest rate swap agreements that will become effective as a like amount of currently effective swap agreements mature. Information about interest rate swap agreements entered into for interest rate risk management purposes is included herein under the heading “Net Interest Income/Lending and Funding Activities” and in note 18 of Notes to Financial Statements.

The Company’s Asset-Liability Committee, which includes members of senior management, monitors the sensitivity of the Company’s net interest income to changes in interest rates with the aid

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of a computer model that forecasts net interest income under different interest rate scenarios. In modeling changing interest rates, the Company considers different yield curve shapes that consider both parallel (that is, simultaneous changes in interest rates at each point on the yield curve) and non-parallel (that is, allowing interest rates at points on the yield curve to vary by different amounts) shifts in the yield curve. In utilizing the model, projections of net interest income calculated under the varying interest rate scenarios are compared to a base interest rate scenario. The model considers the impact of ongoing lending and deposit-gathering activities, as well as interrelationships in the magnitude and timing of the repricing of financial instruments, including the effect of changing interest rates on expected prepayments and maturities. When deemed prudent, management has taken actions to mitigate exposure to interest rate risk through the use of on- or off-balance sheet financial instruments and intends to do so in the future. Possible actions include, but are not limited to, changes in the pricing of loan and deposit products, modifying the composition of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and adding to, modifying or terminating existing interest rate swap agreements or other financial instruments used for interest rate risk management purposes.

Table 20 displays as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 the estimated impact on net interest income in the base scenario resulting from parallel changes in interest rates across repricing categories during the first modeling year.

Table 20

SENSITIVITY OF NET INTEREST INCOME TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES

 

 

(a)The Company did not analyze this scenario.

The Company utilized many assumptions to calculate the impact that changes in interest rates may have on net interest income. The more significant of those assumptions included the rate of prepayments of mortgage-related assets, cash flows from derivative and other financial instruments held for non-trading purposes, loan and deposit volumes and pricing, and deposit maturities. In the scenarios presented, the Company also assumed gradual increases and decreases in interest rates during a twelve-month period as compared with the base scenario. In the declining rate scenario, the rate changes may be limited to lesser amounts such that interest rates remain positive on all points of the yield curve. In 2016, the Company suspended the -100 basis point scenario due to the persistent low level of interest rates. This scenario was reinstated in June 2017. The assumptions used in interest rate sensitivity modeling are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the Company cannot precisely predict the impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income. Actual results may differ significantly from those presented due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of changes in interest rates and changes in market conditions and interest rate differentials (spreads) between maturity/repricing categories, as well as any actions, such as those previously described, which management may take to counter such changes. Given recent increases in short-term interest rates,

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management believes that the likelihood of potential volatility of interest rates has increased. As a result, in 2017 management added interest rate swap agreements designated as hedging instruments to mitigate the Company’s exposure to such potential volatility. As previously noted, the Company has also entered into interest rate floor agreements that are included in the trading account. Such floor agreements provide the Company with protection against the possibility of future declines in interest rates on its earning assets. In light of the uncertainties and assumptions associated with the process, the amounts presented in the table are not considered significant to the Company’s past or projected net interest income.

Table 21 presents cumulative totals of net assets (liabilities) repricing on a contractual basis within the specified time frames, as adjusted for the impact of interest rate swap agreements entered into for interest rate risk management purposes. Management believes that this measure does not appropriately depict interest rate risk since changes in interest rates do not necessarily affect all categories of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities equally nor, as assumed in the table, on the contractual maturity or repricing date. Furthermore, this static presentation of interest rate risk fails to consider the effect of ongoing lending and deposit gathering activities, projected changes in balance sheet composition or any subsequent interest rate risk management activities the Company is likely to implement.

Table 21

CONTRACTUAL REPRICING DATA

 

 

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Changes in fair value of the Company’s financial instruments can also result from a lack of trading activity for similar instruments in the financial markets. That impact is most notable on the values assigned to some of the Company’s investment securities. Information about the fair valuation of investment securities is presented herein under the heading “Capital” and in notes 3 and 20 of Notes to Financial Statements.

The Company engages in limited trading account activities to meet the financial needs of customers and to fund the Company’s obligations under certain deferred compensation plans. Financial instruments utilized for trading account activities consist predominantly of interest rate contracts, such as interest rate swap agreements, and forward and futures contracts related to foreign currencies. The Company generally mitigates the foreign currency and interest rate risk associated with trading account activities by entering into offsetting trading positions that are also included in the trading account. The fair values of trading account positions associated with interest rate contracts and foreign currency and other option and futures contracts are presented in note 18 of Notes to Financial Statements. The amounts of gross and net trading account positions, as well as the type of trading account activities conducted by the Company, are subject to a well-defined series of potential loss exposure limits established by management and approved by M&T’s Board of Directors. However, as with any non-government guaranteed financial instrument, the Company is exposed to credit risk associated with counterparties to the Company’s trading account activities.

The notional amounts of interest rate contracts entered into for trading account purposes totaled $29.9 billion at December 31, 2017 and $21.6 billion at December 31, 2016. The notional amounts of foreign currency and other option and futures contracts entered into for trading account purposes were $530 million and $471 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Although the notional amounts of these contracts are not recorded in the consolidated balance sheet, the unsettled fair values of all financial instruments used for trading account activities are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet. The fair values of all trading account assets and liabilities were $133 million and $137 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017 and $324 million and $174 million, respectively, at December 31, 2016. Effective January 2017, certain clearinghouse exchanges revised their rules to re-characterize required collateral postings for changes in fair value of exchange-traded derivatives as legal settlements of those positions. As a result, the fair value asset and liability amounts at December 31, 2017 have been reduced by contractual settlements of $136 million and $12 million, respectively. Included in trading account assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $23 million and $22 million, respectively, of assets related to deferred compensation plans. Changes in the fair values of such assets are recorded as “trading account and foreign exchange gains” in the consolidated statement of income. Included in “other liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $27 million and $26 million, respectively, of liabilities related to deferred compensation plans. Changes in the balances of such liabilities due to the valuation of allocated investment options to which the liabilities are indexed are recorded in “other costs of operations” in the consolidated statement of income. Also included in trading account assets were investments in mutual funds and other assets that the Company was required to hold under terms of certain non-qualified supplemental retirement and other benefit plans that were assumed by the Company in various acquisitions. Those assets totaled $24 million at each of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Given the Company’s policies, limits and positions, management believes that the potential loss exposure to the Company resulting from market risk associated with trading account activities was not material, however, as previously noted, the Company is exposed to credit risk associated with counterparties to transactions related to the Company’s trading account activities. Additional information about the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments in its trading account activities is included in note 18 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Capital

Shareholders’ equity was $16.3 billion at December 31, 2017 and represented 13.70% of total assets, compared with $16.5 billion or 13.35% at December 31, 2016 and $16.2 billion or 13.17% at December 31, 2015.

Included in shareholders’ equity was preferred stock with financial statement carrying values of $1.2 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016.  On October 28, 2016, M&T issued 50,000 shares of Series F Perpetual Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share and liquidation preference of $10,000 per share. On December 15, 2016, M&T redeemed 50,000 shares of the Series D Fixed Rate Non-cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share and liquidation preference of $10,000 per share, having received the approval of the Federal Reserve to redeem such shares after issuing the Series F preferred stock. Further information concerning M&T’s preferred stock can be found in note 10 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Common shareholders’ equity was $15.0 billion, or $100.03 per share, at December 31, 2017, compared with $15.3 billion, or $97.64 per share, at December 31, 2016 and $14.9 billion, or $93.60 per share, at December 31, 2015. Tangible equity per common share, which excludes goodwill and core deposit and other intangible assets and applicable deferred tax balances, was $69.08 at December 31, 2017, compared with $67.85 and $64.28 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company’s ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets was 9.10% at December 31, 2017, compared with 8.92% and 8.69% at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Reconciliations of total common shareholders’ equity and tangible common equity and total assets and tangible assets as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are presented in table 2. During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the ratio of average total shareholders’ equity to average total assets was 13.48%, 13.21% and 13.00%, respectively. The ratio of average common shareholders’ equity to average total assets was 12.46%, 12.16% and 11.79% in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Shareholders’ equity reflects accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, which includes the net after-tax impact of unrealized gains or losses on investment securities classified as available for sale, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment charge has been recognized, gains or losses associated with interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation adjustments and adjustments to reflect the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. Net unrealized losses on investment securities reflected in shareholders’ equity, net of applicable tax effect, were $44 million, or $.29 per common share, at December 31, 2017 and $16 million, or $.10 per common share, at December 31, 2016, compared with net unrealized gains of $48 million, or $.30 per common share, at December 31, 2015. Changes in unrealized gains and losses on investment securities are predominantly reflective of the impact of changes in interest rates on the values of such securities. Information about unrealized gains and losses as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is included in note 3 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Reflected in the carrying amount of available-for-sale investment securities at December 31, 2017 were pre-tax effect unrealized gains of $85 million on securities with an amortized cost of $3.5 billion and pre-tax effect unrealized losses of $128 million on securities with an amortized cost of $7.4 billion.  Information concerning the Company’s fair valuations of investment securities is provided in note 20 of Notes to Financial Statements.

Each reporting period the Company reviews its investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment. For equity securities, the Company considers various factors to determine if the decline in value is other than temporary, including the duration and extent of the decline in value, the factors contributing to the decline in fair value, including the financial condition of the issuer as well as the conditions of the industry in which it operates, and the prospects for a recovery in fair value of the equity security. For debt securities, the Company analyzes the creditworthiness of the issuer or reviews the credit performance of the underlying collateral supporting the bond. For debt securities

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backed by pools of loans, such as privately issued mortgage-backed securities, the Company estimates the cash flows of the underlying loan collateral using forward-looking assumptions for default rates, loss severities and prepayment speeds. Estimated collateral cash flows are then utilized to estimate bond-specific cash flows to determine the ultimate collectibility of the bond. If the present value of the cash flows indicates that the Company should not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a bond or if the Company intends to sell the bond or it more likely than not will be required to sell the bond before recovery of its amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment loss is recognized. If an other-than-temporary impairment loss is deemed to have occurred, the investment security’s cost basis is adjusted, as appropriate for the circumstances.

As of December 31, 2017, based on a review of each of the securities in the investment securities portfolio, the Company concluded that the declines in the values of any securities containing an unrealized loss were temporary and that any additional other-than-temporary impairment charges were not appropriate. At December 31, 2017, the Company did not intend to sell nor is it anticipated that it would be required to sell any of its impaired securities, that is, where fair value is less than the cost basis of the security. The Company intends to continue to closely monitor the performance of its securities because changes in their underlying credit performance or other events could cause the cost basis of those securities to become other-than-temporarily impaired. However, because the unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities have generally already been reflected in the financial statement values for investment securities and shareholders’ equity, any recognition of an other-than-temporary decline in value of those investment securities would not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition. Any other-than-temporary impairment charge related to held-to-maturity securities would result in reductions in the financial statement values for investment securities and shareholders’ equity. Additional information concerning fair value measurements and the Company’s approach to the classification of such measurements is included in note 20 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

The Company assessed impairment losses on privately issued mortgage-backed securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio by performing internal modeling to estimate bond-specific cash flows considering recent performance of the mortgage loan collateral and utilizing assumptions about future defaults and loss severity. These bond-specific cash flows also reflect the placement of the bond in the overall securitization structure and the remaining subordination levels. In total, at December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had in its held-to-maturity portfolio privately issued mortgage-backed securities with an amortized cost basis of $136 million and $158 million, respectively, and a fair value of $111 million and $121 million, respectively. At December 31, 2017, 87% of the mortgage-backed securities were in the most senior tranche of the securitization structure with 21% being independently rated as investment grade. The mortgage-backed securities are generally collateralized by residential and small-balance commercial real estate loans originated between 2004 and 2008 and had a weighted-average credit enhancement of 17% at December 31, 2017, calculated by dividing the remaining unpaid principal balance of bonds subordinate to the bonds owned by the Company plus any overcollateralization remaining in the securitization structure by the remaining unpaid principal balance of all bonds in the securitization structure. The weighted-average default percentage and loss severity assumptions utilized in the Company’s internal modeling were 33% and 61%, respectively. Given the terms of the securitization structure, some of the bonds held by the Company may defer interest payments in certain circumstances, but after considering the repayment structure and estimated future collateral cash flows of each individual senior and subordinate tranche bond, the Company has concluded that as of December 31, 2017 those privately issued mortgage-backed securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired. Nevertheless, it is possible that adverse changes in the future performance of mortgage loan collateral underlying such securities could impact the Company’s conclusions.

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Adjustments to reflect the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, net of applicable tax effect, reduced accumulated other comprehensive income by $305 million, or $2.03 per common share, at December 31, 2017, $273 million, or $1.75 per common share, at December 31, 2016 and $297 million, or $1.86 per common share, at December 31, 2015. Information about the funded status of the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans is included in note 12 of Notes to Financial Statements.

As described herein under the heading “Overview,” M&T announced on June 28, 2017 that the Federal Reserve did not object to M&T’s 2017 Capital Plan. Furthermore, on July 18, 2017, M&T’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program to repurchase up to $900 million of shares of M&T’s common stock subject to all applicable regulatory limitations, including those set forth in M&T’s 2017 Capital Plan.  During 2017, in accordance with the 2017 and 2016 Capital Plans, M&T repurchased 7,369,105 common shares for $1.21 billion. The remaining amount of authorized common share repurchases pursuant to the 2017 Capital Plan at December 31, 2017 totaled $451 million and is expected to be repurchased during the first two quarters of 2018, along with the additional $745 million approved by M&T’s Board of Directors on February 21, 2018. In 2016, M&T repurchased 5,607,595 common shares for $641 million.  M&T did not repurchase any shares of its common stock in 2015.

Cash dividends declared on M&T’s common stock totaled $457 million in 2017, compared with $442 million and $375 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Dividends per common share totaled $3.00 in 2017, compared with $2.80 in each of 2016 and 2015. Dividends of $73 million in 2017 and $81 million in each of 2016 and 2015 were declared on preferred stock in accordance with the terms of each series. The decline in preferred stock dividends in 2017 from the two immediately preceding years resulted from the lower dividend rate for the $500 million of Series F preferred stock issued in October 2016 as compared with the like-amount of Series D preferred stock that had been redeemed in December 2016.

M&T and its subsidiary banks are required to comply with applicable capital adequacy standards established by the federal banking agencies. Pursuant to those regulations, the minimum capital ratios are as follows:

In addition, capital regulations provide for the phase-in of a “capital conservation buffer” composed entirely of CET1 on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios.  When fully phased-in on January 1, 2019 the capital conservation buffer will be 2.5%.  For 2017, the phase-in transition portion of that buffer was 1.25 %. The regulatory capital amounts and ratios of M&T and its bank subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 are presented in note 23 of Notes to Financial Statements. A detailed discussion of the regulatory capital rules is included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the heading “Capital Requirements.”

The Company is subject to the comprehensive regulatory framework applicable to bank and financial holding companies and their subsidiaries, which includes regular examinations by a number of federal regulators. Regulation of financial institutions such as M&T and its subsidiaries is intended primarily for the protection of depositors, the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC and the banking and

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financial system as a whole, and generally is not intended for the protection of shareholders, investors or creditors other than insured depositors. Changes in laws, regulations and regulatory policies applicable to the Company’s operations can increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive environment in which the Company operates, all of which could have a material effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and in M&T’s ability to pay dividends. For additional information concerning this comprehensive regulatory framework, refer to Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K.

Fourth Quarter Results

Net income during the fourth quarter of 2017 was $322 million, compared with $331 million in the year-earlier quarter. Diluted and basic earnings per common share were each $2.01 in 2017’s final quarter, compared with diluted and basic earnings per common share of $1.98 in the corresponding 2016 quarter.  The annualized rates of return on average assets and average common shareholders’ equity for the fourth quarter of 2017 were 1.06% and 8.03%, respectively, compared with 1.05% and 8.13%, respectively, in the final quarter of 2016.

Net operating income during the fourth quarter of 2017 was $327 million, compared with $336 million in the similar 2016 quarter. Diluted net operating earnings per common share were $2.04 and $2.01 in the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The annualized net operating returns on average tangible assets and average tangible common equity in the last three months of 2017 were 1.12% and 11.77%, respectively, compared with 1.10% and 11.93%, respectively, in the like period of 2016. Reconciliations of GAAP results with non-GAAP results for the quarterly periods of 2017 and 2016 are provided in table 23.

Taxable-equivalent net interest income totaled $980 million in the final quarter of 2017, up 11% from $883 million recorded in the year-earlier period. That growth was attributable to a 48 basis point widening of net interest margin to 3.56% in the fourth quarter of 2017 from 3.08% in the year-earlier quarter. Partially offsetting the favorable impact of the higher margin was a 4% decline in average earning assets from $114.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016 to $109.4 billion in the final 2017 quarter.  Average commercial loan and lease balances were $21.6 billion in the recent quarter, down $375 million or 2% from $21.9 billion in the last quarter of 2016. Average balances of commercial real estate loans aggregated $33.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017, $316 million or 1% higher than $32.8 billion in the year-earlier quarter. Included in the commercial real estate loan portfolio were average balances of loans held for sale of $259 million in the final 2017 quarter, compared with $524 million in the year-earlier period. Average residential real estate loan balances decreased $3.1 billion to $20.0 billion in 2017’s fourth quarter from $23.1 billion in the similar quarter of 2016, reflecting ongoing repayments of loans obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City.  Included in the residential real estate loan portfolio were average balances of loans held for sale of $372 million and $410 million in the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Consumer loans averaged $13.2 billion in the final 2017 quarter, up $1.0 billion, or 9%, from the last three months of 2016. That increase resulted from higher average balances of automobile and recreational vehicle loans. Total loans and leases at December 31, 2017 increased $64 million to $88.0 billion from $87.9 billion at September 30, 2017. Higher commercial real estate and consumer loans were predominantly offset by lower residential real estate loans, reflecting ongoing repayments of loans obtained in the Hudson City acquisition. The net interest spread widened in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 3.34%, up 46 basis points from 2.88% in the year-earlier quarter. The yield on earning assets in the final three months of 2017 was 3.93%, up 48 basis points from the corresponding 2016 quarter.  That rise reflects the impact of increases in short-term interest rates initiated by the Federal Reserve in mid-December 2016 and in 2017 that contributed to higher yields on loans and leases.  The rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities in the 2017’s fourth quarter was .59%, up two basis points from .57% in the similar 2016 quarter. That

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increase was largely due to higher rates paid on deposits.  The contribution of net interest-free funds to the Company’s net interest margin was .22% and .20% in the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively. As a result, the Company’s net interest margin widened to 3.56% in the final quarter of 2017 from 3.08% in the corresponding 2016 period.

The provision for credit losses in the final quarter of 2017 was $31 million, compared with $62 million in the year-earlier period. Net loan charge-offs were $27 million in the last three months of 2017, representing an annualized .12% of average loans and leases outstanding, compared with $49 million or .22% during the similar period of 2016. Net charge-offs in the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016 included: residential real estate loans of $2 million in 2017 and $5 million in 2016; net recoveries of previously charged-off commercial real estate loans of $4 million in 2017, compared with net charge-offs of $1 million in 2016; net charge-offs of commercial loans of $5 million in 2017 and $17 million in 2016; and net charge-offs of consumer loans of $25 million and $26 million  in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The net recoveries of commercial real estate loans in 2017’s final quarter reflected $4 million of recoveries on a previously charged-off loan to a residential builder and developer. Net charge-offs of commercial loans and leases in the fourth quarter of 2016 included a $12 million charge-off associated with a multi-regional manufacturer of refractory brick and other castable products.

Other income aggregated $484 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, up 4% from $465 million in the year-earlier period. That improvement resulted predominantly from increased gains on bank investment securities and higher trust income.  An $18 million gain was recognized on the sale of a portion of the Company’s Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock holdings in December 2017.  The $8 million increase in trust income was primarily the result of higher revenues in the ICS business, reflecting increased fees earned from sales activities, and the WAS business, reflecting stronger sales activities and improved equity market performance.

Other expense totaled $796 million during the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with $769 million in the year-earlier quarter. Included in such amounts are expenses considered to be “nonoperating” in nature consisting of amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets of $7 million and $9 million during the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Exclusive of those nonoperating expenses, noninterest operating expenses were $789 million in the final 2017 quarter, compared with $760 million in the year-earlier quarter. That increase reflects higher contributions to The M&T Charitable Foundation in 2017 and increased expenses for salaries and employee benefits. The rise in salaries and employee benefits expenses in the last three months of 2017 as compared with the year-earlier period was largely attributable to the impact of annual merit increases. The Company’s efficiency ratio during the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016 was 54.7% and 56.4%, respectively. Table 23 includes a reconciliation of other expense to noninterest operating expense and the calculation of the efficiency ratio for each of the quarters of 2017 and 2016.

 

Segment Information

 

In accordance with GAAP, the Company’s reportable segments have been determined based upon its internal profitability reporting system, which is organized by strategic business unit. Certain strategic business units have been combined for segment information reporting purposes where the nature of the products and services, the type of customer, and the distribution of those products and services are similar. The reportable segments are Business Banking, Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate, Discretionary Portfolio, Residential Mortgage Banking and Retail Banking.

The financial information of the Company’s segments was compiled utilizing the accounting policies described in note 22 of Notes to Financial Statements. The management accounting policies

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and processes utilized in compiling segment financial information are highly subjective and, unlike financial accounting, are not based on authoritative guidance similar to GAAP. As a result, reported segments and the financial information of the reported segments are not necessarily comparable with similar information reported by other financial institutions.  Furthermore, changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial data.  During 2017, the Company revised its funds transfer pricing allocation related to certain deposit categories.  Accordingly, prior period financial information for 2016 and 2015 has been reclassified to provide segment information on a comparable basis. Financial information about the Company’s segments is presented in note 22 of Notes to Financial Statements.  

The Business Banking segment provides a wide range of services to small businesses and professionals within markets served by the Company through the Company’s branch network, business banking centers and other delivery channels such as telephone banking, Internet banking and automated teller machines. Services and products offered by this segment include various business loans and leases, including loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, business credit cards, deposit products, and financial services such as cash management, payroll and direct deposit, merchant credit card and letters of credit. The Business Banking segment contributed net income of $116 million in 2017, up 12% from $104 million in 2016.  That improvement resulted from a $22 million increase in net interest income, reflecting a widening of the net interest margin, and higher merchant discount and credit card fees.  This segment recorded net income of $110 million in 2015.  The 5% decline in net income in 2016 as compared with 2015 was attributable to higher centrally-allocated costs largely associated with the acquired Hudson City operations, an increase in FDIC assessments of $3 million and higher personnel costs and advertising and marketing expenses of $2 million each, offset, in part, by a $15 million rise in net interest income and a $3 million decline in the provision for credit losses.  The growth in net interest income reflected an increase in average outstanding deposit balances of $986 million.

The Commercial Banking segment provides a wide range of credit products and banking services for middle-market and large commercial customers, mainly within the markets served by the Company. Services provided by this segment include commercial lending and leasing, letters of credit, deposit products, and cash management services.  The Commercial Banking segment recorded net income of $437 million in 2017, compared with $411 million in 2016.  That 6% improvement resulted from a $24 million increase in net interest income and a lower provision for credit losses of $23 million. Those favorable factors were partially offset by higher allocated operating expenses associated with data processing, risk management and other support services provided to the Commercial Banking segment.   The increase in net interest income resulted from a widening of the net interest margin on deposits of 32 basis points and higher average outstanding loan balances of $961 million offset, in part, by a narrowing of the net interest margin on loans of 15 basis points. Net income for the Commercial Banking segment totaled $431 million in 2015.  The 5% decline in net income from 2015 to 2016 reflects the following factors:  lower letter of credit and other credit-related fees of $15 million, largely due to loan syndication fees; higher FDIC assessments of $13 million; an increase in the provision for credit losses of $10 million; lower gains on the sale of previously leased equipment of $9 million; an increase in personnel costs of $5 million; and higher allocated operating expenses associated with data processing, risk management and other support services provided to the Commercial Banking segment.  Those unfavorable factors were largely offset by a $32 million rise in net interest income and a $4 million increase in corporate advisory fees.  The higher net interest income resulted from higher average outstanding loan and deposit balances of $1.4 billion and $794 million, respectively.

The Commercial Real Estate segment provides credit and deposit services to its customers. Real estate securing loans in this segment is generally located in New York State, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia and

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the western portion of the United States.  Commercial real estate loans may be secured by apartment/multifamily buildings; office, retail and industrial space; or other types of collateral. Activities of this segment also include the origination, sales and servicing of commercial real estate loans through the Fannie Mae DUS program and other programs.  Commercial real estate loans held for sale are included in this segment.  Net income for the Commercial Real Estate segment was $364 million in 2017, up 4% from $350 million in 2016.  That improvement resulted from higher net interest income of $41 million and a lower provision for credit losses of $4 million, offset in part, by lower trading account and foreign exchange gains of $11 million, largely due to decreased volumes of interest rate swap transactions executed by commercial customers, and higher operating expenses.  The increase in net interest income was attributable to a $1.5 billion increase in average loan balances and a 38 basis point widening of the net interest margin on deposits, offset, in part, by a seven basis point narrowing of the net interest margin on loans.  This segment’s net income increased 3% in 2016 from $341 million in 2015.  That improvement resulted from: a rise in net interest income of $30 million; higher mortgage banking revenues of $27 million, resulting from increased loan origination activities; and higher trading account and foreign exchange gains of $8 million, largely due to increased volumes of interest rate swap transactions executed by commercial customers.  Those favorable factors were partially offset by increased FDIC assessments of $14 million, a $10 million rise in personnel-related expenses, a $5 million increase in the provision for credit losses and higher allocated operating expenses associated with data processing, risk management and other support services provided to the Commercial Real Estate segment.  The higher net interest income was attributable to a $2.3 billion increase in average loan balances and a 19 basis point widening of the net interest margin on deposits, offset, in part, by a 22 basis point narrowing of the net interest margin on loans.  

The Discretionary Portfolio segment includes investment and trading account securities, residential real estate loans and other assets; short-term and long-term borrowed funds; brokered deposits; and Cayman Islands office deposits.  This segment also provides foreign exchange services to customers.  Net income of the Discretionary Portfolio segment aggregated $135 million in 2017 and $164 million in 2016. The decline in net income in 2017 was due to a $69 million decrease in net interest income, reflecting a $3.5 billion decrease in average loan balances and a 10 basis point narrowing of the net interest margin on loans, and lower gains realized on investment securities. The decline in average loan balances resulted from ongoing repayments of loans obtained in the Hudson City acquisition. Those unfavorable factors were partially offset by lower loan and other real estate-related servicing costs.  The Discretionary Portfolio segment recorded net income of $59 million in 2015. The improved performance of this segment in 2016 as compared with 2015 was due to a $248 million rise in net interest income, which reflects the impact of residential real estate loans obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City, and higher gains realized on investment securities.  Those favorable factors were partially offset by increases of $25 million in the provision for credit losses and $16 million in FDIC assessments, and higher loan and other real estate servicing costs.  

The Residential Mortgage Banking segment originates and services residential mortgage loans and sells substantially all of those loans in the secondary market to investors or to the Discretionary Portfolio segment.  In addition to the geographic regions served by or contiguous with the Company’s branch network, the Company maintains mortgage loan origination offices in several western states.  The Company periodically purchases the rights to service loans and also sub-services residential real estate loans for others. Residential real estate loans held for sale are included in this segment.  The Residential Mortgage Banking segment’s net income declined 18% to $46 million in 2017 from $55 million in 2016.  That decline reflected lower revenues from mortgage origination and sales activities of $14 million and from servicing residential real estate loans of $6 million (each including intersegment revenues). Partially offsetting those unfavorable factors were lower expenses associated with intersegment loan servicing.  Net income for the Residential Mortgage Banking

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segment in 2016 was down 25% from $74 million in 2015.  That decline reflected lower revenues from servicing residential real estate loans for unaffiliated parties of $23 million and a $10 million decrease in net interest income offset, in part, by increased intersegment revenues.  

The Retail Banking segment offers a variety of services to consumers through several delivery channels which include branch offices, automated teller machines, telephone, mobile and Internet banking. The Company has branch offices in New York State, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Credit services offered by this segment include consumer installment loans, automobile and recreational vehicle loans (originated both directly and indirectly through dealers), home equity loans and lines of credit, and credit cards. The segment also offers to its customers deposit products, including demand, savings and time accounts; investment products, including mutual funds and annuities; and other services.  Net income for the Retail Banking segment totaled $377 million in 2017, up 28% from $294 million in 2016.  That improvement was predominately due to an increase in net interest income of $103 million, a $13 million decrease in the provision for credit losses and lower personnel-related expenses of $7 million.  The higher net interest income was primarily due to a widening of the net interest margin on deposits of 34 basis points offset, in part, by lower average outstanding deposit balances of $3.4 billion reflecting net maturities of time deposits obtained in the Hudson City acquisition. This segment’s net income was up 2% in 2016 from $288 million in 2015.  The rise in net income 2016 as compared with 2015 reflected an increase in net interest income of $156 million, predominantly due to the impact of deposits obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City. That benefit was largely offset by the following unfavorable factors:  a $47 million rise in the provision for credit losses, including partial charge-offs of $32 million recognized on loans for which the customer was either bankrupt or deceased; increases in expenses for personnel, equipment and net occupancy, and advertising and marketing of $45 million, $18 million and $11 million, respectively, that include the impact of the expanded operations associated with the acquisition of Hudson City; higher FDIC assessments of $10 million; and higher allocated operating expenses associated with data processing, risk management and other support services provided from centralized service areas.

The “All Other” category reflects other activities of the Company that are not directly attributable to the reported segments.  Reflected in this category are the amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets resulting from the acquisitions of financial institutions, M&T’s share of the operating results of BLG, merger-related expenses resulting from acquisitions, and the net impact of the Company’s allocation methodologies for internal transfers for funding charges and credits associated with the earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities of the Company’s reportable segments and the provision for credit losses.  The “All Other” category also includes trust income of the Company that reflects the ICS and WAS business activities.  The various components of the “All Other” category resulted in net losses of $66 million, $64 million and $223 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The modestly higher net loss in 2017 as compared with 2016 reflected the incremental income tax expense of $85 million recorded as a result of the enactment of the Tax Act, higher legal-related and professional services costs of $95 million, including additions to the reserve for legal matters, and an increase in personnel-related expenses. Partially offsetting those unfavorable factors were: lower merger-related expenses of $36 million (there were no such expenses in 2017); higher trust income of $29 million in 2017; tax benefits of $22 million recognized in 2017 associated with the adoption of new accounting guidance requiring that excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation be recognized in income tax expense in the income statement; and the favorable impact from the Company’s allocation methodologies. The improved performance in 2016 as compared with 2015 was predominantly due to the favorable impact from the Company’s allocation methodologies and a $61 million decrease in merger-related expenses associated with the

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acquisition of Hudson City.  Reflected in 2015’s results was the $45 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of the trade processing business within the retirement services division.

 

Recent Accounting Developments

A discussion of recent accounting developments is included in note 26 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Annual Report contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s business, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “estimate,” “continue,” “positions,” “prospects” or “potential,” by future conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may,” or by variations of such words or by similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions (“Future Factors”) which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

Future Factors include changes in interest rates, spreads on earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and interest rate sensitivity; prepayment speeds, loan originations, credit losses and market values of loans, collateral securing loans and other assets; sources of liquidity; common shares outstanding; common stock price volatility; fair value of and number of stock-based compensation awards to be issued in future periods; the impact of changes in market values on trust-related revenues; legislation and/or regulation affecting the financial services industry as a whole, and M&T and its subsidiaries individually or collectively, including tax legislation or regulation; regulatory supervision and oversight, including monetary policy and capital requirements; changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the FASB or regulatory agencies; increasing price and product/service competition by competitors, including new entrants; rapid technological developments and changes; the ability to continue to introduce competitive new products and services on a timely, cost-effective basis; the mix of products/services; containing costs and expenses; governmental and public policy changes; protection and validity of intellectual property rights; reliance on large customers; technological, implementation and cost/financial risks in large, multi-year contracts; the outcome of pending and future litigation and governmental proceedings, including tax-related examinations and other matters; continued availability of financing; financial resources in the amounts, at the times and on the terms required to support M&T and its subsidiaries’ future businesses; and material differences in the actual financial results of merger, acquisition and investment activities compared with M&T’s initial expectations, including the full realization of anticipated cost savings and revenue enhancements.

These are representative of the Future Factors that could affect the outcome of the forward-looking statements. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, general economic and political conditions, either nationally or in the states in which M&T and its subsidiaries do business, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes and trends in the securities markets, and other Future Factors.

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Table 22

QUARTERLY TRENDS

 

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Table 23

RECONCILIATION OF QUARTERLY GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

 

 

 

 

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Incorporated by reference to the discussion contained in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the captions “Liquidity, Market Risk, and Interest Rate Sensitivity” (including Table 20) and “Capital.”

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data consist of the financial statements as indexed and presented below and Table 22 “Quarterly Trends” presented in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

 

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Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting at M&T Bank Corporation and subsidiaries (“the Company”). Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 based on criteria described in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that assessment, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, that was engaged to express an opinion as to the fairness of presentation of such financial statements. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was also engaged to assess the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP follows this report.

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

M&T Bank Corporation

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of M&T Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).  We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

 

Basis for Opinions

 

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  

 

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and

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evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

Buffalo, New York

February 22, 2018

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1984.

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M&T BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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M&T BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statement of Income

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

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M&T BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

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M&T BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

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M&T BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

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M&T BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.    Significant accounting policies

M&T Bank Corporation (“M&T”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. Through subsidiaries, M&T provides individuals, corporations and other businesses, and institutions with commercial and retail banking services, including loans and deposits, trust, mortgage banking, asset management, insurance and other financial services. Banking activities are largely focused on consumers residing in New York State, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia and on small and medium-size businesses based in those areas. Certain subsidiaries also conduct activities in other areas.

The accounting and reporting policies of M&T and subsidiaries (“the Company”) are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and to general practices within the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant accounting policies are as follows:

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include M&T and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions of consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements of M&T included in note 25 report investments in subsidiaries under the equity method. Information about some limited purpose entities that are affiliates of the Company but are not included in the consolidated financial statements appears in note 19.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For purposes of this statement, cash and due from banks and federal funds sold are considered cash and cash equivalents.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at amounts equal to the cash or other consideration exchanged. It is generally the Company’s policy to take possession of collateral pledged to secure agreements to resell.

Trading account

Financial instruments used for trading purposes are stated at fair value. Realized gains and losses and unrealized changes in fair value of financial instruments utilized in trading activities are included in “trading account and foreign exchange gains” in the consolidated statement of income.

Investment securities

Investments in debt securities are classified as held to maturity and stated at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold such securities to maturity. Investments in

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other debt securities and equity securities having readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale and stated at estimated fair value. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts for investment securities available for sale and held to maturity are included in interest income.

Other securities are stated at cost and include stock of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of New York.

Individual securities are written down through a charge to earnings when declines in value below the cost basis of a security are considered to be other than temporary. In cases where fair value is less than amortized cost and the Company intends to sell a debt security, it is more likely than not to be required to sell a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a debt security, an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred. If the Company intends to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the debt security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. If the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount representing the credit loss and (b) the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings while the amount related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Subsequently, the Company accounts for the other-than-temporarily impaired debt security as if the security had been purchased on the measurement date of the other-than-temporary impairment at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings. Realized gains and losses on the sales of investment securities are determined using the specific identification method.

Loans and leases

The Company’s accounting methods for loans depends on whether the loans were originated by the Company or were acquired in a business combination.

Originated loans and leases

Interest income on loans is accrued on a level yield method. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status and previously accrued interest thereon is charged against income when principal or interest is delinquent 90 days, unless management determines that the loan status clearly warrants other treatment. Nonaccrual commercial loans and commercial real estate loans are returned to accrual status when borrowers have demonstrated an ability to repay their loans and there are no delinquent principal and interest payments. Consumer loans not secured by residential real estate are returned to accrual status when all past due principal and interest payments have been paid by the borrower. Loans secured by residential real estate are returned to accrual status when they are deemed to have an insignificant delay in payments of 90 days or less. Loan balances are charged off when it becomes evident that such balances are not fully collectible. For commercial loans and commercial real estate loans, charge-offs are recognized after an assessment by credit personnel of the capacity and willingness of the borrower to repay, the estimated value of any collateral, and any other potential sources of repayment. A charge-off is recognized when, after such assessment, it becomes evident that the loan balance is not fully collectible. For loans secured by residential real estate, the excess of the loan balances over the net realizable value of the property collateralizing the loan is charged-off when the loan becomes 150 days delinquent. Consumer loans are generally charged-off when the

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loans are 91 to 180 days past due, depending on whether the loan is collateralized and the status of repossession activities with respect to such collateral. Loan fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized as an interest yield adjustment over the life of the loan. Net deferred fees have been included in unearned discount as a reduction of loans outstanding. Commitments to sell real estate loans are utilized by the Company to hedge the exposure to changes in fair value of real estate loans held for sale. The carrying value of hedged real estate loans held for sale recorded in the consolidated balance sheet includes changes in estimated fair market value during the hedge period, typically from the date of close through the sale date. Valuation adjustments made on these loans and commitments are included in “mortgage banking revenues.”

Except for consumer and residential mortgage loans that are considered smaller balance homogenous loans and are evaluated collectively, the Company considers a loan to be impaired for purposes of applying GAAP when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement or the loan is delinquent 90 days. Regardless of loan type, the Company considers a loan to be impaired if it qualifies as a troubled debt restructuring. Impaired loans are classified as either nonaccrual or as loans renegotiated at below market rates which continue to accrue interest, provided that a credit assessment of the borrower’s financial condition results in an expectation of full repayment under the modified contractual terms. Certain loans greater than 90 days delinquent are not considered impaired if they are well-secured and in the process of collection. Loans less than 90 days delinquent are deemed to have an insignificant delay in payment and are generally not considered impaired. Impairment of a loan is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. Interest received on impaired loans placed on nonaccrual status is generally applied to reduce the carrying value of the loan or, if principal is considered fully collectible, recognized as interest income.

Residual value estimates for commercial leases are generally determined through internal or external reviews of the leased property. The Company reviews commercial lease residual values at least annually and recognizes residual value impairments deemed to be other than temporary.

Loans and leases acquired in a business combination

Loans acquired in a business combination subsequent to December 31, 2008 are initially recorded at fair value with no carry-over of an acquired entity’s previously established allowance for credit losses. Purchased impaired loans represent specifically identified loans with evidence of credit deterioration for which it was probable at acquisition that the Company would be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest payments. For purchased impaired loans and other loans acquired at a discount that was, in part, attributable to credit quality, the excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value of acquired loans is recognized as interest income over the remaining lives of the loans. Subsequent decreases in the expected principal cash flows require the Company to evaluate the need for additions to the Company’s allowance for credit losses. Subsequent improvements in expected cash flows result first in the recovery of any related allowance for credit losses and then in recognition of additional interest income over the then-remaining lives of the loans.

For all other acquired loans, the difference between the fair value and outstanding principal balance of the loans is recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the lives of those loans. Those loans are then accounted for in a manner that is similar to originated loans.

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Allowance for credit losses

The allowance for credit losses represents, in management’s judgment, the amount of losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The allowance is determined by management’s evaluation of the loan and lease portfolio based on such factors as the differing economic risks associated with each loan category, the current financial condition of specific borrowers, the economic environment in which borrowers operate, the level of delinquent loans, the value of any collateral and, where applicable, the existence of any guarantees or indemnifications. The effects of probable decreases in expected principal cash flows on loans acquired at a discount are also considered in the establishment of the allowance for credit losses.

Assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans

Assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans are primarily comprised of commercial and residential real property and are included in “other assets” in the consolidated balance sheet. An in-substance repossession or foreclosure occurs and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Upon acquisition of assets taken in satisfaction of a defaulted loan, the excess of the remaining loan balance over the asset’s estimated fair value less costs to sell is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses. Subsequent declines in value of the assets are recognized as “other costs of operations” in the consolidated statement of income.

Premises and equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Capitalized servicing rights

Capitalized servicing assets are included in “other assets” in the consolidated balance sheet. Separately recognized servicing assets are initially measured at fair value. The Company uses the amortization method to subsequently measure servicing assets. Under that method, capitalized servicing assets are charged to expense in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income.

To estimate the fair value of servicing rights, the Company considers market prices for similar assets and the present value of expected future cash flows associated with the servicing rights calculated using assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future servicing income and expense. Such assumptions include estimates of the cost of servicing loans, loan default rates, an appropriate discount rate, and prepayment speeds. For purposes of evaluating and measuring impairment of capitalized servicing rights, the Company stratifies such assets based on the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying financial instruments that are expected to have the most impact on projected prepayments, cost of servicing and other factors affecting future cash flows associated with the servicing rights. Such factors may include financial asset or loan type, note rate and term. The amount of impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the capitalized servicing rights for a stratum exceeds estimated fair value. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance.

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Sales and securitizations of financial assets

Transfers of financial assets for which the Company has surrendered control of the financial assets are accounted for as sales. Interests in a sale of financial assets that continue to be held by the Company, including servicing rights, are measured at fair value. The fair values of retained debt securities are generally determined through reference to independent pricing information. The fair values of retained servicing rights and any other retained interests are determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows associated with those interests and by reference to market prices for similar assets.

Securitization structures typically require the use of special-purpose trusts that are considered variable interest entities. A variable interest entity is included in the consolidated financial statements if the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the variable interest entity’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the variable interest entity that could potentially be significant to that entity.

Goodwill and core deposit and other intangible assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level, which is either at the same level or one level below an operating segment. Other acquired intangible assets with finite lives, such as core deposit intangibles, are initially recorded at estimated fair value and are amortized over their estimated lives. Core deposit and other intangible assets are generally amortized using accelerated methods over estimated useful lives of five to ten years. The Company periodically assesses whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of core deposit and other intangible assets may be impaired.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security, or a foreign currency denominated forecasted transaction.

The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements as part of the management of interest rate risk to modify the repricing characteristics of certain portions of its portfolios of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. For such agreements, amounts receivable or payable are recognized as accrued under the terms of the agreement and the net differential is recorded as an adjustment to interest income or expense of the related asset or liability. Interest rate swap agreements may be designated as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. In a fair value hedge, the fair values of the interest rate swap agreements and changes in the fair values of the hedged items are recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with the corresponding gain or loss recognized in current earnings. The difference between changes in the fair values of interest rate swap agreements and the hedged items represents hedge ineffectiveness and is recorded in “other revenues from operations” in the consolidated statement of income. In a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s unrealized gain or loss is initially recorded as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the unrealized gain or loss is reported in “other revenues from operations” immediately.

The Company utilizes commitments to sell real estate loans to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of real estate loans held for sale. Commitments to originate real estate loans to be held

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for sale and commitments to sell real estate loans are generally recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at estimated fair value.

Derivative instruments not related to mortgage banking activities, including financial futures commitments and interest rate swap agreements, that do not satisfy the hedge accounting requirements are recorded at fair value and are generally classified as trading account assets or liabilities with resultant changes in fair value being recognized in “trading account and foreign exchange gains” in the consolidated statement of income.

Stock-based compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the stock-based grant based on the estimated grant date value of the stock-based compensation, except that the recognition of compensation costs is accelerated for stock-based awards granted to retirement-eligible employees and employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to full vesting of the award because the Company’s incentive compensation plan allows for vesting at the time an employee retires.  As discussed in note 26 herein, effective January 2017 the Company adopted amended accounting guidance which requires excess tax benefits or deficiencies associated with stock-based compensation be recognized in income tax expense.  Previously, tax effects resulting from changes in M&T’s share price were recorded through shareholders’ equity.

Income taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax effects attributable to differences between the financial statement value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws.

The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions using the two-step process required by GAAP. The first step requires a determination of whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Under the second step, a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

The Company accounts for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method. Under that method, the Company amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense.

Earnings per common share

Basic earnings per common share exclude dilution and are computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (exclusive of shares represented by the unvested portion of restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants) and common shares issuable under deferred compensation arrangements during the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflect shares represented by the unvested portion of restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants and the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in earnings. Proceeds assumed to have been received on such exercise or conversion are assumed to be used to purchase shares of M&T common stock at the average market price during the period, as required by the “treasury stock method” of accounting.

GAAP requires that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) shall be considered participating

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securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per common share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company has issued stock-based compensation awards in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units that contain such rights and, accordingly, the Company’s earnings per common share are calculated using the two-class method.

Treasury stock

Repurchases of shares of M&T common stock are recorded at cost as a reduction of shareholders’ equity. Reissuances of shares of treasury stock are recorded at average cost.

 

 

2.    Acquisition and divestiture

Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.

On November 1, 2015, M&T completed the acquisition of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. (“Hudson City”), headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey. On that date, Hudson City Savings Bank, the banking subsidiary of Hudson City, was merged into M&T Bank, a wholly owned banking subsidiary of M&T. Hudson City Savings Bank operated 135 banking offices in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York at the date of acquisition. The results of operations acquired in the Hudson City transaction have been included in the Company’s financial results since November 1, 2015. After application of the election, allocation and proration procedures contained in the merger agreement with Hudson City, M&T paid $2.1 billion in cash and issued 25,953,950 shares of M&T common stock in exchange for Hudson City shares outstanding at the time of the acquisition. The purchase price was approximately $5.2 billion based on the cash paid to Hudson City shareholders, the fair value of M&T stock exchanged and the estimated fair value of Hudson City stock awards converted into M&T stock awards. The acquisition of Hudson City expanded the Company’s presence in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York, and management expects that the Company will benefit from greater geographic diversity and the advantages of scale associated with a larger company.

The Hudson City transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at estimated fair value on the acquisition date. Assets acquired totaled approximately $36.7 billion, including $19.0 billion of loans (predominantly residential real estate loans) and $7.9 billion of investment securities. Liabilities assumed aggregated $31.5 billion, including $17.9 billion of deposits and $13.2 billion of borrowings. Immediately following the acquisition, the Company restructured its balance sheet by selling $5.8 billion of investment securities obtained in the acquisition and repaying $10.6 billion of borrowings assumed in the transaction. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded approximately $1.1 billion of goodwill and $132 million of core deposit intangible. The core deposit intangible asset is being amortized over a period of seven years using an accelerated method.

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The following table discloses the impact of Hudson City since the acquisition on November 1, 2015 through the end of 2015. The table also presents certain pro forma information as if Hudson City had been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all of 2015. These results combine the historical results of Hudson City into the Company’s consolidated statement of income and, while certain adjustments were made for the estimated impact of certain fair valuation adjustments and other acquisition-related activity, they are not necessarily indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition taken place on the indicated date.

 

 

In connection with the Hudson City acquisition, the Company incurred merger-related expenses of $36 million in 2016 and $97 million in 2015 related to systems conversions and other costs of integrating and conforming acquired operations with and into the Company. Those expenses consisted largely of professional services and other temporary help fees associated with preparing for systems conversions and/or integration of operations; costs related to termination of existing contractual arrangements for various services; initial marketing and promotion expenses designed to introduce M&T Bank to its new customers; severance (for former Hudson City employees); travel costs; and other costs of completing the transaction and commencing operations in new markets and offices. In 2015, the Company also recognized a $21 million provision for credit losses related to the $18.3 billion of Hudson City loans acquired at a premium. GAAP does not allow the credit loss component of the net premium associated with those loans to be bifurcated and accounted for as a nonaccreting difference as is the case with purchased impaired loans and other loans acquired at a discount. Nevertheless, GAAP requires that an allowance for credit losses be recognized for incurred losses in loans acquired at a premium even though in a relatively homogenous portfolio of residential mortgage loans the specific loans to which the losses relate cannot be individually identified at the acquisition date. Given the recognition of such losses above and beyond the impact of forecasted losses used in determining the fair value of the loans acquired at a premium, the initial $21 million provision for credit losses has been noted as a merger-related expense.  There were no merger related expenses in 2017.

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A summary of merger-related expenses included in the consolidated statement of income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 follows:

 

 

Sale of trust accounts

In April 2015, the Company sold the trade processing business within the retirement services division of its Institutional Client Services business. That sale resulted in an after-tax gain of $23 million ($45 million pre-tax) that reflected the allocation of approximately $11 million of previously recorded goodwill to the divested business. Revenues of the sold business had been included in “trust income” and were $9 million during 2015. After considering related expenses, net income attributable to the business that was sold was not material to the consolidated results of operations of the Company in 2015.

 

 

3.    Investment securities

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities were as follows:

 

 

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No investment in securities of a single non-U.S. Government, government agency or government guaranteed issuer exceeded ten percent of shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2017.  

As of December 31, 2017, the latest available investment ratings of all obligations of states and political subdivisions, privately issued mortgage-backed securities and other debt securities were:

 

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of collateralized mortgage obligations included in mortgage-backed securities were as follows:

 

 

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Gross realized gains on investment securities were $23,251,000 in 2017 and $30,545,000 in 2016.  During 2017, the Company sold a portion of its Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock holdings held in the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio for a gain of $18 million.  During 2016, the Company sold its collateralized debt obligations held in the available-for-sale portfolio for a gain of $30 million. There were no significant gross realized losses from sales of investment securities in 2017 or 2016.  There were no significant gross realized gains or losses from sales of investment securities in 2015.

At December 31, 2017, the amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity were as follows:

 

 

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A summary of investment securities that as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and those that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer follows:

 

 

The Company owned 1,163 individual investment securities with aggregate gross unrealized losses of $169 million at December 31, 2017. Based on a review of each of the securities in the investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2017, the Company concluded that it expected to recover the amortized cost basis of its investment. As of December 31, 2017, the Company does not intend to sell nor is it anticipated that it would be required to sell any of its impaired investment securities at a loss. At December 31, 2017, the Company has not identified events or changes in

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circumstances which may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the $415 million of cost method investment securities.

At December 31, 2017, investment securities with a carrying value of $2,401,871,000, including $1,942,287,000 of investment securities available for sale, were pledged to secure borrowings from various FHLBs, repurchase agreements, governmental deposits, interest rate swap agreements and available lines of credit as described in note 9.

Investment securities pledged by the Company to secure obligations whereby the secured party is permitted by contract or custom to sell or repledge such collateral totaled $487,151,000 at December 31, 2017. The pledged securities included securities of the U.S. Treasury and federal agencies and mortgage-backed securities.

 

 

4.    Loans and leases

Total loans and leases outstanding were comprised of the following:

 

 

One-to-four family residential mortgage loans held for sale were $356 million at December 31, 2017 and $414 million at December 31, 2016. Commercial real estate loans held for sale were $22 million at December 31, 2017 and $643 million at December 31, 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, approximately $3.3 billion of commercial real estate loan balances serviced for others had been sold with recourse in conjunction with the Company’s participation in the Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) program. At December 31, 2017, the Company estimated that the recourse obligations described above were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position. There have been no material losses incurred as a result of those credit recourse arrangements.

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In addition to recourse obligations, as described in note 21, the Company is contractually obligated to repurchase previously sold residential real estate loans that do not ultimately meet investor sale criteria related to underwriting procedures or loan documentation. When required to do so, the Company may reimburse loan purchasers for losses incurred or may repurchase certain loans. Charges incurred for such obligation, which are recorded as a reduction of mortgage banking revenues, were not material in 2017, 2016 or 2015.

A summary of current, past due and nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 follows:

 

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If nonaccrual and renegotiated loans had been accruing interest at their originally contracted terms, interest income on such loans would have amounted to $63,872,000 in 2017, $68,371,000 in 2016 and $56,784,000 in 2015. The actual amounts included in interest income during 2017, 2016 and 2015 on such loans were $31,425,000, $33,941,000 and $30,735,000, respectively.

The outstanding principal balance and the carrying amount of loans acquired at a discount that were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date and included in the consolidated balance sheet were as follows:

 

 

Purchased impaired loans included in the table above totaled $410 million at December 31, 2017 and $578 million at December 31, 2016, representing less than 1% of the Company’s assets as of each date. A summary of changes in the accretable yield for loans acquired at a discount for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 follows:

 

 

 

During the normal course of business, the Company modifies loans to maximize recovery efforts. If the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and a concession is granted, the Company considers such modifications as troubled debt restructurings and classifies those loans as either nonaccrual loans or renegotiated loans. The types of concessions that the Company grants typically include principal deferrals and interest rate concessions, but may also include other types of concessions.

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The tables that follow summarize the Company’s loan modification activities that were considered troubled debt restructurings for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

 

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Troubled debt restructurings are considered to be impaired loans and for purposes of establishing the allowance for credit losses are evaluated for impairment giving consideration to the impact of the modified loan terms on the present value of the loan’s expected cash flows. Impairment of troubled debt restructurings that have subsequently defaulted may also be measured based on the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. Charge-offs may also be recognized on troubled debt restructurings that have subsequently defaulted. Loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings during the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and for which there was a subsequent payment default during the respective year were not material.

Borrowings by directors and certain officers of M&T and its banking subsidiaries, and by associates of such persons, exclusive of loans aggregating less than $60,000, amounted to $93,103,000 and $63,543,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During 2017, new borrowings by such persons amounted to $88,077,000 (including any borrowings of new directors or officers that were outstanding at the time of their election) and repayments and other reductions (including reductions resulting from individuals ceasing to be directors or officers) were $58,517,000.

At December 31, 2017, approximately $11.9 billion of commercial loans and leases, $12.7 billion of commercial real estate loans, $15.3 billion of one-to-four family residential real estate loans, $2.3 billion of home equity loans and lines of credit and $5.2 billion of other consumer loans were pledged to secure outstanding borrowings from the FHLB of New York and available lines of credit as described in note 9.

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The Company’s loan and lease portfolio includes commercial lease financing receivables consisting of direct financing and leveraged leases for machinery and equipment, railroad equipment, commercial trucks and trailers, and aircraft. A summary of lease financing receivables follows:

 

 

Included within the estimated residual value of leased assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $37 million and $47 million, respectively, in residual value associated with direct financing leases that are guaranteed by the lessees or others.

At December 31, 2017, the minimum future lease payments to be received from lease financings were as follows:

 

 

The amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the Company was $108 million and $129 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. There were $497 million and $506 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in loans secured by residential real estate that were in the process of foreclosure. Of all loans in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2017, approximately 45% were classified as purchased impaired and 19% were government guaranteed.

 

 

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5.    Allowance for credit losses

Changes in the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

 

 

Despite the above allocation, the allowance for credit losses is general in nature and is available to absorb losses from any loan or lease type.

In establishing the allowance for credit losses, the Company estimates losses attributable to specific troubled credits identified through both normal and targeted credit review processes and also estimates losses inherent in other loans and leases on a collective basis. For purposes of determining the level of the allowance for credit losses, the Company evaluates its loan and lease portfolio by loan type. The amounts of loss components in the Company’s loan and lease portfolios are determined through a loan-by-loan analysis of larger balance commercial loans and commercial real estate loans that are in nonaccrual status and by applying loss factors to groups of loan balances based on loan type and management’s classification of such loans under the Company’s loan grading system. Measurement of the specific loss components is typically based on expected future cash flows, collateral values and other factors that may impact the borrower’s ability to pay. In determining the allowance for credit losses, the Company utilizes a loan grading system which is applied to commercial and commercial real estate credits on an individual loan basis. Loan grades are assigned loss component factors that reflect the Company’s loss estimate for each group of loans and leases. Factors considered in assigning loan grades and loss component factors include borrower-

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specific information related to expected future cash flows and operating results, collateral values, geographic location, financial condition and performance, payment status, and other information; levels of and trends in portfolio charge-offs and recoveries; levels of and trends in portfolio delinquencies and impaired loans; changes in the risk profile of specific portfolios; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in credit concentrations; and observed trends and practices in the banking industry.

The following tables provide information with respect to loans and leases that were considered impaired as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

 

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Commercial loans and commercial real estate loans with a lower expectation of default are assigned one of ten possible “pass” loan grades and are generally ascribed lower loss factors when determining the allowance for credit losses. Loans with an elevated level of credit risk are classified as “criticized” and are ascribed a higher loss factor when determining the allowance for credit losses. Criticized loans may be classified as “nonaccrual” if the Company no longer expects to collect all amounts according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement or the loan is delinquent 90 days or more. Furthermore, criticized nonaccrual commercial loans and commercial real estate loans are considered impaired and, as a result, specific loss allowances on such loans are established within the allowance for credit losses to the extent appropriate in each individual instance.

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The following table summarizes the loan grades applied to the various classes of the Company’s commercial loans and commercial real estate loans.

 

 

In determining the allowance for credit losses, residential real estate loans and consumer loans are generally evaluated collectively after considering such factors as payment performance and recent loss experience and trends, which are mainly driven by current collateral values in the market place as well as the amount of loan defaults. Loss rates on such loans are determined by reference to recent charge-off history and are evaluated (and adjusted if deemed appropriate) through consideration of other factors including near-term forecasted loss estimates developed by the Company’s credit department. In arriving at such forecasts, the Company considers the current estimated fair value of its collateral based on geographical adjustments for home price depreciation/appreciation and overall borrower repayment performance. With regard to collateral values, the realizability of such values by the Company contemplates repayment of any first lien position prior to recovering amounts on a second lien position. However, residential real estate loans and outstanding balances of home equity loans and lines of credit that are more than 150 days past due are generally evaluated for collectibility on a loan-by-loan basis giving consideration to estimated collateral values. The carrying value of residential real estate loans and home equity loans and lines of credit for which a partial charge-off has been recognized aggregated $34 million and $25 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017 and $44 million and $32 million, respectively, at December 31, 2016. Residential real estate loans and home equity loans and lines of credit that were more than 150 days past due but did not require a partial charge-off because the net realizable value of the collateral exceeded the outstanding customer balance totaled $20 million and $32 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017 and $16 million and $39 million, respectively, at December 31, 2016.

The Company also measures additional losses for purchased impaired loans when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all cash flows expected at acquisition plus additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in estimates after acquisition. Given the inherent subjectivity and potential imprecision involved in determining the allocated portion of the allowance for credit losses, the Company also provides an inherent unallocated portion of the allowance. The unallocated portion of the allowance is intended to recognize probable losses that are not otherwise identifiable and includes management’s subjective determination of amounts necessary to provide for the possible use of imprecise estimates in determining the allocated portion of the allowance. Therefore, the level of the unallocated portion of the allowance is primarily reflective of the inherent imprecision in the various calculations used in determining the allocated portion of the allowance for

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credit losses. Other factors that could also lead to changes in the unallocated portion include the effects of expansion into new markets for which the Company does not have the same degree of familiarity and experience regarding portfolio performance in changing market conditions, the introduction of new loan and lease product types, and other risks associated with the Company’s loan portfolio that may not be specifically identifiable.

The allocation of the allowance for credit losses summarized on the basis of the Company’s impairment methodology was as follows:

 

 

The recorded investment in loans and leases summarized on the basis of the Company’s impairment methodology was as follows:

 

 

 

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6.    Premises and equipment

The detail of premises and equipment was as follows:

 

 

Net lease expense for all operating leases totaled $114,362,000 in 2017, $113,663,000 in 2016 and $102,356,000 in 2015. Minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases are presented in note 21. Minimum lease payments required under capital leases are not material.

 

 

7.    Capitalized servicing assets

Changes in capitalized servicing assets were as follows:

 

 

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Residential mortgage loans serviced for others were $22.6 billion at December 31, 2017, $22.8 billion at December 31, 2016 and $23.9 billion at December 31, 2015. Excluded from residential mortgage loans serviced for others were loans sub-serviced for others of $56.6 billion, $30.4 billion and $37.8 billion at December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Commercial mortgage loans serviced for others were $13.6 billion at December 31, 2017, $11.8 billion at December 31, 2016 and $11.0 billion at December 31, 2015.  Excluded from commercial mortgage loans serviced for others were loans sub-serviced for others of $2.6 billion at December 31, 2017.

The estimated fair value of capitalized residential mortgage loan servicing assets was approximately $234 million at December 31, 2017 and $235 million at December 31, 2016. The fair value of capitalized residential mortgage loan servicing assets was estimated using weighted-average discount rates of 12.2% at each of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and contemporaneous prepayment assumptions that vary by loan type. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the discount rate represented a weighted-average option-adjusted spread (“OAS”) of 1,067 basis points (hundredths of one percent) and 1,095 basis points, respectively, over market implied forward London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”). The estimated fair value of capitalized residential mortgage loan servicing rights may vary significantly in subsequent periods due to changing interest rates and the effect thereof on prepayment speeds. The estimated fair value of capitalized commercial mortgage loan servicing assets was approximately $132 million and $119 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. An 18% discount rate was used to estimate the fair value of capitalized commercial mortgage loan servicing rights at December 31, 2017 and 2016 with no prepayment assumptions because, in general, the servicing agreements allow the Company to share in customer loan prepayment fees and thereby recover the remaining carrying value of the capitalized servicing rights associated with such loan. The Company’s ability to realize the carrying value of capitalized commercial mortgage servicing rights is more dependent on the borrowers’ abilities to repay the underlying loans than on prepayments or changes in interest rates.

The key economic assumptions used to determine the fair value of significant portfolios of capitalized servicing rights at December 31, 2017 and the sensitivity of such value to changes in those assumptions are summarized in the table that follows. Those calculated sensitivities are hypothetical and actual changes in the fair value of capitalized servicing rights may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. The effect of a variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of the servicing rights is calculated without changing any other assumption. In reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in another which may magnify or counteract the sensitivities. The changes in assumptions are presumed to be instantaneous.

 

 

 

 

 

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8.    Goodwill and other intangible assets

In accordance with GAAP, the Company does not amortize goodwill, however, core deposit and other intangible assets are amortized over the estimated life of each respective asset. Total amortizing intangible assets were comprised of the following:

 

 

Amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets was generally computed using accelerated methods over original amortization periods of five to ten years. The weighted-average original amortization period was approximately eight years. Amortization expense for core deposit and other intangible assets was $31,366,000, $42,613,000 and $26,424,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Estimated amortization expense in future years for such intangible assets is as follows:

 

 

In accordance with GAAP, the Company completed annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2017, 2016 and 2015. For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company assigned all recorded goodwill to the reporting units originally intended to benefit from past business combinations, which has historically been the Company’s core relationship business reporting units. Goodwill was generally assigned based on the implied fair value of the acquired goodwill applicable to the benefited reporting units at the time of each respective acquisition. The implied fair value of the goodwill was determined as the difference between the estimated incremental overall fair value of the reporting unit and the estimated fair value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit as of each respective acquisition date. To test for goodwill impairment at each evaluation date, the Company compared the estimated fair value of each of its reporting units to their respective carrying amounts and certain other assets and liabilities assigned to the reporting unit, including goodwill and core deposit and other intangible assets. The methodologies used to estimate fair values of reporting units as of the acquisition dates and as of the evaluation dates were similar. For the Company’s core customer relationship business reporting units, fair value was estimated as the present value of the expected future cash flows of the reporting unit. Based on the results of the goodwill impairment

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tests, the Company concluded that the amount of recorded goodwill was not impaired at the respective testing dates.

A summary of goodwill assigned to each of the Company’s reportable segments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 for purposes of testing for impairment is as follows:

 

 

 

9.    Borrowings

The amounts and interest rates of short-term borrowings were as follows:

 

 

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Short-term borrowings have a stated maturity of one year or less at the date the Company enters into the obligation. In general, federal funds purchased and short-term repurchase agreements outstanding at December 31, 2017 matured on the next business day following year-end. Other short-term borrowings at December 31, 2015 represent borrowings from the FHLB of New York that were assumed in the acquisition of Hudson City. Those borrowings matured at various dates during 2016.

At December 31, 2017, M&T Bank had lines of credit under formal agreements as follows:

 

 

At December 31, 2017, M&T Bank had borrowing facilities available with the FHLBs whereby M&T Bank could borrow up to approximately $20.2 billion. Additionally, M&T Bank had an available line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York totaling approximately $12.0 billion at December 31, 2017. M&T Bank is required to pledge loans and investment securities as collateral for these borrowing facilities.

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Long-term borrowings were as follows:

 

 

The variable rate senior notes of M&T Bank pay interest quarterly at rates that are indexed to the three-month LIBOR. The contractual interest rates for those notes were 2.05% at December 31, 2017 and ranged from 1.18% to 1.26% at December 31, 2016. The weighted-average contractual interest rate was 1.22% at December 31, 2016.

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Long-term fixed rate advances from the FHLB had contractual interest rates ranging from 1.97% to 5.98% at December 31, 2017 and from 1.17% to 7.32% at December 31, 2016.  The weighted-average contractual interest rate was 2.06% at December 31, 2017 and 1.65% at December 31, 2016. Advances from the FHLB mature at various dates through 2035 and are secured by residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans and investment securities.

Long-term agreements to repurchase securities had contractual interest rates that ranged from 4.09% to 4.58% at December 31, 2017 and from 3.65% to 4.58% at December 31, 2016. The weighted-average contractual interest rates payable were 4.31% at December 31, 2017 and 4.05% at December 31, 2016. The agreements reflect various repurchase dates through 2020, however, the contractual maturities of the underlying investment securities extend beyond such repurchase dates. The agreements are subject to legally enforceable master netting arrangements, however, the Company has not offset any amounts related to these agreements in its consolidated financial statements. The Company posted collateral consisting primarily of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities of $442 million and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The subordinated notes of M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust Corporation are unsecured and are subordinate to the claims of other creditors of those entities. The subordinated notes of M&T Bank that mature in 2020 converted to variable rate notes in December 2015. These notes now pay interest monthly at a rate that is indexed to the one-month LIBOR. The contractual interest rates were 2.78% and 1.97% at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The subordinated notes of M&T Bank that mature in 2021 converted to variable rate notes in December 2016. Those notes now pay interest quarterly at a rate that is indexed to the three-month LIBOR. The contractual interest rate was 2.12% at December 31, 2017 and 1.57%  at December 31, 2016.

The fixed and variable rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of M&T (“Junior Subordinated Debentures”) are held by various trusts and were issued in connection with the issuance by those trusts of preferred capital securities (“Capital Securities”) and common securities (“Common Securities”). The proceeds from the issuances of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities were used by the trusts to purchase the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Common Securities of each of those trusts are wholly owned by M&T and are the only class of each trust’s securities possessing general voting powers. The Capital Securities represent preferred undivided interests in the assets of the corresponding trust. Under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital guidelines, the Capital Securities qualify for inclusion in Tier 2 regulatory capital. The variable rate Junior Subordinated Debentures pay interest quarterly at rates that are indexed to the three-month LIBOR. Those rates ranged from 2.23% to 4.71% at December 31, 2017 and from 1.74% to 4.23% at December 31, 2016. The weighted-average variable rates payable on those Junior Subordinated Debentures were 2.83% at December 31, 2017 and 2.33% at December 31, 2016.

Holders of the Capital Securities receive preferential cumulative cash distributions unless M&T exercises its right to extend the payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures as allowed by the terms of each such debenture, in which case payment of distributions on the respective Capital Securities will be deferred for comparable periods. During an extended interest period, M&T may not pay dividends or distributions on, or repurchase, redeem or acquire any shares of its capital stock. In general, the agreements governing the Capital Securities, in the aggregate, provide a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee by M&T of the payment of distributions on, the redemption of, and any liquidation distribution with respect to the Capital Securities. The obligations under such guarantee and the Capital Securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all senior indebtedness of M&T.

The Capital Securities will remain outstanding until the Junior Subordinated Debentures are repaid at maturity, are redeemed prior to maturity or are distributed in liquidation to the trusts. The Capital Securities are mandatorily redeemable in whole, but not in part, upon repayment at the stated maturity dates (ranging from 2027 to 2033) of the Junior Subordinated Debentures or the earlier redemption of the Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole upon the occurrence of one or more events set forth in the indentures relating to the Capital Securities, and in whole or in part at any time after an optional redemption prior to

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contractual maturity contemporaneously with the optional redemption of the related Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole or in part, subject to possible regulatory approval.

Long-term borrowings at December 31, 2017 mature as follows:

 

 

 

10.    Shareholders’ equity

M&T is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a $1.00 par value per share. Preferred shares outstanding rank senior to common shares both as to dividends and liquidation preference, but have no general voting rights.

Issued and outstanding preferred stock of M&T as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is presented below:

 

 

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In addition to the Series A warrants, a warrant to purchase 95,500 shares of M&T common stock at $518.32 per share was outstanding at December 31, 2017.  The obligation under that warrant was assumed by M&T in an acquisition and expires on December 12, 2018.

 

 

11.    Stock-based compensation plans

Stock-based compensation expense was $61 million in 2017, $65 million in 2016 and $67 million in 2015.  The Company recognized income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation of $35 million in 2017, $31 million in 2016 and $29 million in 2015.

The Company’s equity incentive compensation plan allows for the issuance of various forms of stock-based compensation, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance-based awards. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, there were 3,278,036 and 3,667,800 shares available for future grant under the Company’s equity incentive compensation plan.

Restricted stock awards

Restricted stock awards are comprised of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards granted since 2014 vest over three years. Restricted stock awards granted prior to 2014 vested over four years. A portion of restricted stock awards granted after 2013 require a performance condition to be met before such awards vest. Unrecognized compensation expense associated with restricted stock was $15 million as of December 31, 2017 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately one year. The Company may issue restricted shares from treasury stock to the extent available or issue new shares. The number of restricted shares issued was 181,939 in 2017, 218,341 in 2016 and 218,183 in 2015, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $29,557,000 in 2017, $24,085,000 in 2016 and $24,726,000 in 2015. Unrecognized compensation expense associated with restricted stock units was $6 million as of December 31, 2017 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately one year. The number of restricted stock units issued was 235,983 in 2017, 348,297 in 2016 and 324,772 in 2015, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $38,364,000, $38,795,000 and $37,070,000, respectively.

A summary of restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity follows:

 

 

Stock option awards

Stock options issued generally vested over four years and are exercisable over terms not exceeding ten years and one day. The Company used an option pricing model to estimate the grant date present value of stock options granted. Stock options granted in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were not significant.

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A summary of stock option activity follows:

 

 

For 2017, 2016 and 2015, M&T received $72 million, $172 million and $93 million, respectively, in cash and realized tax benefits from the exercise of stock options of $10 million, $15 million and $6 million, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during those periods was $31 million, $42 million and $17 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the amount of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options was not significant. The total grant date fair value of stock options vested during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was not significant. Upon the exercise of stock options, the Company may issue shares from treasury stock to the extent available or issue new shares.

Stock purchase plan

The stock purchase plan provides eligible employees of the Company with the right to purchase shares of M&T common stock at a discount through accumulated payroll deductions. In connection with the employee stock purchase plan, 2,500,000 shares of M&T common stock were authorized for issuance under a plan adopted in 2013. There were 66,504 shares issued in 2017, 97,880 shares issued in 2016 and 89,384 shares issued in 2015.  For 2017, 2016 and 2015, M&T received $9,730,000, $9,528,000 and $9,296,000, respectively, in cash for shares purchased through the employee stock purchase plan. Compensation expense recognized for the stock purchase plan was not significant in 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Deferred bonus plan

The Company provided a deferred bonus plan pursuant to which eligible employees could elect to defer all or a portion of their annual incentive compensation awards and allocate such awards to several investment options, including M&T common stock. Participants could elect the timing of distributions from the plan. Such distributions are payable in cash with the exception of balances allocated to M&T common stock which are distributable in the form of M&T common stock. Shares of M&T common stock distributable pursuant to the terms of the deferred bonus plan were 19,633 and 23,188 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The obligation to issue shares is included in “common stock issuable” in the consolidated balance sheet.

Directors’ stock plan

The Company maintains a compensation plan for non-employee members of the Company’s boards of directors and directors advisory councils that allows such members to receive all or a portion of their compensation in shares of M&T common stock. Through December 31, 2017, 255,816 shares had been issued in connection with the directors’ stock plan.

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Through acquisitions, the Company assumed obligations to issue shares of M&T common stock related to deferred directors compensation plans. Shares of common stock issuable under such plans were 7,505 and 9,215 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The obligation to issue shares is included in “common stock issuable” in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

 

12.    Pension plans and other postretirement benefits

The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits (including health care and life insurance benefits) to qualified retired employees. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all of its plans.

Net periodic pension expense for defined benefit plans consisted of the following:

 

 

Net other postretirement benefits expense for defined benefit plans consisted of the following:

 

 

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Data relating to the funding position of the defined benefit plans were as follows:

 

 

The Company has an unfunded supplemental pension plan for certain key executives and others. The projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation included in the preceding data related to such plan were $165,210,000 as of December 31, 2017 and $160,433,000 as of December 31, 2016.

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $2,158,601,000 and $1,979,225,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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GAAP requires an employer to recognize in its balance sheet as an asset or liability the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan, measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. For a pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other postretirement benefit plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period, but are not included as components of net periodic benefit expense, are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. Amortization of net gains and losses is included in annual net periodic benefit expense if, as of the beginning of the year, the net gain or loss exceeds 10% of the greater of the benefit obligation or the fair value of the plan assets. As indicated in the preceding table, as of December 31, 2017 the Company recorded a minimum liability adjustment of $413,168,000 ($463,570,000 related to pension plans and $(50,402,000) related to other postretirement benefits) with a corresponding reduction of shareholders’ equity, net of applicable deferred taxes, of $304,546,000. In aggregate, the benefit plans realized a net gain during 2017 that allowed the Company to decrease its minimum liability adjustment from that which was recorded at December 31, 2016 by $36,749,000.  The net gain reflects an amendment to the former Hudson City postretirement health and life plans. The table below reflects the changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income related to the Company’s postretirement benefit plans.

 

 

The following table reflects the amortization of amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit expense during 2018:

 

 

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The Company also provides a qualified defined contribution pension plan to eligible employees who were not participants in the defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2005 and to other employees who have elected to participate in the defined contribution plan. The Company makes contributions to the defined contribution plan each year in an amount that is based on an individual participant’s total compensation (generally defined as total wages, incentive compensation, commissions and bonuses) and years of service. Participants do not contribute to the defined contribution pension plan. Pension expense recorded in 2017, 2016 and 2015 associated with the defined contribution pension plan was approximately $30 million, $25 million and $23 million, respectively.

Assumptions

The assumed weighted-average rates used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 were:

 

 

The assumed weighted-average rates used to determine net benefit expense for the years ended December 31 were:

 

 

The discount rate used by the Company to determine the present value of the Company’s future benefit obligations reflects specific market yields for a hypothetical portfolio of highly rated corporate bonds that would produce cash flows similar to the Company’s benefit plan obligations and the level of market interest rates in general as of the year-end.

The expected long-term rate of return assumption as of each measurement date was developed through analysis of historical market returns, current market conditions, anticipated future asset allocations, the funds’ past experience, and expectations on potential future market returns. The expected rate of return assumption represents a long-term average view of the performance of the plan assets, a return that may or may not be achieved during any one calendar year.

The company’s defined benefit pension plan is sensitive to the long-term rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate.  To demonstrate the sensitivity of pension expense to changes in these assumptions, with all other assumptions held constant, 25 basis point increases in: the rate of return on plan assets would have resulted in a decrease in pension expense of approximately $4 million; and the discount rate would have resulted in a decrease in pension expense of approximately $7 million.  Decreases of 25 basis points in those assumptions would have resulted in similar changes in amount, but in the opposite direction from the changes presented in the preceding sentence.  Additionally, an increase of 25 basis points in the discount rate would have decreased the benefit obligation by

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$76 million and a decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate would have increased the benefit obligation by $80 million at December 31, 2017.  

For measurement of other postretirement benefits, a 6.50% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2018. The rate was assumed to decrease to 5.00% over 11 years. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have had the following effects:

 

 

Plan assets

The Company’s policy is to invest the pension plan assets in a prudent manner for the purpose of providing benefit payments to participants and mitigating reasonable expenses of administration. The Company’s investment strategy is designed to provide a total return that, over the long-term, places an emphasis on the preservation of capital. The strategy attempts to maximize investment returns on assets at a level of risk deemed appropriate by the Company while complying with applicable regulations and laws. The investment strategy utilizes asset diversification as a principal determinant for establishing an appropriate risk profile while emphasizing total return realized from capital appreciation, dividends and interest income. The target allocations for plan assets are generally 25 to 60 percent equity securities, 10 to 65 percent debt securities, and 10 to 85 percent money-market investments/cash equivalents and other investments, although holdings could be more or less than these general guidelines based on market conditions at the time and actions taken or recommended by the investment managers providing advice to the Company. Assets are managed by a combination of internal and external investment managers. Equity securities may include investments in domestic and international equities, through individual securities, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Debt securities may include investments in corporate bonds of companies from diversified industries, mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by government agencies and U.S. Treasury securities, through individual securities and mutual funds. Additionally, the Company’s defined benefit pension plan held $304,463,000 (15% of total assets) of real estate funds, private investments, hedge funds and other investments at December 31, 2017. Returns on invested assets are periodically compared with target market indices for each asset type to aid management in evaluating such returns. Furthermore, management regularly reviews the investment policy and may, if deemed appropriate, make changes to the target allocations noted above.

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The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016, by asset category, were as follows:

 

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Pension plan assets included common stock of M&T with a fair value of $154,818,000 (7.7% of total plan assets) at December 31, 2017 and $164,474,000 (10.0% of total plan assets) at December 31, 2016. No investment in securities of a non-U.S. Government or government agency

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issuer exceeded ten percent of plan assets at December 31, 2017. Assets subject to Level 3 valuations did not constitute a significant portion of plan assets at December 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

The changes in Level 3 pension plan assets measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

 

The Company makes contributions to its funded qualified defined benefit pension plan as required by government regulation or as deemed appropriate by management after considering factors such as the fair value of plan assets, expected returns on such assets, and the present value of benefit obligations of the plan. The Company made voluntary contributions of $200 million to the qualified defined benefit pension plan in 2017.  The Company did not make any contributions to the plan in 2016 or 2015. The Company is not required to make contributions to the qualified defined benefit plan in 2018, however, subject to the impact of actual events and circumstances that may occur in 2018, the Company may make contributions, but the amount of any such contributions has not been determined. The Company regularly funds the payment of benefit obligations for the supplemental defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans because such plans do not hold assets for investment. Payments made by the Company for supplemental pension benefits were $11,444,000 and $10,772,000 in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Payments made by the Company for postretirement benefits were $7,574,000 and $7,588,000 in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Payments for supplemental pension and other postretirement benefits for 2018 are not expected to differ from those made in 2017 by an amount that will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position.

Estimated benefits expected to be paid in future years related to the Company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits plans are as follows:

 

 

The Company has a retirement savings plan (“RSP”) that is a defined contribution plan in which eligible employees of the Company may defer up to 50% of qualified compensation via

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contributions to the plan. The Company makes an employer matching contribution in an amount equal to 75% of an employee’s contribution, up to 4.5% of the employee’s qualified compensation. Employees’ accounts, including employee contributions, employer matching contributions and accumulated earnings thereon, are at all times fully vested and nonforfeitable. Employee benefits expense resulting from the Company’s contributions to the RSP totaled $38,229,000, $36,766,000 and $34,145,000 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 

13.    Income taxes

The components of income tax expense were as follows:

 

 

The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return reflecting taxable income earned by all domestic subsidiaries. In prior years, applicable federal tax law allowed certain financial institutions the option of deducting as bad debt expense for tax purposes amounts in excess of actual losses. In accordance with GAAP, such financial institutions were not required to provide deferred income taxes on such excess. Recapture of the excess tax bad debt reserve established under the previously allowed method will result in taxable income if M&T Bank fails to maintain bank status as defined in the Internal Revenue Code or charges are made to the reserve for other than bad debt losses. At December 31, 2017, M&T Bank’s tax bad debt reserve for which no federal income taxes have been provided was $137,121,000. No actions are planned that would cause this reserve to become wholly or partially taxable.

Income taxes attributable to gains or losses on bank investment securities were an expense of $7,195,000 in 2017 and $11,925,000 in 2016. There were no significant gains or losses on bank investment securities in 2015. No alternative minimum tax expense was recognized in 2017, 2016 or 2015.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017, reducing the corporate Federal income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and making other changes to U.S. corporate income tax laws.  GAAP requires that the impact of the provisions of the Tax Act be accounted for in the period of enactment.  Accordingly, the estimated incremental income tax expense recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the Tax Act was $85 million.  That additional expense was largely attributable to the reduction in carrying value of net deferred tax assets reflecting lower future tax benefits resulting from the lower corporate income tax rate.  During preparation of the Company’s 2017 income tax returns in 2018, additional adjustments related to enactment of the Tax Act may be identified.  Any such adjustments are not expected to be material, but will be recognized in accordance with guidance contained in Staff Accounting Bulletin

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No. 118 from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company also adopted new accounting guidance for share-based transactions during the first quarter of 2017. That guidance requires that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with share-based compensation be recognized as a component of income tax expense in the income statement. Previously, tax effects resulting from changes in M&T’s share price subsequent to the grant date were recorded through shareholders’ equity at the time of vesting or exercise.  The adoption of the amended accounting guidance resulted in a $22 million reduction of income tax expense in 2017.

Total income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to pre-tax income as follows:

 

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) were comprised of the following at December 31:

 

 

The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized through taxable earnings or alternative tax strategies.

The income tax credits shown in the statement of income of M&T in note 25 arise principally from operating losses before dividends from subsidiaries.

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows:

 

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes in the consolidated statement of income. The balance of accrued interest at December 31, 2017 is included in the table above. The Company’s federal, state and local income tax returns are routinely subject to examinations from various governmental taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in challenges to the tax return treatment applied by the Company to specific transactions. Management believes that the assumptions and judgment used to record tax-related assets or liabilities have been appropriate. Should determinations rendered by tax authorities ultimately indicate that management’s assumptions were inappropriate, the result and adjustments required could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations. Examinations by the Internal Revenue Service of the Company’s federal income tax returns have been largely concluded through 2016, although under statute the income tax returns from 2014 through 2016 could be adjusted. The Company also files income tax returns in over forty states and numerous local jurisdictions. Substantially all material state and local matters have been concluded for years through 2013. It is not reasonably possible to estimate when examinations for any subsequent years will be completed.

 

 

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14.    Earnings per common share

The computations of basic earnings per common share follow:

 

 

The computations of diluted earnings per common share follow:

 

 

GAAP defines unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) as participating securities that shall be included in the computation of earnings per common share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company has issued stock-based compensation awards in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units, which, in accordance with GAAP, are considered participating securities.

Stock-based compensation awards and warrants to purchase common stock of M&T representing common shares of 401,000 in 2017, 2,171,000 in 2016 and 2,268,000 in 2015 were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per common share because the effect on those years would have been antidilutive.

 

 

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15.    Comprehensive income

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued accounting guidance related to reclassification of certain tax effects from AOCI so that following enactment of the Tax Act the tax effects of items within AOCI reflect the appropriate tax.  The guidance provided for a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for the effect of remeasuring deferred tax assets and liabilities related to items within AOCI at the 21 percent corporate tax rate established by the Tax Act.  The impact of that reclassification was an increase in retained earnings as of December 31, 2017 resulting from items remaining in AOCI as of that date as follows:

 

 

The following tables display the components of other comprehensive income (loss) and amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income:

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Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net consisted of the following:

 

 

 

16.    Other income and other expense

The following items, which exceeded 1% of total interest income and other income in the respective period, were included in either “other revenues from operations” or “other costs of operations” in the consolidated statement of income:

 

 

 

17.    International activities

The Company engages in limited international activities including certain trust-related services in Europe, collecting Eurodollar deposits, engaging in foreign currency transactions associated with customer activity, providing credit to support the international activities of domestic companies and holding certain loans to foreign borrowers. Assets and revenues associated with international activities represent less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated assets and revenues. International assets included $159 million and $292 million of loans to foreign borrowers at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Deposits at M&T Bank’s Cayman Islands office were $178 million and $202 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company uses such deposits to facilitate customer demand and as an alternative to short-term borrowings when the costs of such deposits seem reasonable. Deposits at M&T Bank’s office in Ontario, Canada were $45 million at December 31, 2017 and $50 million at December 31, 2016. Revenues from providing international trust-related services were approximately $24 million in 2017, $25 million in 2016 and $26 million in 2015.

 

 

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18.    Derivative financial instruments

As part of managing interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to modify the repricing characteristics of certain portions of the Company’s portfolios of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Company designates interest rate swap agreements utilized in the management of interest rate risk as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. Interest rate swap agreements are generally entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and most contain master netting, collateral and/or settlement provisions protecting the at-risk party. Based on adherence to the Company’s credit standards and the presence of the netting, collateral or settlement provisions, the Company believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts was not significant as of December 31, 2017.

The net effect of interest rate swap agreements was to increase net interest income by $25 million in 2017, $37 million in 2016 and $44 million in 2015.

Information about interest rate swap agreements entered into for interest rate risk management purposes summarized by type of financial instrument the swap agreements were intended to hedge follows:

 

 

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The notional amount of interest rate swap agreements entered into for risk management purposes that were outstanding at December 31, 2017 mature as follows:

 

 

The Company utilizes commitments to sell residential and commercial real estate loans to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of real estate loans held for sale. Such commitments have generally been designated as fair value hedges. The Company also utilizes commitments to sell real estate loans to offset the exposure to changes in fair value of certain commitments to originate real estate loans for sale.

Derivative financial instruments used for trading account purposes included interest rate contracts, foreign exchange and other option contracts, foreign exchange forward and spot contracts, and financial futures. Interest rate contracts entered into for trading account purposes had notional values of $29.9 billion and $21.6 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The notional amounts of foreign currency and other option and futures contracts entered into for trading account purposes aggregated $530 million and $471 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Information about the fair values of derivative instruments in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of income follows:

 

 

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The amount of gain (loss) recognized in the consolidated statement of income associated with derivatives designated as cash flow hedges was not material.

The Company also has commitments to sell and commitments to originate residential and commercial real estate loans that are considered derivatives. The Company designates certain of the commitments to sell real estate loans as fair value hedges of real estate loans held for sale. The Company also utilizes commitments to sell real estate loans to offset the exposure to changes in the fair value of certain commitments to originate real estate loans for sale. As a result of these activities, net unrealized pre-tax gains related to hedged loans held for sale, commitments to originate loans for sale and commitments to sell loans were approximately $16 million and $28 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Changes in unrealized gains and losses are included in mortgage banking revenues and, in general, are realized in subsequent periods as the related loans are sold and commitments satisfied.

The Company does not offset derivative asset and liability positions in its consolidated financial statements. The Company’s exposure to credit risk by entering into derivative contracts is mitigated through master netting agreements and collateral posting or settlement requirements. Master netting agreements covering interest rate and foreign exchange contracts with the same party include a right to set-off that becomes enforceable in the event of default, early termination or under other specific conditions.

The aggregate fair value of derivative financial instruments in a liability position, which are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements, was $13 million and $34 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. After consideration of such netting arrangements, for purposes of posting collateral, the net liability positions with counterparties aggregated $13 million and $30 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company was required to post collateral relating to those positions of $12 million and $27 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Certain of the Company’s derivative financial instruments contain provisions that require the Company to maintain specific credit ratings from credit rating agencies to avoid higher collateral posting requirements. If the Company’s debt ratings were to fall below specified ratings, the counterparties of the derivative financial instruments could demand immediate incremental collateralization on those instruments in a net liability position. The aggregate fair value of all derivative financial instruments with such credit risk-related contingent features in a net liability

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position on December 31, 2017 was less than $1 million, for which the Company was not required to post collateral in the normal course of business. If the credit risk-related contingent features had been triggered on December 31, 2017, the Company would not have been required to post any additional collateral with counterparties.

The aggregate fair value of derivative financial instruments in an asset position, which are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements, was $13 million and $15 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. After consideration of such netting arrangements, for purposes of posting collateral, the net asset positions with counterparties aggregated $13 million and $11 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Counterparties posted collateral relating to those positions of $12 million and $9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Trading account interest rate swap agreements entered into with customers are subject to the Company’s credit risk standards and often contain collateral provisions.

In addition to the derivative contracts noted above, the Company clears certain derivative transactions through a clearinghouse, rather than directly with counterparties. Those transactions cleared through a clearinghouse require initial margin collateral and variation margin payments depending on the contracts being in a net asset or liability position. The amount of initial margin collateral posted by the Company was $52 million and $111 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The fair value asset and liability amounts of derivative contracts at December 31, 2017 have been reduced by variation margin payments treated as settlements of $136 million and $70 million, respectively. Variation margin on derivative contracts not treated as settlements continues to represent collateral posted or received by the Company. For those contracts, the net fair value of derivative financial instruments cleared through clearinghouses for which variation margin is required was a net asset position of $2 million and $63 million at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Collateral posted by the clearinghouses associated with that net asset position was $2 million and $81 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

19.    Variable interest entities

As described in note 9, M&T has issued junior subordinated debentures payable to various trusts that have issued Capital Securities. M&T owns the common securities of those trust entities. The Company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of those entities and, accordingly, the trusts are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company included the junior subordinated debentures as “long-term borrowings” in its consolidated balance sheet and recognized $23 million and $24 million, respectively, in other assets for its “investment” in the common securities of the trusts that will be concomitantly repaid to M&T by the respective trust from the proceeds of M&T’s repayment of the junior subordinated debentures associated with preferred capital securities described in note 9.

The Company has invested as a limited partner in various partnerships that collectively had total assets of approximately $1.0 billion at each of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Those partnerships generally construct or acquire properties for which the investing partners are eligible to receive certain federal income tax credits in accordance with government guidelines. Such investments may also provide tax deductible losses to the partners. The partnership investments also assist the Company in achieving its community reinvestment initiatives. As a limited partner, there is no recourse to the Company by creditors of the partnerships. However, the tax credits that result from the Company’s investments in such partnerships are generally subject to recapture should a partnership fail to comply with the respective government regulations. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss of its investments in such partnerships was $420 million, including $201 million of unfunded commitments, at December 31, 2017 and $294 million, including $102 million of unfunded commitments, at December 31, 2016. Contingent commitments to provide additional capital contributions to these partnerships were not material at December 31, 2017. The Company has not

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provided financial or other support to the partnerships that was not contractually required. Management currently estimates that no material losses are probable as a result of the Company’s involvement with such entities. The Company, in its position as limited partner, does not direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the partnerships and, therefore, in accordance with the accounting provisions for variable interest entities, the partnership entities are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company’s investment cost is amortized to income taxes in the consolidated statement of income as tax credits and other tax benefits resulting from deductible losses associated with the projects are received.

The Company serves as investment advisor for certain registered money-market funds. The Company has no explicit arrangement to provide support to those funds, but may waive portions of its allowable management fees as a result of market conditions.

 

 

20.    Fair value measurements

GAAP permits an entity to choose to measure eligible financial instruments and other items at fair value. The Company has not made any fair value elections at December 31, 2017.

Pursuant to GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level hierarchy exists in GAAP for fair value measurements based upon the inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability.

When available, the Company attempts to use quoted market prices in active markets to determine fair value and classifies such items as Level 1 or Level 2. If quoted market prices in active markets are not available, fair value is often determined using model-based techniques incorporating various assumptions including interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit losses. Assets and liabilities valued using model-based techniques are classified as either Level 2 or Level 3, depending on the lowest level classification of an input that is considered significant to the overall valuation. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis at estimated fair value.

Trading account assets and liabilities

Trading account assets and liabilities include interest rate contracts and foreign exchange contracts with customers who require such services with offsetting positions with third parties to minimize the Company’s risk with respect to such transactions. The Company generally determines the fair value of its derivative trading account assets and liabilities using externally developed pricing models based on market observable inputs and, therefore, classifies such valuations as Level 2. Mutual funds held in connection with deferred compensation and other arrangements have been classified as Level 1 valuations. Valuations of investments in municipal and other bonds can generally be obtained

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through reference to quoted prices in less active markets for the same or similar securities or through model-based techniques in which all significant inputs are observable and, therefore, such valuations have been classified as Level 2.

Investment securities available for sale

The majority of the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities have been valued by reference to prices for similar securities or through model-based techniques in which all significant inputs are observable and, therefore, such valuations have been classified as Level 2. Certain investments in mutual funds and equity securities are actively traded and, therefore, have been classified as Level 1 valuations.

Real estate loans held for sale

The Company utilizes commitments to sell real estate loans to hedge the exposure to changes in fair value of real estate loans held for sale. The carrying value of hedged real estate loans held for sale includes changes in estimated fair value during the hedge period. Typically, the Company attempts to hedge real estate loans held for sale from the date of close through the sale date. The fair value of hedged real estate loans held for sale is generally calculated by reference to quoted prices in secondary markets for commitments to sell real estate loans with similar characteristics and, accordingly, such loans have been classified as a Level 2 valuation.

Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale and commitments to sell real estate loans

The Company enters into various commitments to originate real estate loans for sale and commitments to sell real estate loans. Such commitments are considered to be derivative financial instruments and, therefore, are carried at estimated fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair values of such commitments were generally calculated by reference to quoted prices in secondary markets for commitments to sell real estate loans to certain government-sponsored entities and other parties. The fair valuations of commitments to sell real estate loans generally result in a Level 2 classification. The estimated fair value of commitments to originate real estate loans for sale is adjusted to reflect the Company’s anticipated commitment expirations. The estimated commitment expirations are considered significant unobservable inputs contributing to the Level 3 classification of commitments to originate real estate loans for sale. Significant unobservable inputs used in the determination of estimated fair value of commitments to originate real estate loans for sale are included in the accompanying table of significant unobservable inputs to Level 3 measurements.

Interest rate swap agreements used for interest rate risk management

The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements as part of the management of interest rate risk to modify the repricing characteristics of certain portions of its portfolios of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Company generally determines the fair value of its interest rate swap agreements using externally developed pricing models based on market observable inputs and, therefore, classifies such valuations as Level 2. The Company has considered counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap agreement assets and has considered its own credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap agreement liabilities.

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The following tables present assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis:

 

 

 

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The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

 

 

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The Company is required, on a nonrecurring basis, to adjust the carrying value of certain assets or provide valuation allowances related to certain assets using fair value measurements. The more significant of those assets follow.

Loans

Loans are generally not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Periodically, the Company records nonrecurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Nonrecurring adjustments also include certain impairment amounts for collateral-dependent loans when establishing the allowance for credit losses. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan and, as a result, the carrying value of the loan less the calculated valuation amount does not necessarily represent the fair value of the loan. Real estate collateral is typically valued using appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace and the related nonrecurring fair value measurement adjustments have generally been classified as Level 2, unless significant adjustments have been made to the valuation that are not readily observable by market participants. Non-real estate collateral supporting commercial loans generally consists of business assets such as receivables, inventory and equipment. Fair value estimations are typically determined by discounting recorded values of those assets to reflect estimated net realizable value considering specific borrower facts and circumstances and the experience of credit personnel in their dealings with similar borrower collateral liquidations. Such discounts were generally in the range of 10% to 85% at December 31, 2017. As these discounts are not readily observable and are considered significant, the valuations have been classified as Level 3. Automobile collateral is typically valued by reference to independent pricing sources based on recent sales transactions of similar vehicles, and the related non-recurring fair value measurement adjustments have been classified as Level 2. Collateral values for other consumer installment loans are generally estimated based on historical recovery rates for similar types of loans. As these recovery rates are not readily observable by market participants, such valuation adjustments have been classified as Level 3. Loans subject to nonrecurring fair value measurement were $210 million at December 31, 2017, ($145 million and $65 million of which were classified as Level 2 and Level 3, respectively), $293 million at December 31, 2016 ($153 million and $140 million of which were classified as Level 2 and Level 3, respectively), and $210 million at December 31, 2015 ($106 million and $104 million of which were classified as Level 2 and Level 3, respectively). Changes in fair value recognized during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 for partial charge-offs of loans and loan impairment reserves on loans held by the Company at the end of each of those years were decreases of $56 million, $71 million and $75 million, respectively.

Assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans

Assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans are primarily comprised of commercial and residential real property and are generally measured at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. The fair value of the real property is generally determined using appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace, and the related nonrecurring fair value measurement adjustments have generally been classified as Level 2. Assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans subject to nonrecurring fair value measurement were $53 million and $56 million at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Changes in fair value recognized during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 for foreclosed assets held by the Company at the end of each of those years were not material.

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Significant unobservable inputs to level 3 measurements

The following tables present quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements for Level 3 assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

Sensitivity of fair value measurements to changes in unobservable inputs

An increase (decrease) in the estimate of expirations for commitments to originate real estate loans would generally result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Estimated commitment expirations are derived considering loan type, changes in interest rates and remaining length of time until closing.

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Disclosures of fair value of financial instruments

The carrying amounts and estimated fair value for financial instrument assets (liabilities) are presented in the following table:

 

 

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With the exception of marketable securities, certain off-balance sheet financial instruments and mortgage loans originated for sale, the Company’s financial instruments are not readily marketable and market prices do not exist. The Company, in attempting to comply with the provisions of GAAP that require disclosures of fair value of financial instruments, has not attempted to market its financial instruments to potential buyers, if any exist. Since negotiated prices in illiquid markets depend greatly upon the then present motivations of the buyer and seller, it is reasonable to assume that actual sales prices could vary widely from any estimate of fair value made without the benefit of negotiations. Additionally, changes in market interest rates can dramatically impact the value of financial instruments in a short period of time. The following assumptions, methods and calculations were used in determining the estimated fair value of financial instruments not measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet.

Cash and cash equivalents, interest-bearing deposits at banks, deposits at Cayman Islands office, short-term borrowings, accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable

Due to the nature of cash and cash equivalents and the near maturity of interest-bearing deposits at banks, deposits at Cayman Islands office, short-term borrowings, accrued interest receivable and

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accrued interest payable, the Company estimated that the carrying amount of such instruments approximated estimated fair value.

Investment securities

Estimated fair values of investments in readily marketable securities were generally based on quoted market prices. Investment securities that were not readily marketable were assigned amounts based on estimates provided by outside parties or modeling techniques that relied upon discounted calculations of projected cash flows or, in the case of other investment securities, which include capital stock of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, at an amount equal to the carrying amount.

Loans and leases

In general, discount rates used to calculate values for loan products were based on the Company’s pricing at the respective period end. A higher discount rate was assumed with respect to estimated cash flows associated with nonaccrual loans. Projected loan cash flows were adjusted for estimated credit losses. However, such estimates made by the Company may not be indicative of assumptions and adjustments that a purchaser of the Company’s loans and leases would seek.

Deposits

Pursuant to GAAP, the estimated fair value ascribed to noninterest-bearing deposits, savings deposits and interest-checking deposits must be established at carrying value because of the customers’ ability to withdraw funds immediately. Time deposit accounts are required to be revalued based upon prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments. As a result, amounts assigned to time deposits were based on discounted cash flow calculations using prevailing market interest rates based on the Company’s pricing at the respective date for deposits with comparable remaining terms to maturity.

The Company believes that deposit accounts have a value greater than that prescribed by GAAP. The Company feels, however, that the value associated with these deposits is greatly influenced by characteristics of the buyer, such as the ability to reduce the costs of servicing the deposits and deposit attrition which often occurs following an acquisition.

Long-term borrowings

The amounts assigned to long-term borrowings were based on quoted market prices, when available, or were based on discounted cash flow calculations using prevailing market interest rates for borrowings of similar terms and credit risk.

Other commitments and contingencies

As described in note 21, in the normal course of business, various commitments and contingent liabilities are outstanding, such as loan commitments, credit guarantees and letters of credit. The Company’s pricing of such financial instruments is based largely on credit quality and relationship, probability of funding and other requirements. Loan commitments often have fixed expiration dates and contain termination and other clauses which provide for relief from funding in the event of significant deterioration in the credit quality of the customer. The rates and terms of the Company’s loan commitments, credit guarantees and letters of credit are competitive with other financial institutions operating in markets served by the Company. The Company believes that the carrying amounts, which are included in other liabilities, are reasonable estimates of the fair value of these financial instruments.

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The Company does not believe that the estimated information presented herein is representative of the earnings power or value of the Company. The preceding analysis, which is inherently limited in depicting fair value, also does not consider any value associated with existing customer relationships nor the ability of the Company to create value through loan origination, deposit gathering or fee generating activities. Many of the estimates presented herein are based upon the use of highly subjective information and assumptions and, accordingly, the results may not be precise. Management believes that fair value estimates may not be comparable between financial institutions due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates which must be made. Furthermore, because the disclosed fair value amounts were estimated as of the balance sheet date, the amounts actually realized or paid upon maturity or settlement of the various financial instruments could be significantly different.

 

 

21.    Commitments and contingencies

In the normal course of business, various commitments and contingent liabilities are outstanding. The following table presents the Company’s significant commitments. Certain of these commitments are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers, generally having fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses that may require payment of a fee. Standby and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of the underlying contract with the third party, whereas commercial letters of credit are issued to facilitate commerce and typically result in the commitment being funded when the underlying transaction is consummated between the customer and a third party. The credit risk associated with commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers and is subject to normal credit policies. Collateral may be obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer’s creditworthiness.

Financial guarantees and indemnification contracts are oftentimes similar to standby letters of credit and include mandatory purchase agreements issued to ensure that customer obligations are fulfilled, recourse obligations associated with sold loans, and other guarantees of customer performance or compliance with designated rules and regulations. Included in financial guarantees and indemnification contracts are loan principal amounts sold with recourse in conjunction with the

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Company’s involvement in the Fannie Mae DUS program. The Company’s maximum credit risk for recourse associated with loans sold under this program totaled approximately $3.3 billion and $2.8 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Since many loan commitments, standby letters of credit, and guarantees and indemnification contracts expire without being funded in whole or in part, the contract amounts are not necessarily indicative of future cash flows.

The Company utilizes commitments to sell real estate loans to hedge exposure to changes in the fair value of real estate loans held for sale. Such commitments are considered derivatives and along with commitments to originate real estate loans to be held for sale are generally recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at estimated fair market value.

The Company occupies certain banking offices and uses certain equipment under noncancelable operating lease agreements expiring at various dates over the next 21 years. Minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases are summarized in the following table:

 

 

The Company is contractually obligated to repurchase previously sold residential real estate loans that do not ultimately meet investor sale criteria related to underwriting procedures or loan documentation. When required to do so, the Company may reimburse loan purchasers for losses incurred or may repurchase certain loans. The Company reduces residential mortgage banking revenues by an estimate for losses related to its obligations to loan purchasers. The amount of those charges is based on the volume of loans sold, the level of reimbursement requests received from loan purchasers and estimates of losses that may be associated with previously sold loans. At December 31, 2017, the Company believes that its obligation to loan purchasers was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position.

Prior to M&T’s acquisition of Wilmington Trust Corporation, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) commenced an investigation of Wilmington Trust Corporation relating to Wilmington Trust Corporation’s financial reporting and securities filings, as well as certain commercial real estate lending relationships involving its subsidiary bank, Wilmington Trust Company, all of which relate to filings and activities occurring prior to the acquisition of Wilmington Trust Corporation by M&T. On January 6, 2016, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware obtained an indictment against Wilmington Trust Corporation relating to alleged conduct that occurred prior to M&T’s acquisition of Wilmington Trust Corporation in May 2011 (United States v. Wilmington Trust Corp., et al, District of Delaware, Crim. No. 15-23-RGA).  On October 9, 2017, Wilmington Trust Corporation reached a civil settlement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware to resolve this matter. Under the terms of the agreement, Wilmington Trust Corporation agreed to pay $60 million. The settlement amount included $16 million previously paid by Wilmington Trust Corporation to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in a related action. Wilmington Trust Corporation did not admit any liability, nor was there any finding of wrongdoing. All indictments and charges against Wilmington Trust Corporation were dismissed by Court order on October 12, 2017.

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M&T and its subsidiaries are subject in the normal course of business to various pending and threatened legal proceedings and other matters in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. On an on-going basis management, after consultation with legal counsel, assesses the Company’s liabilities and contingencies in connection with such proceedings. For those matters where it is probable that the Company will incur losses and the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated, the Company records an expense and corresponding liability in its consolidated financial statements. To the extent the pending or threatened litigation could result in exposure in excess of that liability, the amount of such excess is not currently estimable. Although not considered probable, the range of reasonably possible losses for such matters in the aggregate, beyond the existing recorded liability, was between $0 and $50 million. Although the Company does not believe that the outcome of pending litigations will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, it cannot rule out the possibility that such outcomes will be material to the consolidated results of operations for a particular reporting period in the future.

  

 

 

22.    Segment information

Reportable segments have been determined based upon the Company’s internal profitability reporting system, which is organized by strategic business unit. Certain strategic business units have been combined for segment information reporting purposes where the nature of the products and services, the type of customer and the distribution of those products and services are similar. The reportable segments are Business Banking, Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate, Discretionary Portfolio, Residential Mortgage Banking and Retail Banking.

The financial information of the Company’s segments was compiled utilizing the accounting policies described in note 1 with certain exceptions. The more significant of these exceptions are described herein. The Company allocates interest income or interest expense using a methodology that charges users of funds (assets) interest expense and credits providers of funds (liabilities) with income based on the maturity, prepayment and/or repricing characteristics of the assets and liabilities. A provision for credit losses is allocated to segments in an amount based largely on actual net charge-offs incurred by the segment during the period plus or minus an amount necessary to adjust the segment’s allowance for credit losses due to changes in loan balances. In contrast, the level of the consolidated provision for credit losses is determined using the methodologies described in notes 1 and 5. The net effects of these allocations are recorded in the “All Other” category. Indirect fixed and variable expenses incurred by certain centralized support areas are allocated to segments based on actual usage (for example, volume measurements) and other criteria. Certain types of administrative expenses and bankwide expense accruals (including amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets associated with acquisitions of financial institutions) are generally not allocated to segments. Income taxes are allocated to segments based on the Company’s marginal statutory tax rate adjusted for any tax-exempt income or non-deductible expenses. Equity is allocated to the segments based on regulatory capital requirements and in proportion to an assessment of the inherent risks associated with the business of the segment (including interest, credit and operating risk).

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The management accounting policies and processes utilized in compiling segment financial information are highly subjective and, unlike financial accounting, are not based on authoritative guidance similar to GAAP. As a result, reported segment results are not necessarily comparable with similar information reported by other financial institutions. Furthermore, changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial data. During 2017, the Company revised its funds transfer pricing allocation related to certain deposit categories. Accordingly, financial information presented herein for 2016 and 2015 has been reclassified to provide segment information on a comparable basis, as noted in the following tables.     

 

 

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Information about the Company’s segments is presented in the accompanying table. Income statement amounts are in thousands of dollars. Balance sheet amounts are in millions of dollars.

 

 

The Business Banking segment provides deposit, lending, cash management and other financial services to small businesses and professionals through the Company’s banking office network and several other delivery channels, including business banking centers, telephone banking, Internet banking and automated teller machines. The Commercial Banking segment provides a wide range of credit products and banking services to middle-market and large commercial customers, mainly within the markets the Company serves. Among the services provided by this segment are commercial lending and leasing, letters of credit, deposit products and cash management services. The Commercial Real Estate segment provides credit services which are secured by various types of multifamily residential and commercial real estate and deposit services to its customers. Activities of this segment include the origination, sales and servicing of commercial real estate loans. Commercial real estate loans held for sale are included in the Commercial Real Estate Segment. The Discretionary Portfolio segment includes securities; residential real estate loans and other assets; short-term and long-term borrowed funds; brokered deposits; and Cayman Islands branch deposits. This segment also provides foreign exchange services to customers. Residential real estate loans obtained in the Hudson City acquisition on November 1, 2015 are included in this segment. The

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Residential Mortgage Banking segment originates and services residential real estate loans for consumers and sells substantially all originated loans in the secondary market to investors or to the Discretionary Portfolio segment. The segment periodically purchases servicing rights to loans that have been originated by other entities. Residential real estate loans held for sale are included in the Residential Mortgage Banking segment. The Retail Banking segment offers a variety of services to consumers through several delivery channels that include banking offices, automated teller machines, and telephone, mobile and Internet banking. Consumer loans and deposits obtained in the acquisition of Hudson City have been included in this segment. The “All Other” category includes other operating activities of the Company that are not directly attributable to the reported segments; the difference between the provision for credit losses and the calculated provision allocated to the reportable segments; goodwill and core deposit and other intangible assets resulting from acquisitions of financial institutions; merger-related gains and expenses resulting from acquisitions; the net impact of the Company’s internal funds transfer pricing methodology; eliminations of transactions between reportable segments; certain nonrecurring transactions; the residual effects of unallocated support systems and general and administrative expenses; and the impact of interest rate risk management strategies. The amount of intersegment activity eliminated in arriving at consolidated totals was included in the “All Other” category as follows:

 

 

The Company conducts substantially all of its operations in the United States. There are no transactions with a single customer that in the aggregate result in revenues that exceed ten percent of consolidated total revenues.

 

 

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23.    Regulatory matters

Payment of dividends by M&T’s banking subsidiaries is restricted by various legal and regulatory limitations. Dividends from any banking subsidiary to M&T are limited by the amount of earnings of the banking subsidiary in the current year and the preceding two years. For purposes of this test, at December 31, 2017, approximately $397  million was available for payment of dividends to M&T from banking subsidiaries. Additionally, the Federal Reserve Board requires bank holding companies with $50 billion or more of total consolidated assets to submit annual capital plans. Such bank holding companies may pay dividends and repurchase stock only in accordance with a capital plan that the Federal Reserve Board has not objected to.

Banking regulations prohibit extensions of credit by the subsidiary banks to M&T unless appropriately secured by assets. Securities of affiliates are not eligible as collateral for this purpose.

The bank subsidiaries are required to maintain reserves against certain deposit liabilities. During the maintenance periods that included December 31, 2017 and 2016, cash and due from banks and interest-earning deposits at banks included a daily average of $679,401,000 and $594,831,000, respectively, for such purpose.

M&T and its subsidiary banks are required to comply with applicable capital adequacy regulations established by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Pursuant to the rules in effect as of December 31, 2017, the required minimum and well capitalized capital ratios are as follows:

 

 

In addition, capital regulations provide for the phase-in of a “capital conservation buffer” composed entirely of CET1 on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. When fully phased-in on January 1, 2019 the capital conservation buffer will be 2.5%. For 2017 and 2016, the phase-in transition portion of that buffer was 1.25% and .625%, respectively.

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The capital ratios and amounts of the Company and its banking subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

24.    Relationship with Bayview Lending Group LLC and Bayview Financial Holdings, L.P.

M&T holds a 20% minority interest in Bayview Lending Group LLC (“BLG”), a privately-held commercial mortgage company. M&T recognizes income or loss from BLG using the equity method of accounting. That investment had no remaining carrying value at December 31, 2017 as a result of cumulative losses recognized and cash distributions received.

Bayview Financial Holdings, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Bayview Financial”), a privately-held specialty financial company, is BLG’s majority investor. In addition to their common investment in BLG, the Company and Bayview Financial conduct other business activities with each other. The Company has obtained loan servicing rights for mortgage loans from BLG and Bayview Financial having outstanding principal balances of $3.0 billion and $3.5 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Revenues from those servicing rights were $17 million, $19 million and $23 million

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during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company sub-services residential mortgage loans for Bayview Financial having outstanding principal balances of $56.6 billion and $30.4 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Revenues earned for sub-servicing loans for Bayview Financial were $103 million, $98 million and $115 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition, the Company held $136 million and $158 million of mortgage-backed securities in its held-to-maturity portfolio at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, that were securitized by Bayview Financial.  In April 2017, the Company provided a loan to Bayview Financial for $100 million at terms consistent with those offered to nonaffiliated customers. That loan was subsequently paid in full in June 2017. Also in June 2017, a new syndicated loan facility was entered into by Bayview Financial for $750 million, of which the Company held $88 million at December 31, 2017.

 

 

25.    Parent company financial statements

Condensed Balance Sheet

 

 

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Condensed Statement of Income

 

 

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Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

 

 

  

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26.    Recent accounting developments

The following table provides a description of accounting standards that were adopted by the company in 2017 as well as standards that are not effective that could have an impact to M&T’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

 

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None.

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation of the effectiveness of M&T’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), René F. Jones, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Darren J. King, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that M&T’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.

(b) Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Included under the heading “Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” at Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(c) Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm. Included under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” at Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(d) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. M&T regularly assesses the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting and enhances its controls in response to internal control assessments and internal and external audit and regulatory recommendations. No changes in internal control over financial reporting have been identified in connection with the evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, M&T’s internal control over financial reporting.

None.

PART III

The information required to be furnished pursuant to Items 401, 405, 406 and 407(c)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K will be included in M&T’s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A on or about March 7, 2018 (the “2018 Proxy Statement”).  The information concerning M&T’s directors will appear under the caption “NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR” in the 2018 Proxy Statement. The information regarding compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act will appear under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the 2018 Proxy Statement. The information concerning M&T’s Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers will appear under the caption “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF M&T BANK CORPORATION” in the 2018 Proxy Statement.  The information regarding M&T’s Audit Committee will appear under the caption “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF M&T BANK CORPORATION.” Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information concerning M&T’s executive officers is presented under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” contained in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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The information required to be furnished pursuant to Items 402 and 407 of Regulation S-K will appear under the captions “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS,” “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION,” “DIRECTOR COMPENSATION,” “NOMINATION, COMPENSATION AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION,” and “NOMINATION, COMPENSATION AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REPORT” in the 2018 Proxy Statement.  Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required to be furnished pursuant to Item 403 of Regulation S-K will appear under the caption “STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION” in the 2018 Proxy Statement.  Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required to be furnished pursuant to Item 201(d) concerning equity compensation plans is presented under the caption “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” contained in Part II, Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required to be furnished pursuant to Items 404 and 407 of Regulation S-K will appear under the caption “TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS” and “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF M&T BANK CORPORATION” in the 2018 Proxy Statement.  Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required to be furnished by Item 9 of Schedule 14A will appear under the caption “PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF M&T BANK CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2018” in the 2018 Proxy Statement.  Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

(a) Financial statements and financial statement schedules filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Financial statement schedules are not required or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

(b) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The exhibits listed have been previously filed, are filed herewith or are incorporated herein by reference to other filings.

 

191

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192

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193

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*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

(c) Additional financial statement schedules. None.

None.

194

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 22^nd day of February, 2018.

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

195

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196

EXHIBIT 12.1

M&T BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Computations of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-32044, 333-43175,  333-16077, 333-40640, 333-84384, 333-127406, 333-150122, 333-164015, 333-163992, 333-160769, 333-159795, 333-170740, 333-189099,  333-184504, 333-189097 and 333-184411) and Form S-3 (Nos. 333-182348 and 333-207030) of M&T Bank Corporation of our report dated February 22, 2018, relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Buffalo, New York

February 22, 2018

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, René F. Jones certify that:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 22, 2018

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Darren J. King, certify that:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 22, 2018

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER UNDER 18 U.S.C. §1350

 

I, René F. Jones, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of M&T Bank Corporation, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

 

(1) the Annual Report on Form 10-K of M&T Bank Corporation for the annual period ended December 31, 2017 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of M&T Bank Corporation.

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

 

 

 

February 22, 2018

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to M&T Bank Corporation and will be retained by M&T Bank Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER UNDER 18 U.S.C. §1350

 

I, Darren J. King, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of M&T Bank Corporation, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

 

(1) the Annual Report on Form 10-K of M&T Bank Corporation for the annual period ended December 31, 2017 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of M&T Bank Corporation.

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

 

 

 

 

February 22, 2018

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to M&T Bank Corporation and will be retained by M&T Bank Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.