Charles Pinckney of Saratoga Springs was recently named M&T Bank regional president for New York’s Capital Region, a market where the bank has grown its local deposit share while remaining the area’s top commercial mortgage lender.
M&T Bank has a branch in Clifton Park.
Pinckney will take on the added regional leadership responsibilities while remaining in a senior role supporting commercial real estate, middle market, healthcare and not-for-profit businesses.
“Charles has made a substantial impact for our customers and communities in his 14 years with M&T. He has helped companies throughout the region secure funding and adopt customized solutions to launch big projects and new initiatives, remaining focused on ensuring his work contributes to inclusive growth and strengthens the community,” said Mike Keegan, M&T Bank’s executive vice president and head of community banking.
“Our unique community model empowers local leaders to combine their banking expertise with a deep understanding of their region in order to deliver a differentiated customer experience and uplift our communities. With his local knowledge and personal commitment to making a difference in people’s lives, Charles will be an outstanding leader for this region.”
Under its local engagement model, M&T separates the geographic areas it serves into community regions led by regional presidents. Because they know their communities best, these regionally based teams work to create differentiated strategies to serve their markets, aiming to combine the capabilities of a large institution with the care and empathy of a neighborhood bank. They also make decisions locally about community activities, grants and lending.
Officials said Pinckney will play a critical role in executing this community banking model, the release said. He will serve as a convener for the community, bringing together diverse stakeholders to explore and address regional challenges.
He will also be an advocate for the region externally and internally within the bank, ensuring the bank’s executives understand the needs of their community and regional economy. And, he will remain close to the bank’s customers as a leader on the commercial banking team, continuously improving the local customer experience.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the Capital Region as M&T Bank’s regional president,” Pinckney said. “Our bank’s unique strength is the way we combine our robust capabilities with the engagement model of a community-based organization. In the new leadership role, I will rely on this strength as we collaborate with our customers and community partners to create positive change and foster inclusive economic growth.
“The Capital Region has many unique strengths of its own—from our vibrant innovation ecosystem to our growing creative economy—and I am looking forward to leveraging M&T’s capabilities to help our hometowns grow even stronger.”
During his 14 years with M&T, Pinckney has gained a depth of commercial banking experience. He served in the roles of team leader and commercial relationship manager prior to his promotion to senior group manager for commercial real estate, healthcare and not-for-profit businesses.
Pinckney has long been an active member of both the M&T and Capital Region communities. He is the chair of the Center for Disability Services Commercial Services Advisory Board and a member of the center’s governing board of directors. He was previously a member of Union College’s Community Scholars Executive Committee, and in 2016, the Albany Business Review named him to its 40 Under 40 list.
In the Capital Region, M&T Bank employs 300 people, operates 12 branches and maintains a regional headquarters in Albany, providing local management, administrative and charitable direction.