AML Investigator

Description

You’re made ready for a fulfilling career with exciting new challenges and opportunities to stretch yourself. As required by Citizens Secrecy Act and the US Patriot Act, the purpose of this position is to investigate cases of both potential money laundering/terrorist financing crimes and BSA/AML violations throughout the entire Citizens footprint utilizing an internal AML application, referrals from business lines, and opensource intelligence such as negative media, internet research, information from peer banks, and information from law enforcement. As an AML investigator, you will conduct due diligence inquiries on individuals, firms and organizations suspected of money laundering crimes/AML/BSA violations or identified as a member of a higher AML risk population. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills in your interactions with Retail and other business unit managers across Citizens. Additionally, you will be responsible for preparing and filing Suspicious Activity Reports as required by BSA Regulations and making closing recommendations on customers based on account activity. You will collaborate with and provide supporting documentation and information to law enforcement representatives, including IRSCI, Secret Service, Homeland Security, ICE, and the FBI as requested. Most importantly, you’ll feel valued for who you are and supported to achieve what’s important to you, personally and professionally!

Primary responsibilities include

Business Practice:

• Conduct financial forensic investigations on AML cases involving complex patterns of transactions. Case sources include an internal application, referrals from business lines, law enforcement and department intelligence.
• Perform an independent assessment of the risk represented by the customer and/or the activity in which the customer has engaged.
• Determine the best investigative approach for each unique case, ensuring that key questions are addressed and that Compliance AML for Citizens and A department policies/regulatory expectations are satisfied.
• Exercise critical thinking and critical decision-making skills to efficiently and effectively determine whether or not further investigative and analytical activity is required.
• Exercise autonomous decision making with regard to status of referred customers/activity, e.g., case/ no case, SAR/ No SAR, customer exit/customer retention.
• Create and maintain comprehensive case files that document the decision-making process and contain all applicable supporting documentation.
• Document Suspicious Activity Reports in manner associated with law enforcement audience.
• Exercise independent discretion regarding problem resolution (investigator is expected to identify, evaluate, and resolve problems rather than just report/refer to Management).
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and escalate customers/activity that represents a significant risk to Citizens in terms of regulatory compliance, violation of law, or reputation.

Compliance Management:

• Ensure that SARs meet all regulatory requirements and are completed within the required regulatory timeframe.
• Apply knowledge of BSA/AML regulations to the analysis/review of customers and activity in order to identify and report suspicious activity.
• Organize and prioritize work tasks to ensure that a large volume of work is completed in a risk based and efficient manner.

Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with law enforcement by providing information and documentation to them as requested.
• Respond to inquiries from Branch and business line personnel on BSA/AML matters.
• Effectively communicate to bank personnel the rationale behind closing recommendations.

Scope:
The Financial Intelligence Unit and the work of the individual AML Analyst have enterprise wide scope. The scope of the AML Analyst’s work impacts all CFG customer facing business lines and its customer base through the review of transactional activity and investigation of suspicious activity. The work performed can result in the closing of customer accounts and exiting of banking relationships.

Impact:
The Analyst work product (SARS and related financial intelligence) impacts CFG’s regulatory and reputational standing for the results of their efforts must meet rigorous regulatory standards and be of high quality. The Analysts work product also mitigates the risk of CFG’s products and services being used by customers for money laundering and terrorist financing purposes by requiring the closure of suspect account and the exit of suspect customer relationships.

Qualifications:
Bachelor Degree Required – All relevant majors considered including Forensic Accounting, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, etc.
Other Education or Training Preferred - CAMS certification (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist).
CAMS certification desirable.

• Skills:
  
  • Knowledge of AML regulations and industry best practices
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Strong investigative and research skills
  • Ability to prioritize a complex work load
  • Excellent knowledge of retail banking, lending and bank operations processes
  • Ability to provide high quality service to all business units across CFG and adhere to Quality Standards and Corporate Values
  • Excellent Microsoft Word and Excel skills along with general proficiency in adapting to new software applications
• Work Experience:
  Financial Services 2-4 years
  AML Investigations 2-4 years preferred
• Hours & Work Schedule
  Location: 3 days in the office with flexible working arrangements
  Hours per Week: 40
  Work Schedule: M-F

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Citizens we value diversity, equity and inclusion, and treat everyone with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on experience, performance, and ability. Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender individuals who are transitioning, have transitioned, or are perceived to be transitioning to the gender with which they identify), genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Employer

Citizens is a brand name of Citizens Bank, N.A. and each of its respective affiliates.

Why Work for Us

At Citizens, you'll find a customer-centric culture built around helping our customers and giving back to our local communities. When you join our team, you are part of a supportive and collaborative workforce, with access to training and tools to accelerate your potential and maximize your career growth