Rasheed N.C. Wyatt: A Proven Financial Leader for Buffalo’s Future

Rasheed N.C. Wyatt has built his reputation as a dedicated public servant and a fierce advocate for his community, but as he now sets his sights on becoming Buffalo’s next mayor, he brings with him an invaluable asset: over 25 years of experience in finance. His campaign slogan, "Wyatt for Real Change," emphasizes his commitment to applying his financial expertise to stabilize the city's finances and bring about lasting fiscal reform.

For more than 10 years, Wyatt has served as the University District Council Member, where his leadership has extended beyond community engagement to address the broader issues facing the city. However, it is his deep understanding of finance and management that sets him apart from other candidates. Wyatt firmly believes that to address Buffalo’s ongoing fiscal challenges, the city must focus on right-sizing government and enhancing the efficiency of its services. He argues that Buffalo cannot tax or bond its way out of its financial crisis; instead, the city needs a leader who possesses a thorough understanding of financial management to make the tough decisions necessary for long-term stability.

Wyatt’s career in finance has been both diverse and extensive. He spent 15 years at Marine Midland Bank/HSBC Bank USA, where he worked in several key roles, including Accounting Clerk, Accounting Officer, and Manager. There, he managed a $16 billion mortgage interface, oversaw multi-million dollar account reconciliations, and prepared staff evaluations.

His work spanned multiple areas of the bank, including Real Estate Credit Risk Management, Commercial Banking, and Corporate Finance. This hands-on experience has provided Wyatt with a comprehensive understanding of how large organizations, including municipalities, must manage their finances to ensure long-term sustainability.

In addition to his banking experience, Wyatt served as Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Commissioner for Business Compliance and Audit in Newport News, Virginia. In this role, he led a team of CPAs in conducting business audits for a wide range of businesses, including major federal contractors such as Northrop Grumman, a company that builds Navy ships and submarines. Under Wyatt’s leadership, his team saved the city $1.5 million in a successful audit, a testament to his skill in identifying inefficiencies and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

Wyatt’s expertise in f inance is further demonstrated by his work as the President of the National Association of Urban Bankers – Buffalo Chapter, which was featured in Business First in 1999. Under his leadership, the chapter worked to enhance financial literacy within the community, helping minority business owners develop business plans, secure loans, and access grants. This experience demonstrated Wyatt’s commitment to improving the financial well-being of not just demonstrated Wyatt’s commitment to improving the financial well-being of not just the city, but also its business community.

Now, as he runs for mayor, Wyatt is focused on bringing his financial acumen to the forefront of Buffalo's leadership.

He believes that stabilizing the city’s finances will require making difficult decisions that will improve the efficiency of government operations and trim unnecessary spending. “You can’t just hire someone to manage this complex challenge,” Wyatt says. “To make the right decisions for Buffalo’s financial future, you need to understand the numbers, the risks, and the long-term impact of every choice. I have the experience to do that.”

Wyatt’s approach is grounded in a philosophy of fiscal responsibility. He is committed to ensuring that every decision made on behalf of the city is informed by sound financial principles and focuses on maximizing value for taxpayers. His goal is to create a more efficient government, one that can deliver quality services to residents without burdening them with excessive taxes or unsustainable borrowing.

With his unparalleled experience in financial management, Rasheed N.C. Wyatt is uniquely qualified to lead Buffalo through its fiscal crisis and into a more secure and sustainable future. He has the skills, the vision, and the determination to right size the city’s government and deliver on the promise of real change.

For Wyatt, the solution is clear: sound f inancial management, coupled with a commitment to transparency and accountability, will ensure that Buffalo’s resources are used wisely and effectively.