Central Operations Specialist III

Who We Are :

FFB, a dynamic and acclaimed single-branch bank born in the heart of Fresno, CA in 2005, is on a mission to redefine the banking experience. Our commitment to delivering top-notch banking services has propelled us to the forefront of the industry, earning us accolades and recognition. At FFB, we recognize the uniqueness of each individual who walks through our doors, and our dedicated team strives to craft personalized banking solutions that cater to their distinct needs.

What sets FFB apart is not just our Fresno roots but the diverse talents that make up our team, hailing from every corner of the country. We firmly believe that our people are our greatest strength, and we're constantly on the lookout for ambitious and passionate individuals who align with FFB's vision, regardless of their location.

If you're ready to be part of a winning team and contribute to our ongoing success story, we invite you to apply and join the FFB family!

Recent Achievements Speak Louder Than Words:

• 2024 & 2025 - American Banker - #1 Top Performing Publicly Traded Bank with under $2b in assets
• 2023 - American Banker - Top 5 Community Bank in the Country #4
• 2023 - OTCQX - Best 50 Companies #3
• 2023 - 5-star Rating Bauer Financial

What You Should Expect While Working at FFB:

• Company ownership through our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• A friendly, close-Knit work culture that encourages growth
• Opportunities to Participate in Community Networking Events
• Benefits Package

o Medical/Dental/Vision

o Life Insurance

o Paid Vacation

o 401(k) Retirement Plan

o Training & Development

o Tuition Reimbursement

o Employee Assistance Program

o Internal Job Posting & Referral Program

Ideal Candidate: FFB prides itself on its core values of Teamwork, Relationship, Authenticity, and Commitment (TRAC). We expect that our team members will reflect these values in the workplace in various ways:

• Teamwork We collaborate, hold each other accountable, and win together.
• Relationship We are trustworthy, transparent, and respectful.
• Authentic We are humble, vulnerable, and we speak up.
• Commitment We are owners...Be hungry, responsive, and have a sense of urgency.

About the Position :

The Central Operations Specialist III role is vital for executing all Central Operations daily functions as needed in times of staff shortage. Training, supporting and coaching team members is essential in this job. Responsibilities could include processing financial transactions such as exception items, ACH, and wire transfers; managing Smart Safe cash balancing and reconciliation; handling card disputes, levies, and subpoenas; and conducting customer research and account reconciliation. This position will be responsible for training team members in all areas of Central Operations. This position requires accurate and timely completion of tasks, strong attention to detail, and adherence to Federal Reserve Bank requirements.

Essential Duties:

• Completes advanced bank operational functions accurately and on time, following established procedures and deadlines.
• Processes exception items for DDA, SAV, CD, and FMS accounts, including NSF and non-posted items, as well as returned items from the Federal Reserve Bank.
• Manages ACH functions, including processing, returns, notifications of change, and death notification entries.
• Handles incoming and outgoing wires and adjustments with accuracy and compliance.
• Performs daily SmartSafe and Empyreal Safe balancing, branch cash balancing, and reconciliation of wire and SmartSafe activity.
• Reviews and processes card disputes, remote deposit capture (RDC) image deposits, and mobile check deposits.
• Handles legal and regulatory documentation including levies, garnishments, orders to withhold, subpoenas, and summons requests.
• Prepares check affidavit claims, following with bank until completion.
• Performs daily RDC review and approval.
• Performs Mobile check processing.
• Conducts customer research and resolves account-related issues, including large item processing and stop payments, along with placing holds and generating required reporting.
• Enters and maintains rate changes and performs maintenance and callback reviews to ensure accurate account records.
• Performs account reconciliation and certifies all general ledger accounts monthly.
• Balances all general ledger accounts assigned to Central Operations, including ATM, DIP, Harland Clarke, CDARS, suspense asset/liability accounts, and Federal Reserve accounts.
• Supports year-end processing, including new account reviews and file maintenance callbacks.
• Manages Brokered CDs, ensuring timely interest payments and compliance.
• Performs additional Central Operations functions as needed to support departmental needs and operational continuity.
• Provide day-to-day support to central operations staff, ensuring they have the necessary resources and guidance to perform their tasks effectively.
• Responds to customer and staff inquiries or refers inquiries to the appropriate department or person, exhibits the necessary follow-through with customers and/or staff involved.
• Arrives consistently to work and on time; arrives at meetings and appointments on time. Punctuality is especially important for the operations department.
• Provides effective customer service and assists in resolving problems within given authority.
• Gathers data and process various reports (e.g., currency transaction, returned items, overdrafts, callbacks,
• Creates form letters, procedures, and correspondence for use in the Central Operations Department
• Acts as a point of contact for resolving operational issues, offering practical solutions, and escalating problems when necessary.
• Assists in the onboarding and training of new staff, ensuring they understand procedures, tools, and best practices.
• Embodies the TRAC Values and Critical Behaviors (Teamwork, Relationship, Authenticity, Commitment) as core principles, using them to guide daily interactions and decision-making.
• Completes administrative tasks with a sense of urgency, including required Bank Compliance Training. Responds to internal and external inquiries via email, phone, or messaging platforms in a timely and professional manner. Positively represents the Bank through ethical conduct and community involvement.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to EEO policies. Fosters a respectful, inclusive workplace by valuing cultural differences, preventing harassment of any kind, and supporting a diverse workforce.
• Ensures adherence to all Bank policies, procedures, and processes, along with applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, ensuring confidentiality and data privacy while carrying out AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism) responsibilities specific to the role.
• Performs duties in an office or home office environment, involving tasks such as writing, typing, speaking, lifting moderate weights, and operating office equipment. The position requires physical activities like sitting, walking, and reaching. Reasonable accommodation can be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Travels up to 10%, including but not limited to attending company meetings, training sessions, and corporate events, with travel typically being regional or local based on business needs.

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Finance, or related) preferred. Advanced degree or Hold an Accreditation in one or more of the following areas AAP, AFPP, NCP, APRP or Similar Accreditation.
• Minimum 610 years of experience central operations support and/or branch support background. retail banking or commercial lending experience, with at least 35 years in a compliance regulations and other Bank operational policies capacity required.
• Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills; capable of interpreting complex data and providing meaningful insights.
• Experience, knowledge and training in financial statement and tax return analysis typically resulting from a combination of education in accounting, financial and/or credit analysis or related areas.
• Experience with CSI Nupoint, Federal Reserve System, TIB and Mozrt preferred or required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) required.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions, interpret documents, understand procedures, write reports and correspondence, and speak clearly to customers, vendors and employees.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities with attention to detail.
• Strong teamwork and relationship skills to lead collaborative efforts, foster alignment, and drive results across teams.
• Ability to take initiative and impact change within the Bank through consensus building and conflict resolution.
• Willingness to take on special projects and perform other duties as assigned, beyond core responsibilities, to support team and organizational needs.
• Commitment to continuous learning a]]>