Assistant Branch Manager

About the role

The Assistant Branch Manager supports the Branch Manager in the overall leadership, operations, and performance of the branch. This role is responsible for fostering a high-performing team environment, delivering exceptional customer experiences, ensuring operational excellence, and maintaining compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational leader for the branch by ensuring adherence to internal controls, operational procedures, bank policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct and document daily operational reviews, identifying operational exceptions, fraud indicators, compliance concerns, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Exercise sound judgment when resolving operational issues while recognizing when escalation to the Branch Manager or appropriate support departments is necessary.
• Review branch activities for compliance with Regulation CC, CTR requirements, OFAC, CIP, dual control procedures, fraud prevention standards, and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail when reviewing transactions, documentation, reports, and operational processes.
• Identify and proactively address discrepancies, errors, and process gaps to minimize risk and improve operational efficiency.
• Support achievement of branch goals through relationship building, business development, and customer retention efforts.
• Review and approve transactions within delegated authority while mitigating operational risk.
• Audit readiness and maintain a strong culture of compliance and accountability.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and the overall customer experience.
• Lead branch operations in the absence of the Branch Manager.
• Develop and carry out strategies to increase deposit balances from existing customers by understanding their needs and offering tailored solutions.

People Leadership Responsibilities

• Assist with interviewing, onboarding, and training new employees.
• Conduct regular coaching sessions with frontline staff and provide timely feedback to enhance performance and engagement.
• Reinforce performance expectations through observation, coaching, and follow-up.
• Aid in developing individualized employee development plans.
• Recognize employee accomplishments while appropriately addressing performance concerns.
• Promote a positive culture centered around accountability, teamwork, customer service, risk awareness, and continuous improvement throughout the branch.

Leadership Competencies

• Leads by example.
• Demonstrates professionalism and integrity.
• Holds self and others accountable.
• Builds trust with customers and employees.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Effective coaching and mentoring abilities.
• Strong organizational and delegation skills.
• Adaptable during organizational change.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence and professional maturity.

Transaction Processing and Account Management

• Approve overrides within authority limits.
• Review lending documentation.
• Supervise complex transactions.
• Process commercial, business and consumer checking deposits, verifying cash and accurate endorsement of items.
• Process savings deposits and withdrawals, verifying cash, endorsements, and signatures.
• Accept checks presented for cash following the check cashing policy and verifying identification.
• Accept installment and commercial payments.
• Process advances for personal and home equity lines of credit.
• Handle U.S. Savings redemption transactions.
• Issue cashier checks, money orders, gift cards, and credit card cash advances.
• Issue debit cards, make changes, and close a requested.
• Accept check re-orders and address changes.
• Process dormant and inactive account transactions according to bank policy.
• Handle and balance cash drawer.

Operational Ownership

• Maintain ownership of the branch’s daily operational review process.
• Manage branch schedules, workflow management, and staffing coverage.
• Review and monitor operational reports including, but not limited to:
• Large Aggregated Deposits
• Large Item Reports
• Mobile Deposit Reports
• ACH/NOC Exceptions
• Daily Wire Activity
• CTR Review Reports
• Deficit Balance Reports
• New Accounts
• Closed Accounts
• RDC Verification Reports
• Additional operational exception reports as assigned
• Ensure audit and compliance readiness.
• Assist with opening and closing of the bank facility by accessing security system, recording, and processing night deposit bags / envelopes.
• Maintain bank security by following policy, which includes internal security, transaction security, and robbery procedures.
• Process any of the following:
• Incoming mail deposits and payments;
• Loan deposits;
• signature cards;
• transfers, and coin orders;
• Perform ATM duties.
• Affiliate with internal business lines to identify referral opportunities and expand customer relationships.
• Assist in executing business development initiatives through networking, community involvement, and relationship management activities.

Compliance and Training

• Maintain solid understanding of all legal and regulatory compliance issues as they pertain to this position.
• Maintain NMLS certification.
• Lead compliance training initiatives.
• Loss prevention and security as applicable for this position.
• Complete required training.
• Participate in Stearns Bank sales/referral promotions.
• Affiliate with deposit product training with new and existing employees.
• Maintain file on assigned competitor and monitor rates, pricing, product changes, etc.
• Participate in Saturday duty when needed.
• Other projects assigned.