Reports to APAC Financial Security Head of AML/CTF L2 Hub
Position
The Compliance function is central to an organization's risk management framework. As a key pillar of the internal control environment, Compliance teams work independently and in close partnership with the business to support evolving activities and regulatory requirements. They help safeguard the organization's reputation and maintain client trust through strong oversight of non-compliance risks.
The Regional AML Advisory & Transaction Monitoring Officer (Investigator) plays a key role in our financial security framework by conducting in-depth investigations of alerts escalated from the AML L1 team, Unusual Activity Reports received from the Business and other Group Financial Security teams, as well as External Triggers from regulatory and law enforcement agencies. This crucial position involves making sound decisions on whether to close cases or escalate them to the AML L3 Local Compliance Teams for further investigations, particularly when there is a need to file Suspicious Activity Reports or when the Group's risk appetite appears exceeded.
Responsibilities
- The investigator's main responsibilities will include in-depth analysis of alerts to ensure timely and efficient investigations. The investigator will work closely with internal stakeholders to gather all necessary information, ensuring that each alert is handled with the utmost attention to detail and efficiency. This role is essential for maintaining the integrity and security of our operations, and requires a keen eye for detail, strong analytical skills, and effective collaboration.
- Investigate and Assess Automated Alerts: Conduct thorough investigations and assessments of Transaction Monitoring alerts escalated from Level 1 to the L2 Hub in APAC using automated tools. Ensure compliance with group policies and regulatory requirements. Report or escalate any potential suspicious activity or material risk to the relevant local L3/Head of Financial Security and KYC Compliance in APAC.
- Investigate and assess other Suspicious Activity: Identify and investigate potential suspicious activity and transactions escalated by the B2 team, Unusual Activity Reports, and External Triggers for APAC territories. Escalate any material risk with relevant information to the local Head of Financial Security and other stakeholders.
- Prioritization and time management: Adhere to high standards of time management to meet internal timeline requirement and contribute to the overall timeframe management of L2 investigations.
- Prepare Reports and Participate to the Team Work Coordination: Prepare all required reports, with a high standard of quality and clarity. Ensure reports are demonstration-oriented, including clear rationale to support decision-making processes. Continuously update the trackers and dashboards of the team's activity.
- Conduct Due Diligence: Review, analyze, and provide opinions supported by sound transaction due diligence analysis to local MLROs in APAC on third-party payments.
- Coordinate with Internal Teams: Act as the main point of contact with internal investigation teams to perform investigations (e.g., lookback) for the APAC region. Inform appropriate personnel where further investigation and report filings may be necessary.
- Provide Advisory Support: Offer advisory support to senior/regional management, Territory Compliance teams, businesses, and functions in the APAC region on AML/CTF matters and payment transparency issues.
- Participate in Projects and Inspections: Coordinate and participate in ad hoc projects, risk assessments, and audit/regulatory inspections.
- Stay Informed: Maintain a current understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing issues, including policies, procedures, regulations, industry best practices, criminal typologies, and developing trends.
- Identify Procedural Weaknesses: Assist in identifying systemic procedural weaknesses and additional training requirements, particularly in identifying and reporting suspicious activities and transactions.
- AML Advisory & Framework: Participate in adhoc reviews, check & challenge exercise, process implementations within APAC, and any other activity pertaining to AML Framework.
- Support the Head of APAC AML-TM Level 2 Hub: Provide support to the Head of APAC AML-TM Level 2 Hub.
Requirements
- University graduate with relevant professional qualifications (Economics, Banking, Law).
- Good knowledge of key corporate and investment banking products, including cash management, debt capital markets, trade finance, and structured finance transactions.
- Understanding of Correspondent Banking and Security Services products.
- Good understanding in WM/PB business and products.
- Excellent knowledge of the evolving international AML/CFT standards (FATF, EU directives) and key developments.
- Strong understanding of the main AML laws and regulations in APAC, with a focus on Hong Kong and Singapore.
- Understanding of sanctions circumvention-related red flags.
- Robust analytical and risk management mindset.
- Ability to exercise critical thinking and make strategic decisions based on sound judgment.
- Ability to act decisively and independently in situations requiring quick analysis and decision-making.
- Proficiency in Power BI to create infographics for smart analysis of customer behavioral patterns and transaction trends.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Able to articulate issues clearly and confidently, as well as formulating solutions.
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with a keen sense of priorities.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a challenging and fast-changing environment.
- Agility and goal-oriented mindset with the ability to adapt to changes.
- Certification from an accredited institution (e.g. ICA or ACAMS) is a plus.
EA: 25C2690 | R1221146
