I am the VP/Compliance & BSA Officer of a 600 million/9 branch north east community bank that just sold to a 6.4 billion/85 branch bank. I have been the BSA Officer for 3 yrs and the compliance officer for 1 year and worked my way up from a secretary when I started here 8 years ago. I am fully capable of running things for this, or even a billion dollar bank, but I realize there is little or no chance of a lateral move to the acquiring bank due to both their current compliance staffing and the sheer size of their bank. Which is actually the good news because I want to stay for my "package" (yes, quotes are intentional and sarcastic) and make a move to North Carolina.

I appreciate greatly any help you can provide!

Give me a little time and I can probably find the name of a head hunter out of NC that you may wish to contact.

This is the original poster here (mousBOLER). The last part of my post didn't make it.

What I was actually looking for guidance on was when can I seriously start sending out resumes if the merger will take up to 8 months, and I don't know when the actual merger date is going to be? I can't move without the package, but I don't want to tap out my resources too early.

I would suggest you start NOW to work your personal network of friends, relatives and those in the banking industry you know, who you can trust. Put some feelers out...ask for advice...suggestions on a confidential basis....Call some of us GURUS and talk by phone....

Speaking from experience here....At some point the acquiring bank will give you either a job offer or they will give you a termination date. This usually happens fairly early on. If you are integral to the conversion process, your term date will probably be a few weeks after conversion. If not, it could be sooner than you think!

If you don't have your heart set on NC, I know a small community bank in Maryland that is looking for a BSA person. The job level (officer, VP, etc.) will depend on the credentials of the person applying. PM me if you are interested!
BC