Financial Crimes Investigator

NASA Federal Credit Union is seeking a detail-oriented, analytical Financial Crimes Investigator to support timely, risk-based investigations of suspected fraud and other financial crimes. This role works across internal teams, including Branch Operations, Consumer and Mortgage Lending, and Fraud Prevention, as well as with external vendors such as AutoPay, Lentegrity, and NCU-IASO. The Financial Crimes Investigator is responsible for making supportable, well-reasoned decisions with minimal supervision; prioritizing investigative work; articulating findings; and preparing clear, well-written reports for management, law enforcement, and regulatory purposes.

The ideal candidate will be skilled in identifying fraud trends, interpreting financial transactions and documentation, recognizing control gaps, and recommending process, policy, and training enhancements that reduce losses and strengthen member protections. This position also documents investigative steps, evidence, findings, and decisions in the case management system and prepares clear Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) narratives, as appropriate.

This position requires candidates to reside within commutable distance of our Corporate Office located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following with other duties as assigned.

• Remains cognizant of and adheres to Credit Union policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act, OFAC, the Right to Financial Privacy Act, and Reg E.

• Works assigned cases and investigations to a logical conclusion.
• Monitors fraud detection systems, reviews documents and financial transactions and takes appropriate action to prevent or recover fraud losses.
• Conducts investigative fact-finding by eliciting information through voluntary statements, and admissions from perpetrators or victims of financial crimes through structured, non-coercive conversational interviews.
• Performs root cause analysis on fraud events to identify and close gaps and make recommendations for process improvement to prevent or reduce fraud losses.
• Documents case actions and provides detailed narrative summaries in a case management system.
• Communicates effectively and works collaboratively with all lines of business.
• Investigates suspicious accounts, loan fraud, credit card fraud, wire fraud, check fraud, ID theft, and other unauthorized or fraudulent activities.
• Responds to requests from other financial institutions asking for assistance with members with suspicious or fraudulent activity on their accounts.
• Contacts members via phone and in writing during investigation and responds to inquiries from members.
• Prepares suspicious activity reports (SARs) as appropriate within regulatory timeframes for filing a SAR.
• Provides case status reports to management upon request.
• Establishes good working relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel, and other financial institutions to facilitate the investigation of suspected fraud.
• Prepares investigation reports for referrals to law enforcement or prosecutors when appropriate.
• Participates in continuing education to maintain awareness of fraud trends and laws and regulations affecting financial institutions.
• Represents the Credit Union in court proceedings when required by subpoena.
• Processes and submits Notices of Loss to the Credit Union’s insurance company for fraud losses.
• Prepares presentations and conducts training on various fraud related topics (e.g., Identity Theft, Robbery, Check Fraud, Loan Fraud, and Scams).

• Conducts investigations that involve a high degree of complexity and requires an analysis of transactions and data to independently reach a logical conclusion.
• Leads and coordinates investigations with other departments and law enforcement.
• Identifies and evaluates existing, and emerging fraud trends and makes recommendations for process improvement to reduce potential fraud losses.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of fraud data and the preparation of management reports outlining issues/trends and accomplishments.
• Assists with updating applicable policies and procedures for Financial Crimes.
• May act as subject matter expert for the Credit Union Training Department and/or mentor other employees.
• Mentors Fraud Investigator I and other Financial Crimes staff.

Financial Crimes Investigator:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, finance, accounting, business, or a related field preferred.

• Minimum four years of fraud, financial crimes, AML/BSA, banking operations, loss prevention, or comparable investigative experience in a financial institution or law enforcement environment.

Financial Crimes Investigator- Senior: Includes all requirements of Fraud Investigator I and II and the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, finance, accounting, business, or a related field preferred.
• A minimum of seven years of experience in bank/credit union fraud investigations. Additional experience may be substituted for education at the discretion of the Vice President/Chief Risk Officer.
• Active credential as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) or the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

NASA Federal Credit Union offers an array of benefits including comprehensive healthcare, 401(k), paid leave, remote work options for applicable positions, and more.

+ Insurance coverage begins the 1st day of the month, following 30 days after hire date.

*100% Credit Union-Paid

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Salary: $60,000 - $ 110,000 / Annually
• 401(k) with employer match up to 6% and immediate 100% vesting
• Gain Sharing Bonus (eligibility rules apply)*Health Insurance (Choice of two nationwide PPO plans)
• High-Deductible Plan: 100% employer contribution toward premium. (HSA and FSA compatible)+*
• Low-Deductible Plan: Generous employer contribution toward premium. (FSA compatible)+
• Dental Insurance: Generous employer contribution toward premium (HSA and FSA compatible)+
• Vision Insurance: Generous employer contribution toward premium (HSA and FSA compatible)+
• Long-term Disability Insurance+*
• Flexible Spending Medical Account (FSA)+
• Flexible Spending Dependent Care Account+
• Health Savings Account (HSA)+
• Voluntary Supplemental Employee and Dependent Life Insurance+
• Voluntary Short-term Disability Insurance+
• Remote or Remote / Hybrid work options based on position
• Life Insurance/AD&D+*
• Vacation Leave (excluding Outside Loan Officers)
• Sick and Safe Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Education Assistance
• Employee Referral Bonus*
• Credit Union Membership Eligible
• Employee Assistance Program+*
• Identity Theft Protection (Additional premiums to add family members)+*
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Discount Program
• Remote or Remote / Hybrid work options based on position

All benefits are based on meeting NASA Federal Credit Union’s eligibility requirements and the carrier’s terms and conditions. 

                                                                                  WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER

At NASA Federal Credit Union, we strive to ensure a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and opportunity where everyone can feel valued, appreciated, and respected. We commit to recruit and retain a diverse team with the best talents to live our vision, mission, and values. We recognize that respecting different perspectives and experiences makes us stronger together.