Sanctions Screening Analyst

Overview

JOB SUMMARY Within the Financial Crimes Compliance, ("FCC"), the Sanctions Compliance Team ("SCT") is responsible for the review of alerts in transaction and customer screening. Analyst are lead by Team Leads at the Associate level on the behalf of the Vice President ("VP") and report into a respective Team Lead. Analysts have the responsibility for overseeing the processes under their V.P.'s remit. The analyst may be involved in performing assignments in the absence of the Team Lead and ensure compliance of all transaction examination activities in accordance with regulatory requirements Bank Secrecy Act/Anti Money Laundering/Office of Foreign Assets Control (BSA/AML/OFAC), SMBC policies and procedures. SCOPE The Analyst follows established guidelines and to critically assess if system-generated alerts may warrant further investigation. May assist in training others. May perform manual screening related processes and communication with departments internal to the bank on the status of pending items. Individuals are expected to contribute to work flow or process change and redesign, and to form a strong understanding of the specific process. Primary focus is on execution within defined parameters, with some expansion based on developing capabilities and experiences. Complex transactions escalated to next level of investigation.

Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES The job responsibilities are described herein:

• Ensures compliance with all regulatory practices outlined by CPAD (Compliance Department) BSA/AML/OFAC and adherence to Bank policies and procedures. Provides management and guidance to assigned team members in scope.
• Provide a first level review and record decision-making on transactions, SWIFT messages, customers and affiliated parties referred for manual review by the bank's automated compliance filters.
• Ensures business continuity under all conditions, sometimes adverse, with strict adherence to established guidelines and deadlines.
• Ensures completion of requests from BSA Officer in relation to conditional approvals or other requirements.
• Maintains ongoing contact with branches as necessary.
• Prepares reports and other materials as required in response to inquiries from internal and external auditors, bank departments, and regulators. Provides timely updates of internal bank policy changes, new regulatory compliance requirements, and recommendations from CPAD.
• Ensures maintenance of OFAC sanctions lists and Internal Watchlists utilized by the tool.
• Participates in system testing and implements system upgrades to ensure the integrity of systems and processes for transaction monitoring.
• Maintain oversight on movement of funds into and out of hold over account for suspended funds cases.
• Support timely record keeping for cases opened for investigation.

Qualifications

CRITICAL JOB KNOWLEDGE AND CORE COMPETENCIES/SKILLS

• Thorough understanding of legal aspects and recordkeeping requirements of banking regulations relating to money transfer (especially OFAC, AML, BSA, USA PATRIOT Act).
• Strong knowledge of market practices related to foreign and domestic money transfers.
• Strong knowledge of OFAC regulations and Sanctions.
• Strong level knowledge of banking policies, statutory and compliance regulations. Strong knowledge of accounting principals and practices.
• Ability to interpret changes in the regulatory framework and implement in investigative review of stopped payments and customer relationships.
• Knowledge of SWIFT / Payment Message Types / RMA operations.
• Strong sense of urgency, accuracy and accountability; responsive to time sensitive needs.
• Strong management skills; decision making, influencing and delegation skills; works independently.
• Strong analytical, presentation and communication skills.
• Previous sanctions screening experience preferred.
• Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines.

REQUIREMENTS

• Work Experience: 2 to 5 years of specialized experience in Financial Services Compliance, Payment System or Money Transfer preferred. Previous screening experience.
• Education: Preferred BA / BS (or equivalent experience).
• Licenses / Certifications / Registrations: CAMS and/or CGSS preferred.
• Language Skills: Business fluency in English.
• Software Systems / Programming Languages: SWIFT preferred. FircoSoft preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

SMBC's "5 Values" guide the overall culture of the work environment - Customer First; Proactive/Innovative; Speed; Quality; and Team SMFG. This job is performed in a secured bench seating office environment, using standard office equipment (i.e., desktops, phone, etc.) The role may regularly require long hours and occasional weekend work, as job duties and team priorities demand.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job: Standard SMBC office environment. TRAVEL

Percentage of travel required: 0 - 10% OTHER DUTIES

This position is designated as a Continuity Assurance Position (CAP). This job description is not designed to cover or contain an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities that are required of the position. Duties and responsibilities may change as SMBC deems necessary, including other duties and responsibilities assigned at any time with or without notice. At any given juncture, certain of the duties and responsibilities listed in the job description may constitute essential functions of the job.

SMBC provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Further, SMBC takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and employees are treated during employment without regard to any of these characteristics. SMBC maintains affirmative action plans for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans