Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer

JOB PURPOSE:

• To assist Head of LCD and AML Team Lead in ensuring that the Business & Support Units’ Anti-Money Laundering / Countering the Financing of Terrorism (“AML/CFT”) controls are effective and in line with the Branch’s AML/CFT Compliance Program
• To keep abreast of regulatory developments in prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing activities and assess impact on Branch, as well as interpretation and providing baseline advisory and recommendations
• To provide advisory and sanction support, conducting Customer Due Diligence reviews and AML investigations, enhance the AML/CFT Policy, relevant guidelines and framework

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. To enhance AML/CFT, and sanctions policies and guidelines as well as operating manuals to ensure branch’s exposure to financial crime and reputational risks are managed appropriately
2. To provide advisory and guidance to the Business & Support Units on possible Money Laundering / Terrorist Financing (“ML/TF”) and sanction risks, and in compliance with the regulations and policies
3. To conduct the Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment periodically to identify associated ML/TF risks and institute action plans to migrate the risks identified from the assessment.
4. To conduct Customer Due Diligence reviews and AML investigations in identifying unusual transaction patterns in transactional accounts and trade finance activities
5. To draft and submit Suspicious Transaction Reporting, and track recommendations on risk mitigation measures and account closures, as required
6. To conduct the review, development and implementation of a risk-based compliance monitoring programme (including surveillance and thematic reviews)
7. To conduct review in the Transaction Monitoring rules and thresholds, identify weaknesses in rules and advise how rules can be tuned/optimised to provide a more effective and efficient operating environment in managing ML/TF risks
8. To prepare management reports to Head Office and Senior Management, and present key findings / follow-up actions
9. To keep abreast of the latest money laundering / terrorism financing typologies and review & enhance controls to be vigilant in detecting suspicious customer behavioural patterns
10. To plan and conduct relevant training to raise awareness on money laundering and terrorism financing among staff
11. To participate in compliance-related projects and/or perform any other duties as may be assigned by Head of LCD from time to time

KEY COMPETENCIES:

1. Sound working knowledge of MAS Banking Regulations and Guidelines on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing requirements and sanctions regulations, as well as guidance papers issued by key international bodies (e.g. Financial Action Task Force, Wolfsberg Group, etc.)
2. Good understanding of corporate and/or private banking business products and processes, and be familiar with ML/TF typologies
3. Creative, resourceful, meticulous, analytical and able to work independently with excellent verbal and report-writing skills
4. Self-driven and a team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills
5. Ability to multi-task and execute tasks with a sense of urgency and with the ultimate goal of delivering tasks on time
6. Good analytical, process management and execution skills
7. Will deal with Mandarin-speaking stakeholders and documents. Proficiency in English and Mandarin is essential.