Payment Operations Officer

Who We Are:  

FFB, a dynamic and acclaimed single-branch bank born in the heart of Fresno, CA in 2005, is on a mission to redefine the banking experience. Our commitment to delivering top-notch banking services has propelled us to the forefront of the industry, earning us accolades and recognition. At FFB, we recognize the uniqueness of each individual who walks through our doors, and our dedicated team strives to craft personalized banking solutions that cater to their distinct needs.

What sets FFB apart is not just our Fresno roots but the diverse talents that make up our team, hailing from every corner of the country. We firmly believe that our people are our greatest strength, and we're constantly on the lookout for ambitious and passionate individuals who align with FFB's vision, regardless of their location.

If you're ready to be part of a winning team and contribute to our ongoing success story, we invite you to apply and join the FFB family!

Recent Achievements Speak Louder Than Words:

• 2024 - American Banker - #1 Top Performing Publicly Traded Bank with under $2b in assets 
• 2023 - American Banker - "Top 5" Community Bank in the Country #4 
• 2023 - OTCQX - Best 50 Companies #3 
• 2023 - 5-star Rating Bauer Financial 

What You Should Expect While Working at FFB:

• Company ownership through our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• A friendly, close-Knit work culture that encourages growth 
• Opportunities to Participate in Community Networking Events 
• Benefits Package

o Medical/Dental/Vision

o Life Insurance

o Paid Vacation

o 401(k) Retirement Plan

o Training & Development

o Tuition Reimbursement

o Employee Assistance Program

o Internal Job Posting & Referral Program

Ideal Candidate: 

FFB prides itself on its core values of Teamwork, Relationship, Authenticity, and Commitment (TRAC). We expect that our team members will reflect these values in the workplace in various ways: 

• Teamwork – We collaborate, hold each other accountable, and win together. 
• Relationship – We are trustworthy, transparent, and respectful. 
• Authentic – We are humble, vulnerable, and we speak up. 
• Commitment – We are owners...Be hungry, responsive, and have a sense of urgency.

About the Position:

The Payment Operations Officer is responsible for managing payment operations, payments risk management, and payment processing strategies for the Bank.  This position is responsible for managing projects and risk activities associated with current and emerging payments channels for the bank. The Payment Operations Officer also provides strategic leadership, oversight, risk monitoring, resource allocation, and training related to Payments.   

Essential Duties:

• Works closely with Central Operations, Payments Division, Risk Management, Compliance, Product Management, Project Management and Software Development to provide thought leadership, deployment strategies, and projects related to Payments.  Ensures that payments related services are reliable and provide exceptional customer experience. Assists in establishing and attaining payments related goals that align with Bank goals.  
• Ensures processes and procedures meet regulatory requirements, industry best practices for risk management, and safe and sound banking practices. 
• Provides payments related product management, support, configuration guidance, implementation guidance, and establishes risk management practices and appropriate monitoring. 
• Digital Banking and Treasury Management 
• Core Processing 
• Wire, ACH, Debit Card, Credit Card, FedNow, Real Time Payments, RDC, Bill Pay –  
• Third Party Payments: Money Service Businesses, FFB Payments, ISO Merchant processors, BaaS, Embedded finance partners). 
• Manages projects related to ACH/Wire Processing, Visa Direct, Fednow, Real Time Payments, International Payments, Debit Card Processing, Remote Deposit Capture, and Bill Pay. Provides leadership and oversight of 3rd party payment partners including: ISO, BaaS, Visa, Fednow, and all emerging payment rails.  Ensures Bank payment processing processes are scalable, efficient, and risks are managed appropriately. Completes and maintains payments related Risk Assessments and identifies risk mitigation opportunities. 
• Assures operational processing, risk management, governance, and quality control activities are executed at a high level for the Bank.  
• Primary owner of payment solutions for the bank 
• Develops risk management strategies, policies, and procedures. 
• Identifies and implements new payment methods, systems, and processes for the Bank. 
• Responsible for analyzing, setting, and enforcing parameters, product limits, and controls to ensure risks are mitigated in all areas of Responsibility. 
• Responsible for creation and presentation of Senior Management and Board reporting. 
• Responsible for payments vendor management.  Ensures vendors provide adequate services and support per contracts and agreements.  Ensures critical vendors apply appropriate security and handling of confidential information. Ensures that critical vendors perform adequate DR/BCP testing and results. 
• Works closely with Central Operations Officer to ensure that effective solutions, controls, policies, and procedures meet the payments needs of the bank. 
• Analyzes, reviews, recommends, and initiates corrective actions, process improvements, and vendor solutions. 
• Manages certification and audit activities for operations department; and ensures department complies with established Bank policies, procedures, and regulations.  
• Enhances and maintains advanced expertise in your area of responsibility, industry standards, best practices, and regulatory matters.
• Consistently applies effective decision making and advanced problem-solving skills toward issue resolution, inquiries, approvals, and improvement requests as they apply to existing policies and procedures, keeping within assigned approval limits. 
• Continually enhances policies, processes, and procedures in your area of responsibility. 
• Assumes responsibility for various department functions in the absence of staff members as needed. 
• Ensure proper process, governance, and procedures meet FDICIA and SOX related control requirements. 
• Subject Matter Expert on NACHA guidelines, Fedline (ACH, Wires, FedNow), Mozrt, Visa B2B, International Payments, and Real-Time Payments (including The Clearing House, Visa Direct, etc.).

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent level of experience and industry education preferred.  
• AAP and CTP certifications or equivalent experience required. 
• Minimum of 5 years advanced experience, knowledge and training in progressively responsible bank payment operations, management, and supervisory activities. 
• Subject matter expertise in all aspects of complex transaction processing environments including: 
• Fedline Federal Reserve – EUAC level experience. 
• ACH, Wire, FedNow, Real Time Payments, VISA/Mastercard rules. 
• Third Party Payment Processing – Money Service Businesses, ISO Merchant processors 
• NACHA, Fedline, Visa, Reg E rules, regulations, and processing standards expertise required. 
• Core, Item, and Statement Processing systems. 
• Be prepared to master, launch, and manage FedNow and other emerging payments channels in the industry. 
• Risk Assessment and implementation of mitigating controls to manage operational risk. 
• Payments Automation. 
• Payments Fraud Monitoring systems and processes. 
• Account and GL Reconciliation. 
• Advanced knowledge required of related state and federal banking compliance regulations, and Bank accounting policies and procedures. 
• Merchant payment processing as an Acquiring Bank and ODFI. 
• AAP, CTP, Fednow certifications or commensurate experience required. 
• Ability to perform at an advanced level in the following areas: detailed work, problem solver, independent learner, customer contact, logical and common-sense reasoning, math, clear communication, create and present complex information to non-technical audiences, verbal and written communication, analytical reasoning.  
• Ability to conduct independent research and analysis and apply these concepts into bank best practices using regulatory guidance, business periodicals, professional associations, and Internet resources. 
• Excellent organizational skills, project management, time management, and the ability to provide leadership, supervision and training for employees using positive supervisory techniques to ensure maximum productivity.  
• Demonstrated ability in organization and delegation skills. Excellent prioritization and delegation skills to successfully manage multiple tasks and interruptions. 
• Skilled in personal computer operation; core banking systems; document imaging; Microsoft Office. 
• Financial math skills and knowledge: ability to calculate interest, statistics, and percentages; Ability to balance accounts and locate routine mathematical errors thorough understanding of bank accounting principles. 
• Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions and instruct others, train personnel, write reports, correspondence, and procedures, speak clearly to customers and employees. 
• Thorough understanding of management and authoring of procedures and process workflow. 
• Ability to effectively manage Bank operations: setting objectives, develop strategies, initiative execution; budgeting, and developing policies and procedures); initiative to organize various functions necessary to accomplish department or Bank activities; effectively staff (selecting, training and developing employees); directing employees towards the desired objectives (delegating, motivating, resolving problems); controlling the function (developing performance standards, measuring results, taking corrective action and rewarding employees as appropriate). 
• The incumbent for this position must be able to operate all office equipment and software needed to fulfill their duties. 
• Current driver’s license and a vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage if required to drive while performing assigned duties and responsibilities.