Midwest BankCentre is proud to be recognized as one of St. Louis’ Top Workplaces for the past 5 years! 

Are you ready to lead with purpose and make a real impact on our community? Join Our Team and Make a Difference at Midwest BankCentre!

Why Midwest BankCentre? Our company culture is all about engagement and collaboration with our teams. We value diversity, inclusion, and innovation. When you join Midwest BankCentre, you're not just joining a company; you're joining a community of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to making a positive impact.

We are committed to making meaningful, long-term investments in communities that lift everyone up so we can all RISE TOGETHER. Our commitment to shared prosperity, our investment in Community and Economic Development and our dedication to diversity and inclusion are reflected is the ways Midwest BankCentre lives its purpose.

AVP, Financial Crimes

Reports to: VP, Financial Crimes

Mission Summary

The mission of Fraud Operations at Midwest BankCentre is to protect the bank, its customers, and the community from financial crimes through proactive prevention, rapid detection, and agile response. The AVP, Financial Crimes plays a critical role in safeguarding trust and ensuring operational integrity across all business lines. The AVP will support the VP, Financial Crimes in overseeing financial crime prevention through the implementation of technology, automation and AI tools; monitoring compliance; analyzing risks; leading investigations; training staff; and functioning as the front-line leader to the operations fraud specialists.  This role is paramount in supporting customers, empowering employees, and upholding trust in every transaction.

Objectives of this Role

• Lead a team of specialists whose primary focus is on fraud prevention and detection, and dispute cases.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and administration of risk management programs designed to prevent and mitigate fraud.
• Collaborate across Internal Stakeholder departments to optimize fraud prevention strategies.
• Champion advanced technologies—including AI, machine learning, and automation—to detect and respond to fraudulent activity.
• Act as a strategic thought partner in setting policy, standards, and training programs bank-wide. 

Essential Functions

• Team Leadership: Set clear goals, provide direction, and foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Performance Management: Ensure each team member performs at the highest level, proactively addresses fraud and disputes, and continuously develops their skills and expertise. Foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the team.
• Fraud Prevention & Detection: Manage and maintain fraud and loss prevention programs, including internal and external investigations.
• Risk Analysis: Conduct periodic risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies for various fraud types (wire transfers, ACH, checks, card payments, online banking, cyber-enabled crimes).

• Compliance Oversight: Ensure adherence to all relevant regulations, industry standards, and internal policies. Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to stay ahead in the market.

• Technology Integration: Drive adoption and optimization of fraud detection systems and automation tools.
• Collaboration: Partner with key stakeholders to develop strategies and initiatives that keep losses to the bank to a minimum year-over-year.
• Training & Development: Assist in the development and implementation of bank-wide comprehensive training programs to enhance internal employee skills, knowledge, and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial crimes and/or banking with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

• Strong leadership skills, able to lead high performing teams that are proactive in nature.
• Deep understanding of financial crimes including regulations and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled at prioritizing duties, working under time constraints, and handling multiple tasks, while remaining flexible to changing priorities and assignments.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility, versatility, commitment and good judgment in team-oriented environment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities are as required and may change at any time with or without notice.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and decision-making under pressure.
• High emotional intelligence and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and investigative abilities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Customer Centric Focus.
• Attentive to Detail.
• Skilled Leader that Empowers Teams.
• Results Oriented with the Ability to Execute on Bank Initiatives.
• Driver of Diversity and Inclusion.
• Acts with Integrity.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.  

Ready to Make Your Mark? If you're passionate about banking with a purpose and ready to take the next step in your career, we want to hear from you! This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with commercial credit experience who are eager to contribute to our community-focused mission.

Why Join Us:

• Community Focus: Be part of a community bank that values and actively supports the St. Louis area.
• Competitive Compensation: We offer a comprehensive salary and benefits package.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and development.
• Impactful Work: Play a key role in shaping the credit strategy and success of our organization.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive and dynamic environment that values teamwork and innovation.

Don’t meet every single requirement? 

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be the right candidate for this or other Midwest BankCentre roles!

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Midwest BankCentre is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. 

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position and Midwest BankCentre. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.