Job Information
Columbia Bank VP, Regulatory Liaison in Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Summary: The Vice President, Regulatory Liaison (VP, RL) will serve as the primary point of contact between the Bank and its regulatory agencies, including the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency), CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), Federal Reserve (Fed), and FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). Reporting to the Sr. EVP, Chief Risk Officer, this role is critical in ensuring that the Bank remains compliant with regulatory requirements and is consistently prepared for Banking Holding Company, Consumer Compliance, and Safety and Soundness Exams and their respective targeted reviews.
The VP will work closely with key business units to enhance and maintain standardized processes for preparing for ongoing monitoring requests and examinations with the various Bank and Holding Company regulatory agencies. The VP will foster a proactive risk-minded and inclusive culture to promote visibility into the examination and monitoring processes to the varies levels of management while working to create a sense of ownership for examination preparedness across the Bank.
As an integral part of the Bank’s Risk and Compliance leadership, the VP will spearhead the coordination of information for all regulatory exams, manage regulatory relationships, and oversee the implementation of corrective actions when necessary. The VP will also be responsible for cataloging and maintaining responses to ensure continuity of institutional knowledge provided to Bank and Holding Company regulators and the reduce the burden on the business units for the production of information.
Job Responsibilities:
Regulatory Engagement and Request Management:
Serves as the primary contact for Bank and Holding Company regulatory agencies (OCC, CFPB, Fed, and FDIC).
Ensures timely, effective, and transparent communication between the bank and regulators, managing the flow of information and documentation.
Manages all regulatory information requests and ensure responses are accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner.
Oversees a centralized system for managing regulatory communications, ensuring organized, secure, and accessible documentation
Examination Readiness and Management:
Develops and implements a robust exam readiness program, coordinating mock exams and periodic assessments to ensure that all business units are prepared for regulatory scrutiny.
Identifies and addresses gaps in preparedness through corrective action plans, driving continuous improvement across the organization.
Leads the preparation for regulatory exams, focusing on safety and soundness reviews as well as targeted supervisory exams.
Manages exam timelines, coordinates response efforts, and oversees exam logistics, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations.
Monitoring and Testing:
Monitors evolving regulatory guidance, rule changes, and industry trends that could impact the bank’s operations.
Conducts regular testing and self-assessments of business units’ compliance with regulatory requirements.
Provides feedback to ensure any deficiencies are quickly remediated and improvements are implemented.
Internal Collaboration and Support:
Works closely with the bank’s senior leadership, including Compliance, Risk, Audit, Corporate Governance, and Legal teams, to ensure that regulatory standards are fully understood and upheld.
Acts as a regulatory advisor for business units, assisting them with the interpretation and implementation of relevant regulations.
Collaborates with internal teams to interpret and implement necessary changes in policies and procedures.
Training and Awareness:
Partners with the Compliance and Training teams to develop and deliver regulatory training programs that ensure employees are well-informed and exam-ready.
Promotes a culture of compliance and regulatory risk awareness throughout the organization.
Reporting:
Provides detailed reports and updates to executive management and the Board of Directors on the status of regulatory engagements, exams, and compliance activities.
Highlights emerging regulatory risks and recommends strategies for mitigation.
Other Responsibilities:
Performs other job-related duties as may be assigned.
Job Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business, Law, or a related field.
Advanced degrees (MBA, JD) or professional certifications (e.g., CERP, CRCM, CAMS) are strongly preferred.
10-15 years of Regulator experience.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in the banking industry, with at least 5 years in a regulatory liaison, compliance, or risk management role at a regulated financial institution.
Direct experience with OCC-regulated institutions and managing large-scale regulatory exams
Experience with mid-sized or larger financial institutions, preferably with assets over $10 billion, is highly preferred.
Deep understanding of banking regulations, with a focus on safety and soundness, consumer protection, corporate governance, and risk management.
Familiarity with key regulatory bodies, including the OCC, CFPB, Fed, and FDIC, and their respective regulatory frameworks.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with regulators and internal stakeholders.
Excellent organizational and project management abilities, capable of managing complex exams and requests with precision.
Highly analytical, with attention to detail and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving regulatory issues.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive collaboration, and influence senior leadership
Demonstrated experience in fostering a culture of compliance, accountability, and exam-readiness.
Columbia Bank and its affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Affirmative Action Employer/Males/Females/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities