Vault Custodian (Document Processing & Research)

M&T Bank Corporation; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 29,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank Corporation is seeking a Vault Custodian to safeguard and process high-value physical assets for trust and institutional clients. The role involves reviewing instructions, verifying documents, and performing secure handling and vaulting of originals.

You will work in a regulated, dual-control environment, ensuring accuracy and compliance while supporting audits and final settlement in custody systems. This is an on-site, five-days-a-week position in Wilmington, DE.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and move boxes weighing 20-30 pounds; stand as needed for vault activities.
• Experience in banking, custody operations, trust services, securities processing, or document custody is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a dedicated vault custodian supporting trust accounts with physical securities and documents.
• Validate instructions and documentation submitted through an internal ticketing platform before processing.
• Conduct multi-step custody processes including data verification, vaulting of original documents, and settlement into the system of record.
• Process and track securities movements such as free receipts, free deliveries, internal transfers, and DTC deposits.
• Perform periodic vault reconciliations, research discrepancies, and support audits.

Skills

Excel skills

Attention to detail

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience

2+ years in banking custody operations or related field

Tools

SEI system

Excel

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Overview

The Vault Custodian supports the Institutional and Wealth Management businesses by safeguarding, processing, and reconciling high-value physical assets held in custody for trust and institutional clients. These assets may include physical stock and bond certificates, notes, life insurance policies, patents, trademarks, and other original legal documents that require secure, physical storage. This role plays a critical part in the end-to-end custody lifecycle – from intake and validation, through vault storage and recordkeeping, to audit support and final settlement. The work is highly controlled, detail-oriented, and performed under strict dual-control and regulatory standards to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a dedicated vault custodian, supporting trust accounts that hold physical securities and legal documents.
• Review incoming requests submitted through an internal ticketing platform; validate instructions, documentation, and completeness before initiating processing in custody systems.
• Participate in a controlled, multi-step custody process, including initial review and system entry of custody instructions; independent verification of data and documentation; physical handling, matching, and vaulting of original documents; final quality review and settlement into the system of record; perform physical processing of documents, including retrieving, pairing, storing, and releasing assets in accordance with approved instructions.
• Process and track securities movements such as free receipts, free deliveries, internal transfers, and DTC deposits.
• Conduct exception research and follow-up for vault and depository activity; resolve issues by working with internal partners and external counterparties.
• Complete periodic and annual vault reconciliations, research discrepancies, and provide documentation for internal and external audits.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records using internal systems and tools such as SEI, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Operate within strict dual-control and access protocols, including two-person vault entry/exit and independent verification requirements.
• Identify, elevate, and document risk, compliance, or security issues in accordance with internal risk and regulatory standards.
• Contribute ideas for process improvement and operational efficiency while maintaining control integrity.
• Manage priorities effectively to meet service-level expectations and deadlines.

What Makes This Role Unique

This is a hands-on custody role – not a desk-only operations position. You are directly responsible for protecting original, irreplaceable client assets. Precision, judgment, and integrity matter as much as speed. Independence is expected, but work is highly collaborative.

Education and Experience Required

• Associate’s degree, or equivalent work experience 1+ years’ general work experience
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and move boxes weighing approximately 20-30 pounds; reach, bend, and stand as needed for vault activities

Education and Experience Preferred

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently in a structured, regulated environment
• Comfortable working under time constraints and service expectations
• 2+ years of experience in banking, custody operations, trust services, securities processing, or document custody
• Prior experience handling physical assets or original documents (e.g., banking vaults, trust companies, accounting firms, custodial services, or similar environments)
• Understanding of the importance of document security, chain of custody, and control procedures
• Familiarity with trust accounting systems, bank operations platforms, and general accounting principles
• Excel skills

Work Model/Office Location

This is a 100% onsite position requiring five days in office per week. Eligible candidates must live within commuting distance to 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Scheduled Shift/Required Availability

Monday‑Friday, 7:45am‑4:15pm

Pay Range

The pay range for this position is $20.55 - $34.25 Hourly (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Wilmington, Delaware, United States of America

Company Information

Great companies have an enduring sense of purpose. At M&T, our purpose is a simple one: make a difference in people’s lives and uplift the communities we serve. M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T’s affiliates offer advice, guidance, expertise and solutions across the entire financial spectrum, combining M&T Bank’s traditional banking services with the wealth management and institutional capabilities offered by Wilmington Trust. M&T Bank has a network of over 1,000 branches and 2,200 ATMs that span 12 states from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. For more than 165 years, M&T has strived to take an active role in our communities and build long‑lasting relationships with our customers. We are a bank for communities—combining the capabilities of a large bank with the care of a locally focused institution. As an employer of choice, we are proud to offer competitive benefits ranging from medical and retirement to forty hours of paid volunteer time, each year. Our core values – integrity, ownership, collaboration, curiosity, and candor – drive the work we do. We seek to further build upon our record of success by bringing in top talent and fresh skill sets while continuing to support the growth and development of all our team members. View M&T’s Human Capital Report to learn more.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

M&T Bank is unwavering when it comes to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws. M&T Bank Corporation has policies and procedures in place to promote a drug free workplace.

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