Overview:
Under minimal or no supervision, provides administrative support to Trust Officers and has direct contact with grantors, beneficiaries, Trustees, attorneys, accountants, and others, at Trust Officer’s discretion. Escalates risk issues identified in work assignments. Takes ownership coordinating members of the client service team to address administration matters and completes necessary tasks to provide effective and superior client service. Follows best practices and adheres to controls over efficiency and risk management. Assists in collecting critical documents and assets, preparing disbursements, and other trust administration tasks. Supports the administration and fiduciary management within client relationships.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Support the administration of trust accounts within assigned book through demonstrated proficiency and sound judgment in exercising fiduciary discretion.
- Maintain understanding of governing instruments including, Trust Agreements, wills, Nonjudicial Settlement Agreements (NJSAs), modification documents, etc. as applicable to client base.
- Serve as primary point of contact for the client on the trust account relationship with little or no supervision; communicate regularly with the client on all trust matters and support overall trust administration management.
- Ensure high-level client service through timely and appropriate interactions with the client, the client’s advisors, and internal partners as necessary.
- Develop relationships with clients to best support administration of their trust accounts and provide assistance to facilitate client requests and meet distribution needs.
- Ensure activities adhere to account administration policies and procedures.
- Monitor, and assist with management of, new account openings including reviewing all critical forms and documents, and ensuring proper trust funding, account opening with correct coding of statements, proxies, investments and tax, correctness of beneficiary information, and that fee agreements are in place; monitor terminations as required.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of systems leveraged to deliver client service and maintain account records.
- Assist with preparing business and client presentations as requested, with little to no supervision.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge, and coordinate efforts, of appropriate Bank resources, including market leadership, tax liaison team, Legal and Compliance, to support timely delivery of quality service and expand client relationships.
- Represent the Bank in a professional and competent manner whether over the phone or in person with clients, advisors, and business partners.
- Understand and maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements and Federal and state law concerning trust and estates as well as industry standards and practices.
- Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies, and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
- Promote an environment that supports diversity and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
- Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
- Complete other related duties as assigned.
Scope of Responsibilities:
An important component of the position is the ability to work well as a member of a team and communicate internally with client relationship team members, market leadership, Tax Liaison Team, Legal and Compliance, and externally with clients, their representatives, accounting firms, other investment managers, attorneys, CPAs (Certified Public Accountants), and tax accountants, etc.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:
Not Applicable
Education and Experience Required:
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years’ experience supporting the administration of fiduciary accounts, or related legal/business experience in the financial services industry including technical trust and planning experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 6 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 2 years’ experience supporting the administration of fiduciary accounts, or related legal/business experience in the financial services industry including technical trust and planning experience
Self-motivated
Proven verbal and written communication skills
Proven presentation skills
Proven organizational skills
Strong customer focus
Proficiency with personal computers
Experience maintaining high level of integrity and professionalism
Education and Experience Preferred:
Bachelor’s degree
Minimum of 3 years’ estates and trust experience
CTFA (Certified Trust and Financial Advisor) certification
Ability to read and interpret governing instruments related to account administration
Strong interpersonal skills
Physical Requirements:
M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $74,286.06 - $123,810.11 (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.
Location
Norwalk, Connecticut, United States of America
