SVP, Chief Compliance Officer

Cathay Bank; El Monte (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Cathay Bank is seeking an accomplished, strategic banking executive to serve as Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). This role leads the design, governance, and ongoing enhancement of the Bank’s enterprise-wide Compliance Management System, providing independent second-line oversight of regulatory compliance risk across all lines of business.

The CCO will manage a team of 20+ professionals, interact with the Board and regulators, oversee consumer protection, fair lending, CRA,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree such as J.D. or MBA preferred.
• 10–15+ years of progressive banking compliance experience; 7–10+ years in managing teams.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. banking laws, CRA, Fair Lending, Privacy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise-wide CMS design, governance, and enhancement.
• Provide second-line oversight of regulatory compliance across all lines of business.
• Oversee consumer protection, fair lending, CRA, privacy, and regulatory change management.
• Prepare reporting to senior management and the Board on risk, issues, and trends.
• Manage a team of 20+ professionals with several direct reports.
• Promote proactive culture of compliance and ethical conduct.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Compliance Management System

Job description

People Drive Our Success

Are you enthusiastic, highly motivated, and have a strong work ethic? If yes, come join our team! At Cathay Bank – we strive to provide a caring culture that supports your aspirations and success. We believe people are our most valuable asset and we proudly foster growth and development empowering you to achieve your professional goals. We have thrived for 60 years and persevered through many economic cycles due to our team members’ drive and optimism. Together we can make a difference in the financial future of our communities.

What our team members are saying:

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Learn more about us at cathaybank.com

GENERAL SUMMARY

Cathay Bank is seeking an accomplished, strategic banking executive to serve as its Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). This executive will lead the design, implementation, governance, and continuous enhancement of the Bank’s enterprise-wide Compliance Management System (CMS), serving as the primary leader for regulatory compliance risk.

The CCO is accountable for ensuring the Bank operates in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, supervisory guidance, and industry standards. The role provides independent second-line oversight across all lines of business and ensures compliance risk is effectively identified, measured, monitored, managed, and reported.

Key areas of oversight include consumer protection, fair lending, the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), privacy, regulatory change management, compliance monitoring and testing, and compliance training. The CCO regularly engages with executive management, regulators, and the Board of Directors, providing independent assessments of the Bank’s compliance risk profile and the effectiveness of compliance controls.

DIRECT REPORTS

The CCO will manage a team of 20+ professionals with six direct reports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead and maintain an enterprise-wide Compliance Management System (CMS) aligned with the Bank’s size, complexity, and strategic objectives. Establish and execute the annual Compliance Risk Management Plan, and develop risk-based compliance strategies, priorities, and oversight programs.
• Lead and develop the Compliance Department, with oversight of Deposit Compliance, Fair Lending and Credit Compliance, Non-Traditional Banking Products Compliance, Monitoring and Testing, Training, Privacy, and Vendor Compliance Due Diligence (new and annual reviews).
• Administer and maintain the CMS, including the development and implementation of appropriate policies, standards, and procedures.
• Assess the Bank’s compliance risk exposure and provide ongoing reporting to Senior Management and the Board on the level, direction, significant issues, and emerging trends of compliance risk.
• Provide oversight and subject matter expertise on applicable regulatory requirements, including federal, state, and local laws governing Consumer and Retail Banking, Deposit and Operations, Lending and Commercial Banking, Safety and Soundness, the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), and Privacy.
• Participate in regulatory change management by monitoring regulatory developments, supporting impact assessments, providing compliance guidance on policy and procedure updates, and assisting in keeping Executive Management and the Board informed of significant regulatory changes.
• Oversee a risk-based compliance monitoring and testing program, including transactional testing, control reviews, thematic reviews, and compliance assessments. Evaluate the effectiveness of first-line controls; ensure findings are documented, tracked, remediated, and validated; monitor corrective action plans; and develop meaningful compliance metrics and reporting.
• Foster a proactive culture of compliance and ethical conduct throughout the organization. Provide advisory support and effective challenge to business leaders regarding regulatory obligations and compliance risks; identify emerging compliance risks; adjust compliance strategies as needed; and promote early detection and efficient mitigation of compliance risk issues.
• Provide regular reporting to Executive Management, Risk Committees, and the Board of Directors. Present compliance risk assessments, emerging issues, examination results, compliance metrics, and regulatory developments; promptly escalated significant compliance risks and violations; and support Board oversight of compliance risk management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced degree such as a J.D. or MBA, CRCM, or other compliance-related certification strongly preferred.

• Experience: Minimum 10–15+ years of progressive banking compliance experience. 7–10+ years managing compliance teams. Experience as Compliance Manager, Director of Compliance, Deputy CCO, or CCO. Experience at FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, or CFPB regulated institutions. Experience in international environments, plus.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledgeable in bank services, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Deep expertise in U.S. banking laws and regulations.
• Strong understanding of Compliance Management Systems and regulatory expectations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of CRA, Fair Lending, Privacy, and Consumer Compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and Board members.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Proven leadership and talent development capabilities.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and risk management skills.
• Ability to balance regulatory requirements with business objectives while maintaining independent oversight.

Pay Range: $164,000 - $200,000

ON-GOING TRAINING

• Each team member is required to complete all required training including Compliance and Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering training suitable to his or her position within the Bank.

Cathay Bank offers itsfull-timeemployees a competitive benefits package which is a significant part of their total compensation. It is our goal to provide employees with a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs which includes, coverage for medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health saving account (HSA) with company contributions, voluntary coverages, and 401(k).

Cathay Bank may collect personal information from potential job candidates and applicants. For more information on how we handle personal information and your applicable rights, please review our California Job Applicant Privacy Policy.

Cathay Bank is an Equal Opportunity and Affilative Action Employer. We welcome applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship, gender, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions, childbirth and breastfeeding), reproductive health decision-making, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information or characteristics, disability or medical condition, military status or status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Mickey Hsu, FVP, Employee Relations Manager, at [phone] or [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.