Financial Crime Compliance Investigations - Assistant Vice President

Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we’ll always strive to be better, we’re proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

As a regulated entity the Bank has both a regulatory and statutory obligation to ensure it implements systems and controls necessary to mitigate the risks of the firm being used in connection with money laundering and/or the financing of terrorism or fraud. The role sits within the Bank’s 2nd line of defence and as such is responsible for supporting both Front Office and Back Office departments by conducting detailed reviews of financial crime matters escalated to CPD – FCC. Working in partnership with 1st line teams so as to ensure that the Bank can undertake business whilst sufficiently mitigating any underlying financial crime risks.

Responsibilities

• Responding to enquiries from the business in a timely manner.
• Analysing documentation, automated alerts, transactional data and conducting open-source research/screening.
• Identifying instances of fraud, trade-based and other forms of money laundering, PEPs, Anti-Bribery/Corruption, Counter Terrorist Financing, and potential sanctions matters.
• Providing advice and guidance to EMEA front office departments in relation to financial crime escalations to mitigate Financial Crime risk.
• Provide support to, and conduct own investigations, including research in relation to internal staff investigations, money laundering, fraud, clients susceptible bribery & corruption, and other financial crime which impacts the Bank across the EMEA region.
• Detailing and summarising complex financial evidence into reports and statements tailored to target audiences.
• Produce and provide analysis of the various reports from other Compliance areas, both qualitative and quantitative, of customers under active investigation.
• Identify developing themes, assist in building control frameworks which proactively prevent or detect financial crime.
• Keep fully apprised of proposed changes to legislation, directives, and guidance, and ensure that key points are communicated to the Head of EMEA FCC and the Deputy head of FCC.
• Maintain MI for reports in preparation for internal committees.
• Draft Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) for submission to the MLRO/NCA.
• To provide support to Head of Investigations and Intelligence, Head of FCC Investigations, MLRO, RCCO, and General Counsel on an ad hoc basis in relation to Special Case work projects for the EMEA region.
• In conjunction with CPD Training unit produce and deliver specialist training with regards to Financial Crime across EMEA.
• In addition to the normal responsibilities over the department in the EMEA offices, the role holder is responsible for day-to-day provision of services to SMBC London Branch and SMBC Capital Markets, based on the Agreement for the Provision of Services between SMBC London Branch, SMBC Capital Markets, and SMBC BI.

Key Stakeholders

• Main interfaces/relationships: UK MLRO, Head of Investigations and Intelligence, Head of FCC Investigations, and Front office / OAD staff within EMEA. Additionally, EMEA MLROs & RCCO on ad hoc basis.
• Primary remit: 2nd line activities, as defined by CPD – FCC policies, in relation to London Financial Crime investigations/reviews/referrals. To continually risk assess and escalate accordingly when required.
• Secondary remit: Undertake role of SME for at least one area of Financial Crime as directed by Head of Investigations and Intelligence. Provide advice, guidance, assistance, and training to EMEA staff in line with SME responsibilities.

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-being and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members’ perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!! We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We’ll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.