Risk Analyst Lead

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt | Eligible Remote
Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000 per year

About Commercial Bank of California

Commercial Bank of California (CBC) is the largest Latino-owned bank in California and a certified Minority Depository Institution (MDI). Headquartered in Irvine and founded in 2003, CBC is one of the largest privately held banks in the state, with over $3.5 billion in assets as of December 2025.

We are a purpose-driven financial institution committed to building long-term relationships and delivering innovative, personalized banking solutions. Our leadership reflects the diverse communities we serve, and our mission is rooted in empowering entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders to thrive.

As a certified MDI, CBC is proud to play a vital role in advancing financial inclusion and economic opportunity. We believe in a higher vision for banking—one that prioritizes trust, collaboration, and community impact. Join us and be part of a team that’s redefining what it means to be a community-focused, relationship-driven bank that puts people over profits.

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and driven Payments Risk Analyst Lead to join our team and play a key role in protecting and strengthening our ACH and BankCard programs. In this position, you will lead first-line risk monitoring and analysis across Third-Party Payment Processors (TPPPs) and merchant accounts, helping to identify potential fraud, reduce exposure, and support sound risk decisions. This is a great opportunity for a strategic thinker who enjoys solving complex problems, working cross-functionally, and making a meaningful impact in a fast-paced payments environment. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to staying ahead of industry rules, trends, and regulatory changes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead Merchant and TPPP Risk Reviews

Lead reviews of high-risk merchant accounts and prepare clear, well-supported recommendations for Underwriting/Risk.
Conduct TPPP due diligence reviews, develop exposure worksheets, and present findings to support informed risk decisions.
Analyze transaction activity and supporting documentation—including invoices, receipts, proof of authorization, and client agreements—in the context of each merchant’s business model and processing history.
Engage directly with merchants through interviews and outreach to assess unusual activity, clarify concerns, and identify potential fraud risks.

Drive Monitoring, Exceptions, and Investigations

Monitor daily, monthly, and quarterly portfolio exception reports to identify emerging risks, reduce exposure, and escalate suspicious activity when needed.
Review merchant processing activity for parameter violations, exceptions, and unusual behavior, and initiate risk reviews in response.
Investigate questionable transactions by analyzing activity patterns, chargebacks, returns, exceptions, and changes in deposit behavior.
Gather transaction data and supporting documentation to validate activity, resolve concerns, and strengthen risk assessments.

Strengthen Risk Policies, Controls, and Continuous Improvement

Help shape and implement scalable risk policies, procedures, and guidelines that support ACH and BankCard program growth.
Partner with Underwriting/Risk and the Director of Payments Solutions to enhance processes, strengthen controls, and support policy updates.
Track risk levels through ongoing reviews of processing parameters, chargebacks, abnormal trends, and other key risk indicators.
Respond to internal and external inquiries related to risk concerns and transaction trends with professionalism, clarity, and sound judgment.

Collaborate Across Key Partners

Underwriting/Risk to support high-risk account recommendations, approvals, and ongoing risk evaluation.
Payments Operations to coordinate remediation efforts, operational follow-through, and documentation.
BSA/AML/Compliance, as needed, to escalate and address suspicious activity indicators.
TPPPs and merchants to request information, review documentation, and address risk-related matters.

Minimum Qualifications

Required: Bachelor’s degree in business administration/ finance, Accounting or related field and 5+ years related experience.

Education/Training/Experience

Required: Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Payments Solutions (ACH and/or BankCard).
Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field.
Plus: 3 years of banking experience and/or BSA experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of banking laws, bank policies/procedures, and regulations applicable to payments.
Payments experience (ACH or BankCard) strongly preferred; understanding of merchant business models and processing risk signals.
Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills; excellent attention to detail.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage projects to completion within deadlines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to communicate risk concerns to varied audiences.
Ability to utilize AI solutions such as CoPilot appropriately and effectively.
Research and analysis techniques to resolve issues
Ability to work effectively in a team or independently

Licenses/Certificates

AAP (Accredited ACH Professional) or similar certification preferred but not required.

Benefits & Perks

Competitive employer contribution to medical, dental and vision coverage
401k plan with employer match
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care Accounts
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employer provided Calm subscription
Employer provided mental health benefits through Teladoc
Life, AD&D and disability insurance
Minimum 15 Days of Vacation, 11 Paid Federal Holidays, Paid Time off to Volunteer
Online discount program
Tuition Reimbursement Program

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Equal Employment Opportunity & Accommodations

Commercial Bank of California is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

We evaluate applicants fairly and equitably, including those with criminal histories, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Commercial Bank of California is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at hr@cbcal.com with the nature of your request and your contact information.

Recruitment Policy

Commercial Bank of California does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to CBC, either directly or indirectly, will be considered the property of Commercial Bank of California.

We will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. To submit candidates for consideration, recruiting agencies must have a valid, written, and fully executed agreement with Commercial Bank of California. Without such an agreement in place, no agency submissions will be accepted or compensated.

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