AML Operations

About Column

For companies building financial technology and transforming the financial services space, the biggest bottleneck to their growth and innovation is often the underlying banks and infrastructure stack they rely on. We have spent our careers founding and scaling companies like Plaid, Square, SoFi, Blend, and Affirm, and have seen this problem firsthand — builders and developers needing to partner with traditional banks, and creating API and abstraction layers over the patchwork that is the bank, its core, and many other vendors. All of this results in a complex (and often expensive) banking supply chain involving a user, fintech, BaaS middleware provider, bank, core and the Federal Reserve.

At Column, we set out to simplify and fix this. We are a bank and a software company built from the ground up, offering builders and developers technology-forward banking solutions that cut out the hundreds of vendors, middleware providers, and abstraction layers. This means a safer, more transparent, and less costly banking supply chain. Come build with us!

The opportunity:

The AML Operations role plays a crucial role in safeguarding Column from financial crimes and ensuring compliance with AML and Sanctions regulations. This position will oversee and manage an AML Operations program and team of investigatory analysts whose primary responsibilities include identifying and reporting on suspicious activity, and ensuring compliance with OFAC and the Patriot Act, among other regulations. Other responsibilities include contributing to BSA/AML & OFAC policy, program, and procedure design and implementation, as well as developing and executing BSA/AML and OFAC training programs, including the development of appropriate role-based BSA/AML and OFAC training and delivery of continuous feedback to the Operations team. 

This role reports directly to the Bank’s BSA Officer. While an in-person presence in the Bank’s Presidio-based office is strongly preferred, this role is open to remote applicants with the expectation of periodic travel.

What you'll do:

Team Leadership:

• Lead and manage a team of AML investigators responsible for conducting in-depth investigations into suspicious activity

• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to team members

• Set performance goals and conduct regular performance evaluations

AML Investigations:

• Oversee and participate in the investigation of suspicious transactions, customer accounts, and activities

• Incorporate feedback from BSA/AML Quality Assurance into appropriate role-based training to ensure all operations meet Bank and regulatory expectations

• Review and file all Suspicious Activity Reports with FinCEN

AML Policy and Procedure Management:

• Develop and maintain AML policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations

• Ensure all investigation processes are well-documented and consistently followed by the team

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with other departments, including Compliance, Legal, and Risk Management, to integrate AML investigation efforts into the overall compliance framework

• Communicate effectively with external law enforcement agencies, regulators, and other relevant entities as needed

• Work collaboratively with BSA Officer on overall program design and execution

Continuous Improvement:

• Stay up-to-date with evolving AML laws, regulations, and industry best practices

• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement enhancements to the AML investigations process

Reporting and Governance:

• Assist the BSA Officer with KRI/KPI reporting related to BSA/AML operations

• Highlight key trends in investigations volume, quality, and typologies

What you'll need to be successful:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related field; professional certification (e.g., CAMS) is preferred

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in AML compliance for a financial institution

• In-depth knowledge of AML laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), the USA PATRIOT Act, and OFAC requirements

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills

• Proficiency in AML software and data analysis tools

• Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy

• Prior experience as