Overview:

Responsible for identifying, assessing, and advising on emerging non-traditional banking solutions such as crypto currency/ stablecoin, artificial intelligence and digital assets that could materially impact our financial crimes compliance risk profile and strategic direction.  Provides strategic insight to the BSA Officer, CRO and risk leadership team.  Plays a critical role in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with digital assets, blockchain technologies, and virtual currencies.  Demonstrates deep expertise in financial crime compliance, crypto markets and emerging technologies and collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure the institution remains compliant with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive crypto and other emerging non-traditional banking solutions financial crimes risk management framework aligned with M&T Bank BSA/AML and sanctions compliance standards.
• Act as the enterprise-wide financial crimes compliance subject matter risk expert on crypto/stablecoin and other emerging non-traditional solutions.
• Partner with technology teams to evaluate and implement blockchain analytics tools and crypto transaction monitoring systems.
• Lead investigations into suspicious crypto-related activity and provide guidance on appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with AML, fraud, sanctions, and cybersecurity teams to ensure cohesive risk coverage.
• Advise on crypto-related policy development, including KYC, transaction monitoring, sanctions filtering and blockchain analytics.
• Remain current with emerging non-traditional banking solutions regulatory developments and ensure organizational compliance.
• Develop and deliver training programs on crypto-related financial crime risks to internal stakeholders.
• Conduct deep-dive risk assessments and scenario analyses on topics such as digital assets and other emerging non-traditional banking products and/or channels.
• Evaluate and advise on new and/or revised products and services from a crypto compliance risk perspective for assigned areas.
• Provide regular briefings and strategic insights to the BSA Officer, CRO and the risk leadership team.  Provide valuable input in various committees and working groups comprised of senior and executive management business partners.
• Collaborate with business units, compliance, legal, technology, and audit to ensure a coordinated response to emerging threats.
• Represent the bank in industry working groups, regulatory consultations, and thought leadership forums.
• Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis. 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:

Incumbent will be responsible for taking emerging trends in non-traditional banking solutions and turning them into actionable insights for senior leadership, helping shape enterprise risk strategy and decision-making. This role requires an ability to perform independently but maintain close collaboration with cross-functional teams to embed forward-looking risk intelligence into governance, planning, and reporting processes. 

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: 

Manages small team of crypto analysts and investigators.  Provide coaching, mentorship and performance management to direct reports.  Oversees resource allocation and project prioritization within crypto risk function.  Fosters a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.  Responsible for full supervisory and development of team through professional leadership.  Strong ability to direct, persuade, and influence across division and peers throughout the bank.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of  9 years’ relevant work experience in a banking, financial technology, crypto, compliance and/or other relevant field with a minimum of 4 years’ managerial, supervisory or work leadership experience, OR in li