BSA/AML – Alert Analyst II

About the Role:

The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) / Anti-Money Laundering (AML) – Suspicious Activity Monitoring Alert Analyst is responsible for conducting first-level reviews of transactional alerts and customer activity to identify potential suspicious behavior and financial crime risk. This role focuses on executing alert investigations, analyzing transactional activity, documenting investigative findings, and escalating higher-risk activity to the Case Investigation Team for further review and disposition in accordance with BSA/AML regulatory requirements and internal procedures. Analysts operate under established procedures and guidance while developing proficiency across products, typologies, transaction monitoring systems, and investigative tools.

What You Will Do:

• Review and investigate alerts generated from transaction monitoring systems using a risk-based approach to identify potentially suspicious activity or unusual behavior.
• Analyze transactional activity, payment flows, customer behavior, and account activity to identify anomalies, red flags, pass-through activity, layering concerns, or unusual patterns.
• Conduct customer due diligence reviews utilizing internal systems, KYC/CIP information, transactional analysis, and external research tools.
• Document investigative findings clearly, accurately, and professionally within case management systems in accordance with BSA/AML documentation standards.
• Prepare detailed alert narratives that clearly explain the activity reviewed, investigative steps performed, findings identified, and rationale for disposition decisions.
• Escalate higher-risk, complex, or potentially suspicious activity to the Case Investigation Team for enhanced review and potential SAR determination.
• Maintain investigative documentation and supporting evidence, including screenshots, research findings, and transaction analysis, sufficient to support quality assurance, audit, and regulatory review.
• Review transactional history to identify expected versus unusual customer behavior patterns and determine whether activity aligns with product usage expectations.
• Support FinCEN 314(a) and 314(b) information sharing requests and assist with law enforcement inquiries and legal process responses under the direction of senior staff.
• Collaborate with Case Analysts, Quality Assurance, Compliance, Fraud, and internal stakeholders to support ongoing investigations and operational objectives.
• Meet established service level agreements (SLAs), productivity standards, and quality expectations for assigned alert queues.
• Maintain current knowledge of BSA/AML regulations, OFAC requirements, FinCEN guidance, financial crime typologies, and internal procedures.
• Support ongoing process improvements, procedural updates, training initiatives, and quality enhancement efforts within the Operations Team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Criminal Justice, Business, or related field preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in BSA/AML investigations, fraud investigations, transaction monitoring, compliance operations, or financial crime analysis preferred.
• Experience reviewing transaction monitoring alerts and documenting investigative findings.
• Familiarity with transaction monitoring and case management systems such as Actimize, or similar platforms preferred.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and critical-thinking skills with attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including concise and well-supported investigative documentation.
• Ability to manage assigned workload independently while following established procedures and escalation protocols.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to interpret transactional activity and identify potential suspicious behavior, red flags, or financial crime indicators.
• Adaptable, organized, and receptive to feedback in a fast-paced operational environment.

Preferred Certifications (Not Required):

• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
• Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

The responsibilities listed above are not all inclusive and may be changed at any time.

Salary range:  $17.25 hourly – $28 hourly

 
The salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for a new hire in this role. Individual pay within the range will be determined by multiple factors which can include but are not limited to a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your location during the hiring process. Ranges may be modified in the future.
This role is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive opportunity.  Pathward offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, paid time off, and more.

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