BSA Specialist I

Position Title:

BSA Specialist I

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Reports to:

BSA Operations Manager

Benefits:

• Medical, Prescription Drugs, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Insurance Eligibility for Team Members and Dependents Starting on the First Day of Employment
• 401(k) with a Match
• Basic, Voluntary, and Dependent Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Bank Holidays
• Workplace Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement

Job Summary: Responsible for performing ongoing reviews, research and investigations adhering to applicable Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) laws and regulations. The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Specialist will prevent money laundering at the money source and be responsible for assisting the BSA Officer with compliance monitoring reviews and other special projects to measure and understand the state of regulatory compliance for the organization. As criminal activity is suspected, the BSA Specialist will start the investigation process by creating a case file and working with the BSA Officer to further investigate the customer and their actions. This may include investigating and identifying activity for possible Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filings; researching and determining if a SAR should be filed; ensuring all required filings, reports, reviews, and duties are completed and submitted timely; and meeting all regulatory guidelines. The BSA Specialist will provide investigative support regarding possible Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)/Currency Transaction Report (CTR). Ensure that such compliance is handled in accordance with overall bank business objectives, goals and regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for ensuring all required regulatory reporting is conducted in a timely, accurate, and compliant manner, including the filing of CTRs and SARs to FinCEN.
• Conduct appropriate SAR investigation, review and reporting that promotes consistent decisions; adequate investigation and research; and complete and detailed documentation.
• Analyze BSA Alerts in Verafin.
• Analyze cases of suspicious activity received through Verafin.
• Assist employees with reported suspicious activity to ensure the bank's BSA/AML policies and procedures are followed.
• Conduct 90-day investigations of recurring suspicious activity.
• Assist with Elder Financial Exploitation cases.
• Assist Senior BSA Specialist with in-depth case reviews and research.
• Assist Fraud Team with investigations that may require a SAR Filing.
• Stay abreast of and analyze developing industry and compliance trends, scams or schemes, and changes to laws and regulations pertaining to BSA/AML and the USA Patriot Act.
• Maintains confidentiality of all sensitive Bank information.
• Maintains a positive and caring atmosphere for customers and employees consistent with Southside Bank's mission, CORE Values, and Blue Book culture guide.
• Provides enthusiastic, professional, and courteous service to Southside Bank customers and employees.
• Participates in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.
• Understands and agrees to abide by the policies and procedures established at Southside Bank.
• Responsible for complying with audit policies and procedures as they pertain to this position.
• Performs duties in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and related anti-money laundering laws, and in accordance with the Bank's Information Security Program.
• Must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Additional Functions:

• Perform routine duties with minimal supervision using standard practices or procedures in order to proceed alone at routine work; occasional work progress checked; work reviewed upon completion.
• Complies with all safety policies, practices and procedures. Report all unsafe activities to supervisor and/or Human Resources.
• Performs additional duties as assigned or directed.

Required Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• CAMS or Certification in BSA / AML preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of similar or related experience in Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering regulations required.
• Experience using Verafin software strongly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of BSA/AML regulations, CIP, Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence requirements, FinCEN guidance, and FDIC and other regulatory guidance related to BSA/AML/OFAC and financial crime.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Knowledge of spreadsheet software and ability to use word processing software.
• Ability to maintain confidential information with discretion.

Necessary Skills:

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Basic personal computer skills including electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Physical Activity/Dexterity:

• Manual dexterity sufficient to reach/handle items and work with fingers. Works with fingers and perceives attributes of objects and materials.

Physical Environment Demands:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 90% of the time.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to visit other offices, conference rooms, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and telephone.
• Constantly positions self to operate on a computer.
• The person in this position frequently communicates with other people throughout each day. Must be able to exchange accurate information when conversing.

Working Conditions/Environment:

• Well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation.
• Moderate noise (e.g. business office with computers and printers, light traffic).

Work Schedule/Hours:

• Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 5:00pm.
• Available for overtime, as needed.