Compliance Specialist 3

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The Compliance Specialist III is responsible for monitoring and providing business support on a variety of complex regulatory, risk and legal matters. The Compliance Specialist’s primary job responsibilities include (i) providing advice and recommendation to the lines of business in regard to policies, processes, procedures and projects; (ii) performing more multifaceted testing and monitoring activities; (iii) reviewing and assisting with the response to client complaints; and/or (iv) data management / business analysis activities. The Compliance Specialist ensures policies and procedures are continuously monitored and operating in compliance with applicable banking laws, regulations, and rulings. The Compliance Specialist will provide subject matter expertise to lines of business to ensure regulatory risk is known and effectively mitigated. The role may have a heavier focus in one or more of these areas.

In addition to the requirements in the job profile, this role will manage the Complaints response team and related processes for First Financial Bank as well as be the subject matter expert for deposit-related business lines for the bank. This role bridges the gap between regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and customer retention. This role is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end resolution of complex retail and commercial complaints while serving as the institution's primary authority on deposit products, regulations, and systems.
Core responsibilities for the complaint management work includes:
• Overseeing complaint operations: Manage the identification, investigation, and final resolution of escalated executive, regulatory (e.g., CFPB, FDIC), and high-risk customer complaints. This may include resolving assigned complaints due to volume, complexity and staffing.
• Conducting root-cause analysis: Analyze complaint data trends to pinpoint systemic operational failures, product flaws, or training gaps.
• Drafting formal responses: Write and review high-quality, legally sound resolution letters addressed to regulatory agencies and executive leadership.

Subject Matter Expertise includes, but is not limited to providing regulatory guidance; serving as the internal authority on federal and state deposit regulations, including Regulation E (EFT Act), Regulation CC (Availability of Funds), Regulation DD (Truth in Savings), Reg D and UCC Articles 3 & 4; supporting product & system changes; advising product, IT, and risk teams on how system migrations, core banking updates, or new deposit product features will impact compliance and customer experience; advising front-line business lines; and acting as the ultimate escalation point for regulatory questions.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Chief Compliance Officer and business line management to implement the Compliance Management System and Program
• Work with the Chief Compliance Officer and business line management to resolve inconsistencies in loan data and recommends changes as warranted that will ensure the accuracy in reporting of regulatory data
• Review bank policies and procedures as they relate to overall compliance risk management framework.
• Determine the impact of laws and regulations on the line of business
• Work closely with the Chief Compliance Officer and business line management to implement the Compliance Management System and Program;
• Work with the Chief Compliance Officer and business line management to resolve inconsistencies in loan data and recommends changes as warranted that will ensure the accuracy in reporting of HMDA data;
• Review bank policies and procedures as they relate to overall compliance risk management framework;
• Determine the impact of laws and regulations on the line of business;
• Maintain a high level of expertise regarding the requirements of the laws, regulations, and rules governing the line of business;
• Review and update operating procedures, as appropriate, to provide for continuous compliance within the line of business;
• Initiate activities to resolve and correct any compliance-related exceptions, criticisms, deficiencies, or violations disclosed during a regulatory examination or compliance review;
• Develop and refine monitoring and testing reviews;
• Gain an understanding of the systems, vendors and procedures used by and in place in the business lines;
• Draft memorandums and reports for issuance to management;
• Research and resolve compliance-related issues and inquiries which relate to the line of business;
• Lead projects, programs or processes with significant business impact involving cross-functional teams;
• Partner and collaborate with Legal, Risk and the business lines on various compliance related matters, including regulatory interpretation and application to the situation;
• Coordinate and support business areas with regulatory reviews, including resolution of any findings;
• Implement compliance support programs to educate and train associates building risk awareness within the organization;
• Review and approve marketing advertisements of products and services, review website content and disclosures.
• Review, research, analyze and respond to client complaints filed with the bank and through regulatory agencies according to established procedures and service level agreements; work with associates and senior management throughout the bank on appropriate resolution of complaints; coordinate, as needed, more complex remediation activities;
• Data Management / Business Analysis Focus:
  • Gather and document data requirements for the Compliance team (including BSA/AML, complaints and Fair Banking)regarding testing needs, data input, report build-out, as well as collaborating with technology partners across the Bank, and leading the updates and testing initiatives related to compliance systems.
  • Act as a liaison between the compliance functions and technology partners to support data management needs, strategic objectives and key initiatives of the teams and establish strong working relationships.
  • Gather and organize requirements via stakeholder interviews, document the requirements, schedule meetings/discussions to ensure proper understanding of needs.
  • Coordinate with stakeholders via regular check-ins to validate that the solution meets their needs and that the timing of the information is appropriate.
  • Initiate activities to resolve and correct any reporting errors, deficiencies, or other operational issues.
  • Develop and maintain a departmental listing of systems and users within the compliance teams.
  • Develop and maintain a listing of systems that are used to retrieve data needs, access capabilities and needs.
  • Research and resolve compliance-related issues and inquiries which relate to the line of business.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform Essential Functions of the Job

• 7+ years banking related experience with a minimum of 2 years of banking compliance experience
• High oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and SharePoint
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• CRCM preferred

Level of Complexity and Scope

• Solves complex problems, sometimes by applying a creative perspective to existing solutions.

Degree of Independence and Decision-Making

• Proficiently applies subject matter knowledge while performing complex work assignments.
• Contributes to and/or manages a wide range of projects, from basic to complicated.
• Provides advice/direction in primary areas of expertise
• Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

Required Supervisory Responsibilities

• If applicable, manage individual or a team to complete various aspects of the Compliance Department goals and responsibilities. Functions include, but are not limited to, managing and assigning specific tasks and/or workflows for completion; annual performance evaluations; performing quarterly check ins; creating development plans as needed and ensuring the success of certain aspects of the program for the individual and the team.

Physical Requirements

• Remains stationary (sits or stands) for majority of the day
• Operates a computer for majority of the day

Compliance Statement

The associate is responsible for meeting all compliance requirements imposed on First Financial Bank by State and Federal law and regulation, as well as all related First Financial Bank policies and procedures. This includes all Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC and Suspicious Activity reporting requirements, as well as all other lending and deposit compliance requirements.

Development and Training

Pay Range:

$74,000/year to $100,000/year

Benefits

We have relevant, thoughtful benefits and programs that support every aspect of our associates' holistic wellbeing. Please review our Benefits Guide. 

Incentive Eligibility

All roles are incentive eligible with the exception of Co-Op, Intern, or Student positions.

It is our policy to not discriminate against any individual in violation of federal, state, and local laws as it relates to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran/military service, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are an E-Verify Employer.