IT
Kelechi Uwaoma
Financial Crime Consultant
North Shields
Summary
Senior Financial Crime Compliance Specialist with over a decade of experience in AML, KYC, and regulatory compliance across global financial institutions. Proven track record of leading high-stakes investigations, executing enhanced due diligence (EDD) for high-risk clients and transactions, and ensuring adherence to international regulatory standards (FCA, FATF, JMLSG). Proficient in leveraging advanced screening tools including World-Check, LexisNexis, RDC/PCR, and FIRCOSOFT to detect financial crime risks, including money laundering, PEPs, sanctions violations, and fraud. Skilled in mentoring teams, improving compliance frameworks, and streamlining processes to enhance operational efficiency. Passionate about leveraging deep industry knowledge to proactively mitigate risk and uphold the highest standards of financial integrity.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Senior Fincrime Screening Investigator
Monzo Bank UK
04.2023 - Current
- Resolved complex escalations and coached junior investigators, reducing resolution time by 20%.
- Reviewed 50+ high-priority due diligence cases weekly using World-Check, LexisNexis, and RDC.
- Authorised 15+ high-risk transactions daily, ensuring compliance with FCA and JMLSG.
- Delivered training to 5+ junior analysts, improving investigation accuracy by 25%.
- Identified emerging risks and designed targeted team training.
- Submitted SARs and detected financial crimes proactively.
- Partnered with Technical Managers to implement risk controls.
- Led investigations into complex fraud cases, reducing case resolution time.
Senior KYC Analyst
Barclays Bank UK
04.2021 - 04.2023
- Managed 200+ KYC periodic reviews with a 98% compliance rate.
- Led EDD for 150+ high-risk clients, ensuring AML adherence.
- Reviewed 200+ cross-border transactions, reducing flags by 15%.
- Streamlined onboarding workflows, increasing efficiency by 20%.
- Maintained 100% quality control in KYC reviews.
- Trained peers on compliance best practices.
AML & Sanctions Analyst
Ebury
09.2020 - 03.2021
- Investigated 100+ alerts weekly using Comply Advantage and FIRCOSOFT.
- Liaised with clients and banks, cutting investigation time by 20%.
- Delivered AML training to 15+ team members, boosting accuracy by 30%.
- Proposed 10+ process improvements, increasing efficiency by 15%.
- Ensured full audit compliance.
KYC Specialist
Nomura
03.2020 - 06.2020
- Managed 200+ KYC files, ensuring 100% audit accuracy.
- Reviewed 50+ high-risk client KYC files, improving risk profiling by 25%.
- Updated AML policies, reducing audit issues by 20%.
QA KYC/SME (Corporate Banking)
Deutsche Bank Group
01.2020 - 03.2020
- Performed third-eye QA checks on 100+ KYC profiles.
- Automated L/C reporting, increasing efficiency by 20%.
- Mentored 20+ analysts, reducing KYC errors by 25%.
Case Manager (KYC Client Outreach)
UBS
10.2019 - 12.2019
- Managed 50+ client KYC profiles.
- Monitored 30+ accounts, identifying 5 high-risk cases.
QC AML/KYC Analyst (Inst Cash Corr Banking)
Deutsche Bank Group
09.2016 - 10.2019
- Reviewed 150+ corporate KYC cases, maintaining 98% compliance.
- Reviewed 50+ Trade Finance instruments, reducing risks by 15%.
- Delivered training to 20+ analysts, improving accuracy.
AML Operations Analyst (PEPs)
RBS Group
05.2012 - 09.2016
- Reviewed 100+ PEP matches using World-Check and LexisNexis.
- Managed exit of 50+ sanctioned clients, reducing risk.
- Developed PEP analysis processes, improving efficiency by 25%.
- Trained 10+ analysts on compliance protocols.
Senior KYC Analyst
RBS Group
02.2012 - 04.2012
- Assessed 50+ clients for AML risk, improving compliance by 20%.
- Investigated 30+ high-risk profiles, reducing breaches by 15%.
- Maintained accurate client risk data.
Customer Service
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
06.2011 - 02.2012
- Resolved customer complaints, improving retention by 15%.
- Managed 50+ interactions daily, maintaining 95% satisfaction.
Accounts Assistant
Tranzit Associates Ltd
11.2003 - 12.2005
- Handled daily financial transactions, ensuring 100% accuracy.
- Improved stock control, increasing efficiency by 15%.
- Delivered customer service, gaining 20+ new clients.
Transaction Officer
Guaranty Trust Bank PLC
03.2000 - 10.2003
- Managed daily cash transactions with 100% accuracy.
- Streamlined vault processes, reducing errors by 10%.
- Optimized money transfers, cutting turnaround time by 20%.
Education
HND - Business
Edinburgh's Telford College
Edinburgh, United Kingdom 04.2001 -
ND - Accountancy
Abia State Polytechnic
Aba, Nigeria 04.2001 -
Post Graduate Diploma - Information Technology
Oxbridge College London
London, United Kingdom 04.2001 -
Skills
AML, KYC, CDD, EDD, Sanctions Screening, Transaction Monitoring, SARs, FCA, FATF, JMLSG, Risk Mitigation Strategies
World-Check, LexisNexis, RDC/PCR, FIRCOSOFT, Bankers Almanac, CRM Systems, Microsoft Excel, Automated Reporting Systems
Financial Crime Investigations, PEP Screening, High-Risk Client Reviews, Due Diligence, Fraud Detection, Process Improvement, QA, Data Validation
Team Leadership, Mentoring, Stakeholder Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Client Relationship Management
Problem Solving, Business Awareness, Attention to Detail, Analytical Thinking, Customer Service Excellence
Accomplishments
- Reduced resolution time by 20% for high-priority financial crime investigations at Monzo Bank.
- Enhanced AML compliance by 15–20% through robust risk assessments and process improvements.
- Investigated 200+ high-risk transactions monthly, using advanced screening tools.
- Achieved 100% audit success rate at Ebury.
- Trained and mentored 50+ analysts, improving team accuracy and reducing errors by 25%.
- Led exits of 50+ sanctioned clients, effectively managing risk exposure.
- Automated Letters of Credit reporting, reducing manual processing time by 30%.
- Executed EDD for 150+ high-risk customers at Barclays, ensuring full regulatory adherence.
Certification
Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer (KYC)
Hobbies
Running, Swimming, Table Tennis, Football, Reading, Travelling, Sudoku, DIY, Photography
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeContract WorkLocation Preference
RemoteHybridOn-SiteImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCareer advancementCompany CultureFlexible work hoursPersonal development programsHealthcare benefitsWork from home optionPaid time offStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingQuote
Every problem is a gift—without problems we would not grow.
Tony Robbins
Software
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Elementary (A2)
German
Elementary (A2)
Interests
Arts
Timeline
Senior Fincrime Screening Investigator
Monzo Bank UK
04.2023 - Current
Senior KYC Analyst
Barclays Bank UK
04.2021 - 04.2023
AML & Sanctions Analyst
Ebury
09.2020 - 03.2021
KYC Specialist
Nomura
03.2020 - 06.2020
QA KYC/SME (Corporate Banking)
Deutsche Bank Group
01.2020 - 03.2020
Case Manager (KYC Client Outreach)
UBS
10.2019 - 12.2019
QC AML/KYC Analyst (Inst Cash Corr Banking)
Deutsche Bank Group
09.2016 - 10.2019
AML Operations Analyst (PEPs)
RBS Group
05.2012 - 09.2016
Senior KYC Analyst
RBS Group
02.2012 - 04.2012
Customer Service
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
06.2011 - 02.2012
Accounts Assistant
Tranzit Associates Ltd
11.2003 - 12.2005
HND - Business
Edinburgh's Telford College
04.2001 -
ND - Accountancy
Abia State Polytechnic
04.2001 -
Post Graduate Diploma - Information Technology
Oxbridge College London
04.2001 -
Transaction Officer
Guaranty Trust Bank PLC
03.2000 - 10.2003