Compliance and Fair Lending Specialist

Job Summary:

The Compliance/Fair Lending Specialist is primarily responsible for administering monitoring programs under Encore Banks compliance management system to assist in managing compliance and fair lending risk across the bank. The Compliance/Fair Lending Specialist will assist in monitoring performance through proactive evaluation of data relative to area demographic and peer data, using that analysis and their knowledge of federal and state regulations to drive recommendations for regulatory and fair lending and fair banking performance objectives.

Primary Responsibilities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Assist in the development, implementation, and administration of all aspects of the Banks Fair Lending and Compliance Program, consulting and guiding the Bank in the establishment of controls to mitigate fair banking risk and ensure compliance with federal and state fair banking and responsibility- related laws and regulations.
• Support the Compliance Management System established by the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to ensure compliance with applicable consumer banking and regulatory requirements by completing compliance testing and quality control reviews using established monitoring procedures to determine effectiveness of internal controls within the business units. Monitoring includes, but is not limited to, loan and deposit regulations, HMDA and CRA Data reviews, and fair lending analysis.
• Conduct Fair Lending and UDAAP Risk Assessments, and participate in emerging risk identification.
• Review fair lending and fair banking related policies, and reviews control design and adequacy.
• Analyze program performance through monitoring, peer data analysis, and testing program elements for evidence of redlining; perform monitoring for steering, discrimination, and unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices.
• Provide compliance-related advisory services to branch and department units, consulting with senior management and other bank personnel to identify and mitigate potential risks to the Bank.
• Support the Chief Compliance Officer and CRA team to ensure success in achieving satisfactory CRA performance through ongoing evaluation and monitoring of performance to stated goals.
• Serve as a resource for regulatory matters and compliance related initiatives and responds to questions from business units regarding interpretations of regulatory requirements and applicable guidance.
• Support the Compliance team in preparing for and managing Compliance audits and examinations and tracking any noted exceptions to resolution.
• Provide recommendations and support for periodic training plans in order to address areas of weakness noted, as well as current trends identified by regulatory agencies.
• Maintain and enhances knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements by participating in workshops, webinars, conferences, meetings, and by reading professional literature.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Skills and Qualifications:

These specifications are general guidelines based on the minimum experience normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this position. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform the position in a satisfactory manner. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Eight or more years experience in banking or financial services with five or more years experience with CRA and/or Fair Lending, preferably with federal regulator and/or large institution.
• Responsible for knowing and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines, as detailed in policies that include but not limited to Fair Lending, Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), HMDA, FCRA, Fair Housing Act, CRA, Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP) and State and local Fair Lending Laws and Regulations.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and organizational skills with the ability to work independently, as well as, collaboratively within a team environment.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of banking regulatory examination procedures and techniques and other fair lending/fair banking resources.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with all levels of management, legal counsel, regulators and examiners while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Ability to research and analyze regulatory compliance issues, communicate requirements as they relate to the organization, and develop effective compliance policies, procedures, references, and training.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and positively adapt to routine changes while maintaining high-performance standards.
• Experience with CRA software (Kadince) and (Ncontracts) desired.
• Ability to work successfully in a fully remote or hybrid position. Must be able to travel to Little Rock, Arkansas and other markets as needed.

Computer and Office Equipment Skills:

• Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job this individual is regularly required to stand for long periods of time, walk, sit, talk, hear, use their hands and fingers (manual dexterity), use a telephone, and occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Requirements:

• The ability to solve problems, make decisions, supervise others, interpret data, organize information, written and oral communication and read/write.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Encore Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.