Financial Crime Specialist

Financial Crime Specialist

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Paragon Bank

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Investigate financial crime and ensure compliance with regulations.
  • Company: Join an award-winning UK bank focused on growth and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday allowance, and employee discounts.
  • Other info: Diversity is valued; we encourage all to apply!
  • Why this job: Be part of a friendly team dedicated to making a positive impact.
  • Qualifications: Relevant industry qualifications like ICA Diploma or ACAMS CAMS certification required.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

A Platinum Investors in People employer and an award-winning UK bank, focused on growth. Our customers include savers and businesses across the UK and, working together, we use our specialist expertise to help them achieve their ambitions and build a sustainable future. If you’re an experienced Financial Crime and Fraud investigator looking for an opportunity to grow in a friendly environment, we’re looking for you!

We’re flexible, inclusive, committed to your wellbeing and passionate about you reaching your potential. Let’s grow together …

What you’ll be doing

  • Review system alerts for AML, KYC, fraud, and transaction monitoring daily.
  • Conduct robust EDD on high‑risk customers, ad‑hoc referrals, and periodic reviews.
  • Investigate suspicious activity and draft official reports for MLRO and NCA submission.
  • Challenge customers directly regarding potential suspicious activity and financial crime concerns.
  • Respond to law enforcement requests and statutory demands for information efficiently.

About You

What you’ll bring to the team

  • End‑to‑End Financial Crime Expertise: Hands‑on experience managing AML/KYC screening, fraud detection, transaction monitoring, and robust CDD/EDD reviews.
  • Sound Risk Judgement & Escalation: Confident decision‑making skills to challenge suspicious activity, approve customer risk ratings, and recommend client exits when necessary.
  • Process Optimization & Collaboration: Drive to continuously improve fraud detection systems while working closely with management and cross‑functional business areas.
  • Strict SLA & Time Management: A track record of managing heavy investigative workloads and meeting tight regulatory deadlines without sacrificing quality.
  • Understanding of digital first and mobile app services with an understanding of Savings products including ISAs

Even if you don’t meet all the criteria, we encourage you to apply. At Paragon, we value diversity, and we’re excited to hear from passionate individuals like you! If you’re ready to contribute to the team, please apply.

Please note, applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We do not offer visa sponsorship.

Working hours

Monday to Friday (37.5 hours per week) – shift pattern – 08:00 – 18:00 and Saturday 09:00 – 13:00. Saturday shift is two Saturdays over eight weeks shift. Hybrid working.

Inclusion
As a Disability Confident Employer, we want to ensure that our vacancies are accessible for everyone. If you have a disability, long term health condition or are neurodiverse and need us to adjust our recruitment process please get in touch with our recruitment team.

About Us

What can we offer you?

  • Generous Holiday Allowance: Starting from 25 days and climbing to 30, you also get to enjoy a day off for your birthday, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve. You can also buy or sell up to a week’s leave.
  • Share Save Scheme: Annually, you have the opportunity to buy shares in Paragon at a discounted rate.
  • Profit Related Pay: We share some of our annual profit with our eligible employees.
  • Pension Plan: We contribute up to 10% of your annual salary towards your pension.
  • Family Friendly policies: We offer enhanced parental pay and paid time off for fertility treatment.
  • Employee Discounts: Enjoy exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, shopping, motoring and more.
  • Volunteering Day: Contribute to causes you care about with one volunteering day per year.
  • Life Assurance and Personal Accident Cover

Be flexible

We promote flexibility around how and where we work so that you can achieve a healthier work‑life balance. We operate hybrid working, splitting our week between the office and home. Depending on the location of the role this will include two days in the Solihull office each week or once a month if working from another Paragon office.

Be yourself

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome diversity and care about inclusion. That’s why we want you to be your whole self at work. We believe an inclusive workplace is good for each of us, great for our customers and better for our business. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network meet regularly to share challenges, experience, and ideas to build a more equal, diverse, and inclusive business.

Be heard

We listen to your point of view, with our People Forum and regular employee surveys making sure you can use your voice and influence our future.

Be well

We will give you access to a range of tools and resources to support your wellbeing. This will include a digital GP service via our free Employee Assistance Programme, access to our Wellbeing team to connect you with the help you need to get more out of life and our Vitality at Work programme to provide you with discounted gym membership, fitness equipment and another multitude of wellbeing services.

Be better

We want you to reach your potential and, as a Platinum Investors in People employer, we’ll encourage you to learn and develop by building a personalised development plan together with your manager.

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Financial Crime Specialist employer: Paragon Bank

As a Platinum Investors in People employer, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and growth. With generous benefits such as a competitive holiday allowance, flexible working arrangements, and ongoing training opportunities, we empower our Financial Crime Specialists to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact in the banking sector. Join us at our award-winning UK bank, where your contributions are valued and your professional development is a shared journey.

Paragon Bank

Contact Details:

Paragon Bank Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Financial Crime Specialist

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and legislation surrounding financial crime, particularly Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in this ever-evolving field.

Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the financial crime sector. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with others who work in similar roles. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals or recommendations for the position.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific case studies or examples from your past experience where you successfully identified and mitigated financial crime risks. Being able to articulate your hands-on experience will set you apart from other candidates.

Tip Number 4

Showcase your ability to work collaboratively with various departments. Highlight any previous experiences where you liaised with law enforcement or external agencies, as this is crucial for the role and demonstrates your teamwork skills.

We think you need these skills to ace Financial Crime Specialist

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) expertise
Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF) knowledge
Fraud investigation skills
Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) experience
Regulatory compliance understanding
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Attention to detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial crime, anti-money laundering, and customer due diligence. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in managing inquiries and conducting investigations.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for the role and the company. Mention how your background aligns with their values of growth, inclusivity, and commitment to wellbeing. Be sure to address your understanding of regulatory requirements and your ability to work collaboratively.

Showcase Your Skills:In your application, emphasise your organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks. Highlight any relevant qualifications, such as the ICA Diploma or ACAMS certification, to strengthen your application.

Follow Application Instructions:Carefully read the job posting and ensure you follow all application instructions. This includes submitting all required documents and adhering to any specified formats. Double-check for any specific questions or prompts that need addressing in your application.

How to prepare for a job interview at Paragon Bank

Understand Financial Crime Regulations

Make sure you have a solid grasp of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF) regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these regulations impact the role and share examples of how you've applied this knowledge in previous positions.

Showcase Your Investigative Skills

Prepare to talk about your experience with conducting investigations into suspicious activities. Highlight specific cases where you identified risks and the steps you took to mitigate them, demonstrating your analytical thinking and attention to detail.

Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Since excellent communication skills are essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to explain complex financial crime concepts in simple terms, as you may need to liaise with various stakeholders, including law enforcement.

Demonstrate Adaptability

The financial crime landscape is constantly evolving, so show that you can embrace change. Share examples of how you've adapted to new regulations or technologies in the past, and express your willingness to continue learning and growing in this field.