Amber Stephens, CFE
Lake Worth,FL
Summary
Detail-oriented banking professional with extensive experience in fraud prevention, deposit operations, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance within the financial industry. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) with strong expertise in fraud investigations, transaction monitoring, wire processing, account and general ledger reconciliations, and ACH operations. Skilled in identifying suspicious activity, resolving operational exceptions, and protecting institutional assets through analytical problem-solving and attention to detail. Knowledgeable in AML, BSA, KYC, OFAC, and banking compliance standards, with a proven ability to support operational efficiency while maintaining strong internal controls and customer trust. Committed to staying ahead of evolving fraud trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements to strengthen organizational integrity and reduce financial risk.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deposit Operations Specialist
Paradise Bank
Boca Raton, FL
03.2025 - Current
- Process large volume of incoming and outgoing domestic and international wire transfers while ensuring compliance with banking regulations and internal controls.
- Perform account and general ledger (GL) reconciliations and FED statement recon to ensure accuracy and timely resolution of discrepancies.
- Prepare and post accounting entries related to deposit operations and accounting transactions and adjustments.
- Review and resolve exception items including Non-Post transactions, NSF items, stop payments, ACH disputes, ACH returns and corrections, process any returns in timely manner.
- Monitor and process Positive Pay exceptions to detect and prevent fraudulent check activity.
- Review system-generated alerts for suspicious transactions including ACH, check, EFT/POS/ATM, deposits, and wire activity.
- Investigate potentially fraudulent transactions involving altered, counterfeit, duplicate, or suspicious checks.
- Conduct OFAC reviews and monitor BSA/Fraud Defender alerts for structuring, unusual wire activity, large deposits, and withdrawals
- Analyze flagged Zelle and ACH activity for potential fraud and escalate findings when necessary.
- Document investigative findings thoroughly and communicate risk concerns to management for further review and action.
- Collaborate with branch personnel to obtain supporting documentation and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Set up cash management for business clients
Relationship Specialist
Synovus Bank
Boynton Beach, FL
07.2022 - 03.2025
- Ensure all actions and investigations comply with regulations and policies
- Enhanced detection capabilities for potential fraudulent activities through regular review of account transactions ultimately reducing fraud
- Understanding commercial filing requirements and the importance in circumventing fraud
- Account analysis using internal and external databases
- Ran daily reports for deposit fluctuations to review sources of deposit and review for red flags
- Interviewed customers on suspicious activity
- Assisted BSA for additional customer information
- Conducted OFAC searches for transactions and/or services with applicable.
- Followed KYC and CIP guidelines
Branch Service Supervisor
Synovus Bank
Boca Raton, FL
11.2020 - 07.2022
- Coordinated security measures and trained branch personnel to ensure safety of customers, associates, and company assets.
- Conduct quarterly branch control audits through review of branch controls
- Provided administrative access for employees per their job duties.
- Followed internal standards and external regulations
- Provided supporting role ensuring platform team members followed operational policies/procedures
- Consistently met highest level of operational excellence in audit goals according to internal Branch Control Program (BCP)
Senior Head Teller
SYNOVUS BANK
Boynton Beach, FL
06.2019 - 11.2020
- Adhered to guidelines regarding financial and customer data to avoid breaches and info misuse.
- Customer Service
- Monitored accounts for suspicious activity daily
- Trained new tellers on fraud detection protocols, enhancing overall team effectiveness.
- Conducted quarterly monetary instruments and random cash audits
- Due diligence before conducting teller transactions
- OFAC searches when applicable when issuing monetary instruments
Customer Service Representative
BANKUNITED
03.2017 - 06.2019
- Customer service focus with experience handling complex transactions across multiple systems.
- Performs outbound calls
- Open accounts for customers following KYC and CIP guidelines
- Internal audits
- Ran daily reports for deposit fluctuations to review sources of deposit and review for legitimacy.
- Zero losses in branch due to policy and procedure violation.
- Consistently strong audits through tenure with company
Financial Service Representative
Suntrust Bank
09.2011 - 01.2013
Education
High School Diploma -
Nitro High School
Nitro, WVPalm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FLSkills
- Critical and creative thinking
- Fraud detection and prevention
- Financial regulation Knowledge
- Financial analysis
- Investigative research/ Reporting
- Strong understanding of current fraud trends
- Teamwork and collaboration
Affiliations
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Assocication of Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialists
Certification
Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists-CAMS/AML
Timeline
Deposit Operations Specialist
Paradise Bank
03.2025 - Current
Relationship Specialist
Synovus Bank
07.2022 - 03.2025
Branch Service Supervisor
Synovus Bank
11.2020 - 07.2022
Senior Head Teller
SYNOVUS BANK
06.2019 - 11.2020
Customer Service Representative
BANKUNITED
03.2017 - 06.2019
Financial Service Representative
Suntrust Bank
09.2011 - 01.2013
Palm Beach State College
High School Diploma -
Nitro High School
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
courses
Coursera- Cyber Security Course
Coursera- Bookkeeping Course
Annual Regulatory Compliance: AML/KYC, USA PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act
Annual training-Transaction Systems: ACH, Wire Transfer, Reg E