Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Pathward is a financial empowerment company dedicated to creating financial inclusion for all. The Analyst II, BSA/AML Operations is responsible for investigating merchant-level transactional activity to identify potential suspicious behavior and financial crime risk, focusing on alert reviews, case investigations, and regulatory filings.
Responsibilities
- Investigate alerts and cases generated from transaction monitoring systems related to merchant acquiring activity, applying risk-based judgment to identify potentially suspicious behavior
- Analyze merchant-level transaction data, including payment flows, authorization patterns, MCC codes, chargeback ratios, refund activity, and settlement behavior to identify anomalies and red flags
- Identify and investigate merchant acquiring-specific typologies including:
- Transaction laundering / factoring — merchant processing payments for undisclosed or unrelated businesses
- Merchant misclassification — incorrect MCC assigned at onboarding or modified to circumvent controls
- Prohibited / high-risk merchant activity — merchants operating in prohibited categories concealed at underwriting
- Chargeback misrepresentation — merchant disputes legitimate chargebacks fraudulently; cardholder abuse
- Load balancing, BIN attacks, velocity attacks — indicative of merchant terminal compromise or coordinated fraud
- MID-cycling / BIN-hopping — merchants closing and reopening accounts to evade network violations
- Prepare and file SARs with clear, well-structured narratives, ensuring merchant-specific facts, transaction amounts, and typology indicators are articulated
- File CTRs accurately and timely in accordance with regulatory standards
- Review and investigate partner referrals and escalations involving sponsored merchants, sub-merchants, and payment facilitators
- Document investigative findings clearly and accurately within Actimize case management systems
- Meet defined SLAs, productivity expectations, and quality standards for the merchant acquiring workstream
- Escalate high-risk or complex matters to the Manager, including MATCH list entries, card network monitoring program flags, suspected terrorist financing through merchant fronts, and undisclosed sub-program activity
- Maintain current knowledge of BSA/AML and OFAC regulations, FinCEN guidance, card network rules, and evolving merchant acquiring fraud and money laundering typologies
- Collaborate with BSA/AML peers, Fraud Operations, and partner oversight teams to ensure comprehensive risk coverage
Skills
- Bachelor's degree required (Finance, Criminal Justice, Accounting, Business, or related field)
- Knowledge of merchant acquiring risks including transaction laundering, MCC misclassification, chargeback fraud, and prohibited merchant categories
- Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret transaction data, identify patterns, and articulate findings
- Working knowledge of BSA/AML regulations, SAR/CTR filing requirements, and FinCEN guidance
- Excellent written communication skills, particularly SAR narrative drafting
- CAMS or equivalent AML certification strongly preferred
- Advanced certifications (e.g., CFE) a plus
- 1–3 years of experience in BSA/AML investigations, transaction monitoring, fraud operations, or financial crimes compliance; merchant acquiring or payments experience strongly preferred
- Familiarity with Actimize, FCRM, or similar transaction monitoring and case management platforms
Benefits
- Annual performance-based incentive opportunity
- Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, paid time off
Company Overview