Merchant Acquiring Risk & Compliance Manager

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.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for card network compliance inquiries from business, operations, and partner teams.

Risk Assessment & Monitoring

• 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).
• Monitor network‑defined risk programs (e.g., Visa Monitoring Programs, Mastercard High Fraud / High Chargeback Programs) and escalate issues as appropriate.

Issue Management & Remediation

• 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.
• Collaborate with operations and product teams to implement sustainable remediation and control enhancements.

Partner & Third‑Party Oversight

• 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.
• Assist in onboarding and ongoing monitoring of acquiring partners from a compliance and risk perspective.

Governance, Policies & Training

• 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.
• Support regulatory examinations and internal audits by providing documentation, explanations, and issue resolution support.

Requirements

• 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
• CRCM, CAMS, or other compliance‑related certification.

Benefits

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.)