BSA/AML Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Designated Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) / Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Officer is a senior compliance leadership role responsible for overseeing and directing the Bank's enterprise-wide AML and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (“CFT”), Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), and related financial crimes prevention program. This position ensures the Bank maintains a robust, risk-based compliance framework that meets or exceeds all applicable federal and state regulatory requirements, including those set forth by FinCEN, the Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC (as applicable), and the FFIEC BSA/AML Examination Manual.

Reporting directly to the Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”), the BSA Officer serves as the Bank's primary liaison with regulatory authorities on BSA/AML matters and is accountable for the design, implementation, ongoing administration, independent testing, and continuous enhancement of the BSA/AML compliance program. Key responsibilities include providing periodic reporting to Executive Management and the Board of Directors, developing and maintaining policies, procedures, and internal controls; conducting enterprise-wide BSA/AML risk assessments; overseeing transaction monitoring, customer due diligence (“CDD”), enhanced due diligence (“EDD”) and suspicious activity identification and reporting; other regulatory filings (e.g., Currency Transaction Reporting (“CTR”)) and managing regulatory examinations, audits, and remediation efforts.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Serves as the Bank's designated BSA Compliance Officer, responsible for overseeing the strategy and implementation of the BSA, AML, OFAC compliance programs, and is responsible for oversight of the program as it relates to federal and state regulations, as required by regulatory authorities including the FFIEC, FinCEN, and applicable banking regulators.

1. Develops, implements, administers, and maintains the Bank's comprehensive BSA/CFT compliance program, including policies, procedures, internal controls, risk assessments, CDD, EDD for high-risk customers, and ongoing transaction monitoring systems and processes.

1. Oversees the identification, investigation, and reporting of suspicious activity, including the timely preparation, review, and filing of Suspicious Activity Reports (“SARs”), CTRs, and other required regulatory filings.

1. Conducts or coordinates periodic BSA/AML and OFAC risk assessments, independent audits, and testing of the compliance program to evaluate effectiveness, identify gaps, and recommend enhancements; ensures timely remediation of any identified deficiencies.

1. Provides BSA/AML training to bank employees, including targeted sessions for high-risk areas.

1. Monitors regulatory developments, industry guidance, and emerging risks related to BSA/AML, sanctions, and financial crimes; updates bank policies, procedures, and controls as needed to ensure ongoing compliance.

1. Serves as the primary point of contact for regulatory examinations, audits, and inquiries related to BSA/AML matters; coordinates responses, manages on-site examiner activities, and implements corrective actions from regulatory findings.

1. Sets the BSA/AML strategy and provides periodic updates to senior management, the Board of Directors (or designated committee), and other departments (e.g., Fraud, Legal, Operations, IT) to promote a strong culture of compliance, share BSA-related information, and align program efforts with the Bank's risk appetite and strategic objectives.

1. Maintains proficient knowledge of BSA/AML compliance trends, including evolving threats such as money laundering typologies, terrorist financing, cyber-enabled financial crimes, and cryptocurrency-related risks.

1. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has supervisory responsibilities (which may include direct oversight of BSA/AML directors, managers, analysts, contractors and auxiliary support staff).

Job Type:

This is a full-time, exempt position. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Travel:

Occasional travel is expected for this position (e.g., regulatory meetings, all hands meetings). A current Driver’s License, insurance, and reliable vehicle suitable for traveling to clients is required. Mileage will be reimbursed at current IRS guidelines.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

This position operates in a professional office environment. This position requires regular sitting, walking, standing, lifting (up to 50 pounds), reading, seeing (including color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjusted focus), speaking, hearing, listening, organizing, interpreting data and information, operating office equipment, typing using a computer keyboard and mouse, viewing a computer screen monitor, and use of a telephone. The working environment consists of an indoor and climate-controlled setting most of the time.

Education, Experience & Other Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, criminal justice, or related field required. Juris Doctorate is desired.
• 15+ years of experience in BSA/AML compliance, regulatory compliance, or risk management in banking or financial services required.
• 15+ years of experience in a BSA/AML Officer or senior compliance role preferred.
• 10+ years of experience leading and managing teams.
• Experience as the primary contact for exams, and working directly with federal regulatory bodies such as the Federal Reserve, OCC, FDIC, the TXDOB, or others as applicable.
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (“CAMS”), Certified BSA/AML Professional (“CBAP”), or equivalent certification is desired (or ability and willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe).
• Or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Core Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving – Works well under pressure and deadlines with complex issues. Applies analysis to data and compliance requirements, identifying trends, addressing potential risks, and providing actionable insights to support strategic initiatives.

Attention to Detail – Maintains a high level of accuracy, ensuring all records, reports, and metrics are precise and compliant with regulatory standards.

Risk Assessment & Management – Evaluates situations to assess risk, applying appropriate policies, procedures, and judgment to anticipate and mitigate potential issues in alignment with the bank’s risk tolerance and regulatory compliance requirements.

Relationship Building, Collaboration & Communication – Works effectively with internal and external customers, across teams and departments, communicating information clearly and building partnerships to meet shared goals.

Position Focused – Strong knowledge of BSA/AML regulations, OFAC sanctions, transaction monitoring systems, SAR/CTR filing processes, and regulatory examination management; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and BSA/AML software tools; excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound independent judgment.

Team Member Acknowledgement:

My signature below acknowledges that I have received and read my job description, and that I understand the scope, essential job duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities, working environment and physical requirements that apply to my job. I further acknowledge that I can safely and effectively perform the essential job duties, with or without reasonable accommodation, and in accordance with the policies, procedures, expectations, and standards of the company.