VP, Corporate Counsel (Digital Payments & FinTech)

Description

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly motivated and business-oriented attorney to join our Legal Department as Vice President - Corporate Counsel. This role will primarily support the Bank's Digital Payments and FinTech initiatives, including credit card, prepaid card, and payment products and services. The successful candidate will partner closely with business, compliance, risk, operations, product, and technology teams to provide practical legal guidance in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

In addition to supporting the Digital Payments and FinTech portfolio, this position will have meaningful exposure to a broad range of banking and corporate legal matters, providing an excellent opportunity for professional growth and development within a dynamic financial institution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES include the following.

• Provide legal support for the Bank's digital payments, FinTech partnerships, credit card, prepaid card, and related consumer and commercial banking products.
• Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including FinTech partnership agreements, vendor agreements, cardholder agreements, processing agreements, marketing agreements, and technology contracts.
• Advise business stakeholders on legal and regulatory issues affecting payment products and services.
• Monitor and analyze developments in federal and state laws and regulations impacting banking, payments, consumer financial services, and financial technology.
• Support product development initiatives and legal reviews of new or enhanced products and services.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Risk Management, Information Security, Operations, and Product teams to identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks.
• Assist with responses to regulatory examinations, audits, and oversight inquiries.
• Support broader legal department initiatives, including corporate governance, contract management, regulatory matters, and general banking operations.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, presentations, and business guidance on complex legal issues.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job does not have managerial responsibilities.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• 1-4 years of relevant legal experience at a law firm, financial institution, FinTech company, regulatory agency, or combination thereof.
• Strong legal research, drafting, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional business teams.
• Sound judgment and a practical, business-focused approach to problem solving

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Clear and effective communicator 
• Collaborative team player 
• Detail-driven with a high level of accuracy

PREFERRED / PLUS QUALIFIACATIONS

• Experience supporting financial institutions, payment companies, FinTech organizations, or consumer financial services businesses.
• Familiarity with credit card, prepaid card, debit card, ACH, RTP, or other payment systems.
• Working knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, including some combination of: 
• Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Regulation Z
• Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E
• UDAAP requirements
• Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML)
• CARD Act
• CFPB guidance and regulations
• Network rules (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
• State money transmission and consumer protection laws
• Experience reviewing technology, SaaS, data-sharing, or vendor agreements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Travel: Travel to client offices, prospects, branches, and industry events as necessary.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Patriot Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbents may be asked to perform other duties as required.