AML Investigator - Full-time

This position within the Corporate Risk Management – AML Investigations team is responsible for reviewing automated and manual referrals of Discover Bank clients and accounts to determine whether potential suspicious activity is present and escalating accordingly. Individuals in this role must possess advanced analytical skills as well as intermediate knowledge of banking, fraud, and risk. Must demonstrate an expert knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PATRIOT Act as well as a thorough understanding of FinCEN guidance for AML investigations and SAR preparation. Attention to detail and the ability to work in a time sensitive, deadline driven environment are a must.

Individuals in this role are responsible for:
• Receiving and investigating escalations from AML Analysts based upon manual and automated monitoring referral channels to determine whether potential suspicious activity is present
• Making recommendations related to the reporting of suspicious activity through SARs to FinCEN.
• Conducting enhanced customer due diligence, transaction activity reviews, and negative media searches and documenting findings in accordance with approved policies and procedures.
• Independently researching internal and external source systems to determine whether activity appears usual and expected for specific customers/accounts.
• Leveraging additional external resources available for investigative purposes, including bank personnel contact, direct client contact, 314(b) information sharing requests, Law Enforcement contact, etc. to aid in the investigative decision-making process.
• Ensuring accounts and/or customers are referred to the Bank’s SAR team appropriately in situations where the Investigator is recommending a SAR be filed.
• Thoroughly documenting NON-SAR decisions in accordance with Discover Bank policy and regulatory expectations
• Actively participating in internal and external training opportunities, team and departmental meetings, and industry peer groups in order to maintain advanced awareness of AML risk, industry standards, policy & procedure changes, etc.
• Providing constructive feedback to AML Analysts with respect to the quality of case escalations, trends and issues, or best practices in order to assist in the continued development of the alert analysis process.
• Communicating clearly, both written and verbally, with individuals in and outside of Discover (e.g. fraud teams, collections teams, Law Enforcement, individuals at other Financial Institutions, etc.)
• Responding to urgent requests from Management with the utmost expediency

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Qualifications

• Previous Fraud and/or AML investigation experience required
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications required.
• Previous SAR filing experience preferred.
• Experience with Actimize transaction monitoring software preferred.
• ACAMS certification preferred
• Direct customer contact experience a plus
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.