Lending Compliance Officer

Company: Westamerica Bank
Location: Fairfield
Posted on: January 12, 2021

Job Description:

Westamerica is among the largest commercial banks headquartered in California. We are looking for outstanding people to join our winning team. We reached our current strength because our employees, customers, and shareholders believe in the same fundamental goals: Delivering a wide variety of financial services with a superior customer service guarantee.Job Summary:Under general managerial guidance: The Lending Compliance Officer is responsible for supporting Westamerica's Compliance Management System daily activities ensuring that bank activities comply at all times with appropriate laws and regulations. Ensures that all required lending-related compliance policies are in force and reviewed periodically for adequateness. Directs and coordinates procedural updates related to compliance issues, participates in business line project and meetings to provide compliance support, manages lending-related compliance issues and responds to compliance inquiries. Reports compliance issues to the CRA & Compliance Manager and Senior Management. Responsibilities:* Research regulatory issues, respond to compliance questions, and provide guidance to business units through the use of regulatory reference materials, regulatory agencies, and profession associations and organizations as appropriate. * Ensure assigned business units are in compliance with applicable lending laws, regulations, and rules, and have appropriate operating controls to mitigate risk. Assist the business units with developing and revising compliance-related practices, procedures and controls where needed. * Maintain a strong working knowledge of all lending-related regulatory compliance laws, regulations, regulatory guidance, and industry best practices by reviewing industry publications, receiving/attending compliance training, and networking with professional advisors, experts and peers.* Coordinate the lending aspects of the compliance management system that ensures proper policies, procedures, risk mitigation activities, and operating controls are followed. Identifies and reports compliance issues and gaps in policies, procedures, and operating controls to leadership to ensure risk is mitigated. Work with business unit partners to resolve and track identified issues to resolution. * Review product and service disclosures and advertising materials for compliance with applicable rules. * Assist with complaints as needed.* Participate in the oversight of regulatory compliance audits and/or examinations. * Help to develop, coordinate and facilitate training programs, sessions, and seminars to educated business unit partners about compliance requirements and procedures. Provide and/or assist with conducting compliance training to managers and employees as needed. * Participate as a member of the Regulatory Compliance Committee (RCC) and is a member of the Consumer Complaint Committee (CCC). * Facilitate and provide guidance during the compliance and Fair Lending risk assessment process.* Provide other compliance assistance as needed.Minimum Knowledge, Prior Work Experience, and Skills Needed to Perform Job functions:* Has progressively more responsible work experience in a financial institution implementing, monitoring and coordinating compliance activities. * Bachelor's Degree required. * Additional education in financial services regulations or CRCM certification preferred.* Excellent oral, technical, writing, training, interpersonal, analytical, organizational, leadership and presentation skills required. Physical Demands:* Travel to CRA outreach events, training seminars and between the Corporate office and bank branches. * Extended periods of telephone use. * Moderate PC work. * Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.Intellectual Demands:* Read, interpret, analyze laws and regulations that apply to the designated line of business lending products, and other areas including, but not limited to, Regulations B, C, G, P, V, Z, X, BB, and the E-Sign Act, Fair Lending, California Consumer Privacy Act, or the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.* Prioritize assignments, ensure resolution of issues within appropriate time-frame to minimize compliance-related risks.* Combine knowledge and judgment to identify solutions to complex compliance issues.* Equipment/Software used to Perform Functions:* PC, calculator, telephone, scanner, copier, printer, Microsoft OfficeDecision Making:* Identify most appropriate means to ensure revisions are made to documents affected by regulatory changes, employees are trained appropriately on compliance issues, and the CRA & Compliance Manager is well-informed about the status of CRA and compliance.* Determine which projects will be delegated.* Select personnel to participate in various projects.Direct Impact:* Having a successful compliance program is key to Westamerica's strategic plan regarding acquisitions. Growth through acquisitions is a principal means for Westamerica to increase its value and earning in the future. Being successful in compliance will help ensure successful acquisition efforts. * Direct cost savings for legal and consulting fees.Contacts:* Internal: Regulatory consults and provides support and coordination to bank personnel on compliance issues.* Regulatory advising to CRA & Compliance Manger and Senior Management on compliance issues.* External: Periodic contact with examiners of state and federal bank regulatory agencies; manages regulatory examinations. * Periodic contact with consultants, manages regulatory consumer compliance audits.* Maintains networking communications with compliance professionals to remain current on developing trends within the profession.EOEWestamerica Bank's Privacy Policy may be found at: www.westamerica.com/about/privacy

Keywords: Westamerica Bank, Fairfield , Lending Compliance Officer, Other , Fairfield, California