Entry Level Securities Operations Specialist (Trade Settlement & Processing) - Hybrid

M&T Bank•Amherst, NY

2d•$21 - $34•Hybrid

About The Position

M&T Bank’s Wealth & Institutional Services Division (WISD) is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Securities Operations Specialist to join the Security Movement and Control (SMAC) team. This team plays a critical role in supporting the trade lifecycle for trust accounts, ensuring the accurate processing, reconciliation, and settlement of high-volume securities transactions. In this role, you will oversee the daily settlement and processing of trading activity across DTC and Federal Reserve systems, working with a range of asset classes including equities, fixed income, and money market instruments. You will focus on validating transaction accuracy, identifying and resolving exceptions, and ensuring trades are completed in a timely and compliant manner. This is an excellent opportunity for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build expertise in securities operations within a fast-paced, high-impact environment.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience
1+ years’ general work experience

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
Internship or early experience in banking, financial services, or operations
High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and quality
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in resolving discrepancies
Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams
Comfortable asking questions and seeking clarity in a fast-paced environment
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize work
Adaptable and able to manage changing priorities and deadlines
Team-oriented mindset with a commitment to supporting shared goals
Exposure to securities operations, trade processing, or back-office banking functions
Familiarity with financial instruments such as equities, fixed income, or money markets
Proficiency with Excel and comfort working with data and multiple systems
Strong technical aptitude and ability to quickly learn new platforms and processes
Solid understanding of basic accounting or financial concepts

Responsibilities

Support the end-to-end processing and settlement of securities transactions for trust accounts
Review and validate high volumes of trade activity to ensure accurate and timely settlement
Reconcile trade data across multiple systems and investigate discrepancies or failed trades
Resolve transaction issues by partnering with internal teams, investment managers, and third parties
Process and record cash and asset movements in accordance with established procedures and controls
Balance and research exception items across depositories, general ledger accounts, and internal systems
Perform independent verification of transactional activity to ensure accuracy and mitigate risk
Monitor shared inboxes and workflows to prioritize and respond to incoming requests
Communicate effectively with front office, middle office, and external partners to resolve issues
Identify opportunities for process improvements and support implementation efforts
Ensure all activities comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and risk standards
Escalate risk and compliance concerns as appropriate