BANKING SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION

A Banking Specialist is the primary point of contact for customers conducting daily financial transactions at a retail branch. Branches depend on this seat to process ACH transfers, respond to VISA disputes, and balance cash drawers while staying current on NACHA rules and CRA compliance obligations. The role sits within branch operations, answering to branch or teller line management. Accuracy under volume pressure is what separates a strong performer from one who creates downstream exception backlogs.

As the Banking Specialist, you handle the full range of deposit, payment, and account servicing transactions that keep a retail branch running accurately and in regulatory compliance. You work directly within branch operations, partnering with personal bankers and branch management to resolve customer issues, process daily exceptions, and meet CRA activity targets.

Career Impact: Hands-on experience with NACHA rules, VISA dispute resolution, and Bank Secrecy Act compliance builds the regulatory fluency that separates branch professionals ready for senior or supervisory Banking Specialist roles from those who plateau at the teller line.

Business Impact: Customer deposit relationships and daily transaction accuracy directly determine whether the branch meets its cash balancing, exception resolution, and CRA monthly goals - outcomes branch management tracks every single day.

Growth Opportunity: The breadth of account types covered - CDs, Money Market, Retirement Accounts, and commercial referrals - develops the cross-product knowledge base that qualifies incumbents to move into Personal Banker or Branch Operations Lead positions.

• Process customer transactions - deposits, withdrawals, check cashing, and monetary instruments - in accordance with bank policy and federal regulatory guidelines.
• Open, service, and close deposit accounts, including CDs, Money Market, statement savings, and retirement products, completing all required documentation accurately.
• Balance cash drawer and assist with vault and ATM reconciliation, completing daily logs, control checks, and periodic audits.
• Respond to ACH exceptions and VISA disputes within department-defined timeframes, documenting resolution steps per policy.
• Review transactions for proper authorization and regulatory compliance, escalating identified discrepancies to branch management without delay.
• Expand branch relationships by identifying and directing customers with mortgage, commercial lending, or online banking needs to appropriate personnel.
• Participate in CRA activities to ensure the branch meets required monthly community reinvestment goals.
• Maintain customer confidentiality and branch security by following dual-control procedures and privacy protocols consistently.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of retail banking or teller experience, with demonstrated knowledge of deposit account operations.
• Working knowledge of banking regulations, including Bank Secrecy Act requirements and consumer protection compliance standards.
• Proficiency in cash handling, 10-key operation, and standard Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy across high transaction volumes.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to address customer inquiries professionally and escalate appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities under time pressure while maintaining procedural compliance.

• Familiarity with NACHA rules governing ACH transaction processing and exception handling.
• Prior experience opening and servicing retirement accounts or certificates of deposit in a branch environment.
• Basic knowledge of CRA reporting requirements and community development activity tracking.
• Bilingual communication ability in Spanish or another language common to the branch's service community.

• Cash drawer out-of-balance incidents per month, reflecting transaction accuracy under daily volume.
• ACH exception resolution rate within department-defined SLA, measuring timely clearance of pending items.
• VISA dispute response turnaround in days, tracking compliance with Regulation E timelines.
• CRA activity participation count per month, indicating contribution to branch community reinvestment targets.
• Account referral conversion rate, measuring how often customer interactions result in booked product relationships.
• Typical tools: teller platform and core banking system (commonly Jack Henry, Fiserv); Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Base Salary Range: $38,000 - $52,000 annually, depending on experience and market
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 3-6% of base salary
• Equity: Not standard at this level in community banking
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution typical
• PTO: 10-15 days annually; increases with tenure
• Common Perks: Employee banking product discounts, tuition reimbursement, 401(k) with employer match

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background checks and, where applicable, credit history reviews are a condition of employment for all positions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.

The Banking Specialist owns resolution of payment exceptions and ACH processing within a banking operations team, ensuring transactions meet department policies and regulatory standards. Working alongside internal and external customers, this role delivers accurate, timely processing outcomes that protect the bank's compliance posture and service quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, report, and provide resolution to exceptions promptly according to department policies and procedures.
• Process all ACH in a timely and accurate manner, meeting department guidelines.
• Respond to all VISA disputes meeting department guidelines.
• Review data for proper authorizations and compliance and take action as appropriate.
• Update, modify, and correct data meeting the department's goals and objectives while following policies and procedures.
• Provide consistent, outstanding customer service by anticipating and reacting to internal and external customer needs.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or equivalent experience required.
• 2 to 4 years of prior banking experience with expanded knowledge of banking regulations preferred.
• Basic knowledge of NACHA rules preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze and resolve issues independently.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects to meet deadlines.
• Travel for off-site training may be required.

Embedded within a branch and customer support environment, the Banking Specialist delivers online banking product support through registrations, maintenance requests, and daily reporting. Working closely with supervisors and co-workers through open communication, this role sustains regulatory compliance and operational continuity across digital banking channels.

Core Functions

• Assist and support branches and customer support with all Online Banking products.
• Complete Online Banking registrations and maintenance requests.
• Perform daily and monthly maintenance per reports.
• Assist the department with special projects.
• Maintain an attitude of open communication and cooperation with supervisor and co-workers.

Qualifications & Experience

• Basic PC literacy required.
• Ability to maintain regulatory compliance and follow department policies and procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Innovative and highly motivated self-starter.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changes as needed.

Reporting to branch management, the Banking Specialist performs teller transactions, cash drawer balancing, and account research to ensure customer banking needs are met efficiently and in compliance with regulatory and security guidelines. Partnering with lending and operational staff through referrals and special projects, this role strengthens the branch's service quality and contributes to relationship expansion across mortgage and commercial lending.

Primary Duties

• Perform banking transactions and handle customer inquiries, directing loan-related inquiries to appropriate personnel.
• Maintain and balance cash drawer, receive deposits, post payments, and pay out customer funds.
• Expand bank relationships by making appropriate referrals such as mortgage and commercial lending.
• Perform account research and problem-solving.
• Answer all calls within 3 rings and return calls or follow up within 24 hours.
• Comply with bank procedures and follow regulatory, operational, and security guidelines including dual control policies.
• Contribute to team efforts by working on special projects, reports, and other job-related duties as directed.

Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required, with completion of all mandatory training as required by management.
• 2 or more years of customer service experience in a banking environment.
• Strong ethics with high attention to detail and professional presence.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with good interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills with a positive attitude and team-player mindset.

Sitting at the intersection of client relationship management and banking compliance, the Banking Specialist leads administrative operations, customer database maintenance, and bill payment services within a regulated financial environment. Operating across internal teams, third-party vendors, and regulatory frameworks including the Bank Secrecy Act, this role enables accurate client financial profiles and compliant service delivery that supports the bank's selling efforts and management reporting.

Duties

• Manage and assist with administrative duties and tasks for the group.
• Maintain and manage the customer information database and financial profiles to support selling efforts and management reporting.
• Ensure daily operational efficiency in compliance with regulations and CPB policies and procedures.
• Resolve client issues and concerns independently and interact with third-party vendors on clients' behalf.
• Market Client Property Payment Services to potential customers while managing bill payment operations, new client agreement setups, and responding to client inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws including the Bank Secrecy Act and consumer protection regulations.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field required.
• Minimum 2 or more years of related banking experience.
• Knowledge of state and federal banking regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act and consumer protection requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing with all internal and external customers.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and proficiently use a personal computer and related applications.
• Ability to work in an office setting for extended periods and adapt to different work environments as needed.

A key member of the branch operations team, the Banking Specialist builds accurate transaction processing and full account lifecycle management across deposits, withdrawals, CDs, and retirement products in accordance with bank policies and regulatory guidelines. Collaborating across internal departments and CRA programs, this role delivers the vault balancing, security procedures, and customer service outcomes that sustain branch compliance and community reinvestment goals.

Functions

• Process customer transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, check cashing, monetary instruments, and stop payments accurately and in accordance with bank policies.
• Open, service, and close all account products, including CDs, Money Market, Statement Savings, and Retirement Accounts.
• Perform branch servicing duties, including balancing cash drawer, vault balancing, mail processing, logs, audits, and control checks.
• Answer incoming calls, address customer questions, and escalate disputes to appropriate internal resources.
• Image customer documents and perform quality control checks on imaged files.
• Practice branch security procedures and protect customer confidentiality and privacy.
• Actively participate in CRA activities to ensure required monthly goals are met.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 2 to 4 years of customer service experience, preferably as a teller or new account representative.
• Knowledge of banking products, services, policies, procedures, and regulatory guidelines, or ability to learn quickly.
• Proficiency with 10-key touch and Microsoft Office, with ability to learn banking software applications.
• Strong attention to detail with high concern for data accuracy and confidentiality.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills with strong organizational ability to manage multiple responsibilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Overnight and out-of-town travel possible on occasion.

Consistent branch performance and staff development depend on the Sr. Banking Specialist, who supervises Banking Specialists I and II, manages daily teller line operations including account overrides and opening and closing procedures, and maintains customer relationships through accurate transaction processing and account services. Based within a retail branch and coordinating with the VP Personal Banker on staffing and scheduling, this role advances portfolio growth through cross-selling and ensures operational continuity in the absence of branch management.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervise Banking Specialists I and II and manage daily teller line operations, including account overrides and opening and closing procedures.
• Oversee assigned branch operations in the absence of branch management.
• Assist staff with complex transactions and resolution of customer issues.
• Engage customers to establish deposit accounts and accurately process teller transactions and ancillary services.
• Sell and cross-sell bank products to support branch portfolio growth.
• Collaborate with Banking Specialists and other departments on daily branch activities, including vault and ATM balancing, auditing, and dual control functions.
• Oversee training and development of new and current branch staff, cross-training as needed.

Experience & Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3 to 5 years of progressive retail banking experience required.
• Prior supervisory experience in a financial institution required.
• Cash handling and customer service experience with knowledge of banking laws and regulations.
• Experience in establishing deposit accounts.
• Bilingual in Russian or Spanish a plus.
• Adaptable and flexible with a strong customer focus and physical ability to handle coin and currency transport.

As the Banking Specialist, this role shapes Standby LC processing, document compliance review, and transaction reconciliation for a trade finance team operating under international banking regulations, including OFAC, BSA AML, UCP, and ISBP. The trade finance team relies on this work to ensure timely discrepancy resolution, accurate payment releases within established authorization limits, and compliant correspondence with issuing and negotiating banks.

Accountabilities

• Prepare and review Standby LC draft requests from Front Office and customers, ensuring compliance with internal procedures, industry practice, and legal requirements.
• Process and second-check Standby LC transactions per Head Office and Front Office guidelines, monitoring pending transactions and completing daily reconciliation.
• Check Standby LC documents against LC terms and conditions for compliance with OFAC, EAR, Anti-Boycott, BSA AML, JFEL, UCP, and ISBP.
• Contact applicants, beneficiaries, or presenting parties to resolve identified discrepancies within prescribed timeframes.
• Prepare cables to issuing or negotiating banks requesting waivers or notifying discrepant document status, and prepare cover letters for document remittance.
• Verify and release LCs, amendments, and payments within authorization limits established by Executive Management.
• Respond to inquiries from customers and issuing or negotiating banks regarding pending documents and Letters of Credit.

Professional Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 2 or more years of Trade LC banking experience, or 1 year of Standby LC operational handling and processing.
• Knowledge of international banking, trade finance operations, OFAC, BSA AML, UCP, and ISBP compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of Commodity Financing and Fronting LC processing a plus.
• Proficient in Word processing and Excel.
• Knowledge of Trade 360 System with hands-on processing experience preferred.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and automated system environment.