Compliance Specialist

Description

Job Summary:

The Compliance Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring that the bank adheres to all regulatory and legal requirements established by relevant authorities, as well as internal policies and procedures. 

Reporting to the Regulatory Compliance Manager, the Compliance Specialist will be responsible for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of internal controls through ongoing reviews, reviewing and updating policies and procedures as needed, and working closely with various teams to respond to various loan or deposit compliance-related inquiries across the organization.  This role is key in mitigating risk and maintaining the bank’s alignment with legal and regulatory standards. 

Requirements

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Internal Compliance Monitoring: 
• Review reports, logs, and transaction data daily to track activities, and identify any trends or unusual activity; ensuring timely detection of potential compliance risks. 
• Perform periodic reviews involving branch functions, lending, and deposit-related operations to ensure adherence to bank policies and procedures and align with bank regulations such as, but not limited to: Flood Insurance, Expedited Funds Availability, Truth in Savings Act (TISA), Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), Non-Originated Loans, and Open-End Lines of Credit. 
• Assign and remove associates from training and other compliance-related systems, as appropriate.  
• Review internal reports to ensure accuracy of information, identify areas of improvement, and ensure adherence to both regulatory requirements and internal policies. 
• Proactively identify compliance deficiencies or risks, communicate these issues to management, and collaborate on developing effective solutions.
• Policy & Procedure Management: Review and make edits, as necessary, to compliance policies and procedures to ensure they align with regulatory changes and industry’s best practices.
• Training & Education:
• Assess, assign, monitor and ensure timely completion of compliance training through FIS Reg U for all bank associates annually. 
• Provide additional training as necessary, including creating training material and presenting via in-person or through webinars, to ensure understanding of internal bank policies and regulatory requirements.  
• Successfully completes all required training and remains compliant by reviewing and following all relevant bank policies and procedures, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of banking rules and regulations.
• Acknowledges and adheres to internal BSA/AML/OFAC policies and procedures. 
• Regulatory Adherence: Maintain current understanding of relevant banking rules and regulations, including those related to consumer protection, lending, deposits, BSA/AML, and OFAC and other relevant regulations.
• Cross-Department Support: Respond to emails promptly and collaborate with other departments to provide compliance-related assistance and enhance the overall effectiveness of compliance processes.
• Additional Responsibilities: Execute all other duties as assigned by management, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability within the compliance function.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Education/Experience: High School diploma or GED is required.  Minimum of 3 years of experience in deposit and lending compliance within a financial institution or auditing firm, with a comprehensive understanding of banking operations and regulations. 
• Operational & Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of lending and deposit operations, along with the banking regulations that govern them.
• Organizational & Project Management: Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently and effectively.
• Analytical Skills & Attention to Detail: Exceptional ability to analyze data, identify compliance risks, and implement corrective actions when necessary. Meticulous attention to detail in reviewing compliance reports, policies, and transaction data.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex regulatory requirements.  Professional demeanor with a positive attitude and the ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• Technology: Proficiency in compliance-related software and MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Additional Competencies:

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities effectively, meet deadlines, and maintain professionalism in high-pressure situations.   
• Strong ethical standards, organizational and time management skills, and a commitment to upholding the integrity of the institution.
• Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement in compliance processes.