[Hiring] BSA/AML - SAM Cases Analyst II @Pathward, N.A.

Role Description

The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) / Anti-Money Laundering (AML) – Suspicious Activity Monitoring (SAM) Case Analyst II serves as an experienced investigator responsible for independently managing complex alerts and cases, including higher-risk customer activity, complex transaction patterns, and emerging financial crime typologies. This role requires advanced analytical judgment, strong SAR writing capabilities, while contributing to program enhancements and cross-functional initiatives. Analysts at this level exercise independent judgment, serve as subject-matter resources within the team, and are expected to operate with minimal supervision while maintaining high standards of quality and regulatory compliance.

What You Will Do

• Independently investigate and resolve complex alerts and cases, including in-depth analysis of transaction flows, payment behaviors, and customer activity across multiple products and platforms.
• Prepare, review, and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), ensuring high-quality narratives, clear articulation of suspicion, and robust supporting documentation.
• Support KYC, onboarding, and customer risk matters, including complex or escalated cases.
• Identify investigative trends and contribute to the tuning and optimization of transaction monitoring rules and scenarios to reduce false positives while maintaining detection effectiveness.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource on investigative techniques, SAR quality, and regulatory expectations.
• Provide informal mentorship and guidance to Analyst I staff, including SAR narrative review, investigative coaching, and quality feedback.
• Support FinCEN 314(a) and 314(b) information sharing requests, law enforcement inquiries, and subpoena/legal process responses in coordination with Legal and Compliance.
• Maintain current knowledge of BSA/AML and OFAC regulations, FinCEN guidance, and evolving financial crime typologies relevant to payments, merchant acquiring, and fintech activities.
• Consistently meet or exceed production, quality, and leadership expectations across assigned workstreams.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the BSA/AML-SAM Operations Team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Finance, Criminal Justice, Business, or a related discipline.
• Preferred certifications (not required):
  • Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
  • Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS)
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Typically requires 3-4 years of relevant experience in BSA/AML investigations, financial crime analysis, or regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated expertise in SAR drafting, complex investigations, and transaction monitoring systems.
• Experience in banking, fintech, payments, merchant acquiring, money transmission, or digital wallets highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of BSA/AML laws, USA PATRIOT Act requirements, OFAC sanctions, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently assess complex risk scenarios.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and articulate risk clearly.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, support operational improvements, and operate with minimal supervision.
• Adaptable to evolving regulatory expectations, technologies, and business models.
• Proficiency with transaction monitoring and case management platforms (e.g., Actimize, Verafin, or similar) and core banking or data analytics tools strongly preferred.

Requirements

• The responsibilities listed above are not all inclusive and may be changed at any time.
• Salary range: $17.25 hourly – $28 hourly.
• This role is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive opportunity.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, paid time off, and more.