Hi all,

I will soon be transitioning from middle management to a new senior compliance role where I work. Unfortunately, there are no senior compliance people here who can help guide me so I am looking for a resource that can help pair me up with a mentor.

There are services that can do this but I have no experience with them. The few I have seen also seem overly focused on business and finance. While I don't necessarily need someone who is in compliance, it is preferred.

Any suggestions or directions you can provide would be much appreciated. Thanks.

1. Sign up for as many compliance alerts/blogs that you can handle.
2. Make these 2 pages your best friends:
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SI...12/12tab_02.tpl
https://www.ffiec.gov/bsa_aml_infobase/pages_manual/manual_online.htm
3. Use BOL, it is a wonderful resource.
4. Go to a compliance training school (like ABA), tell mgmt. that you NEED to go.

Best of luck, it is an awesome career, and you will always be learning every single day.

Network in your area - is there a compliance association near you? Look for someone you can connect with, preferably of a similar sized shop, to trade stories / tips / tricks with.

what EEGB said...

That's the cool thing about compliance. As opposed to nearly every other position in a bank, we are not competing with anyone for anything. We are all in this together. Establishing local acquaintances is awesome...compliance professionals that you know personally and are comfortable in calling AFTER you have exhausted your research attempts. My association sometimes meets just to have a round table discussion about whatever anyone wants to bring up.

5. Volunteer to serve on a compliance committee at your state bankers association and go out of your way to get to know your peers, be in a position to "call a friend."

^^^ good one

So so true! If you want help always being willing to help yourself first and then reach out to others to help fill in the gaps. Nothing more frustrating then having someone ask you to basically do their job for them.

If you are having trouble finding other compliance professionals, you may want to attend a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. From what I've seen, your odds of locating one there are pretty darn good!

Another great resource is "CBANCnetwork.com" - Get in while it is still free! Outside of BOL, it is my favorite place to ask questions and keep up with what other banks are going through. I've started keeping in contact with a few of the individuals I've met through there and we ask questions of each other constantly. It's helpful because we're all there to help, without competition in mind.

I also use www.consumerfinance.gov/eregulations/ - then you just type whichever reg you are looking for by the number - so quick! 1002 - reg B, 1026 - reg z... by using the alphabet reference. Only negative is that not all of the regulations are out there but the ones you may use most are.

See if there are any local peer groups available from your state association.

Thank you everyone. You've given me some great ideas. Really appreciate it.

Good luck!