Investigator, Major Investigations

Job description

The Major Case Investigator position reports to the US Head of Major Investigations for HSBC, USA (HBUS) and serves as an investigations point of referral for “in flight” red flag escalations for the Global Trade & Receivables Finance (GTRF) line of business. The successful candidate will be responsible for the real-time decisioning of payments in support of the GTRF line of business. Specifically, the successful candidate will leverage his/her knowledge of financial crime risk and GTRF-related products and services to identify, investigate, and report suspicious trade activity. Additionally, the candidate should be adept at collecting, evaluating, and disseminating information and evidence related to known or suspected trade-based money laundering activities/typologies and possess the industry knowledge and experience to recognize the red flag indicators often associated with GTRF-related financial crime concerns.

Impact on the Business

· Develops and demonstrates proficiency in conducting financial investigations by collecting, evaluating, and analyzing information and evidence related to known or suspected trade based money laundering or other financial crime risks.
· Interviews customers, relationship managers and business partners in establishing factual resolution of investigative cases related to known or suspected money laundering, fraud or other suspicious trade activity.
· Establishes and maintains effective liaison and communication with law enforcement, International and Domestic business partners and judicial entities to enhance resolution efforts and maintain AML Compliance Office policies and procedures.

Customers / Stakeholders

· Maintains relationships with internal stakeholders in the GTRF Financial Crime Compliance Office and other relevant areas to help optimize information transfer through enhanced research techniques.
· Maintains external awareness of GTRF-related products and services, research trends, information, and techniques related to money laundering, including knowledge of banking laws and regulations concerning money laundering, BSA and the Patriot Act, and helps ensure they are communicated to appropriate levels of the AML Compliance organization.

Leadership & Teamwork

· Provides expertise and support to the Major Investigations organization on research techniques, capabilities and systems.
· In conjunction with the Team Leader, acts as a coach to more junior team members reinforcing and advancing their skills and techniques.
· Communicates with Financial Crime Compliance and other internal and external constituents regarding key information gleaned from reviews in accordance with established policies and procedures. Maintains awareness of AML/BSA trends and other related industry practices and helps ensure external knowledge and focus are not lost.
· Assists management in developing an effective team through communication, performance management, development plans and reward/recognition practices.
· Promote an environment that supports diversity and reflects the HSBC brand.

Role Context

· Reports directly to the Head of Major Investigations or Sr. Manager. The position directly supports activities related to GTRF-related financial crime risks.
· Involved in reviewing manually escalated red flags with potential Anti-Money-Laundering (AML), fraud or sanctions concerns. . Performs encompassing research taking into account various AML risk factors and indicators to determine if a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) requires completion. If a SAR is not required, the officer must rationalize why the transaction is not an AML risk. In less complicated transactions, the Officer may be responsible for filing a SAR report.
· Completes enhanced due diligence (EDD) reviews on high-risk customers and Special Category of Clients (SCC) accounts, when warranted.
· 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, and partners with management to create and deliver internal training and manage special projects within the department.

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.

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.

Role Dimensions

· This role does not include any budgetary responsibilities

Desired profile

Qualifications :

·  Minimum of three years or equivalent experience performing investigations, international or domestic, with specific experience in Trade Finance, Correspondent Banking, International Cash Letter and Letters of Credit, preferably related to financial crime investigations.
·  Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, related field or equivalent experience.
·  Strong interpersonal, organizational, communications, analytical and project management skills.
·  Thorough knowledge of products, services, operations and systems and extensive dealing with laws, regulations and regulatory agencies related to assigned areas.
·  Proficiency with personal computers and pertinent mainframe systems, and software packages.
EEO/AA/Minorities/Women/Disability/Veterans