Financial Crime Programme Officer

Commerzbank London Branch is committed to providing exceptional financial services while adhering to the highest standards of compliance and risk management. Our mission is to ensure a secure banking environment that fosters trust and integrity.

About the Role

The role entails providing Fraud and Financial Crime related advice relating to the AML/CTF, Sanctions, Trade Finance, ABC, Anti-Tax Evasion Facilitation Fraud, and Modern Slavery Risk Pillars (collectively known as Financial Crime Compliance Risk Pillars). The role will also entail performing periodic testing and quality assurance (QA) reviews on the Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Sanctions, Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) specialisms within the Financial Crime Team (FCT).

Responsibilities

• Support AML/CTF, Sanctions, Trade Finance and ABC, ATEF, Fraud & MS&HT, QA Programme Leads with the day-to-day transaction advisory work, policy, and procedure review, first line of defence (FLOD) and second line of defence (SLOD) training set-up.
• Actimize and Pelican OFAC sanctions screening.
• Perform Quality Assurance testing in line with the requirements of applicable procedures.
• Compile management information, horizon scanning duties, mailbox and query management, and general team administration.
• Support in the implementation of UK AML/CTF, Sanctions, ABC, ATEF and Fraud legislation, regulation, and industry guidance across Commerzbank London Branch.
• Support the Financial Crime QA lead with the QA of the underlying controls and make risk‑based determinations on whether the underlying activities subject to the QA is in line with relevant policies and provide written justification for QA conclusion.
• Ensure that QA results and findings are properly documented and escalated and that related remedial actions are monitored and adequately implemented.
• Provide input into drafting and maintenance of AML/Sanctions local policies and procedures as required.
• Support the programme leads deliver the following annual tasks:

• Annual Compliance Risk Assessments
• Annual Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and REP-CRIM Report
• Global Tax Havens & Offshore Financial Centres List Review
• Audit and 2LOD Compliance Review or Quality Assurance Queries
• Triage incoming queries in team mailboxes in a timely manner and support with the day-to-day tracking of FLOD and SLOD queries.
• Track progress and milestones in team projects, through minute taking, deck preparation and research as required.
• Proactively keep abreast of changes to regulatory and legislative rules and principles, by attending conferences, seminars, and training courses (where possible) and provide summary reports of learning by way of cross‑training.
• Support Sanctions Lead in 2LOD Actimize and Pelican OFAC sanctions screening.
• Support in the preparation of Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) metrics and reporting for management packs and committees.

Qualifications

Strong knowledge of Financial Crime, legal and regulatory environment in relation to Corporate and Investment Banking. Excellent understanding of industry guidance, such as Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG). Strong understanding of banking products, complex transactions, industry standards, and financial crime regulatory environment.

Required Skills

• Experience in assessing customer and transaction risk from a Financial Crime perspective and identifying suitable risk mitigation measures.
• Experience in providing advice/guidance to the FLOD on Financial Crime legal and regulatory requirements.
• Good understanding of AML/CTF, Sanctions, Trade Finance, Fraud and Bribery and Corruption laws across Europe.
• Experience in assurance testing of Financial Crime controls.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong PowerPoint, Excel and researching skills are required.
• Experience in drafting bank-wide communication and minute‑taking.
• The individual must be able to work under pressure, must be highly proactive, agile and can self‑prioritise their workload.

Key Requirements

• Experience working within Financial Crime Compliance department.
• Professional qualification in AML/Financial Crime (ICA, ACAMS or equivalent) is desirable.
• Current right to work in the UK.

Commerzbank is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Finance