From left are Kimberly M. Davis, M&T Bank branch manager, and Joshua Freifeld, CHRIC executive director. Submitted photo

As part of its commitment to first-time homebuyers, M&T Bank has contributed $10,000 to Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation (CHRIC), a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

The donation will support CHRIC’s first-time homebuyer program, which includes helps with credit, introductions to realtors and lenders, and assistance with budgeting. Classes are offered in both English and Spanish and are open to all homebuyers in Chautauqua County.

“The importance of first-time homebuyer education cannot be overstated,” said Kim Davis, M&T’s Mayville branch manager. “CHRIC is a wonderful organization that works with countless homebuyers and homeowners to provide financial education and assistance to help make their dream of homeownership a reality. We’re thrilled to be able to help them in this endeavor.”

M&T Bank serves first-time homebuyers through several different mortgage programs, including acting as one the leading providers of State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) loans. The bank works closely with homeownership education programs, like CHRIC, to help guide prospective owners through the process of purchasing their first home, while connecting them with resources to make ownership affordable in the long run.

“We are grateful to M&T for their contribution to our cause of educating first-time home buyers,” said Joshua Freifeld, executive director of CHRIC. “No matter how prepared people think they are, it’s hard to anticipate what the process is like until you’re in it. Our first-time homebuyer program provides potential homebuyers with the information they need to take the next step with confidence.”

Donations to the CHRIC can be made on the agency’s website, located at www.chric.org. More information on M&T’s mortgage products can be found at www3.mtb.com/mortgages-loans.