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Q&A with Brian Reklaitis, vice president and senior business banking relationship manager at M&T Bank.
Q: How did you get into this business? What motivated you?
After putting a security deposit down on an apartment, I walked into an M&T Bank branch downtown, asked if they were hiring and was offered a representative position four days later. Working with businesses was the most interesting part of the position, which then evolved into a career.
Q: Can you describe your business and the services and/or products you sell?
As a senior business banking relationship manager, I am the direct contact for businesses and their owners. I am responsible for helping them with deposit accounts, a full suite of remote banking services, merchant services, commercial mortgages, credit lines, equipment loans and SBA loans and lines.
Q: Describe your target customer.
The target customer is a local, privately-owned business with up to $25 million in annual revenue in need of a quality bank and banker to help grow their business. M&T Bank can help manage their day-to-day business banking and business borrowing needs.
Q: How many employees do you have?
M&T Bank has about 84 employees in Connecticut. I’m part of a Connecticut business banking team of about seven.
Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment?
My largest accomplishment has been personally constructing a portfolio of satisfied business clients at M&T Bank from zero in 2012 to over 200 in 2021.
Q: What advice would you give to small businesses, especially during this difficult time?
Do not be afraid to reach out to your network of professionals — bankers, attorneys, CPAs, insurance providers — to seek guidance, knowledge, support or help.
