{
  "id": 5070994,
  "title": "How this Buffalo-based bank is using tech as a competitive edge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/how-this-buffalo-based-bank-is-using-tech-as-a-competitive-edge",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-02T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91596458/michael-wisler-m-t-bank-pacesetters-2026"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2018, Michael Wisler transitioned to CIO at M&T Bank, a 170-year-old financial institution based in Buffalo, after years of technology leadership at Capital One. Wisler focused on strengthening M&T’s IT infrastructure and talent, reducing reliance on outside contractors, and enhancing resilience. This strategic shift treated technology as a competitive advantage, necessitating investments in employee attraction and recruitment, including a tech development program for college graduates. Wisler established connections with universities and alternative pathways to attract diverse talent, resulting in over 80% of M&T’s tech and data teams working directly for the bank in two downtown Buffalo technology centers.\n\nWisler, now M&T’s senior executive vice president for technology and operations, oversees technology supporting 22,000 employees and core functionality for over 900 branches across 12 Eastern states and the District of Columbia. He streamlined facilities like call centers and ensured operations teams leverage scalable technology. Looking ahead, M&T is exploring AI applications, such as digital copilots for efficiency, agentic AI for cybersecurity and fraud detection, and anticipating customer needs. The bank is committed to democratizing data for trust and efficiency, having already deployed AI copilots for call center conversation analysis and report drafting, AI code generation, and risk identification.\n\nM&T continues to engage in the Buffalo technology ecosystem, partnering with nonprofit TechBuffalo and accelerator 43North. As a major employer, the bank is dedicated to talent acquisition and regional community development. Wisler serves on both organizations' boards, emphasizing M&T's responsibility to amass talent and contribute to the community.",
  "summary": "In 2018, Michael Wisler became chief information officer at M&T Bank , a now-170-year-old financial institution based in Buffalo, after spending years in technology leadership roles at Capital One. Wisler soon worked to invest in M&T’s in-house information technology capabilities and talent, reducing the bank’s reliance on outside tech contractors, speeding the rate at which the bank can respond…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}