Sr. Fraud Investigator

Mechanics Bank • Irvine, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Mechanics Bank is currently searching for a full time Sr. Fraud Investigator to join our team. This role will be working on-site at either our Irvine HQ or Roseville Executive Offices. The Sr. Fraud Investigator is responsible for conducting independent investigations into suspected or actual violations of financial regulations, including but not limited to Fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), Sanctions. This role requires a strong understanding of financial transactions, investigative techniques, and applicable laws and regulations. The Investigator will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, to identify, assess, and mitigate financial crime risks. The role involves conducting detailed investigations, reviewing transaction patterns, writing investigative reports and preparing suspicious activity reports (SARs). The role requires attention to detail, excellent analytical skills and observes the highest degree of confidentiality in the handling of information. The Investigator must thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and demonstrate adaptability in responding to constantly evolving fraud schemes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of investigating and reporting financial crimes, particularly fraud is required.
• Investigative and research skills using various systems.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Completes more complex investigations that are generally non-system generated (e.g., whistleblower, cyber-crime, elder financial abuse, identity theft, and internal, external and victim fraud).
• Ability to use multiple systems simultaneously to gather investigative data.
• Accurately completes all assigned investigations prior to the assigned and regulatory deadlines.
• Portrays strong investigative and analytical skills to identify patterns, trends, and potential red flags in transactions.
• Assesses the effectiveness of systems, processes and tools used to monitor risks and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assists in investigating inquiries from peer BSA teams and all front line lines of business.
• Reviews customer accounts and analyzes transactions. This may include analyzing customer types, transaction patterns and account activity, and reviewing customer documentation, such as business licenses, articles of incorporation, or tax returns.
• Ability to write comprehensive investigative analysis reviews that meets the requirements of the FFIEC’s guidelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts, interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum 2 years of experience using a fraud detection system is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze customer and financial transactions for potential fraudulent activity, money laundering, terrorist financing to identify patterns of suspicious activity.
• Apply critical thinking skills and experience in writing comprehensive investigation analysis to conclude whether or not to file a SAR.
• Maintain disciplines in consistently following current processes, procedures and policies ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements regarding timely, accurate and thorough investigations are completed.
• Use of Bank systems, vendor applications and search engines to validate identities, research individual backgrounds and obtain information on transactional counterparties.
• Develop and maintain professional level communication with internal and external parties that recognizes acceptable business protocols.
• Interact with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in receiving and providing critical investigative and case elements that can be used in prosecuting elements of a crime.
• Monitor and analyze emerging financial crime threats and trends.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
• Assist with regulatory reporting (i.e., SAR filing and submission, Financial Elder Abuse, Identity Theft, etc.)
• Handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion, avoiding conflicts of interest, acting in an unbiased manner, and upholding professional integrity to maintain trust and credibility.
• Thorough understanding and remains informed of changes to BSA and OFAC regulations, including suspicious activity red flags. This includes attending training webinars, seminars, conferences and reading industry publications.
• Support the Sr. BSA Investigations Manager, Deputy BSA Officer and BSA Officer, as needed.
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties assigned by management.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible family members
• Employer paid Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, AD&D, and Disability benefits
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter/Parking Benefit
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with company contribution
• 529 Education Savings plan, Tuition Reimbursement Program and Student Loan Assistance Program
• Supplemental Health plans, Voluntary Legal and Identity Theft Services
• 11 paid holidays, paid Sick days (accrual of one hour for every 30 hours worked), up to 25 paid vacation days, and 16 hours of paid volunteer time throughout the calendar year
• Free personal checking and savings account; Discounted rates on primary residence loan with $0 origination fees (restrictions apply)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level