Business Risk Partner, Investment Bank

As a Business Risk Partner at M&T Bank, your primary responsibilities will include managing the first line of defense in risk management, overseeing the identification and assessment of risks, and ensuring the timely completion of remediation plans. You’ll lead a team focused on risk and control functions, drive the execution of risk-based testing programs, and provide detailed reports to management and risk committees.

To qualify for the Business Risk Partner position at M&T Bank, you'll need a bachelor’s degree accompanied by a minimum of seven years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a combined total of eleven years of higher education and/or work experience with at least seven years of risk management experience will suffice. Experience in an investment banking environment and strong knowledge of FINRA and SCC regulations will be highly beneficial.

M&T Bank emphasizes strict adherence to compliance and operational risk controls in the Business Risk Partner role. You’ll be responsible for maintaining internal control standards, handling timely implementation of audit points, and addressing issues raised by external regulators. Your role will also involve developing and updating policies in response to regulatory changes to ensure compliance.

Career advancement opportunities for a Business Risk Partner at M&T Bank are robust. By effectively managing risk and leading strategic initiatives, you can progress to senior management roles within the risk management department or even cross into other segments of the bank, leveraging your expertise to influence broader organizational strategies.

At M&T Bank, a Business Risk Partner can expect a collaborative work environment that prioritizes diversity and inclusion. You'll work closely with various teams including Internal Audit, Corporate Operational Risk, and Compliance to foster effective communication and shared goals while promoting a culture of transparency and teamwork.

When answering this question, focus on specific frameworks you have worked with, including how you applied them in your previous roles. Discuss your understanding of key elements such as risk identification, assessment, and reporting, and provide examples of how you've effectively utilized these frameworks in managing risk in financial institutions.

Discuss your approach to risk prioritization, emphasizing your analytical skills. Mention how you assess the potential impact and likelihood of risks, and describe frameworks or tools you use for risk assessment. Share any specific examples of decisions you made based on your risk prioritization.

Highlight your communication skills and experience creating concise reports. Discuss the importance of clear, actionable insights and how you tailor your communication style based on your audience. Provide examples of successful reports or presentations you've conducted to senior management.

Provide a structured response that outlines immediate actions you take upon discovering a risk event. Discuss the importance of prompt communication, thorough investigation, and developing a remediation plan, citing any relevant experiences where you successfully managed a risk incident.

Focus on your coaching and mentoring philosophy. Explain how you identify training needs and design learning opportunities for your team. Share examples of training sessions you've conducted and any measurable improvements in your team's performance.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning through professional development, industry publications, and networking. Mention any affiliations or memberships in professional organizations where you actively engage with peers to discuss regulatory updates and best practices.

Talk about specific tools or software you have used for risk assessment and reporting. Highlight their features that support accurate risk identification and efficient reporting, and share an example of how these tools have enhanced your risk management processes.

Share a concrete example of an emerging risk you identified, including the approach you took to assess its implications. Discuss how you communicated this risk to stakeholders and contributed to developing a strategic response to mitigate it.

Emphasize the importance of a risk-aware culture in preventing losses and fostering accountability. Discuss strategies you would use to promote this culture, including training, open communication, and involving all levels of staff in risk discussions.

Explain the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics you use to evaluate the effectiveness of risk management initiatives. Share examples of how you have used these metrics to drive continuous improvement in your risk management practices.