BUFFALO, N.Y., June 14<\/strong>, 2021<\/strong>\u2014M&T Bank announced it will be the first U.S. bank to team up with MagnusCards\u00ae by Magnusmode, a free app dedicated to making the world a more accessible place for people with neurodiverse abilities. The collaboration will create new digital guides that provide visual cues and step-by-step instructions to help people access fundamental banking services. Available through the MagnusCards app, M&T Bank\u2019s digital \u201cCard Decks\u201d are designed to increase banking accessibility for all, and are offered free to users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLaunching M&T Bank\u2019s MagnusCards will help us create a more inclusive, welcoming bank and expand our capabilities to meet the unique needs of our diverse community of customers,\u201d said Sonny Sonnenstein, Chief Information Officer for Consumer, Business and Digital Banking at M&T Bank. \u201cWe are excited to work with Magnusmode \u2013 not only because they\u2019re an inspiring local startup, but also because their product is incredibly intuitive and well-designed to support our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digitalized Guidance Through Storytelling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Using digitalized “Card Decks,” the MagnusCards app guides users through tasks and activities that might otherwise feel challenging or overwhelming. As Magusmode’s very first U.S. bank partner, M&T Bank is offering an expanding \u201clife skills library\u201d that provides practical guidance through storytelling Card Decks, helping users navigate daily tasks and experiences that may become overwhelming without assistance. It uses applied behavior analysis methods, offering prompts and positive reinforcement to support experiential learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to banking and money management, the app provides accessibility support for public transportation, healthcare, shopping, school and other places and activities people need to access as part of their daily lives. The app\u2019s users include people with autism, down syndrome, acquired brain injury, dementia, ADHD and other cognitive disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConfusing or complex services can create barriers for people with autism and other cognitive disabilities. Our assistive technology helps companies eliminate those barriers and welcome, support and enable people on the autism or disability spectrums,\u201d said Magnusmode Founder and President Nadia Hamilton. \u201cIn M&T Bank, we found partners who understand the importance of leveraging technology to create practical tools that improve the everyday experiences of all people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employee Advocacy Led the Way<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n M&T\u2019s Disability Advocacy Network (DAN), an employee-led group that advocates for the needs of people with disabilities, identified MagnusCards as a potential opportunity for the bank, and guided its implementation and launch, working alongside M&T\u2019s technology team and colleagues throughout the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur MagnusCards will help people count money, use their debit card to purchase things, withdraw cash from an ATM or teller, and deposit cash and checks into an ATM,\u201d said David Zolnowski, president of DAN\u2019s Western New York chapter and a parent advocate whose son has Down syndrome. \u201cEach of these essential guides will be extremely helpful to people with disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disabled Family Members Helped Develop the Product<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n WNY DAN member Stephanie Tisdale, a vice president and strategic initiatives lead at M&T, also played an important role in launching M&T\u2019s MagnusCards. She asked her 17-year-old brother, Diarllo, who is on the autism spectrum, to serve as the \u201cacting talent\u201d in the production of the visuals for the Card Decks. While the ask was a bit outside his comfort zone, he jumped at the opportunity when he learned how his participation would help other people with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Disability Advocacy Network wanted real people involved. We didn\u2019t want actors, but people who would directly benefit from our collaboration with Magnusmode,\u201d Tisdale said. \u201cMy brother is never one to be the center of attention, but when he heard it would help people, he was all over it. It was inspiring to see Diarllo contribute to something so important. I want my brother to have the opportunity to live independently, to be able to access the services he needs and to feel like he belongs. The MagnusCards app will be so empowering for him and all people with cognitive disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A New Wave of Digital Banking Tools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n M&T\u2019s MagnusCards launch comes amid the bank\u2019s ongoing push to provide new and innovative digital tools and resources to help customers manage their money. A few highlights include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n About M&T Bank<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T\u2019s principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, operates banking offices in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Trust-related services are provided by M&T\u2019s Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n About Magnusmode<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Founded in Toronto, Ontario, Magnusmode was a 2018 winner of the Buffalo-based startup competition 43North. The company is currently based in 43North\u2019s accelerator and office space at Seneca One in downtown Buffalo, where M&T recently launched its Tech Hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n