At a Glance
- Tasks: Monitor and analyse transactions to detect financial crimes like fraud and money laundering.
- Company: Join Zopa, a pioneering bank redefining finance with a customer-first approach since 2005.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, and a supportive team culture in a top-rated workplace.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team making a real impact in the finance industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial crime or transaction monitoring is essential; strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We started our journey back in 2005, building the first ever peer-to-peer lending company. Fast forward to 2020 and we launched Zopa Bank. A bank that listens to what our customers don’t like about finance and does the opposite. We’re redefining what it feels like to work in finance. Our vision for a new era of banking puts people front and centre — we’ve built a business that empowers everyone to aim high, every day, to move finance forward. We’re incredibly proud of our achievements and none of it would be possible without the amazing team here. It’s not just industry awards we’re winning, we’ve also been named in the top three UK’s Most Loved Workplaces.
We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly motivated Financial Crime specialist to join our Financial Crime Operations team. The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring and analysing financial transactions to detect and prevent suspicious activity related to money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes, performing customer risk assessments, triage and in-depth enhanced due diligence (EDD) reviews. This role requires a strong understanding of financial regulations, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively within a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
This is a hybrid role – the team works in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Your working week will consist of 7.5 hour shifts between 8 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday, and you will be required to work one day of the weekend every other week, remotely. If you work a day at the weekend, you will receive a day off during the week.
A day in the life:
- Transaction Monitoring: Review and analyse customer transactions to identify potentially suspicious activity, including money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing and other typologies. Desirable that the candidate has experience with investigating Mule alerts that are raised through transaction monitoring.
- SAR’s: Prepare, complete, and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in a timely and accurate manner.
- Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Conduct in-depth investigations into high-risk customers, ensuring all critical due diligence information is collected. Understand the customer’s Source of Wealth (SoW) and Source of Funds (SoF), evaluating whether the wealth and funds align with the customer’s profile.
- Customer Risk Assessment Cases and Reviews: Conduct EDD for SIPs, PEPs, High Net Worth Individuals, and customers flagged due to a court order or external law enforcement enquiry.
- Phone-Based Interaction Requirement: The successful candidate will be required to handle phone-based interactions with customers as part of their daily responsibilities. This includes engaging with customers, addressing inquiries, and providing support or assistance, ensuring a high level of customer service. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage phone calls effectively are essential for this role.
About you:
- Previous experience in a financial crime, fraud, or transaction monitoring role within the banking or financial services industry.
- Strong knowledge of UK financial crime regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), the Money Laundering Regulations (MLR), and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidelines.
- Familiarity with transaction monitoring systems.
- Strong analytical and investigative skills with keen attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to produce clear, concise reports and communicate with stakeholders.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong understanding of banking products and services, including payments, savings, and investment transactions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and related tools.
- Highly organised and methodical with the ability to handle complex investigations.
- Strong decision-making ability and confidence in escalating issues when necessary.
- Desirable: ACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists) certification or equivalent ICA qualification, and experience in a similar role within a regulated UK financial institution.
Contact Detail:
Zopa Bank Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Crime Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest UK financial crime regulations, especially the Proceeds of Crime Act and Money Laundering Regulations. 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 join relevant online forums to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for job openings.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for phone-based interactions by practising your communication skills. Since this role involves engaging with customers over the phone, being articulate and confident will set you apart during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your analytical skills through real-life examples. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've successfully identified suspicious activity or conducted thorough investigations, as this will highlight your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Crime Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial crime, fraud detection, and transaction monitoring. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and understanding of UK financial regulations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the company. Mention how your skills align with their mission to redefine banking and your commitment to preventing financial crime.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and communication skills. Mention any experience with transaction monitoring systems and your familiarity with financial regulations like POCA and MLR.
Prepare for Phone-Based Interactions: Since the role involves phone-based customer interactions, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss how you would handle inquiries and provide excellent customer service.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zopa Bank
✨Know Your Regulations
Make sure you have a solid understanding of UK financial crime regulations, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act and Money Laundering Regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these regulations impact your work and provide examples of how you've applied them in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Since the role requires strong analytical skills, be ready to showcase your ability to analyse complex data. You might be asked to walk through a case study or example where you identified suspicious activity, so think of specific instances where your analytical skills made a difference.
✨Prepare for Customer Interaction Scenarios
As phone-based interactions are part of the job, practice handling customer inquiries effectively. You could be asked to role-play a scenario during the interview, so think about how you would communicate clearly and professionally while addressing customer concerns.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
This position is within a team-oriented environment, so highlight your experience working collaboratively. Share examples of how you've contributed to team success in past roles, especially in high-pressure situations, to demonstrate that you're a great fit for their culture.