Merchant Acquiring Risk & Compliance Manager
17 hours ago
Salt Lake City
Job Description The Merchant Acquiring Risk & Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring the bank’s merchant acquiring and payment facilitation (PayFac) activities comply with applicable card network rules, banking regulations, and internal risk management standards. This role serves as a key control function supporting card network compliance, merchant and partner oversight, issue management, and regulatory readiness across the acquiring lifecycle. The analyst works cross‑functionally with the Bank’s Fintech Solutions Group, Legal, Compliance, and third‑party fintech or ISO partners to identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate card network compliance risks. Primary Responsibilities Card Network Compliance & Oversight • Monitor and interpret Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover operating regulations, ensuring timely implementation of rule changes affecting merchant acquiring and PayFac programs., • Assess merchant acquiring products, PayFac structures, and transaction flows for adherence to card network requirements, including:, • Merchant onboarding and underwriting standards., • MCC assignment and monitoring., • Prohibited and high‑risk merchant activity., • Payment facilitator and ISO sponsorship requirements., • Conduct periodic card network risk assessments covering operational, compliance, and reputational risk., • Support development and maintenance of key risk indicators (KRIs) related to merchant acquiring (e.g., chargeback ratios, fraud thresholds, network monitoring programs)., • Track, investigate, and remediate card network compliance findings, rule violations, or partner deficiencies., • Support responses to card network inquiries, audits, and regulatory exams, including data gathering and corrective action plans., • Support oversight of ISOs, PayFacs, payment processors, and other acquiring‑related third parties, consistent with the bank’s third‑party risk management program., • Review partner compliance artifacts, policies, reporting, and attestations related to card network obligations., • Maintain and enhance card network compliance policies, procedures, and control documentation., • Provide guidance and training to internal teams on card network rules and merchant acquiring risk., • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Risk Management, Compliance, Business, or a related field., • 3–6+ years of experience in merchant acquiring, payments compliance, card networks, or financial institution risk management., • Working knowledge of Visa and Mastercard operating regulations (AmEx and Discover a plus)., • Understanding of merchant acquiring structures, including:, • Direct merchant models, • ISOs, • Payment Facilitators / Sub‑merchant models, • Experience supporting exams, audits, or card network reviews., • Strong analytical, documentation, and issue‑management skills., • Attention to detail and strong regulatory interpretation skills., • Ability to translate network rules into practical business controls., • Sound judgment and risk‑based decision making., • Clear and concise written communication., • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑changing payments environment. Desired Skills and Experience • Experience at a bank, sponsor bank, card network, or acquiring processor, • Familiarity with:, • BSA/AML and OFAC considerations for merchant acquiring, • Chargeback monitoring and dispute processes, • Fraud and transaction monitoring programs, • Exposure to FDIC, OCC, or FRB examination environments BENEFITS • Medical, dental, vision, • 401(k) with employer match, • Life and long-term disability coverage, • HSA and FSA plans, • Holidays and paid time off requests, • Robust wellness program (we’re talking catered meals three times a weeks, lunch and learns, and onsite gym.) Headquartered in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, Celtic Bank was named a top SBA lender in the nation in 2025! Celtic Bank is a leading nationwide lender specializing in SBA 7(a), SBA 504, USDA B&I, express loans, asset-based loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial construction loans. Celtic Bank is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local fair employment practices laws. Physical and Other Requirements This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. • Stationary Work: The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to type, handle documents, and perform other office related duties. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects., • Mobility: The employee in this position needs to occasionally move between work sites and inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc., • Communicate: The employee is regularly required to talk or hear and will frequently communicate with others. Must be able to read, write and understand fluent English, • Work Model: The employee in this position will work either a fully Onsite or Hybrid work model. All employees, regardless of location, may be required to travel to the Salt Lake City office for mandatory company meetings, events, or related occasions., • Utah-based employees: Hybrid work schedule available after initial training period in our Salt Lake City, Utah office – department and job requirements will determine eligibility.