AML Transaction Monitoring Team Analyst

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA? We’re looking for a Transaction Monitoring Team Analyst to work within the Financial Crime Middle Office of our Operations & Administration Department (OAD). 

The purpose of the role is to:

• Act as a subject matter expert for the first line of defence, within the three lines of defence model, conducting EMEA wide post transaction reviews and assessments, in order to protect the Bank from fraud, sanctions, and financial crime risks and to identify changing or suspicious client behaviour (this may involve assisting the Compliance Department with investigations and the collation of background information relating to any transactional financial crime investigation that they may be conducting). 
• Escalate, and formally report, any transaction which appears to expose the Bank to any sanction, fraud or AML / CTF risks, submitting a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR), where necessary.

Essential knowledge and experience for the role:

•    The role requires a good understanding of the regulatory framework associated with Financial Crime / Sanctions / AML and to keep abreast of the changes to this. 
•    Previous experience of working within a financial crime investigations team in a financial institution would be a benefit.
•    This role requires the holder to have a good operational knowledge of the products that OAD process on behalf of their clients.

Additional candidate skills and qualifications:

•    Externally recognised qualifications in relation to Trade Based Money Laundering or AML are preferable. (e.g. ICA certificates).
•    The role requires excellent communication skills both written and verbal and the ability to communicate complex issues and regulatory requirements to all levels of the organisation.
•    The role requires the ability to prioritise alerts, and to make sound judgements based on previous experience within a Financial Crime Operational area, and knowledge of regulatory guidance.

Business Area

The role on offer is for a Transaction Monitoring Team Analyst, who would work within the London-based Financial Crime Middle Office of the Bank's Operations & Administration Department (OAD). 

Position Description

Background:

•    The function of this role is to act as an analyst within the London-based Transaction Monitoring team, investigating alerts EMEA-wide from the Bank's monitoring systems, in relation to transactions processed by the Operations & Administration Department (OAD) and Operations & Adminstration Department, European Division (ODED). The role will also investigate the reactivation of any inactive or dormant accounts and monitor all activity of any client or entity placed on the Compliance Department (CPD) Hot list, investigating each transaction for suspicious behaviour. In all cases, the role will be required to use judgement and experience to rate the alerts as Suspicious or not and escalate accordingly.
•    The role will have a close working relationship with all of the processing areas of OAD/ ODED, and Front Office Relationship Managers, to aid transactional investigations, and gather information for the investigations EMEA wide.
•    The role will need to work closely with all areas of the CPD Financial Crime Group (MLRO / Sanctions / Forensics), as a point of escalation, or to receive advice and guidance.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

•    Investigate alerts received in relation to suspicious transactions, reactivated accounts, and any client activity, where the client has been added to the CPD Hot List. The analyst will make recommendations as to the relevancy of the alert and whether it should be formally raised to the second line of defence as a suspicious transaction.
•    Participate in the on-the-job training of new staff to the team, ensuring that they obtain a full understanding of the systems used as part of their role and the policies and procedures to be followed.  
•    Participate as directed in the remediation of files identified as requiring additional work by the Compliance Monitoring Reviews, ensuring that the remediation is fully completed within the allowed timescale and any issues are escalated as soon as identified. 
•    Represent the Financial Crime Middle Office at meetings, with other operational areas, Front Office teams and CPD. 
•    Proactively contribute to improved Departmental performance, by identifying weaknesses / inefficiency in systems, workflow and processes, suggesting enhancements and quantify the efficiency gains, be that from a financial perspective or from a customer experience / security aspect.
•    To participate as directed in any ongoing projects as and when required, including system testing. 
•    Prepare MI, which can be used by OAD Management for reporting to the Bank's Committees (such as ORRC and Exco), highlighting the Section's KRI’s, as well as collating MI for stakeholders, in relation to trends noted re volumes, or an increase in threats seen to the Bank (e.g. type of financial crime or fraud identified, transactions with potential sanctions-related concerns).

Competencies

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working 
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance 
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services  
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities 
• Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!