Senior BSA Analyst

Description

Westamerica is among the largest commercial banks headquartered in California. We are looking for outstanding people to join our winning team. We reached our current strength because our employees, customers, and shareholders believe in the same fundamental goals: Delivering a wide variety of financial services with a superior customer service guarantee.

Weekly Working Hours: 40

JOB SUMMARY: Under limited supervision: Maintains advanced knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act and all related anti-money laundering and OFAC regulations and supports the BSA Officer to ensure compliance. Independently performs reviews of various reports and transaction data and analyses of complex activity to determine if transactions are suspicious in nature.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Fundamental Duties

1. Independently reviews system generated alerts for customer transactions in order to identify suspicious activity related to AML, fraud or terrorist financing. Documents findings and recommends when to file SAR. Conducts comprehensive investigations of complex customer activity and relationships by utilizing all available information.
2. Conducts enhanced due diligence reviews across various business industries and gains a strong understanding of account purpose and usage.
3. Participates in training seminars and webinars. Trains and mentors less experienced Analysts.
4. Provides accurate and timely responses to questions from branches and departments regarding BSA policies using sound judgment, ensuring regulatory compliance, no legal impact and satisfactory audits. Participates on various committees and projects to represent issues on CIP, BSA & other regulatory items and their effect on procedures and policies.
5. Balances reports and system data. Completes monthly and quarterly data reports for various BSA committees and senior management.

Marginal Functions:

1. Performs additional job-related duties as required.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS NEEDED TO PERFORM JOB FUNCTIONS:

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Previous work experience, performing account investigations and financial analysis. Incumbent must be PC proficient utilizing software applications. Excellent analytical, communication and organizational skills and intermediate math skills are required.

EQUIPMENT

PC, printer, copier, telephone, fax and 10-key.

DECISION MAKING

Serves as a point of contact for business lines with general BSA questions.

Maintains high level of customer service with staff from all lines of businesses.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sitting for extended periods utilizing telephone and PC.

MENTAL DEMANDS

Must be able to exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.

Displays a high level of analytical, problem-solving and investigative skill set.

Maintains advanced written, oral, data analytics and interpersonal skills.

Ability to independently organize, complete and administer projects which are both complex and confidential in nature.

Execution of duties may require exposure to materials some may find objectionable such as, but not limited to, review of websites containing online adult advertising, sexual or pornographic imagery, weapon imagery, or obscene language.

EOE

Westamerica Bank's Privacy Policy may be found at: www.westamerica.com/about/privacy