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Nazia Firdaus Kareem

 An experienced professional with experience in KYC Operations, New Client Adoption / Onboarding, Periodic Reviews, Financial Crime Operations like Sanction & PEP Screening, Transaction Screening, Watchlist Management, CDD, EDD, etc.

Key Skills

Time Management
Excellent written and verbal skills
People Management Skills
Regulatory Compliance ( AML & KYC Operations)
Leadership

Professional Experience

Dec 2024
Present
Assistance Vice President
Deutsche Bank Bangalore Urban, IN
Corporate Banking - Managing a team of KYC specialists, Overseeing the entire corporate customer lifecycle, from initial onboarding to ongoing monitoring, ensuring compliance with regulations and mitigating financial crime risks.
The role involves managing New Client Adoption, verifying KYC documentation of the clients to be adopted, periodic review, performing risk assessments, and collaborating with other teams. 
Gather information like identification documents, financial statements, and transactional records. 
Evaluate potential risks associated with the customer, including their business type, geographic location, and financial activities.
Perform additional checks on high-risk clients, such as politically exposed persons as per the underlined standards and guidance.
Stay updated and educate the team on AML regulations and implementing appropriate KYC procedures.
Reporting risk assessments, potential issues and address any questions or concerns related to KYC to internal and external stakeholders.

Aug 2017
Dec 2024
Manager
Standard Chartered GBS Bangalore Urban, IN
 
  • Financial Crime Surveillance Operations (Transaction Screening, Customer Screening Sanctions, PEP and Adverse News Customer Screening, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Media Monitoring, Name Search on Mandate Exit Lists) 
  • Manage a small group of AML Specialists & Analysts in support of the business AML framework & activities; prepared & delivered performance appraisals and job descriptions.
  • Responsible to perform transactional screening and conduct comprehensive reviews according to Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements to identify red flags and potential violations.
  • Review and Audit PEP, Sanctions and Adverse Media potential alerts and follow required reporting based on AML guidelines 
  • Management of process for tracking breaches, providing update on regulatory changes, industry best practices, and emerging trends in payment screening investigation techniques  and monitoring completion of agreed actions/tasks.
  • Provide guidance, feedback and assist staff with AML/KYC related escalations within the AME time zones 
  • Participate in regular meetings with Management & Quality Assurance to maintain strong relationships across the board and ensure all internal inquiries or complaints are addressed promptly and professionally
  • Conduct training sessions on AML related topics and best practices 
  • Review Management Information System (MIS) and problem solving 
  • Work closely with the Stakeholders to ensure that day-to-day activities are performed in adherence to global KYC/AML policies and guidelines 
  • Prepare the RCA for the errors observed for the team and share action plan & steps taken to improvise the quality with the management and stakeholders 
  • Work on new challenging projects to improvise / simplify the process
  • Proficiency in World Check and Accuity application

International Travel (Bangladesh) - Process Transition (April 2023 - May 2023)

  • Firstly, learned to establish quick rapport with the individuals in an unfamiliar environment.
  • Conducted training session on Sanctions Process to the higher management and highly skilled professionals
  • Monitored, aided, supervised the team and performed quality checks of 12 members
Aug 2014
Aug 2017
Senior Analyst
ANZ Operations (Australia and New Zealand Bank) Bangalore Urban, IN
 
  • Worked efficiently across Customer Document Verification, Watchlist Management (world check), CDD (Customer Due Diligence), Enhanced Customer Due Diligence (ECDD), PEP Screening and Sanctions Check. 
  • Processed cases adding customers into Monitoring, Blacklist, Exiting Customers
  • Performed quality check for cases processed by peers and verifying the decisions made, adding controls, articulating my reviews, and further assigning the cases to MLRO for appropriate actions. 
  • Proficiency in applications such as: World-Check, Outlook, IKNOW 
  • Identifying key risks and red flags to ensure banks, shareholders, customers, and communities' interests are safeguarded. 
  • Review of ANZ customers against world check match to Identify or De-identify [Crime & Terrorism Alerts]. 
  • Filtering payments to ensure no Sanctions violations are made 
  • Training peers on process updates and queries 
  • An overall knowledge of processes across Financial Crime Management 
Jul 2010
Aug 2014
Senior Business Associate
IBM Bangalore Urban, IN
Process:
F & A Accounts Receivable, Payment Enquiries and Reconciliation

Education

May 2007
Jun 2010
B.Com in Hasnath College
Bangalore University

Certifications

2019
Anti-Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing
Udemy
2020
Six Sigma: Green Belt
Benchmark
2021
Forensic Accounting - Fraud Investigations
Udemy
2021
Introduction to Criminology
Udemy

Achievements

2015
Star Performer at ANZ
 Awarded on multiple occasions for consistently delivering ICARE values along with impeccable Quality and Productivity scores and taking additional responsibilities 
Best Performer at ANZ
Top contributor in the Team with 100% Quality scores
Spot Awards at ANZ
Awarded on multiple occasions for training and providing SME support to teammates (new joiners and existing staff alike) while collaborating with teams across departments and conducting detailed analysis providing value add outcomes.
GEM Award at SCB - 2022
 Completing the A3 Project Successfully 

Quote

“The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits”

ALBERT EINSTEIN

Career Aspiration

My goal right now is to find a position at a company where I can grow and take on new challenges. Ultimately, I’d like to assume more management responsibilities and get involved in Financial Crime Compliance. But most importantly, I want to work for an organization where I can build a career.

Get in touch with Nazia Firdaus