Jan 16 (Reuters) - M&T Bank ( MTB ) on Thursday reported

a 41% rise in fourth-quarter profit, as it earned more in fees

from institutional services and the wealth management business

after markets soared on interest rate cuts and U.S. presidential

election results.

Equities markets have jumped as the Federal Reserve started

to cut rates last year for the first time in three years. The

sentiment was further boosted by pro-business statements from

President-elect Donald Trump.

M&T's fees from institutional services and the wealth

management business rose 11% to $175 million in the reported

quarter from a year ago due to higher sales and fees from its

capital markets business, the company said.

Buffalo, New York-based M&T's provision for credit losses

fell to $140 million from $225 million.

Net income available to common shareholders rose to $644

million, or $3.86 per share, in the three months ended Dec. 31,

from $457 million, or $2.74 per share, a year earlier.