EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

[Letterhead of M&T Bank Corporation]

April 20, 2022

M&T Bank Corporation

One M&T Plaza

Buffalo, New York 14240

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) of M&T Bank Corporation (the “Corporation”) related to the registration of 3,000,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.50 per share (“Common Stock”), that may be offered or sold under the Corporation’s Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”). The shares of Common Stock of the Corporation to which the Registration Statement relates, as further described in the Registration Statement, are referred to herein as the “Registered Common Shares.”

I have been requested to furnish an opinion to be included as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In conjunction with the furnishing of this opinion, I or attorneys under my supervision have examined such corporate documents and have made such investigation of matters of fact and law as I have deemed necessary to render this opinion.

This opinion is rendered in my capacity as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Corporation and is limited to matters governed by the Federal laws of the United States of America and the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York. This opinion speaks as of today’s date, does not address any matters other than those expressly stated herein, and is limited to present statutes, regulations and judicial interpretations. In rendering this opinion, I assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should present laws, regulations or judicial interpretations be changed by legislative or regulatory action, judicial decision or otherwise.

Based upon such examination and investigation, and upon the assumption that there will be no material changes in the documents examined and matters investigated and that at the time of issuance there will be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock available to the Corporation in sufficient amounts, I am of the opinion that the Registered Common Shares have been duly authorized by the Corporation and that, when duly issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.