Custody Analyst job at Absa Bank

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

My Career Development Portal: Wherever you are in your career, we are here for you. Design your future. Discover leading-edge guidance, tools and support to unlock your potential. You are Absa. You are possibility.

Job Summary

To ensure accurate and timely processing of securities transactions and investment instructions. The role maintains safekeeping and reconciliation of client assets across physical and electronic custody platforms, monitors settlement activities to ensure compliance with market deadlines, and minimizes operational risk. The analyst liaises with custodians, depositories, fund managers, and internal teams to resolve discrepancies and support client servicing. The role upholds regulatory and internal control standards and contributes to continuous improvement of custody processes, systems, and client experience.

Job Description

Fixed Term Role - 9 months Contract

Key accountabilities

Accountability: Operations & Internal Business Processes (50%)

Receive and execute client and fund manager instructions via email/SWIFT, including call-backs and signature verification.

Process withdrawals, benefit payments, and fixed income investments in both primary and secondary markets.

Maintain accurate safekeeping records for physical and electronic assets.

Process corporate actions (e.g., dividends, interest, rights issues).

Report and track failed trades in a timely manner.

Ensure timely billing and revenue recoupment.

Accountability: Client Service (30%)

Generate accurate client statements, transaction reports, and asset summaries.

Adhere to SLAs for client instructions, queries, and service requests.

Monitor and report service provider performance (e.g., sub-custodians).

Support onboarding of new clients and assets into custody systems.

Resolve client queries within 24 hours or as per SLA, following up until closure.

Provide market information and prepare reports for Trustee meetings.

Submit regulatory information accurately and within required timelines.

Accountability: Reconciliation, Reporting (10%)

Perform daily cash and securities reconciliations with depositories and sub-custodians

Investigate and clear reconciliation breaks within defined timelines

Maintain secure and auditable records of all client communications and actions

Key accountabilities

Accountability: Compliance and Risk Management (10%)

Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Prepare and dispatch regulatory returns to CMA and URBRA accurately and on time.

Minimize operational losses by adhering to approved procedures.

Apply maker-checker controls across custody workflows.

Role/Person specification

Education and experience required.

Bachelor’s degree in a Business-related field from a recognized institution.

CMA Securities Certification: CISI certification is an added advantage.

Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in custody operations and service.

Knowledge and skills:

Exposure to regional and domestic settlement operations and SWIFT messaging.

Knowledge of settlement markets, corporate actions, fund management, and reference data

Ability to navigate regulatory frameworks and deliver under pressure.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Strong Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools

High attention to detail and customer service orientation.

Competencies:

Business Acumen

Customer Focus

Results Orientation

Innovation Leadership

Problem Solving Leadership

Collaboration and influencing

Education

Higher Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

• Receive and execute client and fund manager instructions via email/SWIFT, including call-backs and signature verification.
• Process withdrawals, benefit payments, and fixed income investments in both primary and secondary markets.
• Maintain accurate safekeeping records for physical and electronic assets.
• Process corporate actions (e.g., dividends, interest, rights issues).
• Report and track failed trades in a timely manner.
• Ensure timely billing and revenue recoupment.
• Generate accurate client statements, transaction reports, and asset summaries.
• Adhere to SLAs for client instructions, queries, and service requests.
• Monitor and report service provider performance (e.g., sub-custodians).
• Support onboarding of new clients and assets into custody systems.
• Resolve client queries within 24 hours or as per SLA, following up until closure.
• Provide market information and prepare reports for Trustee meetings.
• Submit regulatory information accurately and within required timelines.
• Perform daily cash and securities reconciliations with depositories and sub-custodians
• Investigate and clear reconciliation breaks within defined timelines
• Maintain secure and auditable records of all client communications and actions
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Prepare and dispatch regulatory returns to CMA and URBRA accurately and on time.
• Minimize operational losses by adhering to approved procedures.
• Apply maker-checker controls across custody workflows.

• Exposure to regional and domestic settlement operations and SWIFT messaging.
• Knowledge of settlement markets, corporate actions, fund management, and reference data
• Ability to navigate regulatory frameworks and deliver under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools
• High attention to detail and customer service orientation.

• Bachelor’s degree in a Business-related field from a recognized institution.
• CMA Securities Certification: CISI certification is an added advantage.