Merchant Services Underwriter

Description

Who We Are: 

FFB, a dynamic and acclaimed single-branch bank born in the heart of Fresno, CA in 2005, is on a mission to redefine the banking experience. Our commitment to delivering top-notch banking services has propelled us to the forefront of the industry, earning us accolades and recognition. At FFB, we recognize the uniqueness of each individual who walks through our doors, and our dedicated team strives to craft personalized banking solutions that cater to their distinct needs. 

What sets FFB apart is not just our Fresno roots but the diverse talents that make up our team, hailing from every corner of the country. We firmly believe that our people are our greatest strength, and we're constantly on the lookout for ambitious and passionate individuals who align with FFB's vision, regardless of their location.

If you're ready to be part of a winning team and contribute to our ongoing success story, we invite you to apply and join the FFB family!

Recent Achievements Speak Louder Than Words:

• 2024 & 2025 - American Banker - #1 Top Performing Publicly Traded Bank with under $2b in assets
• Ranked #1 on American Banker’s Top 20 Publicly Traded Banks under $2 Billion in assets for 2024 (noted in Q2 & Q3 2025 reports).
• Ranked by S&P Global as a top 35 best performing U.S. community bank (under $3B in assets) based on 2024 results.
• Named among the OTCQX Best 50 Companies for 2024.

What You Should Expect While Working at FFB:

• Company ownership through our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• A friendly, close-Knit work culture that encourages growth 
• Opportunities to Participate in Community Networking Events 
• Benefits Package

o Medical/Dental/Vision

o Life Insurance

o Paid Vacation

o 401(k) Retirement Plan

o Training & Development

o Tuition Reimbursement

o Employee Assistance Program

o Internal Job Posting & Referral Program

Ideal Candidate: 

FFB prides itself on its core values of Teamwork, Relationship, Authenticity, and Commitment (TRAC). We expect that our team members will reflect these values in the workplace in various ways: 

• Teamwork – We collaborate, hold each other accountable, and win together. 
• Relationship – We are trustworthy, transparent, and respectful. 
• Authentic – We are humble, vulnerable, and we speak up. 
• Commitment – We are owners...Be hungry, responsive, and have a sense of urgency.

About the Position: 

The Merchant Services Underwriter will review and analyze merchant applications and accounts to assess their risk exposure and creditworthiness. In addition to initial underwriting, this role will support concurrence reviews, ongoing oversight of ISO partner portfolios, and other responsibilities as assigned. The Underwriter will apply established policies and guidelines to help safeguard the Bank from financial and reputational risk.

Essential Duties:

• Conducts thorough credit and risk assessments of merchant applications, including evaluation of consumer credit reports, identity and fraud screenings (e.g., TIN/OFAC, address and bank verification), and analysis of application data using internal and external underwriting tools.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of credit/risk rating scales, underwriting policies, card network rules, and regulatory requirements to accurately assess merchant eligibility and mitigate risk. 
• Maintains accurate and timely review documentation in internal systems and takes appropriate action on merchant accounts based on risk assessment findings.
• Monitors merchant risk review queues and processing behavior to identify content-related risk and ensure adherence to card brand, reputational, and compliance standards.
• Performs due diligence reviews of merchant accounts and ISO-submitted files to ensure compliance with underwriting and onboarding standards.
• Performs quality assurance reviews and supports process improvement by identifying gaps and ensuring adherence to underwriting guidelines.
• Develops and maintains process documentation to support consistency, audit readiness, and training.
• Manages internal and external communications related to underwriting and risk, including responding to inquiries, supporting partners, collaborating with sales teams, and engaging merchants to resolve pending items.
• Embodies the TRAC Values and Critical Behaviors (Teamwork, Relationship, Authenticity, Commitment) as core principles, using them to guide daily interactions and decision-making.
• Completes administrative tasks with a sense of urgency, including required Bank Compliance Training. Responds to internal and external inquiries via email, phone, or messaging platforms in a timely and professional manner. Positively represents the Bank through ethical conduct and community involvement.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to EEO policies. Fosters a respectful, inclusive workplace by valuing cultural differences, preventing harassment of any kind, and supporting a diverse workforce. 
• Ensures adherence to all Bank policies, procedures, and processes, along with applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, ensuring confidentiality and data privacy while carrying out AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism) responsibilities specific to the role.
• Performs duties in an office or home office environment, involving tasks such as writing, typing, speaking, lifting moderate weights, and operating office equipment. The position requires physical activities like sitting, walking, and reaching. Reasonable accommodation can be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Travels up to 10%, including but not limited to attending company meetings, training sessions, and corporate events, with travel typically being regional or local based on business needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 1–2 years of related experience in merchant services underwriting preferred.
• Basic analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work with and interpret data.
• Experience, knowledge and training in financial statement and tax return analysis typically resulting from a combination of education in accounting, financial and/or credit analysis or related areas.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and comfort navigating underwriting or CRM platforms (e.g., TSYS, IRIS CRM, Salesforce).
• Working knowledge of KYC/KYB standards, credit analysis, and regulatory compliance. 
• Ability to interpret credit bureau reports, business bank statements, corporate financials, and merchant processing statements to assess chargeback exposure, refund rates, overall profitability, and credit risk exposure
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex decisions professionally.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficient teamwork and relationship skills to contribute to cross-functional collaboration and team success. 
• Ability to take initiative and impact change within the Bank through consensus building and conflict resolution. 
• Willingness to take on special projects and perform other duties as assigned, beyond core responsibilities, to support team and organizational needs.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development to stay current with industry standards and best practices. 
• Ability to maintain authenticity and integrity in all professional interactions, ensuring trust and credibility with stakeholders.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities and procedures.
• Current driver’s license and a vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage if required to drive while performing assigned duties and responsibilities.