Financial Crime Analyst KYC / AML

Location: London Head Office (Hybrid: 50% Office / 50% Home) Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:30pm Department: Service Operations – First Line Risk Financial Crime Manager (1st Line) Our client, a growing UK specialist bank, is seeking a Financial Crime Specialist to join their First Line Risk function. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-performing team within a bank that focuses on under-served segments of the UK market, with a strong presence in SME lending and customer savings. The Financial Crime Specialist will play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the bank’s operations, acting as a key point of contact for financial crime prevention, client due diligence, and fraud oversight. Perform Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for high-risk customers and prepare comprehensive reports for the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) Conduct investigations in collaboration with the 2nd Line Financial Crime team, supporting the submission of Suspicious Activity Event (SAE) reports Provide expert guidance to internal teams on high-risk scenarios and regulatory requirements Monitor and investigate fraud alerts, escalating findings where appropriate Support Financial Crime Analysts in performing onboarding and ongoing KYC checks, including screening and transaction monitoring Maintain accurate KYC/AML records and ensure all customer due diligence information is current and complete Contribute to first-line assurance reviews, ensuring compliance with internal policies and risk appetite Mentor and support junior team members and business stakeholders to improve understanding of financial crime policies Participate in cross-functional AML and KYC-related projects Strong professional background in financial crime or financial services compliance Solid knowledge of UK AML frameworks, including JMLSG guidance, the FCA Handbook, Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), and FATF recommendations Proven experience in KYC/CDD processes, particularly onboarding of sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies This is an ideal opportunity for a financial crime professional seeking to join a values-driven organisation where specialist knowledge and integrity are highly valued. The successful candidate will be based in London, working on a hybrid model with no business travel expected.