EDD Investigator

The EDD Investigator position serves as an expert research specialist performing a wide range of functions with a high level of difficulty and complexity. The EDD investigator is responsible for utilizing a wide range of databases and applications to develop a base of information from which to draw inferences and summaries. This position will have operational responsibilities for accurately evaluating customer information and taking the appropriate action to protect the company against risk of money laundering activity in accordance with the law and bank policy in consultation with the BSA/AML management staff. The position is responsible for analyzing complex suspicious activity cases to ensure that potentially suspicious transactions are appropriately identified within the specified timeframes. The position focuses on enhanced due diligence relating to BSA/AML high risk customers. In addition, researches, analyzes, and investigates customers with potential AML related suspicious activity.

Along with the key functions listed below, this position will be expected to uphold the value that Washington Federal places on simply being nice when working alongside colleagues and servicing our clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Responsible for conducting enhanced due diligence regarding high risk customers including retail and different lines of business in a high volume deadline environment.
• Utilizes a variety of analytical techniques and computer systems to make informed decisions concerning customer account status.
• Manage cases if potentially suspicious activity from the EDD High Risk Master List and AML monitoring system, including analysis of transaction activity and balances.
• Ensure that potentially unusual or suspicious transactions are appropriately identified, documented, and SARs are correctly completed and filed in accordance with bank policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that the Bank's internal policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Escalate EDD cases and/or SARs that do not meet BSA/AML standards to management and follow through to an appropriate resolution.
• Ensures compliance with BSA/AML related laws and regulations and identifies matters of non-compliance and escalates them to management as necessary for a resolution.
• Contact the lines of business for additional information as needed.
• Partners with business partners, as necessary, in researching cases. May direct those business partners in matters of regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with federal and state law enforcement agencies to facilitate investigations.
• Manages multiple complex cases involving matters such as multiple relationship accounts (related parties), tiered and multi-faceted transactions, international wires involving bank designated high risk jurisdictions, and complex cash structuring schemes.
• Build and maintain awareness of the broader context and implications of various types of high risk affecting the bank in all lines of business.
• Perform periodic file reviews ensuring activities are reviewed in a holistic manner across the spectrum of products and services used by the customer.
• Ensure customer due diligence (CDD) is properly performed by the lines of business and EDD is applied in cases where warranted to mitigate AML/TF.
• Conduct initial reviews of all high risk customers added to the High Risk Program within the Bank.
• Complies evidence and documentation in compliance with BSA/AML regulatory requirements.
• Maintains a current through understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing issues, including policies, procedures, regulations, industry best practices, criminal actives, and developing trends.
• Other duties may be assigned.

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree.
• Three (3) years of experience in BSA/AML investigations and knowledge executing the responsibilities described above.
• Relevant industry qualifications in AML (e.g., ACAMS) preferred.
• Knowledge of the laws applicable to money laundering, including the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, US Treasury AML guidelines, OFAC requirements, and Suspicious Activity Reporting requirements.
• High degree of analytical, problem-solving, and organizational, and project management skills.
• Effective writing, analytical, and communications skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of banking and all types of financial crime patterns, thorough knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PATRIOT Act, as well as a strong understanding of OFAC regulations.