Actionable Intelligence Analyst - Risk Strategy & Policy

Job description

Investigates Commercial Banking (CMB) Government & Institutional Banking (GIB) account level transactions outside of expected activity or potentially unusual activity received from multiple sources, including but not limited to triggers from Actionable Intelligence, and other functions to identify unusual activity. Where warranted determine the necessity of writing an Unusual Activity Report (UAR), make that determination and write the (UAR) as appropriate.

Analyzes sensitive information concerning customer and account activity including transactional data and conducts additional research that is potentially linked to money laundering, terrorist financing, organized crime, and other financial crime activity. in order to determine if the filing of a UAR is required.

Impact on the Business
· Reviews and evaluates alerts/cases consisting of anomalous or potentially suspicious activity.
· Reviews customer and account activity including transactional data and customer relationships to accurately identify cautionary/red flags and suspicious activities that requires additional research
· Performs name and account based research on lists and reports provided through established resources to determine if evidence of money laundering activities exist.
· Writes quality investigative narratives based upon transactional activity and customer relationships in order to report suspicious activity and evidence of possible money laundering and/or terrorist financing activities.
· Maintains familiarity with appropriate investigation techniques to support AML activities, including research utilizing bank systems, intranet, internet and external vendor solutions as appropriate.
· Communicates effectively with CMB Management and across other functions/areas in HBUS, effectively conveying key information to both internal audiences as appropriate.
· Support the general business needs of CMB and GIB as required.
Customers / Stakeholders
· Helps to foster a positive culture of compliance by working proactively with CMB, FCC, LOBs, BRCM, internal control functions, to ensure that best practices and systems are in place to facilitate business growth and the overall success of HSBC in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and internal policy.
· Maintains relationships with internal stakeholders in CMB and other areas to help ensure research techniques and capabilities perform at high levels.
· Maintains external awareness of research trends, information, and techniques related to money laundering, and communicates the same to appropriate levels of the organization.

Leadership & Teamwork
· Communicates effectively within CMB re-enforcing that knowledge of key information, policies and procedures is understood with all constituents both internal and external.
· Provides support and expertise to CMB on research techniques, capabilities, and systems
· Maintains awareness of AML/BSA trends and other related industry practices helping ensure external knowledge and focus is not lost.
· Helps provide project management support on business-related projects and initiatives, as requested, to ensure they progress toward a common goal in alignment with agreed timelines.
· Provides assistance to other Operations Analysts and CMB Staff when necessary/requested

Operational Effectiveness & Control

· Helps monitor activities within the AML Compliance Office to ensure compliance with applicable internal policies and procedures and external regulations.
· Escalates complex or significant issues to business management, as appropriate.
· Participates in special CMB reviews, projects, audits, and training efforts, as required.
· Discharges the accountabilities set out in the Legal and Compliance Functional Instruction Manual (FIM) and CMB FIM by pro-actively assisting management in identifying and containing compliance risk, monitoring, reporting, and certification, fostering a compliance culture and optimizing relations with regulators.
· Completes other responsibilities, as assigned.
Major Challenge
· Financial services compliance entails a high degree of regulatory compliance and reputational risk, particularly with respect to risks arising out of non-compliance with extensive and complex regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations would have significant negative effects on relations with regulators, the reputation of the Company with the public and may result in regulatory impediments to mergers and acquisitions and significant regulatory sanctions, including regulatory fines of material amounts.
· Historical compliance issues in AML place more pressure on this and related functions. The candidate will need to operate effectively under the pressure of deadlines, constant regulatory oversight, and pressure on the level of unit performance.
Role Context
· Reports directly to GIB Management; and directly supports activities in CMB and (GIB).
· Reviews systematic (AI) Triggers and determines whether transactions occurring are valid Anti-Money Laundering risks or unusual account activity. Performs encompassing research taking into account various AML risk factors and indicators to determine if a UAR requires completion. If a UAR is not required, the investigator must rationalize why the transaction is not unusual activity and document same. If a UAR is required, they must write and complete the UAR. UAR's must be filed within a reasonable amount of time in consultation with CMB Management and Relationship Managers (RMs).
· The Analyst may be responsible for completing enhanced due diligence (EDD) reviews on high risk customers and Special Category of Clients (SCC) accounts if and when appropriate.
· Effectively manages and coordinates the workflow of the investigative process of the team.
· Identifies problem areas in the workflow process and develops efficient remedies managing workload.
· Demonstrates a thorough understanding of policies and procedures pertaining to the role. Aware of what constitutes an effective control environment.
· Coordinates internal processes for the revision, review, approval, and publication of policies applicable to the business unit as well as internal departmental procedures to support functions that are the responsibility of Compliance.
· Establishes process for the distribution of Compliance related communications from the department. Partners with management to create and deliver internal training and manage special projects within the department
· This section should contain language instructing the coordination of semi-annual reviews and managing monthly RESA meetings.
Management of Risk
· Ensure compliance, operational risk controls in accordance with HSBC or regulatory standards and policies; and optimize relations with regulators by addressing any issues. The physical demands/work environment described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.
· Physical Demands/Work Environment: Very good working conditions. Little or no physical demands. Minimal handling of light materials. The physical demands/work environment described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.
· Show by example effective workflow management and time management skills.
· Meets all deliverables for QA reviews, analyses and regular or special reporting.
· Adheres to the Firm's Statement of Business Principles and Code of Ethics.

Observation of Internal Controls
· Maintains HSBC internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators.
· As appropriate for the role, ensures alignment with regulatory requirements, the Compliance FIM, HNAH's Enterprise Compliance Policy and Program, HNAH's BSA/AML Policy, other Group policies and all related policies and procedures.
· Communicates control weaknesses to other group leaders and business management in accordance with issue escalation procedures.

Desired profile

Qualifications :

·  Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, related field or equivalent experience. AML/KYC investigative experience preferred.
·  Fluency writing and speaking in Arabic.
·  Strong interpersonal, organizational, communications, analytical and project management skills.
·  Strong comprehension of analytics with ability to communicate data trends and patterns.
·  Thorough knowledge of products, services, operations and systems and extensive dealing with laws, regulations and regulatory agencies related to assigned areas.
·  Ability to communicate with highly sensitive clientele.
·  Proficiency with personal computers and pertinent mainframe systems and software packages.
·  Knowledge of retail / commercial banking operations helpful.
EEO/AA/Minorities/Women/Disability/Veterans