At-Risk Persons Senior Investigator

Job Description:

Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment advice and guidance.

Merrill’s Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America.

Merrill is committed to an in-office culture with specific requirements for office-based attendance and which allows for an appropriate level of flexibility for our teammates and businesses based on role-specific considerations.

At Merrill, we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value diversity in our thoughts, business, and within our employees and clients. Our Wealth Management team represents an array of different backgrounds and bring their unique perspectives, ideas and experiences, helping to create a work community that is culture driven, resilient, results focused and effective.

Internal employees who are currently working from home are still eligible to apply. However, if selected for the role, you may be required to work onsite in accordance with the workplace excellence policy.

Job Description:

The Global Wealth Management (GWM) At-Risk Persons Investigator performs end-to-end investigations of suspected elder financial exploitation/ abuse of a vulnerable adult.  In this role, the Investigator conducts routine to complex investigations involving Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Consumer Investment or Private Bank clients.  Per Enterprise guidelines, clients reported for investigation are either 60 years of age and/or older, or 18 years of age and/or older and deemed to be vulnerable. 

In this client centric role, the Investigator frequently engages with the client advisory team/ the client to obtain information and gather the facts of the situation.  The Investigator will analyze and interpret information gathered from numerous Consumer and Broker Dealer databases across the Enterprise.  These details will be used to evaluate the clients’ financial patterns and history, to determine/ carry out any risk mitigation action as necessary; in order to protect the client from further exploitation/harm.  The Investigator is responsible for preparing concise reporting that captures the investigative details, and determining if the client meets specific criteria that may result in the recommendation for reporting to the appropriate State agencies.

As a subject matter expert in At-Risk Person activity, the Investigator may provide consultation and guidance to front line partners in handling specific client situations.  Additionally, Investigators may engage directly with State/Regulatory agencies as well as law enforcement. 

Key priorities for the team include conducting thorough and timely investigations, assessing appropriate risk mitigation efforts and providing guidance and expertise to front line partners in order to protect clients from further exposure to exploitation.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

·        Responsible for the investigation of potential At-Risk Person referrals pertaining to Wealth Management clients.

·        Ensures thorough, timely investigations with consistent application of At-Risk Person Investigation procedures.

·        Proficient knowledge of regulatory, reputational, operational, and legal risks encountered in the course of investigations.

·        Proficient knowledge of bank systems/technology used in the course of investigations, as well as the enterprise, businesses, products, core corporate functions and bank policies.

·        Maintains relationships with key business partners, including Wealth Management client advisory teams, Global Risk and Legal.

·        Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills, and provides consultation and guidance on investigative related issues to influence partners and outcomes.

·        Documents cases appropriately and may engage directly with regulators or law enforcement.

·        Responsible for documenting and referring instances of elder financial exploitation fraud for appropriate suspicious activity reporting as applicable.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Experience conducting investigations involving financial crimes, fraud, or the financial industry and/or financial institution operations and products experience.
• Exceptional communication skills; exhibits confidence and clarity of message through both written and verbal correspondence. 
• Ability to prioritize work, effective time management, initiative, and thoroughness.
• Self-starter capable of analyzing and reporting independently
• Proficient in Microsoft suite and other financial industry related software

Desired Skills & Experiences:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience is preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience conducting investigations, preferably in the area of financial crimes, At-Risk Persons, fraud, or the financial industry
• In depth knowledge and experience with Consumer and Broker Dealer products and services, and applicable compliance rules and regulations
• Ability to analyze and manipulate large data sets
• Interaction with Front Line Units & Customers/Clients
• Securities Industry Licensed (FINRA)
• Due Diligence
• Interpret Relevant Laws, Rules, and Regulations
• Investigation Management
• Research
• Risk Management
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Data Collection and Entry
• Relationship Building
• Adaptability
• Business Process Analysis
• Continuous Improvement
• Issue Management
• Networking

Internal employees who are currently working from home are still eligible to apply.

However, if selected for the role, you may be required to work onsite in accordance with the workplace excellence policy.

Minimum Education Requirement: High School Diploma / GED / Secondary School or equivalent

Shift:

1st shift (United States of America)

Hours Per Week: 

40

Pay Transparency details

US - NJ - Pennington - 1600 American Blvd - Hopewell Bldg 6 (NJ2600)

Pay and benefits information

Pay range

$79,500.00 - $101,100.00 annualized salary, offers to be determined based on experience, education and skill set.

Discretionary incentive eligible

This role is eligible to participate in the annual discretionary plan. Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary award based on their overall individual performance results and behaviors, the performance and contributions of their line of business and/or group; and the overall success of the Company.

Benefits

This role is currently benefits eligible. We provide industry-leading benefits, access to paid time off, resources and support to our employees so they can make a genuine impact and contribute to the sustainable growth of our business and the communities we serve.