Operations Legal Officer

at  Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach

JOB SUMMARY

The Operations Legal Officer is responsible for assisting the Director of Operations with the management and governance of all legal and regulatory issues affecting bank operations. This includes providing support to branch and department personnel related to legal and regulatory matters, Bank wide initiatives, and operational policies and procedures. This position provides comprehensive answers and engages appropriate resources to ensure issues and concerns are resolved. This position is responsible for sustaining current knowledge regarding legislative and regulatory changes and assisting the responsible business unit with related implementations. The Operations Legal Officer has excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, projects a professional image, resolves issues, and identifies effective solutions.
The Operations Legal Officer will serve as the Bank’s Records Management Officer, California and Federal Right to Financial Privacy Officer, and the Bank’s Unclaimed Property Officer

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Bank Protection Act
• Operational Policies and Procedures
• Bank Secrecy Act
• Privacy Act
• Bank systems, specifically Bank’s core application
• Products & Services
• Branch Operations (Teller, New Accounts, and Operations)
• Regulations CC, D, DD, and E
• Fair Credit Reporting Act Overview
• Safe Deposit Box Procedures
• FDIC Insurance
• Unclaimed Property Law and Regulations
• New Account Policies and Procedures

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to prioritize and work with tight deadlines
• Strong critical thinking and judgment
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Assess situations and provide guidance
• Uses discretion with sensitive material
• Client service skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft applications
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Working knowledge of operational systems
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Requires repetitive movement
• Requires standing and/or sitting for prolonged periods of time
• Requires viewing of computer monitors for prolonged periods of time
• Requires lifting up to 25 lb.
• Requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects
• Office setting w/controlled temperature

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal studies or related field preferred
• Paralegal certificate required
• 5+ years general banking experience
  As a part of the Bank’s internal control systems, employees holding sensitive positions are required to be absent from their duties for a minimum of two consecutive weeks each year. This position has been deemed to meet the test for a sensitive position, and therefore you will be required to meet the minimum absence requirement each and every year.
  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and employees will be required to perform additional related work duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor and/or management.
  Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Key corporate responsibilities:

• Stay current and provide guidance on legislative changes pertaining to deposit operations

• Manages all requests for Bank records directed to the Bank by third parties and ensures compliance with all privacy laws
• Primarily responsible for maintaining and revising the Bank’s Terms and Conditions for deposit accounts, ensuring the language is updated for changes in laws and regulations
• Manages all IRS notifications ensuring compliance with various IRS regulations affecting deposit operations
• Participates in the creation and review of client related forms, documents, and agreements ensuring legal requirements are met
• Reviews, approves, and manages Deposit Account Control Agreements presented by the Bank’s clients

• Integrates process improvements within the Operations Legal Department in line with the Bank’s strategic goals

Key Operations Administration responsibilities:

• Maintains governance over operational procedures performed in compliance with banking regulations, including Regulation CC application, Regulation D offender reporting, and Unclaimed Property
• Works with other business units, such as BSA, Compliance, TMS, Branch Banking, ACH, Central Operations, and Wires, to assist in operational and regulatory issues, including:
• General branch operations issues
• BSA/AML issues and concerns
• Regulation E issues and claims
• Electronic transaction disputes and claims
• Relationship exits
• Deposit account restrictions
• Money Transfer Service Agreements
• Early Withdrawal Penalties
• Serves as the Director of Operations’ back up for the BSA and Compliance committees
• Assists the Director of Operations on policy waivers related to ACH, CMS, and Account Analysis
• Reviews and creates Bank disclosures and agreements, and engages the Compliance Department as needed
• Approves changes to deposit account disclosures and addenda
• The Operations Legal Officer is Operations Administration’s designated subject matter expert to assist the branches and other business units on escalated issues related to the following:
• Death of Depositor/Legal Entitlement
• Trusts
• Power of Attorney
• IRS matters
• Bankruptcy
• IRA’s
• Third-Party/Multi-Party Checks
• Participates in investigations related to fraud and disputes, and work with law enforcement as needed
• Participates in the Bank’s initiatives related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Unruh Civil Rights Act
• Reviews and approves policy exception requests submitted to Operations Administration
• Leads or supports major bank-wide projects and initiatives that are regulatory in nature or are related to records retention and management
• Identifies area of risk exposure and reports and make recommendations to Senior Management for changes
• Drafts customer communication on behalf of the Bank and its officers
• Provides support to branch and department staff

Complies with all State and Federal Banking regulatory requirements, including but not limited to: BSA, Anti-Money Laundering OFAC, CIP, Financial Elder Abuse Reporting, Sexual Harassment, Information Security and privacy requirements. This position will elevate suspicious activity to supervisory staff and/or BSA department. Completes compliance and other technical training workshops as assigned.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Proactively pursues professional development activities (e.g. participating in internal and external training workshops)
• General administrative and clerical duties as needed
• Assist in the department Tour of Duty; conduct training and provide feedback to the participants