Commercial Bank Fraud Investigator

Avidbank is a $2.6 billion commercial bank based in Silicon Valley serving the San Francisco Bay area and beyond. We are a highly responsive business bank, providing tailored financial solutions. We are advocates for our clients and specialize in providing innovative banking products and supportive services that exceed our clients’ expectations.

Founded in 2003, we specialize in commercial & industrial lending, technology and asset-based lending, specialty finance, real estate construction, and commercial real estate lending. We have one branch in San Jose along with loan production offices in Redwood City and San Francisco.

Title of position: Commercial Bank Fraud Investigator

Position type: Full-time

Pay range: $65,000 - $100,000

Division: Risk and Compliance - BSA / Fraud

Work Location Type: San Jose HQ Office

Location: San Jose, California

The Role

The Fraud Specialist/Investigator serves as the primary point of contact for all fraud‑related events and is responsible for coordinating the fraud investigation process from initial customer intake through research, case assignment, escalation, and resolution. This role plays a central coordination function, ensuring timely communication and action among internal stakeholders, including Relationship Management, Operations, Treasury Management, BSA/AML, Risk Management, Compliance, and other key partners.

The Fraud Specialist/Investigator independently performs fraud analytics, transaction monitoring, and investigative reviews in support of the Bank’s fraud risk management program. This position applies sound judgment and strong analytical expertise to identify, investigate, document, and escalate potentially fraudulent or suspicious activity, with a strong emphasis on alert decisioning, case management, and regulatory reporting support using Verafin and other monitoring systems. Close collaboration with internal stakeholders is essential to ensure effective fraud mitigation, regulatory compliance, and timely risk escalation.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for all reported fraud events, coordinating investigations from customer fraud intake through resolution
• Manage fraud referrals, including intake, research, case creation, assignment, and notification of relevant internal stakeholders for required action
• Conduct end‑to‑end fraud investigations, including transactional analysis across deposit, payment, and digital banking channels
• Independently review, analyze, and disposition fraud alerts generated by Verafin and related monitoring systems
• Open, track, and resolve fraud cases while maintaining complete and well‑supported investigative documentation for management review and potential law enforcement referrals
• Communicate effectively with internal teams, customers, and external partners to obtain information necessary to support investigations
• Collaborate with Operations, BSA/AML, Risk & Compliance, Treasury Management, IT, and frontline teams to support fraud detection, response, and prevention efforts
• Provide fraud‑related guidance and support to frontline and operational staff, including identifying suspicious activity and compliance concerns
• Adhere to BSA/AML and OFAC policies and procedures, including escalation and reporting of suspicious activity as appropriate
• Perform Customer Identification Program (CIP), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) reviews, including customer risk rating assessments and ongoing monitoring of higher‑risk customers
• Maintain accurate, timely, and audit‑ready case documentation to meet regulatory, audit, and examination standards
• Assist with the development and enhancement of fraud‑related policies, procedures, and risk mitigation strategies
• Stay current on regulatory requirements, emerging fraud trends, and industry best practices
• First point of contact for fraud events, collaborating with internal parties for fraud investigation from customer fraud report intake, research, and case notifications to related parties for action items related to this fraud event.
• Conduct end-to-end investigations of potentially fraudulent or suspicious activity, including transactional analysis across deposit, payment, and digital banking channels.
• Independently review, analyze, and disposition of fraud alerts generated through Verafin and related monitoring systems.
• Collaborate with BSA, Compliance, Operations, IT, and frontline teams to support fraud detection, prevention, and awareness efforts.
• Open, track, and resolve fraud cases; maintain complete investigative documentation for management review and potential law enforcement referrals.

• Communicate with internal teams, customers, and external partners to obtain additional information related to fraud investigation.
• Provide fraud a support frontline staff, including guidance on identifying suspicious activity or compliance concerns.
• Understand and adhere to BSA & OFAC policies and procedure, including reporting suspicious activity.
• Perform Customer Identification Program (CIP), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) reviews, including customer risk rating assessments and ongoing monitoring of higher-risk relationships.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and well-supported case documentation to meet regulatory, audit, and examination standards.
• Assist in developing and revising fraud‑related policies, procedures, and mitigation strategies to reduce organizational fraud risk.
• Stay up‑to‑date on regulatory changes, emerging fraud trends, and industry best practices related to BSA/AML compliance.

This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice. 

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience in fraud investigations preferred.
• 3 – 5 years of experience in bank operations, fraud investigations, BSA/AML compliance, or financial crimes within a financial institution (banking or credit unions experience preferred).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills with ability to identify patterns, and anomalies
• Knowledge of BSA/AML regulations, OFAC requirements, and fraud typologies
• Experience with fraud detection or transaction monitoring systems (Verafin preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with customers, and staff
• Ability to work with confidential information while exercising sound judgment
• Working knowledge of bank operations, primarily deposits and payment products
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word
• Preferred credential: CAMS, CFE, or other fraud or AML certifications

Benefits

Avidbank offers full-time employees’ competitive compensation, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long term disability insurance, 401k with matching, paid holidays and a competitive paid time off policy.

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Avidbank is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer.