LEAF Commercial Capital, a subsidiary of M&T Bank, named Michelle Speranza head of commercial and equipment finance marketing for M&T Bank, effective June 8, 2026. In this expanded role, Speranza will lead a unified marketing organization spanning both M&T Commercial Bank and M&T Equipment Finance Group, which includes LEAF.
Speranza brings more than two decades of experience in equipment finance and marketing leadership. She has led marketing for LEAF since 2005 and, following the People’s United Bank merger in 2022, broadened her responsibilities to include the entire M&T Equipment Finance Group. Under her leadership, her team has built a marketing model known for its close alignment to sales, speed of execution and strong focus on driving measurable business impact.
In her expanded role, Speranza will focus on building an integrated marketing function across the commercial bank, extending the model established within equipment finance to drive stronger alignment between business units and create a more unified value proposition for customers.
“Bringing commercial and equipment finance marketing together under a single leader allows us to better leverage our collective strengths and operate with greater cohesion,” Joe Lombardo, head of equipment finance at M&T Bank, said. “By aligning our strategy and capabilities, we will be better positioned to coordinate initiatives, prioritize effectively and deliver stronger outcomes for our clients and the business.”
Miles Herman, CEO of LEAF, added, “I’ve had the privilege of working with Michelle for more than two decades, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact she brings not just in building strong, thoughtful marketing programs, but in how she leads people, challenges thinking and keeps the focus on what matters most: our customers. I’m confident she’ll bring that same energy, clarity and customer-first mindset to her expanded role.”
