Professional Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline

Brian Zaldana

Kinecta Federal Credit Union
Placentia,CA
9
years of professional experience
1
Certification

Dynamic Personal Financial Advocate with a strong focus on the intersection of complex banking, legal compliance, and human advocacy. Expertise includes high-stakes fiduciary management, Trust and Estate settlements, fraud intervention, and court-ordered accounts. Proven ability to bridge the gap between stringent regulatory requirements and the compassionate support individuals require during sensitive life events, such as the loss of a loved one, debt recovery, or elder financial protection. Committed to empowering clients through informed decision-making and personalized financial strategies.

Work History

Senior Personal Financial Advocate

8 Years 4 Months
Kinecta Federal Credit Union | 06.2018 - Current
  • Expertly managed the lifecycle of technical accounts, guiding Successor Trustees through the California Probate Code and complex fiduciary requirements to streamline estate settlements and court-mandated account administration.
  • Utilized technical authentication resources and stringent KYC protocols to intercept fraudulent account openings, illicit wire transfers, and social engineering scams, directly preventing elder financial exploitation and institutional loss.
  • Engineered personalized financial recovery plans by streamlining the lending process for vehicle and credit products, leveraging debt consolidation to successfully restructure member finances and improve long-term credit health.
  • Led internal audits and detailed documentation workflows to ensure regulatory compliance, while mentoring junior staff on the intricacies of Power of Attorney and Trust verification to minimize operational errors.
  • Conducted empathetic, data-driven consultations to analyze financial profiles and develop actionable plans that address immediate needs while establishing long-term stability and member trust.

Universal Personal Banker

1 Year 9 Months
US Bank | 09.2016 - 06.2018
  • Analyzed member financial situations and provided tailored recommendations for debt consolidation and credit solutions, promoting improved financial wellness.
  • Led efforts to integrate digital banking solutions, enhancing user experience through comprehensive training on mobile deposits and secure payment methods.
  • Implemented agile operational strategies to maintain peak efficiency in managing daily transactions and administering new accounts and consumer loans in a fast-paced retail setting.
  • Conducted thorough KYC and AML assessments, partnering with security teams to identify and address potential risks related to identity theft and fraudulent fund transfers.
  • Engaged with mortgage, small business, and wealth management teams to ensure seamless transitions for members with intricate banking requirements.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy (Concentration in Moral, Legal, and Social Philosophy)

California State University, Fullerton
Upper Division Certificate in Globalization

Associate of Arts - Philosophy

Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA

Associate of Arts - Religious Studies

Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA

Skills

Legal & Fiduciary: Living Trusts
Power of Attorney Authentication
Court-Ordered Blocked Accounts
and Minor/UTMA management.
Estate Affairs: Deceased account handling
Successor Trustee validation
and navigating asset distribution.
Lending & Recovery: Debt consolidation strategies
vehicle loans
and credit card management.
Security: Fraud detection
Elder Abuse intervention
and AML/BSA compliance.

Certification

  • Fraud Detection and Prevention in Banking: SBI Certificate
  • Money, Risk, and Ethics: The Psychology of Decision-Making: UPenn/Wharton Online
  • Languages: Spanish (Fluent); English (Fluent)

Timeline

Senior Personal Financial Advocate

Kinecta Federal Credit Union
06.2018 - CurrentRead More

Universal Personal Banker

US Bank
09.2016 - 06.2018Read More

California State University, Fullerton

Bachelor of Arts from Philosophy (Concentration in Moral, Legal, and Social Philosophy)
Read More

Fullerton College

Associate of Arts from Philosophy
Read More

Fullerton College

Associate of Arts from Religious Studies
Read More
Brian Zaldana