BSA/AML Investigations Analyst I
Pathward · United States
- Hybrid
- Internship
- $56,160 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Investigate suspicious financial activity and crime risk.
- Analyze transactions, payment flows, and customer behavior.
- Prepare and file regulatory reports like SARs.
- Maintain knowledge of BSA/AML and OFAC regulations.
- Document findings and meet productivity expectations.
About the role
BSA AML Investigations Analyst
Pathward is a hybrid, remote-office company dedicated to growing talent anywhere, with onsite locations in Sioux Falls, SD, Scottsdale, AZ, Louisville, KY, Troy, MI, Franklin, TN, and Easton, PA.
Our purpose is to create financial inclusion for all™. We are a financial empowerment company that works with innovators to increase financial availability, choice, and opportunity, removing barriers to financial access and promoting economic mobility through responsible, secure, high-quality financial products.
We are a team of problem solvers and innovators who celebrate our differences and believe our unique perspectives make us stronger. We embrace our team members through our HUMBLE*HUNGRY*SMART approach and value the voices of our employees, customers, partners, and communities.
About the Role:
The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) / Anti-Money Laundering (AML) – Suspicious Activity Monitoring (SAM) Case Analyst I is responsible for investigating customer and transactional activity to identify potential suspicious behavior and financial crime risk. This role focuses on executing alert reviews and case investigations, preparing regulatory filings, and supporting the Bank’s compliance with BSA, AML, and related regulatory requirements. Analysts operate under established procedures and guidance while developing proficiency across products, typologies, and investigative tools.
What You Will Do:
- Investigate alerts and cases generated from transaction monitoring systems, applying risk-based judgment to identify potentially suspicious activity.
- Analyze transactional activity, payment flows, and customer behavior to identify anomalies or red flags.
- Prepare and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) in accordance with internal procedures and regulatory standards.
- Maintain current knowledge of BSA/AML and OFAC regulations, FinCEN guidance, and evolving financial crime typologies relevant to payments, merchant acquiring, and fintech activities.
- Document investigative findings clearly and accurately within case management systems.
- Meet defined service level agreements (SLAs) and productivity and quality expectations for assigned workstreams.
- Escalate higher-risk or complex matters to senior analysts or management in accordance with BSA/AML - SAM procedures.
- Collaborate with BSA/AML-SAM peers and internal stakeholders to support investigations and ongoing program objectives.
- Support FinCEN 314(a) and 314(b) information sharing requests and assist with law enforcement inquiries and legal process responses under the direction of senior staff.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the BSA/AML-SAM Operations Team.
What You Will Need:
- 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 1-3 years of relevant experience in BSA/AML investigations, financial crime analysis, or regulatory compliance.
- Experience with SAR writing, transaction monitoring systems, and case management tools is strongly preferred.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Clear written and verbal communication, including concise documentation of investigative conclusions.
- Ability to manage assigned workload independently while following established procedures.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Familiarity with transaction monitoring and case management platforms (e.g., Actimize, NICE Actimize, Verafin, or similar); experience with core banking systems and data analytics tools a plus.
- Adaptable, organized, and receptive to feedback in a fast-paced environment.
The responsibilities listed above are not all inclusive and may be changed at any time.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary range: $17.25 hourly – $28 hourly. The salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for a new hire in this role. Individual pay within the range will be determined by multiple factors including candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your location during the hiring process. Ranges may be modified in the future.
This role is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive opportunity. Pathward offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, paid time off, and more.
Don’t have everything listed under qualifications? If you’re excited about this role but your experiences don’t match exactly to everything in the posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other Pathward roles. Pathward is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers candidates for roles without regard to their race, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability or any other category protected by law.
Key skills/competency
- BSA AML Investigations Analyst
- Suspicious Activity Reports SARs
- Transaction Monitoring
- Financial Crime
- Regulatory Compliance
- Risk Management
- Case Management
- Financial Analysis
- OFAC Regulations
- FinCEN Guidance
Skills & topics
- BSA AML
- Investigations Analyst
- Suspicious Activity Reports
- SARs
- Transaction Monitoring
- Financial Crime
- Regulatory Compliance
- Anti-Money Laundering
- AML
- OFAC
- FinCEN
- Financial Analysis
- Case Management
- Pathward
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight relevant experience in BSA/AML investigations, SAR writing, and transaction monitoring systems to match Pathward's needs.
- Showcase analytical skills: Emphasize your strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and clear communication skills in your application.
- Demonstrate regulatory knowledge: Clearly articulate your understanding of BSA/AML, OFAC regulations, and FinCEN guidance.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with case management tools and how you handle independent workload management.
- Highlight adaptability: Showcase your organized nature and receptiveness to feedback in a fast-paced environment.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the primary responsibilities of a BSA AML Investigations Analyst at Pathward?
- The primary responsibilities include investigating customer and transactional activity for suspicious behavior, analyzing transactions and customer data, preparing and filing SARs and CTRs, maintaining knowledge of BSA/AML/OFAC regulations, and documenting investigative findings. You will also support FinCEN information sharing requests and law enforcement inquiries.
- What qualifications are essential for the BSA AML Investigations Analyst role at Pathward?
- A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field like Finance or Criminal Justice is required. Typically, 1-3 years of experience in BSA/AML investigations, financial crime analysis, or regulatory compliance is expected. Experience with SAR writing, transaction monitoring systems, and case management tools is strongly preferred. Strong analytical and communication skills are also essential.
- Is prior experience with specific BSA/AML software necessary for this Pathward role?
- While not strictly required, familiarity with transaction monitoring and case management platforms such as Actimize, NICE Actimize, or Verafin is strongly preferred. Experience with core banking systems and data analytics tools would be a plus.
- What is the salary range for the BSA AML Investigations Analyst position at Pathward?
- The salary range for this role is between $17.25 and $28 per hour. The final offer will depend on factors such as your experience, skills, qualifications, and location.
- Does Pathward offer benefits for BSA AML Investigations Analyst positions?
- Yes, Pathward offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which includes health insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, and paid time off, among other perks. The role is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive.
- What does Pathward mean by 'financial inclusion for all™'?
- Pathward's commitment to 'financial inclusion for all™' means they work with innovators to increase financial availability, choice, and opportunity for everyone. They aim to remove barriers traditionally found in financial access and promote economic mobility by offering responsible and secure financial products.
- Can I apply for the BSA AML Investigations Analyst role if I don't meet all the listed qualifications at Pathward?
- Yes, Pathward encourages you to apply even if your experience doesn't exactly match every qualification. They believe you might be the right candidate for this or other roles and are an equal opportunity employer.
- What is the work arrangement for the BSA AML Investigations Analyst role?
- Pathward is a hybrid, remote-office company, indicating flexibility. While they have physical office locations, this role likely allows for remote work, aligning with their company culture of growing talent anywhere.