Associate, Fraud Investigator (Remote)

SMBC; Sacramento (CA); Remote; USD 72,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital bank is seeking a Fraud Investigator to join their Financial Intelligence Unit. This role involves conducting investigations into fraud cases, preparing and filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), and collaborating with multiple teams to mitigate fraud risks. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree and experience in fraud investigations. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual discretionary incentive award

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in financial crimes investigation or fraud investigations.
• Experience drafting and filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
• Strong knowledge of Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough investigations of escalated fraud cases.
• Prepare and file SARs in compliance with regulations.
• Develop concise case summaries and recommendations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Investigative software

Job description

Join our mission to create a completely new, 100% digital bank that uses consumer feedback to truly meet customers’ best interests. Jenius Bank, a division of SMBC MANUBANK, and a member of SMBC Group, is being built by a close-knit and fun-loving team of financial services professionals and technology experts who came together for the challenge of building a full-service digital bank from scratch.

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $72,000.00 and $125,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualification, experiences, and analysis of current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC MANUBANK offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Jenius Bank is strategically scaling up a portfolio of products and building extraordinary experiences. In 2023, we launched our first two products reaching $1 billion in deposits and over $700 million in loans, all before Jenius Bank’s first anniversary. We don’t plan to slow down, with ambitious growth plans and the capital necessary to execute a multi-year strategic plan.

Role Description

The Fraud Investigator plays a critical role in the bank's Financial Intelligence Unit, focusing on identifying, analyzing, and mitigating fraudulent activities escalated from the Fraud Operations and first-line fraud teams. The individual will manage investigations with a strong emphasis on quality, timeliness, and compliance with regulatory standards. Responsibilities also include drafting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) as necessary.

Role Objectives

• Conduct thorough investigations of escalated fraud cases, utilizing relevant tools, resources, and methodologies.
• Prepare, draft, and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in compliance with regulatory standards and deadlines.
• Develop concise, well-supported case summaries, addressing red flags, and recommendations for remediation or further action.
• Ensure timely resolution of cases while maintaining the highest standard of accuracy and thoroughness.
• Collaborate effectively with the Fraud Operations team to review and prioritize escalated cases for investigation.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, including Fraud Operations and Fraud Compliance teams.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with team members, management, and external parties when required.
• Act as a trusted advisor within the bank by sharing investigative insights and collaborating to strengthen fraud prevention efforts.
• Foster a collaborative environment that supports knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the Financial Intelligence Unit and Financial Crimes Compliance team.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of fraud trends, schemes, and mitigation strategies to identify potential risks effectively.
• Stay current with regulatory requirements related to fraud investigations and SAR filings, ensuring all activities meet legal and compliance standards.
• Utilize investigative tools, techniques, and databases to investigate fraudulent activities and patterns.
• Apply sound judgment and critical thinking to assess the severity of fraud cases and recommend appropriate course of action, including potential Suspicious Activity Report recommendation and ability to present supporting evidence.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Must have experience drafting and filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
• 3+ years of experience in financial crimes investigation, fraud investigations, or a related role.
• Exposure to identity theft, synthetic identities, account takeover (ATO), check fraud, first-party fraud and other fraud typologies.
• Strong knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and related regulations.
• Exceptional analytical and investigation skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented with the ability to handle multiple cases concurrently requiring multi-tasking skills
• Proficiency in using various investigative tools, software, and databases.
• Experience in digital banking fraud investigations, retail banking and loan fraud knowledge is a plus.
• Certification(s) such as CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist), CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), or equivalent preferred.

EOE STATEMENT

SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at [e-mail].

CCPA DISCLOSURE

Personal Information Collection Notice: This notice contains information under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) about the categories of personal information (PI) of California residents that SMBC MANUBANK collects and the business or commercial purpose(s) for which the PI may be used. We do not sell PI. More information about our collection and use of PI may be found in our CCPA Privacy Policy at https://www.smbcmanubank.com/privacy/ccpa-disclosure . Persons with disabilities may contact our Customer Contact Center toll-free at [phone] to request the information in this Notice in an alternative format.