Tara Braaten Email and Phone Number

I provide operational and customer service leadership at a $300+ million, six-employee branch offering a full range of financial services. As a leader, I motivate and mentor staff to deepen client relationships, maximize business potential, and maintain compliance while achieving established goals. I also serve as the branch’s Officer In Charge during the Manager’s absence.I forge long-lasting client and community relationships and ensure that customers receive excellent service by directly interacting with clients, overseeing lobby management, and consistently monitoring staff activities. I also identify and address areas for improvement and develop and implement employee incentive programs that support goal attainment and boost staff morale. Keeping a close eye on operational processes, I ensure adherence to HSBC and governmental regulatory standards, manage operational risk, and ensure compliance with group audit, regulatory, and risk requirements. I also ensure FLSA compliance, monitor KYC and AML, and oversee all branch accounting.In 2010 and 2017 the bank implemented significant system transitions and I was tasked with overseeing test-runs and heading all-staff trainings to ensure compliant and seamless conversions. I was also selected to consult on the 2017 transition.Key Accomplishments: • 7-time Suffolk County Branch Operations Officer of the Year • 3-time Compliant Branch of the Year for outstanding achievements in AML/KYC, documentation accuracy, and training compliance• Customer Satisfaction: achieved a 2017 customer satisfaction survey score of 9.1 vs. a goal of 8.8 • Audit Performance: consistently receive “A” scores on annual and quarterly operational audits (2007 – Present) • Errors and Losses Monitoring: ensure that branch consistently bests District/Regional maximum of -$1000• Employee Engagement: key member of 2008 and 2009 Employee Engagement Teams • Manage HSBC’s top-ranked Suffolk County-based Community Relationship Manager

In this role, I provided account servicing and operational support to middle market customers. Routine responsibilities included preparing and processing legal documentation to execute lending requests, initiating all necessary UCC and lien/litigation searches, and ordering required appraisals. I also collaborated closely with insurance companies to ensure the protection of assets.

As Assistant Branch Manager/Sales Operations, I conducted orientation programs to acquaint newly-hired staff with corporate policies and procedures and developed and implemented comprehensive cross-training programs that increased branch revenue and efficiency. Additionally, I evaluated the needs of prospective accounts and developed compelling service/product proposals.