M&T Bank began its relationship with the Bills in '85, and struck a deal for official-bank status in '03GETTY IMAGES
Buffalo-based M&T Bank renewed its "long-standing sponsorship as the 'official bank' of the Bills, signing a five-year deal" that runs through '23, according to Matt Glynn of the BUFFALO NEWS. Financial terms were not disclosed. M&T began its relationship with the Bills in '85, and struck a deal for "official-bank status" in '03. Five-year extensions such as this latest one have followed since. The deal gives M&T "exclusive rights to issue Bills-branded checking and debit cards, and the bank has its name on a variety of seating areas inside New Era Field." The Bills and M&T will continue its "Touchdown for Teachers" program that "recognizes outstanding teachers in the region." The Bills also will continue to support for the bank's "Gift of Warmth" drive. An additional "community program" will debut before the '19 season, though details were not disclosed. As part of deal's renewal, Bills co-Owner Kim Pegula, coach Sean McDermott and LB Lorenzo Alexander "fielded questions from students" at a local school and put them "through a series of football drills, with Alexander showing off his quarterbacking skills and McDermott coaching the kids" (BUFFALO NEWS, 3/14).
