Bank Secrecy Act Officer

Needham Bank; Wellesley (MA); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Needham Bank in Wellesley, MA, is seeking a Bank Secrecy Act Officer to lead the BSA/AML and OFAC compliance program. The role reports to the Chief Risk Officer and requires deep regulatory knowledge and strategic risk oversight.

The officer will drive onboarding, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring timely SAR/CTR filings and strong collaboration with regulators and management. The position emphasizes building a robust BSA/AML program, staff development, and continuous enhancement of controls in

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of BSA/AML, USA Patriot Act, OFAC.
• Experience leading a BSA/AML program and teams.
• Ability to manage onboarding, monitoring, and SAR/CTR processes.
• Strong collaboration with executives and regulators.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains the BSA/AML program and risk assessments.
• Ensures compliance with BSA/AML and OFAC regulations.
• Oversees onboarding, monitoring, SARs and CTRs filings.
• Builds partnerships across the Bank and advises leadership.
• Provides strategic direction on BSA/AML risk.
• Oversees vendor and customer risk with compliance.
• Establishes KYC/CIP and due diligence processes.
• Conducts ongoing training on BSA/AML responsibilities.
• Keeps current knowledge of regulations and reports updates.
• Leads the BSA/AML team, coaching and setting objectives.

Skills

BSA/AML knowledge

Leadership

Relationship management

Regulatory writing

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

10+ years BSA/AML compliance experience

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Bank Secrecy Act Officer

Wellesley, MA, US

Salary Range: $116,440.45 To $163,016.63 Annually

Under the direction of the Chief Risk Officer, the BSA Officer is responsible for the development, implementation, administration and continuous enhancement of all aspects of the Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML), and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Compliance Program. The BSA Officer serves as the liaison with law enforcement, regulatory agencies, internal and external officers and business leaders on BSA/AML/OFAC matters. The position requires regular reporting to executive management and Board and management committees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and maintains Needham Bank’s Compliance Program, Policies, relevant Procedures and risk assessment for BSA, AML, USA Patriot Act, and OFAC regulations (the BSA/AML Program) in line with regulatory requirements and conducts periodic assessments of program effectiveness.
• Ensures compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, FinCen and OFAC regulations, Customer Due Diligence, Beneficial Ownership requirements and FFIEC BSA/AML Examination Manual guidance.
• Oversees BSA/AML onboarding and monitoring program, Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) filings.
• Builds collaborative business partnerships and working relationships with management in all areas across the Bank. Works to understand core business activities, risks, products, and transactions in order to appropriately customize and support the Bank’s BSA/AML Program, including for high-risk businesses and customers. Strives to become a trusted advisor of management in supporting the Bank’s BSA/AML compliance and business objectives.
• Provides strategic direction regarding current and emerging BSA/AML financial crime risks.
• Oversees and opines on BSA/AML risk of vendors, customers and partners, as necessary.
• Establishes the Bank’s Know-Your-Customer/Customer Identification Program (KYC/CIP) and related customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence processes. Complies with requirements for beneficial owners of commercial customers.
• Conducts ongoing training of all applicable personnel on day-to-day BSA/AML compliance responsibilities.
• Maintains a current knowledge of the BSA, AML, OFAC, and all related regulations; monitors and adapts BSA/AML Program to legislative and regulatory developments, and reports important compliance developments to management and other bank personnel.
• Works with internal auditors and regulatory examiners collecting and preparing requested documents and consulting with same on matters relating to the Bank's BSA/AML Program.
• Serves as primary point of contact with law enforcement, and for information sharing requests (314(a) & 314(b))
• Develops and leverages outside relationships with peers and organizations to maintain best practices, understand regulatory change, and share back information with leadership and department.
• Reviews higher risk customer relationships and complex investigations involving cannabis businesses, money service businesses, Political Exposed Persons and fintech partnerships to ensure BSA/AML compliance.
• Oversees effectiveness of transaction monitoring systems, customer risk taking models, OFAC screening platforms and other systems. Assess system alerts, false positives, tuning and optimization efforts. Supports implementation of automated compliance solutions and analytics.
• Ensures escalations and change management issues are appropriately documented and resolved.
• Effectively leads, manages, develops, and coaches assigned BSA/AML team members in monitoring, investigation, and reporting processes and quality. Drives engagement, advances a culture of teamwork, transparency, and accountability, while motivating team members to higher levels of performance. Establishes department objectives and goals
• Perform additional duties as requested or assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Deep knowledge of BSA/AML, USA Patriot Act, OFAC, and other regulations.
• Strong leadership skills, including experience in managing, developing, coaching, and motivating team members, while promoting teamwork and a spirit of continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to build business partnerships and collaborative working relationships with management, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong communication and business writing abilities, with the capability to effectively present information to varied audiences, including Board members, executives, employees at all levels, vendors, other stakeholders, and regulators.
• Effective management skills, including the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously as well as the ability to plan, organize, and ensure the completion of work assignments with appropriate attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to participate and adapt to change in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of bank operations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret government regulations and legal documents.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent plus specialized course work and training
• Minimum of 10+ years demonstrated BSA/AML Compliance experience, and/or relevant compliance experience in the financial services industry

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Normal business office environment/hybrid (3 days minimum)

Needham Bank offers a competitive salary and an amazing benefit package for a full-time employee which includes fully paid medical and dental insurance, HRA, 401(k) plan with an 8% bank match, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, a bonus program, flexible spending accounts, vision service plan, group term life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a great benefit package to our eligible part-time employees as well.

The pay range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the pay range for this job at the time of posting.

Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, and market factors; additional compensation may apply.

Needham Bank is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Needham Bank will provide all applicants for employment and all employees with equal opportunity for employment and promotion regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, military service, sexual orientation, genetic information, or gender identity.