 |
| Eastern Hills branch in Amherst outside their native Buffalo |
Erie County based M&T Bank have been in CNY for twenty-five years time after acquiring OnBank (Onondaga Savings Bank, which itself bought Merchants Bank before that). I had switched to them after being with a local credit union for over two decades. It may seem like selling out to the big boys from Buffalo, but major changes in my life as of late just made it harder for me to go to the other place anymore, which is only in the suburbs around Syracuse (I don't own a car, buses don't reach these easily, and it's not always easy to get lifts). M&T are mainly in the Northeast and Delmarva.
I have some family in North Carolina, and M&T have yet to open down there (just as I haven't visited myself). While online banking makes it possible to stay with any bank from anywhere these days, even if they're not in your new area, some things can only be done in person. Wells Fargo, Truist, Bank of America (who are also up north through buying other chains, but have fewer locations here these days), PNC, First National and First Citizens have closed locations throughout the state, as well as Hometown Bank and Mountain Credit Union in Asheville, where one family member is currently living. M&T could buy any branches not already taken by anyone else. Too much work to make a list for a place I don't know. Just used Google to see if there was anything vacant around the past couple years.
Back in CNY, M&T should open in Chittenango, Fulton, Oswego, Phoenix, Solvay, Sylvan Beach, and possibly other communities and small towns (the former Bayberry branch on CR 57 went to an FCU from Cayuga County). Unlike my old credit union, when it comes to ATMs, I'm confined to the banks own if I want to avoid those fees unless I pay more to upgrade, while my old place is in a vast network that reached a bit further. I guess the honeymoon's over. Can't have my cake and eat it too. Until I can afford to drive, I'd have to stop ahead of time if I go somewhere cash will be needed. Still, M&T Bank will offer a new perspective on tracking my finances, which I'm trying to get a handle on.
