Anti-Money Laundering Level 1 Investigator

The position at a glance

What about applying for a job that is consequential and contributing to making the world a safer and better place? What about being on the front line of the anti-financial crime fight? Are you interested in joining a new team in AML and Control Framework?

BNPP Group has transferred part of AML activities from Compliance to 1LOD to reinforce AML risk culture within the Business and to strengthen the Group AML framework efficiency. Within CIB North America, it means AML L1 alert investigation function is now hosted by USD Clearing and Payments and a new team of investigators was created in Montreal in June 2022.

USD Clearing & Payments Montreal is already the CIB North America team responsible for reviewing Sanctions alerts level 1 and 2 and managing sanctions filters and logics. USD Clearing and Payments has recently been featured as one of the most innovative team with the launch of AI models for sanctions.

As AML Level 1 Investigator, you are expected to perform a thorough review of transactions and parties (or a sample of transactions depending on the number of parties at stake) that generated each suspicious activity alerts. This consist in:

•        determining if transactions reviewed seem legitimate and economically sound

•        Identifying the parties – their existence, business purpose, geographical location, services provided by BNPP and expected transactional behavior …

•        Understanding relationships between parties at stake

•        Determining if the alert, including all triggers, can rationally be explained.

Parties and transactions analysis are completed by the AML L1 investigator using internal KYC records, external searches via reputable sources, Request for Information (‘RFI’) to internal stakeholders and/or leveraging on prior alerts and prior case investigations (if any).

•        Reviewing any additional red flags such as negative news on a party by running parties in Worldcheck.

• Finally concluding on each alert (either closing the alert as not suspicious, or escalating the alert to Compliance for further investigation) and saving the supporting evidence in Actimize.

To be successful, you primarily need an investigative mindset and a good understanding of AML Red Flags for the businesses of BNPP. You will learn to master the BNPP AML policies/procedures, understand Actimize scenarios and have a very good understanding of BNPP Group products. You will need to have a good command of Excel and investigation tools, and be open to changes toward more and more technology-assisted investigations.

In this role, you will see a direct link between geopolitical tensions and your work. You will actively contribute in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, human trafficking, and tax evasion. Your work will matter.

Candidate Success Factors

Candidates will be measured on the following four performance drivers, which will dictate how individual impact is considered on the Americas platform:

• Results and Impact
• Leadership and Collaboration
• Client, Customer and Stakeholder Focus
• Compliance Culture and Conduct

In detail

Responsibilities:

·       Research, analyze, and investigate potentially suspicious Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) activity based on a variety of AML Systems generated alerts from Corporate, Institutional, and Correspondent Banking transactional activity. As necessary, use available research tools (public internet sources as well as third party sites) to identify information concerning transactions warranting further investigation as a case.

·       Request additional information by contacting various compliance or business personnel throughout the organization to determine if facts and circumstances surrounding unusual transactions warrant closure of the investigation as not suspicious or if escalation for further investigation is warranted.

·       Prepare reports using Excel to display transaction flow of payments and/or other payment activities.

·       Create and document comprehensive investigation files which must be completed and self-contained so that readers (law enforcement, examiners, audit, management) can clearly determine why the investigation was started, how it was carried out, and why the conclusion that was/is recommended was/is being made;

·       Continuous monitoring of the open alerts in Actimize until a determination can be made to close or escalate to L2 in a timely manner;

·       Maintain a good understanding of BSA/AML regulations and FinCEN guidelines relative to Suspicious Activity Monitoring and Reporting as well as current money laundering/terrorist financing schemes and risk typologies, and investigative techniques required to detect such schemes and typologies.

The strengths and skills that will help you succeed

• Skills and expertise
  • Business:
    • Financial Security - Strong knowledge of AML/ KYC, U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act
    • Tax Evasion Prevention
    • Know Your Client - KYC
  • Transversal:
    • Analytical Ability
  • Behavioral skills
    • Critical thinking
    • Attention to Detail/Rigor
    • Organization Skills
    • Communication Skills- oral & written
    • Ability to Deliver/Result driven
• Methodologies, tools and technologies:
  • • Strong computer skills including MS Office Suite.
    • Knowledge of Actimize, GCARS, CRDS, RMPM, Worldcheck, LexisNexis, Orbis is a Plus
• Experience level
  • • 1+ years of experience with a financial services firm and/or regulatory organization in an AML compliance, audit, or regulatory related position,
    • We will also consider candidates without experience but the right mindset.
    • Given the vast majority of our clients, both internal and external, are based outside of Quebec and Canada, specific language requirements may apply. Knowledge of english is required. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• • • BA or BS Degree accounting, finance, legal, economics or related discipline is preferred. 
    • CAMS Certified a plus

FINRA Registrations Required:  N/A