Mechanics Bank is currently searching for a full time Sr. Fraud Investigator to join our team. This role will be working on-site at either our Irvine HQ or Roseville Executive Offices.

The Sr. Fraud Investigator is responsible for conducting independent investigations into suspected or actual violations of financial regulations, including but not limited to Fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), Sanctions. This role requires a strong understanding of financial transactions, investigative techniques, and applicable laws and regulations. The Investigator will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, to identify, assess, and mitigate financial crime risks. The role involves conducting detailed investigations, reviewing transaction patterns, writing investigative reports and preparing suspicious activity reports (SARs). The role requires attention to detail, excellent analytical skills and observes the highest degree of confidentiality in the handling of information. The Investigator must thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and demonstrate adaptability in responding to constantly evolving fraud schemes.

What you will be doing:

Collect and analyze customer and financial transactions for potential fraudulent activity, money laundering, terrorist financing to identify patterns of suspicious activity.
Apply critical thinking skills and experience in writing comprehensive investigation analysis to conclude whether or not to file a SAR. Maintain disciplines in consistently following current processes, procedures and policies ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements regarding timely, accurate and thorough investigations are completed.
Use of Bank systems, vendor applications and search engines to validate identities, research individual backgrounds and obtain information on transactional counterparties.
Develop and maintain professional level communication with internal and external parties that recognizes acceptable business protocols.
Interact with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in receiving and providing critical investigative and case elements that can be used in prosecuting elements of a crime.
Monitor and analyze emerging financial crime threats and trends.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
Travel required: 0-10%.

Who you are:

Bachelor's degree is preferred.
Minimum 3 years of investigating and reporting financial crimes, particularly fraud is required.
Minimum 2 years of experience using a fraud detection system is preferred.
Investigative and research skills using various systems.
Excellent written and verbal skills.
Completes more complex investigations that are generally non-system generated (e.g., whistleblower, cyber-crime, elder financial abuse, identity theft, and internal, external and victim fraud).
Ability to use multiple systems simultaneously to gather investigative data.
Accurately completes all assigned investigations prior to the assigned and regulatory deadlines.
Portrays strong investigative and analytical skills to identify patterns, trends, and potential red flags in transactions.
Assesses the effectiveness of systems, processes and tools used to monitor risks and identify opportunities for improvement.
Assists in investigating inquiries from peer BSA teams and all front line lines of business.
Reviews customer accounts and analyzes transactions. This may include analyzing customer types, transaction patterns and account activity, and reviewing customer documentation, such as business licenses, articles of incorporation, or tax returns.
Ability to write comprehensive investigative analysis reviews that meets the requirements of the FFIEC’s guidelines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulations.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts, interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.
Assists with regulatory reporting (i.e., SAR filing and submission, Financial Elder Abuse, Identity Theft, etc.)
Handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion, avoiding conflicts of interest, acting in an unbiased manner, and upholding professional integrity to maintain trust and credibility.
Thorough understanding and remains informed of changes to BSA and OFAC regulations, including suspicious activity red flags. This includes attending training webinars, seminars, conferences and reading industry publications.
Support the Sr. BSA Investigations Manager, Deputy BSA Officer and BSA Officer, as needed.
Maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
Perform other duties assigned by management.

Pay Range: $72,500.00 - $108,000.00 annually

AIP/Bonus: up to 7.5%

Our comprehensive employee benefits program is designed for you to live your best life at work, home, and everywhere in between. Employees working 25 hours or more per week are eligible for health benefits effective the first day of the month following or coinciding with their date of hire.

Benefits package includes[1]:

Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible family members
Employer paid Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, AD&D, and Disability benefits
Health Savings Account with employer contribution
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter/Parking Benefit
401(k) and Roth 401(k) with company contribution
529 Education Savings plan, Tuition Reimbursement Program and Student Loan Assistance Program
Supplemental Health plans, Voluntary Legal and Identity Theft Services
11 paid holidays, paid Sick days (accrual of one hour for every 30 hours worked), up to 25 paid vacation days, and 16 hours of paid volunteer time throughout the calendar year
Free personal checking and savings account; Discounted rates on primary residence loan with $0 origination fees (restrictions apply)

Final compensation package will be determined by the work experience, education, and/or skill level of the applicant along with internal equity and alignment with geographic market data.

Mechanics Bank is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or other bases prohibited by applicable law.
Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
To learn more about Mechanics Bank’s California privacy and security policies, including your right to a Notice At Collection as a California Resident, please visit

California Privacy Policy for Prospective Employees | Mechanics Bank

[1] The benefits listed in this job posting reflect the Bank’s most reasonable and genuinely expected benefits offered for this position.

Mechanics Bank jobs

Sr. Fraud Investigator