BUS378 – Bus, Gov & Society

CSR Research Assignment

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be defined as the duty a corporation has to create wealth by using means that avoid harm to, protect, or enhance societal assets. More simply put, CSR is a corporation's responsibility to act in a manner that not only promotes their business, but also considers the impact it will have on the community it is serving. M&T Bank is a large international corporation that can be identified as operating with a high level of Corporate Social Responsibility. The benefits of CSR do not only aid the M&T Bank’s image, but also the communities it touches. Through their community leadership they have created brand loyalty with their customers, and motivated employees to help in strengthening their communities. M&T Bank states on their own website they are “a reliable bank that’s strong and stable.” They go on to say, “you can count on us because M&T Bank is one of the best performing regional banks in the nation today.” They are “committed to the communities it serves,” and are “a convenient bank that’s close and accessible.” ("Who is M&T," n.d.) M&T goes on to explain how community is important for their continued success. This is why M&T Bank takes an “engaged” approach in the local communities in which they operate. This fulfills M&T’s CSR requirement of Market Actions. Their vision statement proclaims, “M&T strives to be the best company our employees ever work for, the best bank our customers ever do business with and the best investment our shareholders ever make.” ("Vision Statement," n.d.) Through hiring workers and offering banking services within their community with “careful, conservative and consistent management,” M&T Bank demonstrates how doing ordinary business benefits society around them. M&T Bank’s policies on