Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Sonja D Benner

Warren,ME

Summary

Compliance leader with extensive experience, driving regulatory adherence, and risk management initiatives. Expert in policy implementation and change management, effectively enhancing compliance frameworks. Proven ability to communicate complex regulations clearly while fostering collaboration across teams to resolve issues and improve operational efficiency.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

VP, Compliance Officer

Bangor Savings Bank
09.2023 - Current
  • Responsible for supporting the overall execution and administration of the Bank's Compliance Management Program.
  • Drives the implementation of policy and regulatory requirements with a focus on Regulation CC, DD, E, J and UDAAP; banking practices and fair treatment in deposits, payments, and branch activity; and other relevant federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Provides support to the Banking-as-a-Service Compliance Team by assisting in fintech marketing reviews.
  • Provides guidance and assistance to business line partners in issues remediation.
  • Assist with responses to and remediation of deposit, payment, and branch-related customer complaints and regulatory disputes as needed.
  • Reviews marketing campaign strategies and advertising materials to effectively mitigate compliance risks and provide regulatory guidance on applicability of consumer and banking laws including but not limited to Regulations CC, DD, E, J and UDAAP.
  • The Compliance representative on the Project Execution and Delivery Task Force, a team designed to tackle the Bank's most challenging and complex projects.

VP, Regulatory Liaison

Bangor Savings Bank
12.2020 - 09.2023
  • Monitor regulatory changes and provide support to business lines throughout the change management process.
  • Primarily responsible for the Compliance ticketing system, conducting research, and provide responses to business.
  • Monitor consumer complaints and conduct root cause analysis.
  • Assist in preparation of compliance reporting, training, and risk assessments presented to Leadership and the Board of Directors.

VP, Treasurer

Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co
05.2019 - 12.2020
  • Responsible for bank accounting and financial activities.
  • Development of the financial management policies and direct annual budget process.
  • Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements to management, Board of Directors, shareholders, and regulators.

VP, Compliance & BSA Officer

Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co.
05.2018 - 05.2019
  • Job functions the same as AVP, Compliance & BSA Officer (shown below).
  • Supervise adherence of bank policies and procedures to federal and state laws and regulations.

AVP, Compliance & BSA Officer

Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co.
01.2014 - 05.2018
  • Job functions the same as Compliance Officer (shown below).
  • Responsible for administering the Bank's BSA/AML/OFAC/CIP/CDD program.

Compliance Officer

Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co.
09.2009 - 01.2014
  • Responsible for developing, administering, and monitoring programs that ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and rules governing bank operations and product offerings.
  • Research federal and state banking laws and regulations, review the financial institution's policies and procedures, and ensure with laws and regulations.
  • Oversee the Bank's Compliance Training Program.
  • Coordinate the use of outside compliance and audit resources.
  • Serve as primary contact for auditors, consultants, and examiners during department audits and regulatory examinations.
  • Work with Senior Management to ensure that compliance policies and procedures are updated and reviewed by the Board of Directors annually.
  • Assist the BSA Officer in BSA/ AML/ OFAC/ CIP/ CDD compliance.
  • Maintain Follow-Up Database to effectively track issue resolution and/or corrective actions for compliance issues raised in audits, consulting reviews, and examinations.

Education

Baccalaureate degree - Business Administration with Accounting concentration

University of Maine
Augusta, ME
12.2007

Skills

  • Compliance management
  • Regulatory reporting
  • Risk assessment
  • Policy implementation
  • Fintech marketing compliance
  • Project execution
  • Effective communication
  • Problem solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Rules and regulations
  • Change management
  • BSA/AML compliance
  • Compliance reporting
  • Project management
  • Consumer complaint resolution

Certification

  • American Bankers Association, Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM), 07/2017
  • Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), 11/2016

Timeline

VP, Compliance Officer

Bangor Savings Bank
09.2023 - Current

VP, Regulatory Liaison

Bangor Savings Bank
12.2020 - 09.2023

VP, Treasurer

Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co
05.2019 - 12.2020

VP, Compliance & BSA Officer

Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co.
05.2018 - 05.2019

AVP, Compliance & BSA Officer

Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co.
01.2014 - 05.2018

Compliance Officer

Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co.
09.2009 - 01.2014

Baccalaureate degree - Business Administration with Accounting concentration

University of Maine

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE