Associate Vice President - Investigative Reporting

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Investigative Reporting is one of four investigative teams within FCI (Financial Crime Investigation). It is responsible for high volume investigations, including cases generated under automated transaction monitoring procedures, true match cases generated from name screening alerts, referrals from Fraud Operations, as well as cases resulting from Financial Crime – Unusual Activity Reporting (FC-UARs), production/court orders and other referrals where FCI Triage has assessed that the case is appropriate for referral to Investigative Reporting. Transaction monitoring generated cases includes Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) cases, where implemented, or scheduled to be implemented as well as classic transaction monitoring cases.

Investigative Reporting prepares reports or appropriate closing summaries for all investigations conducted and prepares and files ‘suspicious transaction reports (STRs) on such investigations, where warranted. Investigative Reporting is responsible for ensuring that findings of financial crime risk are shared with relevant risk owners and/or risk stewards for investigations conducted by Investigative Reporting and making any cross border referrals to other Investigative Reporting teams, where appropriate. Designated team members or points of contact located in-market are responsible for final decisioning, in coordination with the MLRO and filing of STRs.

Role Overview

The Investigator role is responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, in accordance with the Investigative Reporting Instructions, to assess where potential financial crime risk is present, assess appropriate referrals for action, as well as referral of the case, if warranted, to designated Investigators for regulatory filing decisions and filing. The Investigator in this role will generally work on cases (DRA or non-DRA)

Principal Accountabilities: key activities and decision making areas

• Responsible for conducting effective and timely investigations into assigned cases in accordance with agreed standard for reporting requirements and service level agreements. These cases may include:
  • Cases generated by transaction monitoring systems, including DRA;
  • FC-Unusual Activity Report raised from various parts of the bank, and referred, as appropriate, by Triage to Investigative Reporting;
  • Escalated cases identified by true matches to screening lists by Name Screening teams;
  • Cross-border referrals; and
  • Escalated cases from Fraud Operations.
• Work independently to complete assigned tasks and submit high quality investigation reports or closing summaries within the established process SLAs as per the standards agreed.
• Determine information and documentary evidence needed to support the case decision and to ensure adequate record of such in an approved case management system.
• Conclude each case investigations, and make appropriate recommendations based upon the assessment, which may include referral to the MLRO or designated in-market Investigators as to whether a STR should be filed or in consultation with the respective manager, make referrals to other Investigations teams (Complex Investigations or Major Investigations).
• Seek advice from Subject Matter Experts (e.g. AB&C, Sanctions Advisory and Tax Transparency etc.), where appropriate.
• Identify and complete appropriate referrals for action, including but not limited to, recommendations for exit, and KYC/CDD refresh referrals.
• Demonstrate continuous development of investigative best practice, skills and experience whilst in role.

Certifications, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of financial crime risk indicators.
• Good spoken and written communication skills with the ability to draft written summaries and communicate conclusions effectively in a clear, concise and professional manner.
• Good critical thinking and analytical skills. Ability to make informed risk-based decisions and support with robust supporting rationale.
• Experience of analysing transaction data, along with customer data and external research finding, to assess whether activity is unusual and poses possible financial crime risk.
• Collaborative working style with colleagues and broader stakeholders within a cross-border and LoB matrix organisation.
• A motivated self-starter who has the ability to work effectively alone and under pressure.
• Capable of picking up, and applying, new ideas/concepts quickly with positive 'can do' attitude.

Desirable

• Prior experience of TM Operations
• ACAMS or International Compliance Association (ICA) certificate/diploma, or similar qualifications.