Financial Crime Advisory & Oversight

If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Charlie Watson via email cwatson@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

Financial Crime Advisory & Oversight

PROFILE

Financial Crime and Compliance professional with extensive experience managing and enhancing AML/KYC control frameworks, Financial Crime governance and transformation across regulated banking and Investment Banking environments. Experienced in implementing EMEA-wide Financial Crime methodologies, including Product Risk Methodology, and translating regulatory obligations, financial crime risks, products and business processes into proportionate controls and operating requirements.

Proven track record owning control documentation and governance, risk and control assessments, assurance activity, regulatory remediation, issue management and senior-management reporting. Experienced in partnering across 1LOD Business, 2LOD Compliance/Risk, MLROs, Internal Audit, Legal, Engineering and Technology to strengthen control effectiveness and deliver complex programmes from inception through implementation.

Strong data and analytical capability, with experience using MI, KRIs/KPIs, risk appetite metrics, control performance data, reconciliation and trend analysis to identify weaknesses, prioritise remediation and support senior risk decisions.

CAREER HISTORY

September 2020 – Present

Tier 1 Bank

Global Financial Crime Compliance Oversight

Led AML and Financial Crime transformation, control governance and oversight initiatives across EMEA, supporting the implementation of policies, processes, controls and technology-enabled solutions across a complex regulated banking environment.
Led the integration of product risk assessments into the wider Financial Crime control framework, connecting product and process risks to regulatory obligations, control requirements, ownership, assurance and management information.
Led Financial Crime transformation programmes from definition through implementation, overseeing multiple workstreams covering systems, processes, policy standards, stakeholder engagement, training and communications.
Implemented and maintained group AML policies and procedures governing the Financial Crime control framework, ensuring requirements, control objectives and implementation activities were delivered within agreed timelines.
Supported the end-to-end governance of AML/KYC controls across EMEA, working with regional stakeholders to ensure processes operated consistently and appropriate controls were embedded within business activities.
Translated KYC policy and regulatory changes into actionable implementation requirements, coordinating Impact Assessments, implementation planning and stakeholder engagement across affected EMEA teams.
Facilitated cross-functional control and documentation review sessions, ensuring relevant business, Compliance and operational perspectives were incorporated before final approval.
Led the resolution of issues identified through testing, Internal Audit, regulatory examinations, programmatic reviews and quality assurance, coordinating stakeholders and driving remediation through to completion.
Reviewed audit findings and developed risk-based remediation and action plans to address control weaknesses and regulatory recommendations.
Acted as Issue Owner for second-line-owned AML/Compliance issues, taking accountability for resolution, stakeholder coordination, remediation and closure.
Provided senior stakeholder oversight across AML and Compliance issues, ensuring appropriate escalation, prioritisation, governance and timely resolution.
Oversaw key AML/KYC processes and controls, assessing operational effectiveness and data quality to ensure reliable information supported business growth, regulatory compliance and control objectives.
Provided programme oversight and logistical coordination for the Financial Crime Centre of Excellence (FCOE)across EMEA, supporting delivery of projects and system enhancements.
Represented EMEA regional offices at regional and global change-management working groups, preparing governance materials and communicating programme status, risks, issues and decisions.
Acted as a key EMEA point of contact supporting implementation and operation of end-to-end AML processes and controls, with a focus on control effectiveness and consistent execution across jurisdictions.
Developed and delivered Financial Crime training to business stakeholders, translating complex AML requirements into practical guidance and operational expectations.
Served as AML Business Insight Representative for the Payments Reconciliation Project, working with Engineering to identify and mitigate data-feed risks associated with trading systems.
Led AML systems UAT and strategic Transaction Monitoring reconciliation as part of an approximately 18-month SWIFT MT-to-MX / ISO 20022 migration programme, partnering with Engineering, Technology, Operations and business stakeholders from design through deployment.
Acted as AML lead for Transaction Monitoring indicator reviews within the Securities business, including annual review and analysis of automated TM indicators.

December 2019 - May 2020

MOLATIN Ltd (Contract)

Financial Crime Manager

Compliance, Financial Crime and AML specialist working with financial institutions to ensure compliance with money laundering, sanctions and bribery & corruption regulations.
Responsible for Product Risk Assessment and product-to-Control Mapping
0Contribute to the implementation of and compliance with group policies and procedures governing financial crime control framework related to AML;
Support the management and resolution of issues identified via the testing functions, audits, regulatory examinations, the Global Rollout gap analysis exercise, and quality assurance;
Prepare and deliver responses to regulatory enquiries, coordinating and providing subject matter expertise with regard to regulatory examinations and visits

September 2019- November 2019

Tier 1 Bank (Contract)

AML Financial Crime and Policy Manager

Lead escalation point for EDD, policy matters and referrals relating to Anti-Bribery and Corruption
Conducting policy gap analysis against regulations and internal policies and making recommendations for improvement
Supporting the development of the bank’s Anti Financial Crime Strategy, engaging with stakeholders, affecting change and supporting implementation activities, where appropriate.
Compile relevant briefings and reports for internal governance forums whilst assisting in coordinating responses to industry consultations and guidance.
Attend industry or other external events as appropriate, providing high quality reports back to the Financial Crime Policy Team and other colleagues.
Keeping abreast of external activities and provide analysis to enable the department to apply best practice.
Proactively identify issues or improvements, providing advice to the Financial Crime Management Team as appropriate.

January 2019 - August 2019

Digital Software Firm

AML Compliance Manager

Ensuring due diligence is performed on all new clients (including enhanced due diligence when applicable), maintaining appropriate records and assisting with related queries
undertake an AML risk assessment on all new clients
Dealing with issues such as sanctions and PEPs whilst conducting ongoing due diligence checks for existing clients
Providing support to the business on Money Laundering related queries, by providing advice and guidance, outlining options and recommending solutions as appropriate.

April 2018 – Jan 2019

National Australia Bank

Compliance Manager

Conflict Management, development and maintenance of the UK Control Room procedures including Chinese walls set up and dismantling; wall crossings ; deal entry; maintenance of insider lists; maintenance of restricted lists; research disclosures PA dealing, Gift and entertainment
Performing control checks to ensure quality assurance and to ensure Staff adherence to conflicts related policy requirements (e.g. Personal Account Trading, Outside Business Interests)
Providing ongoing advice and training to Staff on Control Room related topics.
Maintaining awareness of regulatory changes via regular review of industry publications
Responsible for reviewing transactions to identify any Money Laundering or Terrorist Financing cautionary flags and rapidly dispositioning them along with escalating cases which requires further review by the next level.
Performed risk-based reviews on transaction monitoring cases, analysing trends and mitigating ML/TF risks with clear and concise reports
Performing gap analysis and identifying AML and/or Compliance/Regulatory issues compared to the laws and regulations in force
Provision of advice and guidance on relevant Compliance requirements and Contribute to Operational Risk and Compliance related oversight and reporting
Overseeing the First Line of Defense to ensure compliance with applicable policies and standards pertaining to Correspondent banking and Trade Finance.
Cross Border Verification for staff conducting activities in the UK, Europe and Middle East (cross border travel/ cross border transactions
Contribute to reviews of the impact of regulatory changes and external events on the London branch, and to the
implementation of any changes required as a result of these as required.
Contribute to the development and maintenance of the processes and controls which enable London branch to demonstrate its compliance with required regulatory standards, industry best practice and Group policy
Contribute to the review and updating of internal procedures to reflect regulatory and/or internal changes as require.
Undertake investigation into, and provide approval of sanctions filter hit referrals and similar/related activities as required.
Provision of advice, guidance, and approvals to front office and support areas in respect of financial crime and sanctions related queries and the application of related procedures.
Contributing to ongoing development and oversight of London branch and global financial crime controls
Contribute to ongoing maintenance of the London branch Financial Crime Risk Assessment and related oversight and reporting activities

July 2015 - October 2017

Tier 1 international Bank

Senior Financial Crime Officer

Assisting with the implementation and management of the anti-financial crime strategy within the UK covering anti-money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery and corruption
Working with the Head of the Financial Crime Unit and other members of the team to maintain and further enhance SG London’s financial crime compliance programme in line with SG Group Instructions relating to financial crime matters and UK regulatory standards.
Proactive participation in the maintenance of the risk cartography, ensuring that the inherent regulatory risks posed by business activity are determined, the mitigating factors assessed to determine the residual risk and the actions required to further mitigate, or reduce, the regulatory risk
Assisting in the maintenance and continuing development of the risk assessment processes including the country risk assessment process;
Approving high risk accounts for SG London
Involvement in the approval of new products from a financial crime perspective;
Involvement in the planning, review and design of sanction/embargoes controls
Participate in the development and enhancement of SG London’s financial crime monitoring programme by working with the business lines, other support and control functions and with the Advisory Compliance Officers on financial crime matters and to assist in resolving any financial crime issues identified
Developing and enhance financial crime related policies and procedures as necessary
Providing financial crime training to the business and senior management and maintain training records
Conducting investigations and make reports to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and/or the FCA under the supervision of the MLRO
Assisting the Head of the Financial Crime Unit to produce the FCU’s contribution to the monthly SG London Compliance and Financial Crime Report for the Head of SG Group Compliance and senior management
Maintaining a detailed working knowledge of the FCA rules and regulations, and UK and EU financial crime related legislation, and a broad awareness of ACPR, AMF, and other regulatory and exchange rules and regulations as required

April 2015 - July 2015

Banking & Stockbroking

Compliance Consultant

Reporting any suspicions of Money Laundering/ Terrorist Financing to the MLRO within brokerage
Providing clear, timely and argued advice on financial crime risk areas to the first line of defence / Global Finance business units; private Equity, Infrastructure, Property, Debt and other Alternative Assets.
Dealing with financial sanctions related clients or transactions and associated controls, gifts and entertainment referrals
Providing guidance and training to employees on compliance-related matters
Ensuring due diligence is performed on all new clients (including enhanced due diligence when applicable), maintaining appropriate records and assisting with related queries, dealing with issues such as sanctions and PEPs

April 2014 - September 2014

Tier 1 private Banking

Compliance Consultant

Oversee and review KYC records and reporting for accuracy and compliance with AML and Due Diligence requirements for law firm groups and high net worth clients
Providing advice on financial crime risk areas to the relationship managers on private Equity, Infrastructure, Property, Debt and commodities
Collect and examine financial statements and documents to assist in identifying unusual transaction patterns in order to prepare case reports of investigation findings for review. (e.g., media search results, copies of statements/check, results from internal system searches, transactional analysis).
Ensuring adherence to CPB Policies and local regulatory requirements.
Review of existing profiles presented in CPB system (OneSource) at group/relationship level. Reconciling the information entered into member profiles and information present in documents.
Assessment of the Client’s net worth: In relation to the scale and profitability of the client’s business(es)/investments, in the context of the country and time period in question.
Ensuring client net worth is supported by the source of wealth information presented and totality of data in client profile creates a plausible picture of client’s wealth.
An assessment of the extent to which independent references corroborate or support the stated wealth-creation activity.
An assessment of the nature and gravity of any adverse responses to the profile questions regarding negative media, legal history or allegations of corruption.
Ensuring that the correct level of approvals have been given depending upon the determined risk of the client.
Identify documentary and AML issues and follow-up with the Banker teams (and Law firm group) to clear shortcomings as appropriate, prior to quality acceptance.

October 2013-April 2014

Tier 1 Investment Banking

AML Team Lead – JP Morgan (Contract)

Management of a team of AML Analysts
Providing guidance and training to employees on compliance-related matters
Provide guidance and oversight to renewals team with respect to policies, procedures and priorities
Supporting Global Corporate Bank (Lending), Global Emerging Markets (wide range of products, including Fixed Income, FX, Repos, Derivatives) and Investment Banking (IPO, M&A, ECM, ALF)
Working on a variety of complex corporate entities which include Hedge funds, SPV's, Partnerships, financial institutions, foreign correspondence banks and Trusts
Conduct enhanced due diligence reviews on higher risk counterparties and third parties / agents including analysis of source of wealth, beneficial ownership and other risk relevant information.
Validate the KYC documentation provided by business departments, relationship managers and KYC specialist team for new customers.

February 2013-April 2013

Professional Services

Compliance Consultant/ Quality Assurer

Quality Assurance checker of KYC and due diligence checks at on boarding stage and on-going checks for existing clients
Undertake independent regular targeted, risk based sampling reviews of fact finds that have previously been assessed to confirm that reviewers have made the correct decision

October 2011- February 2013

Banking

Compliance Manager/Lead

Leading a team of 8 consultants as part of a remediation and implementation project.
Quality Assurance checking of KYC and due diligence checks at on boarding stage and on-going checks for existing clients
Perform regular targeted, risk based sampling reviews
Ensure there is clear and complete audit trail of documentary evidence; Identify and report on fails and their root causes
Provided regulatory support and guidance to assist the business and ensured that Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles, guidelines and initiatives are adhered to

September 2005 – September 2006: College, University

Masters in Law

September 2003 - July 2004: The College of Law - Law School

September 2000 - July 2003: University

References Available Upon Request

If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Charlie Watson via email cwatson@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

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