M&T Credit Cards Review

(February 2025)

M&T Credit Cards Review

In This Article

Our Verdict

MT-Credit-Cards

Choose the M&T Bank Visa Credit Card if you want to pay no interest for a year and enjoy numerous rewards and benefits. Know that with M&T Bank, you have access to four infamous credit cards that the bank tailors to meet your various needs. Earn an M&T Bank Visa Credit Card with Rewards if you want to get points for every purchase. Apply for M&T Bank Secured Credit Card if you want to improve your credit score. Compare M&T Bank credit cards and find the one that suits your needs.

However, before you proceed to pick the card of your choice, watch out for the annual fee, the regular APR, and the security deposit. Enjoy the benefits of M&T Bank credit cards and manage your finances wisely.

One more thing, are you aware that M&T Bank covers 14 states and the District of Columbia? The states include Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. That is not all, you can access its 700 branches and 1800 ATMs across these states.

M&T Bank
Corporate Headquarters: One M&T Plaza Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone Number: 1-716-842-5138
www.mtb.com

Pros

  • Save on interest with 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles.
  • Earn rewards with 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases and redeem them for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.
  • Build or improve your credit with M&T Bank Secured Credit Card and get reported to the three major credit bureaus.
  • Enjoy no annual fee with M&T Bank Visa Credit Card and M&T Bank Visa Credit Card with Rewards.
  • Access online banking and customer service to manage your account and get support.

Cons

  • Pay high interest rates after the introductory period, ranging from 15.49% to 22.49%, depending on your creditworthiness.
  • Pay a $25 annual fee with M&T Bank Secured Credit Card.
  • Deposit at least $300 as a security deposit with M&T Bank Secured Credit Card and not get it back until you close your account or upgrade to an unsecured card.
  • Get no rewards or other benefits with M&T Bank Visa Credit Card and M&T Bank Secured Credit Card.
  • Be careful not to miss payments, exceed your credit limit, or make late payments, as these can damage your credit score and incur additional charges.

Who M&T Cards Are Best for?

M&T cards are best for you if you want to:

  • Save on interest with 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles.
  • Earn rewards with 1 point or 1.5 points per every dollar you spend on all purchases, depending on the card.
  • Build or improve your credit with M&T Secured Credit Card, which reports to the three major credit bureaus.
  • Enjoy no annual fee with M&T Visa Credit Card, M&T Visa Credit Card with Rewards, and M&T Visa Signature Credit Card.
  • Access online banking and customer service to manage your account and get support.

Who Bank of M&T Cards Are Not Right For?

Bank of M&T cards are not right for you if you:

  • Travel frequently outside of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the U.S., where M&T Bank has limited branches and ATMs.
  • Prefer online banking with advanced and robust digital features, as M&T Bank’s online and mobile banking services may not meet your expectations.
  • Seek high-interest rates on your savings accounts, as M&T Bank’s savings accounts have below-average interest rates.
  • Want to avoid monthly fees on your checking accounts, most M&T Bank checking accounts have monthly fees that can only be waived by meeting certain requirements.
  • Expect rewards or other benefits from your secured credit card, as M&T Bank Secured Credit Card offers no rewards or other benefits and charges a $25 annual fee.

What M&T Credit Cards Offer?

  • M&T Visa Signature Credit Card
  • M&T Visa Credit Card with Rewards
  • M&T Visa Credit Card
  • M&T Secured Credit Card

M&T Credit Card Details?

M&T Visa Signature Credit Card

M&T-Visa-Signature-Credit-Card

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no earning limits or rotating categories. You can also get a 10,000-point bonus ($100 value) after spending $500 in the first 90 days. Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles, and then a variable 19.49% to 23.49% APR. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the annual fee or foreign transaction fees. This card is ideal for you if you want to earn cash back and travel abroad.

M&T Visa Credit Card with Rewards

M&T Visa Credit Card with Rewards

Get unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase, with no earning limits or rotating categories. You can also get a 10,000-point bonus ($100 value) after spending $500 in the first 90 days. Benefit from a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles, and then a variable 15.49% to 19.49% APR.

M&T Visa Credit Card

M&T-Visa-Credit-Card

Don’t expect any rewards or other benefits on this card. However,  you can enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles, and then a variable 18.49% to 22.49% APR. This card has no annual fee.

M&T Secured Credit Card

M&T-Secured-Credit-Card

Prepare a security deposit of at least $300, which determines your credit limit to get this card. You can encounter a variable 22.49% APR and a $25 annual fee. This card does not offer any rewards or other benefits, but it can help you build or improve your credit history by reporting to the three major credit bureaus. Pick this card if you have limited or bad credit and want to get back on track in no time.

Where M&T Credit Cards Stand Out

Where M&T Credit Cards Stand Out

Introductory APR

Get a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles, which can help you save money and pay off debt faster. However, be aware of the regular APR that may apply after the introductory period, which ranges from 15.49% to 23.49%, depending on your creditworthiness.

Rewards

Earn unlimited cash-back rewards on every purchase, with no earning limits or rotating categories. You can earn either 1.5% or 1% cash back, depending on the card, and redeem your points for cash back, statement credit, gift cards, or travel. You can also earn a 10,000-point bonus ($100 value) after spending $500 in the first 90 days.

Credit building

 Build or improve your credit history by reporting to the three major credit bureaus. To do this, apply for the M&T Secured Credit Card, which requires a security deposit of at least $300. You can use this card for everyday purchases and pay your bill on time every month to show responsible credit behavior.

No annual fee

Can you imagine that M&T credit cards have no annual fee, except for the M&T Secured Credit Card, which charges a $25 annual fee? This means you can enjoy the benefits of your credit card without paying a yearly fee.

Online banking and customer service

Allows you to access online banking and customer service to manage your account and get support. You can transfer funds from your bank account, track your expenses, use the M&T Money Smart™ Cash Flow feature to predict your balance, pay with your digital wallet, and use online tools and calculators to compare different credit cards and see how they affect your finances.

Where M&T Credit Cards Fall Short

Branches and ATMs

Know that M&T Bank has limited branches and ATMs outside of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the U.S., which may make it inconvenient for you to access your account or withdraw cash if you travel frequently.

Online banking

Be aware that M&T Bank’s online and mobile banking services may not meet your expectations, as they may lack some advanced and robust digital features that other banks offer.

Savings accounts

M&T Bank’s savings accounts have below-average interest rates, which may not help you grow your money as much as other banks.

Checking accounts

Understand that most M&T Bank checking accounts have monthly fees and you can only waive it if you meet certain requirements, such as maintaining a minimum balance or making direct deposits.

Secured credit card

Keep in mind that M&T Bank Secured Credit Card offers no rewards or other benefits and charges a $25 annual fee, which may not be worth it for you if you want to get more value from your credit card.

How to Qualify for M&T Credit Cards

To qualify for M&T credit cards, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a valid Social Security number.
  • Have a good credit history and score, except for the M&T Secured Credit Card, which is designed for people with limited or bad credit.
  • Have a sufficient income and debt-to-income ratio to afford the monthly payments.

How to Apply for M&T Credit Cards

How to Apply for M&T Credit Cards

Apply for an M&T credit card online, by phone, or in person at a branch. You will need to provide some personal and financial information, such as your name, address, date of birth, income, expenses, and bank account details. You may also need to provide a security deposit of at least $300 if you apply for the M&T Secured Credit Card

>>>GET SMARTER: 5 Best M&T Credit Cards

Alternative to M&T Credit Cards

Citi® Double Cash Card

Get 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. You can also enjoy a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, and then a variable 13.99% – 23.99% APR. You don’t have to pay an annual fee. Pick this card over M&T credit cards if you want to earn more cash back and transfer your debt at a lower interest rate.

Discover it® Cash Back

Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter in rotating categories, such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and more. You also get 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, Discover matches all the cash back you earn in your first year. This card has no annual fee and a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months, and then a variable 11.99% – 22.99% APR2. This card is better than M&T credit cards if you want to earn more cash back in popular categories and get a generous welcome offer.

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash — Rewards Credit Card

Secure 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no limit or expiration. You can also get access to a higher credit line after making your first five monthly payments on time. This card has a $39 annual fee and a 26.99% variable APR.

Customer Reviews

M&T Bank has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, but only a 1.05 out of 5 stars based on 143 customer reviews. Most of the complaints are about the bank’s customer service, fees, and fraud protection. In the same manner, M&T Bank has a 1.4 out of 5 stars based on 77 customer reviews on TrustPilot. Most of the reviews are negative, citing poor communication, hidden charges, and technical issues.

However, there is a turn-up on NerdWallet as M&T Bank Visa Credit Card with Rewards has a 3.5 out of 5 stars based on 2 customer reviews on NerdWallet. The reviewers praise the card’s rewards program and introductory APR but criticize the card’s high regular APR and lack of other benefits. Nonetheless, ConsumerAffairs balances the table as M&T Bank has 2 out of 5 stars based on 476 customer reviews on ConsumerAffairs. Most of the reviews are negative, mentioning problems with the bank’s online banking, overdraft fees, and mortgage services.

Pro Tips

Here are some pro tips to follow when choosing the best M&T credit card for yourself:

  • Review rewards and benefits. Compare the rewards and perks each M&T credit card offers. Look for a credit card that aligns with your spending patterns to maximize benefits.
  • Check fees and APR. Evaluate the annual fees and APR rates on each credit card. Opt for a credit card with reasonable fees and a competitive interest rate.
  • Consider your credit score. Choose a credit card that matches your credit score and history. If you have limited or bad credit, you may want to apply for the M&T Secured Credit Card, which can help you improve your credit.
  • Compare with other cards. Look at how M&T credit cards stack up against other credit cards in the market. You may find a better deal or a more suitable card for your needs from another bank or issuer.
  • Apply online, by phone, or in person. You can apply for an M&T credit card online, by phone, or in person at a branch.

Recap

Do you want to interest, earn rewards, build credit, and enjoy no annual fee? If yes, pick M&T credit cards. However, they may not be the best choice for you if you travel frequently, prefer online banking, seek high-interest rates on savings accounts, or want to avoid monthly fees on checking accounts. Compare M&T credit cards with other credit cards in the market and find the one that suits your needs and preferences. You can apply for an M&T credit card online, by phone, or in person at a branch.

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