Financial Crime Analyst

About Allica Bank

Allica is the UK’s fastest growing company - and the fastest-growing financial technology (Fintech) firm ever. Our purpose is to help established SMEs, one of the last major underserved opportunities in Fintech. Established SMEs are the backbone of local communities - representing over a third of our economy - yet have been largely neglected both by traditional high street banks and modern fintech providers.

Department Description

At Allica we are building an industry leading digital business bank. The Compliance team is expanding, and you will be working directly with the Head of Financial Crime. You will be part of a core team responsible for successfully delivering second line of defence capability within the bank. At Allica we aim to build a Compliance team that is highly respected and an integrated part of the business, where our colleagues go for expert and pragmatic advice. When it comes to Financial Crime matters, we aim to be the best.

Role Description

A Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Investigator at Allica plays a crucial role in detecting and preventing financial crimes such as fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigating Suspicious Transactions: Reviewing flagged transactions and accounts for potential financial crime risks.
• Reporting Findings: Preparing detailed investigative reports and recommending whether a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) should be filed.
• Ensuring adherence to anti-money laundering (AML) and financial crime regulations.
• Engaging as required with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to escalate cases when necessary.
• Working closely with 1LoD to ensure good quality internal SARs are received and assessed in a timely manner, with feedback and quality measured and reported at key Bank Committees.
• Supporting the intelligence and reporting manager in identifying patterns and trends in financial crime to improve detection methods.
• Training & Awareness: Educating internal teams on financial crime risks and prevention strategies.
• To support the overall strategic direction of the business and make a significant contribution to the bank’s commercial success whilst promoting the company’s values.

Principal Accountabilities

• Support the Head of Financial Crime in fulfilling their Nominated Officer duties, to ensure that Allica has appropriate oversight of key regulatory obligations and obligations under the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA) and Terrorism Act (TACT).
• Produce timely and accurate disclosures to the National Crime Agency (NCA), ensuring attention to detail.
• Provide 2LoD support, advice, guidance and challenge, at all stages of the SAR investigation process.
• Ensure that reporting is not defensive in nature, with full audit trails maintained for non-disclosures and disclosures.
• Assist in the production of targeted and meaningful Reporting and Management Information to the various governance committees.
• Pro-actively work with the Compliance function and the business to contribute towards the Bank’s commercial success significantly and positively.

Personal Attributes & Experience

• Significant level of relevant experience working within a FinTech digital bank, UK bank or regulatory body and a minimum of 2 years’ experience in SAR investigations in a financial institution.
• A technical understanding of UK banking regulations.
• Have a methodical and organised approach to tasks, with the ability to manage your time and deliver projects within the deadline set.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities at once and the flexibility to react to changing demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to translate complex regulation into business requirements.
• Strong investigation skills, able to clearly document findings with evidence in support.
• A ‘can-do’ attitude; the successful candidate will be required to roll up their sleeves and tackle projects potentially outside their comfort zone.
• Proven experience working collaboratively and effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Previous experience of developing and maintaining good working relationships with multiple teams across the business, and personal impact to achieve and influence at a senior level of the organisation.
• A good track record of being able to demonstrate a strategic approach to managing risk and prioritising work.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to influence the culture within the business, to develop consistently fair treatment of customers.

Working at Allica Bank

At Allica Bank we want to ensure our employees have the right tools and environment in which to succeed in their role and in support of our customers. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, so our benefits are designed with you in mind:

• Full onboarding support and continued development opportunities.
• Options for flexible working.
• Regular social activities.
• Pension contributions.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Private health cover.
• Life assurance.
• Family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave.

Don’t tick every box?

Don’t worry if you don’t have all the skills or requirements listed on the job description. If you think you’ll be a good fit, we’d still love to hear from you!

Flexible working

We know the ‘9-to-5’ isn’t right for everyone. That’s why Allica Bank is fully committed to flexible and hybrid working. Please let us know what is best for you and, if we can, we will do our best to accommodate.

Diversity

We’re a diverse bunch here at Allica, with all kinds of experiences, backgrounds and lifestyles. Our openness and differences make us stronger, and we want everybody to feel comfortable bringing as much of themselves to work with them as they like.