Shinu Raj
Glasgow,Scotland
Summary
With over a decade of experience in Financial Services and two years specifically within the KYC/AML environment, I have contributed to KYC remediation projects for esteemed organizations including ABRDN, Lloyds Bank, KPMG, Virgin Money, and FNZ. My primary responsibility entailed constructing customer profiles using bank and third-party resources to ensure compliance with FCA regulations and internal bank policies. This encompassed meticulously reviewing customer details, engaging with Account Managers and clients to complete missing information, and finalizing and submitting files to the bank.
My expertise extends to handling both low/medium and high-risk files. In the case of low/medium risk files, which may involve individuals, sole traders, limited companies, unincorporated parties, LLPs, etc., I conducted standard due diligence procedures. This includes scrutinizing aspects such as registered addresses, ownership structures, trading addresses, business activities, turnover, associated parties, ID verification, transaction details, and assessing any high-risk factors. Low/medium risk files pose minimal risk in terms of transactions, SIC codes, cash intake, ownership structure, and thus require a standard due diligence approach that aligns with the bank's risk appetite.
During my tenure at ABRDN as an Anti-Financial Crime Analyst, I honed my skills in KYC processes, particularly in evaluating high-risk entities. My role involved conducting comprehensive enhanced due diligence investigations on entities such as Trusts, Charities, and Corporations. I adeptly analyzed financial data, transaction patterns, and account records to identify potential irregularities and illicit activities. Leveraging advanced fraud detection software, I vigilantly monitored transactions, promptly responding to alerts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Collaborating seamlessly with internal stakeholders and law enforcement agencies, I provided vital evidence to support criminal investigations. My proficiency in generating detailed reports and presentations has significantly contributed to risk mitigation and the preservation of financial system integrity through robust analytical and compliance methodologies.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work history
FINANCIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION ANALYST
ABRDN
Edinburgh
10.2022 - Current
- Carrying out due diligence through screening and transaction monitoring of clients (Individual and Entities) for risks associated with PEPs, sanctions, Adverse Media, other risk factors, adhering to the organisation Regulatory and compliance policies.
- Support first Line of Defence in attaining the desired Quality assurance in mitigating the risks where possible or escalating to MLRO for further actions.
- Maintain Financial Crime Investigation register, review and assess internal SAR supporting other bank teams.
- Perform detailed analyses, maintain required documentation, and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
- Reports and Disclosures folders maintained for submission to various law enforcement agencies.
- Excellent knowledge in knowledge of sanctions, JMLSG, FCA guidelines, AML Directives, UK financial and regulatory requirements policies.
- Attention to detail, organised and constructive thinker, complete team player, analytical and problem solving skills.
- Develop and maintain new regulatory initiatives, strategize, and ensure compliance as per risk regulatory adherence.
- Review alert to detect fraudulent activities
- Conducted in-depth analysis of customer financial activity to identify and investigate potential financial crimes.
- Reported findings and made recommendations to senior management on potential financial crimes.
- Analyzed and interpreted data to identify trends, patterns, or anomalies that may indicate financial crimes; conducted research on new leads as well as ongoing cases.
- Handles complex cases with some visibility
- Establish and ensure compliance with company standards
- Conduct investigative research using appropriate investigative techniques to determine the risk.
- Drafted detailed reviews of investigations performed to determine necessary actions
- Reviewed the results of adverse media and sanctions screening Completed transactional monitoring reviews of companies and individual accounts
- Prepared detailed reports of results and escalated to the second line of defence when appropriate
- Monitored transactions and conducted risk-based assessments, checking documents activities related to financial crime, AML, electronic crime, and market abuse
- Monitored previous and ongoing financial deals, sources of funds, Ultimate Beneficial Owners, and Suspicious Activities, conducting checks for red flags
- Analyzed financial data, transaction patterns, and account records to identify anomalies and potential instances of illicit activity
- Utilized fraud detection software and tools to monitor transactions, generate alerts and conduct in-depth analysis
- Prepared detailed reports and presentations on financial crime trends, patterns, and Risk assessment for management and regulatory authorities
KYC/AML Analyst
Lloyds Banking Group
Edinburgh
04.2022 - 10.2022
- Carrying out remediation cases using risk-based approach building customer profile for different legal entities.
- Analyzing and investigating financial crime checks for existing and potential clients for Anti Money laundering, Terrorist financing, Fraud, Sanction list, tax evasion whilst protecting the bank of reputational risk within the organizational and FCA regulatory framework.
- Identify red flags, check triggers and alerts for PEPs, Complex Structure, UBOs, Spike in Turnover, Adverse media screening review them and make decision whether to discount, add or escalate to other senior management as part of transaction monitoring and financial crime prevention.
- Review of the flags, alerts/triggers refresh cases and updating records for clients through internal banking systems, HMRC, FCA, The UK Sanctions List, OFAC List Screening and other public domain and third-party websites such as dun & Bradstreet, Dow Jones etc. ensuring up-to-date record keeping for client reviews.
- Communicate with client regarding documentations, clarifications with evidence, relationship manager, Compliance team, Senior management for documentation updates and coordination, gathering information documenting evidence to discount, add alerts or escalate to other departments such as SARS team and other key stake holders thereby ensuring compliance within the time frame.
- Manage productivity through effective WIP management, prioritizing and ensuring timely coordination moving the cases through different gated stages.
- Quality Checks carried out Historic cases for SME and Non-SME cases, carry out RCA and share One Best Way approach thereby reducing errors in rework by more than 20%.
KYC/AML Analyst
KPMG
Glasgow
11.2021 - 03.2022
- Generated detailed reports summarizing investigative findings and recommending necessary actions based on the outcomes.
- Thoroughly examined results from adverse media and sanctions screening to identify potential risks.
- Conducted transactional monitoring reviews for both companies and individual accounts, adhering to risk-based approaches and scrutinizing documents related to financial crime, AML, electronic crime, and market abuse.
- Supervised and scrutinized financial deals, sources of funds, Ultimate Beneficial Owners, and Suspicious Activities, diligently checking for any red flags.
- Analyzed financial data, transaction patterns, and account records with a focus on detecting anomalies and potential instances of illicit activity.
- Proficiently utilized fraud detection software and tools to monitor transactions, generate alerts, and perform in-depth analyses.
- Collaborated closely with law enforcement agencies and internal stakeholders, providing vital evidence and support for criminal investigations.
- Produced detailed reports and presentations on financial crime trends, patterns, and risk assessments for management and regulatory authorities.
- Reviewed financial statements to identify variances and overages, suggesting internal controls to increase adherence.
- Analysed complex data sets and studied impacts on business growth and operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement operational improvements and business strategies.
- Assessed operational and financial wellness, delivering complex reports on findings.
- Maintained in-depth knowledge of industry advancements and emerging software tools to improve analytical workflow.
- Identified areas for improvement, devising and implementing cost-effective solutions to improve results.
Investment Operations- KYC
FNZ
Edinburgh
07.2021 - 10.2021
- As part of the ongoing customer review program, performed full KYC/AML reviews on the existing customer base, ensuring the Bank's AML/KYC procedures are applied in line with UK and EU laws and regulations.
- Investigated ownership and control to identify all ultimate beneficiaries and possible PEPs for KYC and risk management purposes.
- As the KYC check is performed, appropriate changes are to be documented and recorded.
- Assisted the business to obtain information and documentation required to meet legal and regulatory money laundering identification obligations.
- Completed client record updates, both KYC and Operational records, as requested by internal teams.
- Liaised with the Front Office, Middle Office, and Operations department as necessary regarding client set-up in data systems.
- Verified all aspects of the Client Identification Program (CIP) and necessary account opening documents are provided and in accordance with Know Your Customer (KYC), UK, and EU laws and regulations.
- Ensured final reports are comprehensive, compliant, and suitable for use in the client onboarding decision-making processes.
- Assisted with the ongoing maintenance of client information and documentation.
- Tested and maintained system operations to smoothen curve.
Complaint Handler
Virgin Money
Glasgow
02.2019 - 03.2021
- Owned end-to-end complaint handling and resolution in line with established procedures.
- Being embedded within a team of Case Handlers to improve quality and production levels.
- Tagged customer interactions with appropriate labels for internal tracking purposes.
- Working closely with Operations, Technical Analysts, Continuous Improvement, Quality control, and Root Cause Analysis Teams.
- Offered recommendations to customers based on specific situations, priorities and obstacles.
- Documented customer interactions, following company policy and procedure in all engagements.
- Managed high-volume customer queries simultaneously through effective multitasking.
- Being responsible for large volumes of on the floor case queries, using guidance to aid with handlers understanding, and escalating queries where required to the Technical Analysts and Case Clinics.
- Liaising with other work streams on project-wide changes and issues.
- Continuing as a Comms Champion within the Triage work stream, reviewing communications before they are issued to ensure they make sense and are in line with current, then channeling feedback from case handlers after communications releases and ensuring the recipients have understood the information.
- Carrying out refresher training courses for changes between BAU & Remediation cases.
- Reviewing QC and EA feedback with Case Handlers, instigating appeals on grading, attending appeals forums, and carrying out Root Cause Analysis chats on the feedback when required.
- Working with ‘Academy' teams of new-to-bank and new-to-work stream Case Handlers, running workshops and on-floor daily huddles to aid in increasing Case Handlers' confidence and competence in working cases.
- Contributing towards weekly information packs by analyzing project-wide data relating to QC feedbacks to provide Case Handlers and Senior Leadership Teams an insight into where improvements can be made along with suggestions.
Complaint Hander
Yorkshire Building Society
Cheltenham
11.2018 - 02.2019
- Managed high-volume tasks in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
- Resolved client complaints, defusing stressful situations to restore satisfaction and loyalty.
- Maintaining an equal balance between excellent work quality and high production output.
- Assimilating complex documents and carrying out an extensive and detailed investigation showing a clear audit trail.
- Calculating, where appropriate, redress for customers whose complaint has been upheld.
- Ensuring calculations are accurate and authorized within the Department's mandate structure.
- Reaching an unbiased, fair decision for all parties involved.
- Analysed complex data sets and studied impacts on business growth and operational efficiency.
- Assisted with continuous improvement initiatives, applying data findings to address underperforming areas.
- Applied strong analytical skills to translate business requirements into effective technical solutions.
Complaints handler
Lloyds Banking Group
Aylesbury
01.2018 - 11.2018
- Owned end-to-end complaint handling and resolution in line with established procedures.
- Used time-management skills to minimise complaint lifecycle and meet regulatory timelines.
- Took ownership for customer correspondence to deliver exceptional customer service levels.
- Responded to customer feedback within target timescales.
- Communicated with customers politely, promptly and professionally.
- Documented customer interactions, following company policy and procedure in all engagements.
- Maintaining an equal balance between excellent work quality and high production output.
- Assimilating complex documents and carrying out an extensive and detailed investigation showing a clear audit trail.
- Calculating where appropriate redress for customers whose complaint has been upheld.
- Ensuring calculations are accurate and authorized within the Department's mandate structure.
- Reaching an unbiased, fair decision for all parties involved.
- Written and verbal communication with consumers via formal letter writing and telephone conversations respectively.
Education
Pre Degree - Business
Mahathma Gandhi University
KottayamSkills
- Practical expertise in utilizing various tools and platforms, including Citrix, AWS, Equifax International, overseas registries, and adverse press check tools
- Proficiency in AML (Anti-Money Laundering), financial crime detection, and investigation
- Skill in fraud detection software like World Check One, Actimize, and Equifax, enhancing capabilities in detecting fraudulent activities
- Comprehensive understanding of financial markets and transaction monitoring
- Ability to identify potential risks and irregularities in financial transactions
- Meticulous attention to detail and strong analytical skills for accurate analyses of large datasets
- Excellence in tackling intricate financial issues with precision
- Excellent communication skills for delivering comprehensive reports and conveying insights effectively
- Compliance testing knowledge
Timeline
FINANCIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION ANALYST
ABRDN
10.2022 - Current
KYC/AML Analyst
Lloyds Banking Group
04.2022 - 10.2022
KYC/AML Analyst
KPMG
11.2021 - 03.2022
Investment Operations- KYC
FNZ
07.2021 - 10.2021
Complaint Handler
Virgin Money
02.2019 - 03.2021
Complaint Hander
Yorkshire Building Society
11.2018 - 02.2019
Complaints handler
Lloyds Banking Group
01.2018 - 11.2018
Pre Degree - Business
Mahathma Gandhi University