EXHIBIT 99.1

      CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER UNDER 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

I, Robert G. Wilmers, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of M&T Bank Corporation, hereby certify, to my knowledge:

         (1)      that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of M&T Bank Corporation
                  for the quarterly period ended on March 31, 2003 filed with
                  the Securities and Exchange Commission at File No. 1-9861 (the
                  "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act
                  of 1934; and

         (2)      that the information contained in such Report fairly presents,
                  in all material respects, the financial condition and results
                  of operations of M&T Bank Corporation.


The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate
disclosure document.






/s/ Robert G. Wilmers
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Robert G. Wilmers
May 15, 2003