By ALLISSA KLINE
akline@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1612

The top executive of Buffalo's M&T Bank Corp. was named Banker of the Year by the industry's leading trade newspaper.

Robert Wilmers received the designation from American Banker in its Dec. 1 issue. The 77-year-old chairman and CEO is credited for "running one of the industry's top-performing banks for decades (and) keeping it on top throughout the depths of the financial crisis," while openly criticizing the banking industry and its contribution to the economic downfall.

American Banker reporter Matthew Monks writes: "Under Wilmers, the $78 billion-asset M&T has weathered the economic downturn far better than most of its peers. Long one of the industry's best-performing companies, M&T remained profitable throughout the financial crisis and it has continued to increase market share, particularly in the Middle Atlantic region, with strategic acquisitions, including its purchase this year of Wilmington Trust Co. in Delaware."

M&T completed its acquisition of Wilmington Trust in April in a deal valued at $351 million. It is the second-largest acquisition in M&T's history. Third-quarter profits dropped in relation to the transaction, but bank officials and analysts say the purchase will pay off in the long run.

This is not the first time Wilmers, who stepped down as CEO in 2005 and returned to the job two years later, has been honored by American Banker. It  previously honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. During his tenure, which began in 1983, M&T completed 23 acquisitions.