BSA/AML Investigator

At VyStar, we offer competitive pay, an excellent benefit package that includes a 401(k) Plan, an extensive paid technical and on-the-job training program, and tuition reimbursement--available to all full and part time employees.  Part time positions start at a minimum of 30 hours per week.

We encourage you to become a part of VyStar Credit Union's family of employees.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

BSA/AML Risk Mitigation Framework:  Support the BSA/AML Manager in developing and maintaining BSA/AML risk mitigation framework. Maintain effective communication, ensure efficient workflow processing internally, and work with others internally and externally to VyStar.

BSA/AML Risk Management:  Responsible for the continuous monitoring of activity for specific trends and patterns of activity using the BSA/AML software, which may present an increased risk of money laundering  activities within VyStar.

Risk Intelligent Culture:  Assist the VP of BSA Risk Management & BSA/AML Manager in developing, promoting, and implementing a risk intelligent culture by maintaining strong collaborative relationships across the organization. Help to create and foster an increased understanding and awareness of business line managers’ responsibility for risk assessment and management activities in their daily decisions making processes and procedural guidance as it relates specifically to BSA/AML risks. In concert with the ERM function and VP of BSA Risk Management & BSA/AML Manager, provide advice and consult with line managers to support more information risk-based thinking and decision-making skills.

BSA/AML Risk Management Function:  Establish strong collaboration and sharing of expertise/knowledge between team members and the other areas under ERM and in conjunction with Internal Audit’s assurance services. Specifically, responsible for the following day-to-day functions and activities:

• Responsible for thoroughly understanding all facets of the BSA/AML Program, alert processing, case formation and closure as well as ensuring consistent and sufficient documentation exists within the system to support the disposition of alerts, case files and regulatory reporting requirements.

• Make recommendations to better identify and mitigate emerging BSA/AML risks in response to changing behaviors and dictated by patterns and statistics.

• Responsible for the continuous monitoring of transactions, alerts, queues, and dashboards within the BSA/AML system to ensure timeliness of completion and to help identify specific patterns of transactions, which may present increased risk for fraud and/or money laundering activities within VyStar.

• Ensure timely processing and closure of cases in accordance with regulatory requirements.

• Document case files in a consistent, organized manner including all information obtained in the investigation to support the resulting decision of the claim, as well as for supportive documentation for criminal conviction, sentencing, restitution and insurance recovery in the BSA/AML software.

• Responsible for the quality and accuracy of information entered into the BSA/AML system and applicable reporting systems.

• Responsible for performing the Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) reporting and quality control processes, with strict adherence to accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness of submission. Ensure all information obtained in the investigation to support the resulting decision whether to file a SAR or not is maintained in the BSA/AML software.

• Ensure SARs are filed within 30 days after determination of suspicious activity. Review 90-day reminders to determine if a subsequent SAR is warranted based on pattern of activity.

• Research, investigate and process AML alerts, Remote Banking alerts, and Red Flag alerts from the daily/weekly alert queues in a timely manner, in adherence with all applicable regulations.

• Perform the initial and annual review of existing high-risk accounts, as well as various other VyStar-wide BSA/AML/OFAC/CIP projects.

• Responsible for elements of the quality assurance and integrity of the Know Your Customer (KYC) program on new and existing member relationships.

• Assists law enforcement in their investigations being conducted for suspected criminal activity while ensuring the privacy of VyStar members.

• Assist the VP of BSA Risk Management & BSA/AML Manager in enhancing and providing applicable BSA/AML training throughout the organization.

• Responsible for working independently to identify issues and to proactively keep the BSA/AML Manager, & VP of BSA Risk Management, informed of notable activities/situations that need to be escalated.

• Develop/maintain inter-departmental colleague network and individual knowledge to keep abreast of existing/emerging trends within the financial institution industry to proactively mitigate similar risks to VyStar.

• Works closely with the BSA/AML Manager and team to promote a sense of teamwork and an enterprise-wide proactive risk mitigation approach.

• Ensure deadlines are met consistently and follow-up activities are completed timely.

• Successfully complete all required training and assessments (e.g., BSA, Compliance, Information Security, Sexual Harassment, Diversity training, etc.).

• Maintain strong working proficiency in various business-related systems (e.g., MISER, Verafin, etc.).

• Maintain moderate to high proficiency in the Microsoft Word (including knowledge of producing form letters and mail merges) and Excel (including use of pivot tables and general data sorting/data table manipulation capabilities.)

•  Consistently communicates with the highest level of professionalism with members, judicial/legal entities, external entities, VyStar employees, etc.

• Responsible for the review of the screening results for all Watch Lists including, but not limited to, OFAC list, the 314(a) and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), determine if there is an exact match, and ensures that matches are reported to management within required timeframes.

• Responsible for reviewing and submitting of 314(b) inquiries to determine customer risk.

• Responsible for logging and managing spreadsheet for all information request from law enforcement requests, e.g., subpoenas. Providing BSA requested documents in response to law enforcement requests and reviewing account activity to determine if a case needs to be opened due to activity associated to law enforcement requests.

• Performs quality control (QC) test/inspections to ensure that work is appropriately completed and filed in accordance with regulatory requirements and agency guidelines.

• Assist in training and mentoring BSA/AML Specialists in all job duties of the BSA Department to prepare the BSA/AML Specialists for future career advancement.

• Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor or manager as this job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the VP of BSA Risk Management & BSA/AML Manager.

• All employees and business units, as first line of defense, are expected to proactively help identify, assess, manage, and report risks within their domain of work. To enhance a healthy risk culture and support our growth for good pillar, employees will maintain vigilance in safeguarding our operations while ensuring compliance with regulatory mandates. The Risk team serves as the second line of defense by providing risk oversight and credible challenge whereas the Audit team serves as the third line of defense by providing risk assurance.

VyStar Excellence Behaviors:  Demonstrate each of the following VyStar Excellence behaviors in performing the duties and responsibilities of the job.

• Focus:             Focus your full attention by carefully listening to and observing your client or member.

• Connect:         Consistently be friendly and approachable. Demonstrate you care.

• Understand:   Listen empathetically and ask questions.

• Counsel:         Recommend solutions based on your client’s or member’s needs and objectives.

• Advance:        Ensure that member’s expectations were exceeded. Verify necessary follow-up action.

EDUCATION AND JOB REQUIREMENTS – Professional

• High School Diploma or a GED equivalency is required.

• An Associate degree in a business curriculum or a related field is preferred.

Experience

• 4 – 6 years of retail banking related experience or

• 3 - 6 years, or more experience in a BSA/AML compliance role

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Maintain an understanding of VyStar’s overall business plan objectives. 

• Competent knowledge and experience with BSA/AML requirements (i.e., Bank Secrecy Act, AML/CIP/OFAC, USA PATRIOT Act, etc.).

• Competent PC skills and working knowledge of various software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Access, etc.) is required.

• Display excellent written, report writing and oral communication skills when interacting through the organization, with vendors and others external to VyStar.

• Maintain professional composure, objectivity and fairness when dealing with conflicts and sensitive matters.

• Display attention to detail and accuracy, ability to multi-task and meet established deadlines. Exhibit sound judgment, problem solving, and analytical skills.

• Display high level of ethical integrity and the ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information appropriately.

• Demonstrate due professional care and the highest standards of professional competency.

• Maintain collaborative relationships across the organization and continuously display a strong sense of teamwork and promote within the department.

Certifications

• A professional BSA/AML certification is preferred.

• Obtain necessary continuing professional education hours to retain professional certification as applicable and continuously build individual knowledge.

DISCLAIMERS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Nothing in this position description is an implied contract for employment. The position description is intended to be an accurate account of the essential functions. The functions are not all encompassing and are subject to change at any time by management. The work environment characteristics described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As required or requested, may exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

VyStar Credit Union is not seeking outside assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms for employment or contractor opportunities. Any resumes submitted by an outside vendor to any employee at VyStar via e-mail, internet, or directly to hiring managers without a valid written search agreement with the Talent Acquisition / HR department will be deemed the sole property of VyStar Credit Union.

No placement fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of the referral, or through other means.

Thank you for your inquiry regarding our current job opening.  Your resume will be carefully reviewed against the position requirements. Should your experience and skills match, you will be contacted by one of our Human Resources department staff members.

Thank you again for your interest in this position!

VyStar Credit Union Human Resources