Financial Crimes Investigator I

The position of a Financial Crimes Investigator I maintains the responsibility of leading reviews related to financial crimes within BSA/AML and OFAC compliance. The Associate is responsible for investigating and identifying suspicious activity in accounts, transactions, loans, or other business activities, as well as documenting a decision to report or not report the activity. The Associate will maintain a strong knowledge of Bank operations, systems, and regulations in order to identify risks. This individual is expected to gain thorough knowledge and skill in all areas of financial crime related to BSA/AML and other illicit activities.

Essential Functions

• Use independent and professional judgment when reviewing financial crimes investigations in addition to all policies and procedures.
• Maintain a thorough comprehension of internal financial crimes scenarios/typologies.
• Periodically evaluate the scenarios/typologies against the results produced. Partner with Senior Financial Crimes Manager to suggest changes as needed.
• Foster productive relationships with business units to support BSA compliance matters and gather information relevant to investigations.
• Thoroughly and timely review reports and other investigative leads/tools that potentially identify suspicious activity.
• Formulate and recommend responses to potentially suspicious findings, reporting such activity to the appropriate regulatory authorities.
• Partner with Senior Financial Crimes Manager to review reports prior to filing.
• Liaison with Law Enforcement as needed related to cases and reports filed.
• Monitor aging cases and escalate as necessary.
• Conduct ongoing reviews after each suspicious activity report is filed.
• Review and investigate subpoenas, questionable activity reports and other referrals received.
• Maintain investigation procedures.
• Completes annual compliance courses.
• Adheres specifically to all corporate policies and procedures. Also adheres to Federal and State regulations and laws; including, the Bank Secrecy Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
• Adheres to all levels of our Service Excellence standards.
• Performs other duties as required.

General Qualifications

Knowledge & Experience: These specifications are general guidelines based on the minimum experience normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this position. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines.

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years BSA/AML/OFAC, Banking Experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work related experience should consist of duties in a business environment.
• Educational experience, through in-house training sessions, formal school or financial industry related curriculum, should be business or financial industry related.
• Strong knowledge of Bank operations and other Bank operational policies and procedures.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills – ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Intermediate skills in computer terminal and personal computer operation; mainframe computer system; word processing, spreadsheet and specialty software programs.
• Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions and instruct personnel.
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (“CAMS”) certification or equivalent is preferred.

Physical Demands/Work Environment: Vision, hearing, speech, dexterity, visual concentration. A valid driver’s license is required. Must have the ability to stand, walk, sit and use hands and fingers. Must have the ability to work the hours and days required to complete the essential functions of the position, as scheduled. The environment is a professional office with standard office equipment.

Cognitive Requirements: Learning, thinking, concentration, ability to exercise self-control, ability to work in a customer relations’ environment. Must be able to pay close attention to detail and be able to work as a member of a team. Must have the ability to interact effectively with co-workers and customers, and exercise self-control and diplomacy in customer and employee relations’ situations. Must have the ability to exercise discretion as well as appropriate judgments when necessary.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.