René F. Jones is the Chairman and CEO of M&T Bank and has been leading the company since December 2017, succeeding Robert G. Wilmers after his unexpected passing. Jones has been with M&T since 1992, rising through the ranks after...

René F. Jones is the Chairman and CEO of M&T Bank and has been leading the company since December 2017, succeeding Robert G. Wilmers after his unexpected passing. Jones has been with M&T since 1992, rising through the ranks after starting as an Executive Associate. He became the Chief Financial Officer in 2005 and later served as Vice Chairman before stepping into his current role. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Science from Boston College and an MBA from the University of Rochester. Under his leadership, M&T has focused on aligning executive compensation with performance, using metrics like net income and return on assets to guide decisions. Jones is also known for making significant investments in the bank’s community through projects like the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. Over the years, his stock holdings saw substantial growth, peaking at $17.92 million in September 2024, showing confidence in the bank's future. His approach reflects a commitment to long-term growth and community development, which is vital in the banking sector.