Careers That Count.
FDIC bank examiners determine if financial institutions follow safe-and-sound banking practices, implement effective internal policies and procedures, and comply with consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and community reinvestment laws and regulations. This work is critical to the FDIC’s mission of maintaining stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system. The Financial Institution Specialist (FIS) examiner training program is an opportunity that will place you on the front lines of America’s banking and financial services industry, performing mission-critical work and traveling the country in a unique role that only a few experience. As a FIS, you will develop the skills you need to handle the evolving requirements of the industry, and develop new abilities to help you prepare for and advance in your career.
Why the FDIC?
The FDIC supervises a vast majority of the country’s community banks. These institutions provide loans to farmers and small businesses, make it possible for entrepreneurs to launch start-ups, support local governments as they build libraries and parks, and foster local economies. These essential functions are the very things that help keep America running.
As either a Compliance FIS in the Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection (DCP) or Risk Management FIS in the Division of Risk Management Supervision (RMS), you will enjoy a meaningful career with impact on the financial industry and American banking consumers. Your vital role supports the FDIC mission through these critical functions:
Compliance FIS
- Evaluating financial institutions to determine if they treat consumers and depositors fairly and operate in compliance with federal consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and community reinvestment laws; and
- Building and strengthening positive connections between banks and consumers, depositors, small businesses, and communities.
Risk Management FIS
- Examining and supervising insured financial institutions;
- Leading sound policy development;
- Evaluating adherence to laws and regulations; and
- Monitoring and mitigating systemic risks.
Newly hired FISs will report to field managers to begin training and working toward becoming a commissioned Financial Institution Examiner. A commission is a designation earned by individuals who meet experience requirements and pass the Technical Evaluation, a test to demonstrate knowledge and mastery of concepts related to bank examinations. The commissioned examiner designation helps enforce professional standards and qualifies individuals to lead examination teams.
Other highlights of our program and work culture:
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – The FDIC achieves its mission by creating an inclusive work environment that recognizes and appreciates all employees’ perspectives and talents, allows employees opportunities to reach their highest potential, and attracts and retains the most talented employees.
Professional Development – Entry-level FISs already possess critical skills needed to immediately contribute to examinations. You will receive training to refine your talents and leadership skills. Our FISs are also assigned an individual coach or mentor to help ensure a smooth transition into the FDIC culture.
Rapid Pay Progression – Our FISs can anticipate non-competitive pay progression through a combination of both scheduled annual pay increases and regular promotions as they complete specific training benchmarks. FISs also receive a $10,000 bonus and participate in the FDIC’s merit-based pay program upon becoming a commissioned examiner.
Work/Life Balance – We offer reasonable work hours, flexible work schedules, and telework opportunities to help employees lead a fulfilling life outside of work.
Please see the FDIC benefits page for additional information.
What will you do?
Please choose the tab below to learn about either the Compliance FIS or the Risk Management FIS position.
COMPLIANCE FIS
Compliance FIS
American banking consumers look to the FDIC to ensure that financial institutions keep their money safe, treat them fairly, provide them with products and services that help them meet their financial goals, and serve the needs of their communities. As a Compliance FIS, you will be part of a team that assesses banks to determine whether they maintain effective internal controls and procedures to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, such as those relating to consumer protection, privacy, community reinvestment, and fair lending.
Under the direction and supervision of a more experienced examiner, some of the duties you will perform include:
- Reviewing the initial disclosures, periodic statements, advertisements, and other information financial institutions provide to consumers;
- Assessing financial institutions’ overall compliance with applicable regulations, such as the Truth in Lending Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Equal Credit Opportunity Act;
- Reviewing the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act loan application register for accuracy and assessing the bank’s overall reporting procedures;
- Examining residential, consumer, commercial, and agricultural loan files to determine compliance with applicable lending-related regulations;
- Participating in the discussion of the examination process for evaluating the bank’s Compliance Management System, which includes senior management oversight, policies, monitoring, training, and audit procedures;
- Reviewing the financial institution’s performance under the Community Reinvestment Act, participating in discussions regarding assigned ratings, and preparing a summary of each performance factor describing why the rating was assigned; and
- Preparing drafts of schedules, exhibits, and comments for inclusion in the report of examination.
RISK MANAGEMENT FIS
Risk Management FIS
The FDIC evaluates banks and savings associations to determine if they are operating in a safe-and-sound manner. As a Risk Management FIS, you will be part of a team that examines a bank’s financial condition, risk management program, and internal control structure. The teams also assess compliance with safety and soundness rules and regulations, including anti-money laundering and bank secrecy laws and regulations, as well as bank information technology controls.
Under the direction and supervision of a more experienced examiner, some of the duties you will perform include:
- Reviewing financial statements;
- Reviewing accounts for overdrafts, prepaid expenses, and other miscellaneous assets;
- Assessing the adequacy of insurance coverage;
- Evaluating the adequacy of a financial institution’s procedures and internal routines and controls;
- Completing a thorough analysis of the earnings of an institution;
- Conducting transaction testing on income and expense accounts;
- Computing capital ratios, reconciling capital accounts, and reviewing account activity;
- Reviewing loans for quality, documentation, and risk management practices;
- Reviewing financial institutions’ liquidity, including analysis of fluctuations in loans, securities, deposits, and borrowings;
- Verifying securities and other investments, including reviewing transactions, determining quality, and verifying appropriate accounting; and
- Preparing drafts of schedules, exhibits, and comments for inclusion in the report of examination.
Estimated FIS Salary Progression
Drop Down will yield one line containing base salary, Locality rate %, Total salary, and projected pay progression.
- Projections are estimates and will not exactly match your actual salary progression.
- Merit increase eligibility in 2025 is based on hire date.
- Annual changes to locality rates vary by location.
| Base Salary | Locality | Total Salary | Projected Total Salary | |||||
| Location | 2024 CG-7 | 2025 * CG-7 | 2026 ** CG-9 | 2027 * CG-9 | 2028 ** CG-11 | 2029 ** CG-12 | ||
* Assumes 0.5% locality and 4.0% merit increases using rates that may vary year-to-year.
** Assumes 0.5% locality, 4.0% merit, and 10% promotional increases to the indicated CG grade.
- Promotion from CG-7 to CG-9 typically occurs within 1 - 1.5 years of entering the position.
- Promotion from CG-9 to CG-11 typically occurs 2 - 2.5 years after promotion to CG-9.
- Promotion from CG-11 to CG-12 typically occurs 1 year after promotion to CG-11.
Telework
The FDIC offers position-specific telework options. FISs are eligible for the Home-Based Telework, Expanded Telework and Traditional Telework Options after the first six months of employment. Ad-Hoc requests for telework will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the supervisor. For more information, please reference the FDIC telework options page.
Travel
Travel varies by location.
Compliance FIS
Risk Management FIS
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The FDIC is not currently accepting applications to fill opportunities for FIS positions. Please visit this page at a later date for current openings. If you would like to be among the first to know when a new opportunity becomes available, please consider joining our Talent Network.
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The FDIC is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, and develop a high-performing workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Applicants are considered without regard to their race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, retaliation, parental status, or other non-merit factors.