Collections Specialist I

The Collections Specialist manages consumer and business deposit accounts that are overdrawn, delinquent, or charged off. This role performs early-stage and recovery collection activities, responds to inbound inquiries, conducts outbound calls, negotiates payment arrangements and settlements within assigned authority, processes payments, updates client information, and documents all collection activity. The Specialist also researches account issues, supports branch and internal partner inquiries, and explains the Bank's overdraft program and available resolution options. Success requires sound judgment, respectful client communication, accurate system documentation, and consistent adherence to Bank policy and applicable laws and regulations. This is a high-volume, telephone-based banking collections role in a regional bank environment. The position works with deposit account overdrafts and charge-offs rather than consumer loan collections. In this Role You Will Essential Duties and Responsibilit ie s Manage a queue of overdrawn and charged-off consumer and business deposit accounts through inbound and outbound telephone contact, written communication, account research, and documented follow-up. Perform accurate account maintenance and document collection activity in applicable systems, including FIS Insight, Sales Management, PeopleSoft, and Cyber/Collect. Review accounts overdrawn due to service charges or other activity, complete required documentation, and process eligible accounts for closure in accordance with Bank procedures. Accept and process authorized debit or credit card payments for checking and savings account obligations through the Bank's designated payment system. Follow Bank policies and applicable requirements, including Regulation E, Regulation DD, privacy and information-security standards, and collection-related requirements identified by the Bank. Escalate legal, regulatory, complaint, bankruptcy, deceased-client, military-service, fraud, or other sensitive matters as required. Explain the Bank's overdraft program, account status, payment options, and applicable disclosures in clear, respectful language without providing legal advice. Meet established quality, productivity, contact, recovery, documentation, and service expectations. Promptly elevate complex, disputed, high-risk, or exception accounts to the appropriate leader or department. Document each client contact, promise to pay, payment arrangement, dispute, settlement, and follow-up action completely and accurately in the appropriate system. Process incoming mail and daily payments accurately and within established service standards. Monitor the overdraft email inbox and respond to branch and internal partner questions accurately and promptly. Process approved overdraft fee and servicing requests in accordance with assigned authority and Bank procedures. Research client contact information and perform skip tracing using Bank-approved resources when appropriate. Negotiate payment arrangements and settlements within assigned authority; obtain approval when an arrangement falls outside established guidelines. Identify and accurately code disputes, complaints, fraud claims, cease-contact requests, bankruptcy notices, deceased-client matters, and other exceptions for escalation. Protect confidential client and Bank information and follow authentication, privacy, records-retention, and information-security procedures. Partner with branches, Deposit Operations, Fraud, Legal, Compliance, and other internal teams to resolve account issues. Complete required training and maintain current knowledge of deposit products, overdraft practices, collection procedures, and Bank systems. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. Education and Experience High school diploma or equivalent required. Two years of customer service, collections, recovery, deposit operations, banking, or call center experience preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered. Experience in telephone collections, account recovery, financial services, deposit operations, or a high-volume call center is strongly preferred. Experience with FIS Insight or comparable core banking and collections systems is preferred. Bilingual or multilingual communication skills are preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to perform basic business math, calculate payment amounts and percentages, and reconcile account information accurately. Ability to review and reconcile checking and savings account activity and identify transaction or balance discrepancies. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, apply sound judgment, and make decisions within established authority. Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Outlook required. Professional telephone presence with strong negotiation, active-listening, de-escalation, and problem-solving skills. Ability to communicate with clients respectfully while asking