Georgia Department of Banking and Finance

 Depository Division

Merchant Acquirer Limited Purpose Banks (MALPB) Examination Specialist

 To move forward in the recruiting process ALL applicants are required to:

·      Attach a current Resume

·      Include Cover Letter

·      Attach copies of unofficial undergraduate transcripts

·      If the file is too large to attach, please email the documents(s) to dbfhr@dbf.state.ga.us to include position title – application material(s) in the subject line.

 The mission of the Department of Banking and Finance is to promote safe, sound, competitive financial services in Georgia through innovative, responsive regulation and supervision.

 Job Summary 

 Under limited supervision, the MALPB Examination Specialist is responsible for direct supervision of one or more MALPB entities chartered by the Department.  The MALPB Examination Specialist acts as a Central Point of Contact to assigned MALPB(s), oversees a portfolio of MALPB(s), performs financial analysis, monitors ongoing trends, processes requests by MALPB entities, and provides recommendations on interpretations of laws, rules, and regulations regarding MALPBs.  The MALPB Examination Specialist provides ongoing on- and off-site administrative oversight and supervision of MALPB(s), participates in the establishment of Department goals and policy development, develops and implements ongoing examination programs, assigns ratings and directs regulatory outcomes, and participates in the chartering process of MALPBs.  The MALPB Examination Specialist also serves as a point of administrative contact to answer inquiries, obtain information, and provide guidance in various regulatory matters to examiners, industry representatives, MALPB-related staff and consultants, attorneys, certified public accountants, financial consultants, trade associations, and internal stakeholders.  The MALPB Examination Specialist serves as a technical expert resource and will serve in an indirect supervisor capacity for examination teams as well as conducting on-the-job training in specialized knowledge.   

This position will also act as a department representative to external parties including MALPBs, Federal agencies, and industry representatives.  The MALPB Examination Specialist will participate in overseeing chartering initiatives and regulatory/compliance obligations related to merchant acquiring and card network transactions.  As a MALPB Examination Specialist, the role will encompass MALPB risk management supported by individual knowledge and experience in merchant acquiring, merchant acquiring best practices and industry guidance, knowledge of regulatory requirements, card network rules, and industry standards.   

 Duties & Responsibilities

• Leads supervision of Georgia state-chartered MALPB(s) as central point of contact and/or overseeing a MALPB portfolio. 

1.      Formulates written comments and recommendations in MALPB reviews and reports of examination and for assigning appropriate ratings or recommendations. 

2.      Serves as examiner-in-charge on most MALPB reviews and examinations. 

3.      Travels as appropriate to MALPB(s) to perform job duties and completes required job tasks effectively and efficiently when working remotely.   

4.      Supervises examination work and the accuracy of the examination report and supporting schedules performed by other examiners.   

5.      Performs examination planning, assignment of examination duties, and maintains adherence to the examination schedule. 

6.      Determines examination scope and risk elements and as circumstances dictate, coordinates specialized examinations or target reviews with appropriate examination staff. 

7.      Supervises the work of the examiners assigned to the examination, and reports examiner performance as appropriate to district supervisors. 

8.      Demonstrates balanced, well-reasoned judgement in decision making and communicates with management, employees, examiners, and supervisors in an effective manner. 

9.      Communicate all examination results at the conclusion of the examination at exit and Board meetings. 

10.  Communicates examination and target review plans effectively with MALPB staff. 

11.  Formulates proposed administrative actions, if determined to be necessary, based on the level of supervisory concern.  Analyzes compliance with existing administrative actions if applicable. 

12.  Prepares accurate and concise narrative comments and assigns accurate ratings reflecting the financial, operating, and management concerns. 

• Serves as Department liaison to MALPB staff, regulators, consultants, vendors, and industry representatives. 

1.      Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Department customers and supervises the working relationships of examiners under their supervision. 

2.      Provides answers to questions asked by MALPB management or refers such questions to a supervisor if appropriate. 

3.      Acts in a respectful and courteous manner when interacting with MALPB personnel. 

4.      Maintains personal and financial affairs in accordance with State law and the policies of the Department.

• Provides oversight, guidance, and assistance in the solution of supervisory concerns.  Serve as internal subject matter expert for merchant acquiring. 

1.      Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure MALPB portfolio management and MALPB regulatory program requirements are met. 

2.      Oversee MALPB supervisory activities as subject matter expert covering operations, compliance, analytics, risk management, monitor and report on risk exposures, and understanding of the payment’s ecosystem. 

3.      Lead MALPB oversight in merchant acquiring best practices and industry guidance. 

• Reviews compliance with and interpretation of Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Industry Standards.  Maintains ongoing offsite monitoring and regulatory structure program for MALPB entities. 

1.      As part of off-site monitoring, reviews quarterly Call Report information, policies, strategic plans, budgets, Board and committee minutes, and procedures, or assigns and supervises these procedures. 

2.      Develops a working knowledge of Department operating policies and procedures. 

3.      Prepares and maintains databases, evidence, files, and confidential documents. 

4.      Conducts timely reviews, issuing necessary approvals of requests from MALPB management such as requests for dividends, subsidiary investments, waiver of approval conditions, expansion of locations, holding company debt waivers, etc.   

5.      Analyze data identified on exception reports. 

6.      As directed, writes, maintains, and reviews guidance documents and examination manuals used for MALPB oversight.   

7.      As directed, participates in developing and drafting new regulations and policies and in revising existing rules and policy statements. 

8.      Contribute to the development and enhancement of internal policies and procedures. 

9.      Conducts charter and/or merger investigations and completes appropriate reports. 

 10.  Monitors of risk trends with data insights and analytics.  Monitors and reports on risk exposures, ensuring timely communication and escalation of issues as needed. 

   Conducts internal training and participates in training programs. 

1.      Assists in the support and development of examination staff. 

2.      Maintains and incorporates knowledge of pertinent new trends and developments into examination procedures and practices. 

3.      Maintains a significant level of proficiency in advances in all MALPB examination topics.  

4.      Participates in internal and external educational programs and professional meetings available for continuing professional education. 

5.      Reads literature related to MALPBs, merchant acquiring, accounting, and the profession of financial institution examination in order to

maintain technical competence and proficiency. 

Must be a Georgia resident upon hiring.  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university AND five years of experience in direct payments industry audit or regulatory-related oversight role or closely related area and background in merchant acquiring and card network relationships is preferred.  A strong understanding of merchant acquiring risk management frameworks and operational best practices is preferred.  The role requires practical and strategic understanding of the payments industry and demonstrated experience assessing risks associated with merchant acquiring and relevant card network industry regulations and compliance requirements.