Maria Ines Santiago Psarra
London,United Kingdom
Summary
Client-focused AML/KYC professional with a proven track record in end-to-end client onboarding for complex institutional counterparties across multi-jurisdictional regulatory frameworks. Experienced in owning the full account opening journey, from documentation requirements and due diligence through to regulatory sign-off, while keeping clients and internal stakeholders clearly informed at every stage. Adept at assessing complex client structures, applying strong risk judgement, and escalating to Compliance where required. Recognised with the Asset Servicing Times Rising Star Award (2025) for excellence in risk assessment, onboarding optimisation, and analytical judgement. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Greek.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Associate - Relationship Management
Clearstream - Deutsche Börse Group
London
2023.02 - 2026.04
- Own the end-to-end client onboarding journey for institutional counterparties, setting clear documentation requirements, managing account opening workflows, and driving completion across KYC, AML, and legal documentation to readiness-to-trade.
- Guide clients and internal partners (including relationship managers, legal, and compliance teams) through onboarding requirements, translating complex regulatory obligations into practical next steps for client-facing teams and bankers.
- Conduct risk-based due diligence on complex client structures, including multi-layered corporate entities, regulated institutions, and cross-border setups; escalate AML/CTF concerns and provide clear mitigation recommendations to Compliance.
- Perform sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening during onboarding and KYC refresh cycles using Refinitiv World-Check, Dow Jones, and internal SAP-based systems, ensuring accuracy and documentation integrity.
- Serve as onboarding subject matter expert (SME) for client-facing teams, staying current on regulatory and policy changes and translating requirements into practical guidance for internal partners and stakeholders.
- Optimised and digitised onboarding workflows end-to-end, reducing turnaround time by 35% and improving accuracy, data consistency, and stakeholder coordination.
- Recognised with the Asset Servicing Times Rising Star Award (2025) for analytical judgement, problem-solving, and improvements to due diligence processes.Act as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of high-value institutional clients, including several Tier-1 global banks and brokers, overseeing all commercial, operational, and strategic aspects of the relationship.
- Serve as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Clearstream’s Digital, Crypto and D7 product offering for the UK market, advising clients on digital custody, onboarding requirements, tokenised assets and blockchain-based settlement processes.
- Own and manage the client journey on Clearstream’s digital onboarding platform, driving adoption, troubleshooting issues and working directly with product teams on enhancements.
- Lead the full client lifecycle from acquisition to go-live, coordinating workflows across Product, Legal, Compliance and Operations to deliver seamless onboarding and exceptional client experience.
- Conduct relationship reviews, uncover revenue opportunities and resolve operational or strategic challenges to strengthen client engagement.
- Perform risk-based assessments and provide recommendations on complex or high-risk structures, escalating where appropriate and partnering with senior stakeholders to implement mitigation strategies.
- Optimised onboarding workflows and client communication channels, achieving a 35% reduction in turnaround time and improving cross-department coordination.
- Deliver regulatory, operational and product guidance to clients across multiple jurisdictions, including KYC/AML standards, collateral management services, asset servicing processes and eligibility frameworks.
Compliance Intern
Clearstream - Deutsche Börse Group
Luxembourg
2022.07 - 2023.02
- Conducted KYC/AML checks and enhanced due diligence (EDD) for high-risk institutional clients under CSSF and EU AMLD frameworks, assessing complex cross-border structures and ownership arrangements.
- Performed sanctions, PEP and adverse media screening using Refinitiv World-Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance tools and internal SAP-based systems; maintained documentation integrity across onboarding files.
- Carried out transaction monitoring via automated systems; reviewed generated alerts, analysed patterns of activity, and escalated suspicious behaviour to senior compliance officers.
- Verified onboarding documentation and assessed AML/CFT risks across complex cross-border structures, capturing due diligence in relevant systems and maintaining accurate client profiles.
- Assisted in the drafting and submission of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs/STRs), ensuring accurate documentation of red flags, risk rationale and supporting evidence in alignment with regulatory standards.
- Supported regulatory filings, internal audits and policy updates, including reviews related to MiFID II and AML/CFT obligations.
- Monitored regulatory developments from CSSF, ECB and ESMA and prepared concise internal briefings for the wider compliance team.
Legal Advisor
qLegal
London
2022.01 - 2022.09
- Delivered legal and regulatory guidance to UK start-ups and SMEs on corporate governance, data protection, commercial contracts, and early-stage legal strategy.
- Led client consultations, translating legal and regulatory frameworks into clear recommendations and documentation.
- Presented advisory outcomes and research findings to supervisors, partners, and external clients.
Legal Trainee
GVA Gómez-Villares & Atencia
Marbella
2021.04 - 2021.09
- Shadowed senior lawyers in corporate, commercial, and litigation cases, gaining exposure to Spanish and EU legal frameworks.
- Assisted in legal research and case preparation, analyzing statutes, regulations, and precedents to support client advisory work.
- Drafted and reviewed contracts, legal opinions, and court submissions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
Intern
Embassy of Greece
London
2020.10 - 2021.04
- Assisted in legal and diplomatic affairs, conducting research on international law, EU regulations, and bilateral agreements.
- Attended meetings with diplomats and government officials, gaining insights into international relations and legal frameworks.
- Conducted research on foreign policy developments, trade agreements, and EU directives, preparing briefing notes for embassy officials.
Education
Master of Laws - Law
Queen Mary University of London
2021.09 - 2022.09
Bachelor of Laws - Law
Democritus University of Thrace
2015.09 - 2020.09
Skills
- KYC/AML tools: Refinitiv World-Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, SAP
- Regulatory frameworks: EU AMLD, CSSF, FCA, MiFID II, FATF
- Core competencies: Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), Beneficial Ownership Verification, Sanctions Screening, Transaction Monitoring, SAR/STR Drafting, PEP Screening
Websites
Certification
- CFA 1 candidate
- ICMA - Introduction to Securities Operations
LANGUAGES
English
Proficient (C2)
French
Intermediate
Greek
Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Proficient (C2)
LINKS
Linkedin
Accomplishments
Asset Servicing Times Rising Star Award — 2025 Awarded for excellence in client risk assessment, onboarding optimisation, and analytical judgement.
Timeline
Senior Associate - Relationship Management
Clearstream - Deutsche Börse Group
2023.02 - 2026.04
Compliance Intern
Clearstream - Deutsche Börse Group
2022.07 - 2023.02
Legal Advisor
qLegal
2022.01 - 2022.09
Master of Laws - Law
Queen Mary University of London
2021.09 - 2022.09
Legal Trainee
GVA Gómez-Villares & Atencia
2021.04 - 2021.09
Intern
Embassy of Greece
2020.10 - 2021.04
Bachelor of Laws - Law
Democritus University of Thrace
2015.09 - 2020.09