Estate Settlement Associate

GENERAL FUNCTION:

Support the Estate Settlement team in every aspect of servicing the client base to ensure greater client satisfaction, client retention, and compliance with all policies and procedures governing estate relationships. Primary responsibility for the estate team's interface with the trust accounting system, the Workflow System, and all trust operations functions.

Responsible and accountable for risk by openly exchanging ideas and opinions, elevating concerns, and personally following policies and procedures as defined. Accountable for always doing the right thing for customers and colleagues and ensures that actions and behaviors drive a positive customer experience. While operating within the Bank's risk appetite, achieves results by consistently identifying, assessing, managing, monitoring, and reporting risks of all types.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Service

• Support the Estate Officer in all aspects of estate administration including communication with multiple beneficiaries, communication with outside advisors, and other internal partners.

• Frequent communication with clients via email and phone.

• Partner with the Estate Officer to retain client base by working with the client service team and partnering with internal and external service providers to optimize effectiveness and efficiency in achieving the highest client service standards.

• Partner with the Estate Officer to resolve client issues.

• Ensure a smooth transition as the client moves among service models.

Estate Administration

• Assist with collection of estate assets, filing of probate documents, and distribution of estate.

• Ensure compliance and proper documentation requirements are met, consistent with internal estate policies and procedures regarding business acceptance, discretionary actions, and all other bank policies, procedures and guidelines.

• Provide necessary maintenance/interface for trust accounting system.

• Review and ensure the quality of the daily account activity in the Workflow System.

• Frequent interaction with various operations teams within the Bank.

Risk Management

• Demonstrate a sense of urgency for client service and completion of projects/tasks.

• Demonstrate sound decision-making skills, including balancing business risk to Fifth Third Bank with client interests.

• Ensure compliance and proper documentation requirements are met, consistent with internal estate policies and procedures regarding business acceptance, discretionary actions, and all other bank policies, procedures and guidelines.

• Work with multiple Estate Managers and balance competing priorities.

• Work to develop knowledge of current trends and changes in the industry with regard to fiduciary matters (e.g. estate planning, probate, estate, gift and income tax planning, guardianships, special needs trusts, state-specific law).

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Demonstrate basic knowledge and skills in the areas of trust administration, estate planning strategies and income, gift and estate tax matters.

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of financial markets and investment theory.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Operate effectively in an environment that stresses both individual accountability and team-based performance.

• Strong computer/technical skills required: Ability to use all Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and CoPilot.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Normal office environment.

• Extending viewing of computer screens.