Stephanie Solano
Long Beach
Summary
Compliance & Risk Management Leader with 12+ years of experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial crime, fraud, and regulatory risks. Expert in root cause analysis, corrective action planning, and translating regulatory requirements into effective operational controls.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
BSA Manager
First Foundation Bank
2023.01 - Current
- Partner closely with business leaders, risk owners, and compliance stakeholders to identify, assess, and remediate compliance and fraud risks, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations and business objectives
- Lead remediation efforts for substantiated compliance issues, including conducting root cause analyses, designing corrective action plans, and tracking execution to closure
- Proactively identify emerging financial crime and compliance risks, including high-risk customer segments, complex transactional behavior, and evolving regulatory requirements
- Translate BSA/AML, OFAC, and FinCEN regulatory requirements into practical, risk-based operational controls and internal procedures
- Provide timely, transparent risk advisory support to management to prioritize compliance issues based on organizational impact and risk severity
- Escalate material compliance and regulatory issues to senior management, exercising sound judgment to balance risk mitigation with business enablement
- Supervise and develop a Specialty Risk Mitigation team responsible for Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), investigations, and regulatory reporting
- Maintain ownership of a portfolio of complex, high-risk clients, including Cannabis-Related Businesses, PEPs, cash-intensive entities, and non-bank financial institutions
- Support regulatory exams and internal audits by preparing documentation, responding to inquiries, and ensuring timely remediation of findings
Senior Specialty Risk Mitigation Analyst
First Foundation Bank
2020.07 - 2022.12
- Conducted risk-based compliance assessments and investigations for high-risk customers, identifying fraud indicators, control gaps, and regulatory exposure
- Performed detailed root cause analyses on suspicious activity and compliance deficiencies, recommending targeted remediation strategies
- Developed and executed investigative action plans, including interviewing customers, assessing credibility of information, and documenting conclusions
- Advised business partners on compliance risks during onboarding and ongoing monitoring, influencing risk acceptance and mitigation decisions
- Assisted in translating regulatory guidance into sustainable processes for Cannabis-Related Business banking and other complex risk areas
- Collaborated with compliance, legal, and operations teams to ensure consistent application of policies and regulatory expectations
BSA Analyst II
First Foundation Bank
2019.02 - 2020.06
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and risk assessments for high-risk clients, identifying patterns, trends, and potential fraud risks
- Analyzed transactional data using Excel and pivot tables to support data-driven compliance decisions and remediation actions
- Ensured adherence to BSA, USA PATRIOT Act, and OFAC requirements through consistent application of controls
- Supported compliance issue identification and escalation through clear documentation and communication
Relationship Banker
JP Morgan Chase
- Worked in a regulated financial environment, adhering to legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements while supporting client objectives
- Partnered with internal specialists to address complex customer needs while managing risk and compliance obligations
Operations Specialist
JP Morgan Chase
2015.06 - 2016.10
- Maintained strong internal controls, audit readiness, and risk management practices within branch operations
- Supported operational risk management through policy adherence, issue resolution, and staff training
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology and Law
University of California Irvine
01.2015
Skills
- Compliance Risk Management & Remediation
- Risk-Based Assessments & Control Design
- Fraud & Financial Crime Risk Identification
- Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action Plans
- Investigations & Credibility Assessment
- Regulatory Exams, Audits & Issue Management
- Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Practices
- Data Analysis & Transaction Monitoring
Certification
- CAMS – Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist; Southern California Chapter Member
- CFCS – Certified Financial Crimes Specialist
Timeline
BSA Manager
First Foundation Bank
2023.01 - Current
Senior Specialty Risk Mitigation Analyst
First Foundation Bank
2020.07 - 2022.12
BSA Analyst II
First Foundation Bank
2019.02 - 2020.06
Operations Specialist
JP Morgan Chase
2015.06 - 2016.10
Relationship Banker
JP Morgan Chase
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology and Law
University of California Irvine