Commercial Risk (Financial Crime), AVP

Crown Agents Bank is a vastly growing and regulated UK bank that connects emerging and frontier markets to the rest of the world, using FX and payments technology. We are transforming the way payments and FX move through emerging markets, reducing friction so that more money gets to those who need it. Emerging markets payments are usually challenging, expensive, unreliable and opaque. Our solutions help fix these pain points. Ultimately, we connect traditionally hard-to-reach regions to global financial infrastructure, giving access to the best prices and the fastest, most reliable settlement.

FX and cross-border payments are often complex and expensive, especially when operating in emerging markets. Crown Agents Bank (CAB) wraps its deep and trusted relationships and strength of network around innovative digital capabilities, and cross-border transaction banking solutions to enable fintech, corporates, governments, development organisations and banks to move money to, from, and across often hard-to-reach markets.

Role description

Crown Agents Bank (CAB) is seeking a financial crime specialist to join the Commercial Risk Management team within Financial Markets & Banking. The role has a strong financial crime focus, with primary responsibility for conducting risk-based Financial Crime Control Reviews of existing and prospective clients, particularly banks and non-bank financial institutions operating in correspondent banking, international payments and related emerging-market sectors.

This position plays a key role in helping CAB manage financial crime risk while supporting responsible commercial growth. As an international correspondent bank, CAB provides commercial payment and bulk-payment solutions primarily to clients in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and other emerging and frontier markets. Our clients include banks and non-bank financial institutions, governments, central banks, international development organisations and corporates.

The role sits within the wider Commercial Risk Management team and supports the financial crime control framework for the CAB Group. It assesses controls relating to anti-money laundering, sanctions, counter-terrorist financing, anti-bribery and corruption, anti-tax evasion and fraud, applying a proportionate, risk-based approach.

The majority of the role focuses on conducting Financial Crime Control Reviews of existing and prospective respondent clients. The successful candidate will provide clear, well-reasoned risk assessments, engage constructively with clients and work with senior management to support robust commercial decisions and the effective mitigation of financial crime risks inherent in correspondent banking.

Role responsibilities

• Act as a subject-matter expert on financial crime risks affecting correspondent banking, international payments and related products, ensuring that commercial risk decisions reflect relevant legal, regulatory and industry developments.
• Conduct risk-based Financial Crime Control Reviews, either onsite or remotely, for existing and prospective bank and non-bank financial institution clients.
• Evaluate clients’ financial crime programmes and controls against CAB Group minimum standards, including reviewing relevant transaction data and supporting documentation.
• Produce clear, detailed reports and make well-reasoned, risk-based and outcome-focused recommendations to support client selection, onboarding, retention and remediation decisions.
• Support the business with client selection and retention in accordance with the CAB Group Financial Crime Risk Appetite and internal policies.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the business on applicable financial crime prevention policies and procedures, and act as an escalation point for concerns involving money laundering, sanctions, bribery, corruption and fraud.
• Build effective relationships with clients and internal stakeholders, balancing financial crime risk management requirements with appropriate commercial considerations.
• Prepare and deliver management information, present review findings to senior management and business forums, and monitor agreed remediation actions.
• Undertake international travel as required.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience is preferred. An ICA, ACAMS or equivalent financial crime qualification is desirable.

Skills and Experience

• Proficiency in French, Spanish or Mandarin is desirable.
• Willingness to undertake overseas business travel across emerging markets, expected to account for at least 25% of the role.
• Previous experience conducting financial crime control reviews, client reviews, audits and/or similar risk-based assessments.
• Broad knowledge of financial crime regulation, international best practice in financial crime controls and correspondent banking risks.
• Working knowledge of JMLSG, FCA and Wolfsberg guidance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise and well-reasoned reports and presentations for senior management. A writing sample may be requested.
• Strong attention to detail, with experience in report writing, gap analysis and transaction data review.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to balance risk management requirements with commercial considerations using a pragmatic and flexible approach.
• A proactive and entrepreneurial approach, using knowledge and experience to enhance reporting, controls and solutions to emerging challenges.
• Experience in correspondent banking, payments or mobile money products is desirable.
• Previous experience in financial services, law enforcement, legal services, consultancy, government or a regulatory body.
• Experience in client-facing projects and direct engagement with prospective and existing clients, including the ability to manage challenging situations.

• Hybrid working
• Contributory personal pension plan: - Minimum: Employee 2% and Employer 7%. Employer matches contributions in 1% increments to a maximum of: Employee 5% and Employer 10%
• Life Assurance – 4 times annual salary
• Group Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance – this may include cover for partner and or children at company cost. Cover includes Optical, Dental and Audiology
• Discretionary Bonus
• Competitive Annual Leave
• 2 Volunteering Days
• Benefit Hub