AML ASSOCIATE JOB DESCRIPTION

Knowing which transaction is suspicious and which is noise is harder than it sounds. An AML Associate in a regulated financial institution makes that call daily, reviewing alerts, preparing Suspicious Activity Reports for FinCEN, and conducting Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence reviews on clients flagged for elevated risk. Few roles demand both the precision of a compliance analyst and the investigative instinct of a financial crimes examiner. The work sits within AML or BSA compliance teams and directly shapes whether the institution meets its obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act.

As the AML Associate, you protect the institution from financial crime exposure by investigating transaction monitoring alerts, conducting CDD and EDD reviews, and preparing SAR filings that meet FinCEN regulatory standards. You operate within the AML compliance function, collaborating with operations, legal, front office teams, and senior compliance officers to ensure every client relationship is properly risk-rated and documented.

Career Impact: Hands-on experience preparing SAR filings and conducting EDD reviews builds the investigative credibility that AML professionals carry into senior compliance and financial crimes roles.

Business Impact: The accuracy of your alert reviews and SAR recommendations directly determines whether the institution avoids regulatory action, reputational harm, or FinCEN enforcement.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to OFAC screening, KYC refresh programs, and cross-functional compliance projects expands your competency set toward roles such as AML Manager, Compliance Officer, or Financial Crimes Investigator.

• Investigate transaction monitoring alerts for money laundering, BSA violations, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes to determine SAR filing eligibility.
• Review and prepare Suspicious Activity Reports for submission to FinCEN and other law enforcement or regulatory agencies within required timeframes.
• Conduct Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence reviews, including research, narrative writing, risk rating determination, and documentation.
• Monitor OFAC match queues, act as dual control for OFAC processing, and escalate confirmed sanctions hits through appropriate channels.
• Perform periodic KYC refresh reviews for existing client relationships, identifying documentary deficiencies and coordinating resolution with front office personnel.
• Audit client onboarding files to verify CIP requirements are complete and accurately recorded in the banking system.
• Maintain investigation records, AML checklists, and case files to support consistent reporting and audit readiness.
• Coordinate with operations, legal, and senior compliance leadership to escalate systemic issues and support policy improvement initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of AML, BSA, or financial crimes compliance experience, with direct exposure to alert investigation or SAR preparation.
• Working knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, OFAC regulations, FINCEN CDD Rule, and related federal AML requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze transaction data, identify suspicious patterns, and document findings in clear written narratives.
• Proven competency in conducting CDD and EDD reviews, including research on complex corporate structures and beneficial ownership.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously and meet regulatory deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings to compliance leadership and external agencies.

• CAMS certification or active pursuit of CAMS, demonstrating commitment to the AML compliance profession.
• Experience with sanctions screening programs, PEP monitoring, or higher-risk entity types such as funds, trusts, and SPVs.
• Familiarity with KYC requirements across multiple regulatory frameworks, including European AML directives or Cayman Islands standards.
• Bilingual proficiency, particularly in Mandarin, Cantonese, or another language relevant to the institution's client base.

• SAR filing timeliness, measured against FinCEN's regulatory submission deadlines.
• Alert closure rate per review cycle, reflecting throughput against the assigned case queue.
• CDD and EDD completion rate, tracking the percentage of due reviews finalized within required timeframes.
• CTR filing accuracy and submission rate within the 15-day regulatory window.
• KYC deficiency resolution rate, measuring how quickly outstanding documentation is collected and closed after identification.
• Typical tools: Transaction monitoring platforms (commonly NICE Actimize or FCRM); screening databases (commonly Lexis-Nexis or WorldCheck).

• Base Salary Range: $55,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience and location.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10% of base salary.
• Equity: Generally not offered at this level in banking compliance roles.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most financial institutions.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus federal holidays.
• Common Perks: CAMS exam reimbursement, continuing education support, and compliance training programs.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment contingent on successful completion of a background check and, where applicable, a credit history review consistent with the requirements of financial services regulations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The AML Associate owns the end-to-end analysis of transaction data to detect fraud, identity theft, KYC gaps, and AML risk in line with RBI and company policies. Working closely with Engineering, Product, Operations, and Business teams, the role delivers fraud risk solutions and key monitoring metrics that protect the organization from financial crime.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze data to identify patterns and anti-patterns related to fraud, AML, identity theft, KYC, and non-compliant activity per RBI and company policies.
• Define, develop, and communicate key metrics to monitor risky activity across businesses, categories, products, merchants, and more.
• Recommend anti-fraud processes based on changing transaction patterns and trends.
• Help the team proactively identify potential chargeback or fraud transactions.
• Identify suspicious transaction patterns.
• Work closely with Engineering, Product, Operations, and Business teams to develop fraud risk solutions.

Required Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in a risk monitoring role.
• Proficient in handling alerts.
• Excellent Excel skills.
• Strong quantitative, problem-solving, and analytics skills.
• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and project management skills.

Embedded within the AML compliance function, the AML Associate reviews unusual activity and name screening alerts to determine whether further investigation is required and prepares suspicious activity reports for filing to external authorities. Working closely with frontline units and relevant business teams, the role ensures the organization meets SFC regulatory requirements and maintains rigorous standards of financial crime prevention.

Core Functions

• Review unusual activity and name screening alerts to determine whether further investigation is required.
• Perform deep-level analysis on activities requiring further investigation.
• Prepare suspicious activity and transaction reports for filing to external FIU.
• Participate in various AML projects.
• Provide advice to frontline and other relevant units on AML-related matters.

Qualifications and Experience

• 3-5 years of experience in AML in the securities brokerage industry.
• Good knowledge of local regulatory (SFC) requirements.
• Proficient in MS Excel, MS Office, and monitoring systems such as Lexis/Nexis and NICE Actimize.
• Proficient in both spoken and written English and Chinese.
• Analytical, independent, with good problem-solving and communication skills.

Reporting to AML compliance leadership, the AML Associate investigates complex suspicious activity cases and conducts CDD and EDD reviews to identify clients that pose greater than normal AML risk to the Bank. Partnering with branches and business areas, the role strengthens the Bank's compliance posture by preparing SARs, maintaining investigation records, and coaching peers on regulatory adherence.

Primary Duties

• Prepare and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR) with sound judgment and strong adherence to procedures.
• Conduct timely investigations that adhere to all regulatory requirements and Bank policies, including CDD, EDD, and Quality Assurance (QA) activities.
• Investigate, analyze, and document alerts and complex cases pertaining to cash structuring, high-risk country transactions, wire transfers, commercial loan payments, and branch reports.
• Review and prepare SARs for submission to FinCEN and other law enforcement or regulatory agencies, including 314b analysis and law enforcement request fulfillment.
• Compile data and maintain records and files to ensure efficient and consistent reporting of investigations and CDD/EDD programs.
• Recommend retention or closure of customer relationships and complete the closure and verification follow-up process.
• Coach and provide guidance and support to peers.

Skills and Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 3 years minimum prior relevant experience.
• Solid knowledge of AML processes and adherence to AML compliance functions.
• Thorough knowledge of investigative techniques including transaction analysis, evidence gathering, and pattern recognition.
• Detailed analytical and research skills, including use of online research tools and report writing.
• Strong planning, organizing, and independent working skills with ability to meet deadlines.

Sitting at the intersection of KYC compliance and client relationship management, the AML Associate is responsible for implementing client refresh screening across all existing customer relationships, examining account documentation, identifying deficiencies, and working with front office personnel to maintain updated KYC records. Operating across FCM and SXM divisions, operations, legal, and senior management, the role ensures full CDD requirements are met and supports ongoing process improvement and automation initiatives.

Duties

• Review documentation and identify deficiencies for customer relationships across FCM and SXM divisions.
• Ensure KYC requirements are complete for each customer reviewed.
• Communicate deficiencies to front office personnel and customers and collect missing information and documents.
• Follow up with front office personnel and customers until all information and documents are collected during the refresh process.
• Report to Unit and Business Heads on the progress of the refresh process and provide ideas to address difficulties.
• Identify and escalate potential KYC, AML, and legal concerns to the KYC Refresh Officer.
• Conduct analysis on ownership and control structures of customers via publicly available sources or company documentation.
• Coordinate with cross-functional areas including operations, legal, sales and trading, and senior management to provide training on CDD and KYC requirements.
• Participate in projects to enhance the refresh process and identify areas for automation.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or Business.
• 2-4 years of onboarding and/or AML experience, preferably in commodities.
• Good working knowledge of AML, KYC, FINCEN CDD Rule, CIP, OFAC, and PATRIOT Act requirements.
• Strong knowledge of customer types, complex corporate structures, and documentation aligned to CDD requirements.
• Skilled in researching, interpreting, and disseminating information on AML/KYC regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Travel flexibility of approximately 5-10% of the time.

A key member of the AML technology program, the AML Associate serves as the primary liaison between Business and Technology, translating business requirements into functional specifications, epics, and user stories to help Scrum teams identify the best approach for fulfilling those requirements. Collaborating across Product Owners, Area Product Owners, Architecture, Development, Testing, and stakeholders from legal, risk, and operations, the role ensures delivered solutions align to product vision and support measurable business outcomes.

Accountabilities

• Work closely with Subject Matter Experts to understand current system use and assess impact of changes.
• Serve as the liaison between Business, Architecture, Development, and Testing teams throughout the project life cycle.
• Facilitate user-focused solutions across the organization in direct support of Product Owners and Area Product Owners.
• Develop use cases and acceptance criteria to validate that delivered functionality fulfills business requirements.
• Work with test teams to ensure all applicable scenarios are identified and tested and that a quality end user product is delivered.
• Partner with Area Product Owners for ongoing refinement of the product backlog and execution of the product roadmap.
• Work with stakeholders from legal, risk, operations, and other organizations to define, prioritize, and align solutions to product vision.
• Support Product Owners with business case development and OKR reporting.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies with multiple scrum teams.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 3-5 years of Business or Product Analyst experience.
• In-depth knowledge of Agile process and principles, including use of Agile tools such as Confluence and JIRA.
• Familiarity with managing and prioritizing a product backlog and experience with globally distributed scrum teams.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and SharePoint.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and multi-tasking skills with ability to manage shifting business priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including solid experience writing user stories.
• Familiar with API-based designs, microservices, and web services.

Consistent AML compliance across a global investment fund operation depends on the AML Associate, who carries out day-to-day functions within the AML team including screening clients, reviewing sanctions matches, organizing investor documentation, and completing monthly client reporting. Based within a team that liaises with internal departments and global offices, the role enables the organization to meet European financial services regulatory requirements and maintain risk-rated client relationships at scale.

Role Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, and request AML documentation linked to the back book of business.
• Conduct screening on all clients and review to identify true hits.
• Review investors with positive matches to sanctions lists and escalate through appropriate channels.
• Organize all investor AML documents, record to the AML database, and maintain proper physical and soft copy investor files.
• Liaise with internal departments and global offices to complete AML compliance requirements.
• Conduct analysis on investor types and company structures and investigate and resolve potential issues.
• Ensure all client and investor relationships are risk rated per established procedure.
• Complete timely follow-up for outstanding AML documentation and provide monthly client reporting.

Background and Experience

• 2+ years of AML experience and 2+ years in the financial services industry, particularly the investment fund industry.
• Knowledge of compliance and regulation within the financial services industry in Europe.
• Third-level qualification, preferably in Finance, Business, or Law.
• Proficient in Excel and Word.
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with fluency in English.
• Fluency in a foreign language is an advantage.

As the AML Associate, this role is responsible for ensuring compliance with BSA and AML policies and applicable federal regulations by investigating transaction monitoring alerts, filing SARs and CTRs, completing EDD reviews, and monitoring OFAC matches to protect the company from financial crime. The BSA and AML compliance program relies on this work to maintain regulatory deadlines, uphold CIP standards across lending and branch operations, and provide a knowledgeable resource to staff across departments.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Research, analyze, and investigate alerts from transaction monitoring reports for money laundering, BSA violations, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes, and recommend whether a SAR should be completed.
• Perform 90-day SAR follow-up reviews and recommend whether a continuing activity SAR should be filed.
• Track CTR filings based on monitoring reports and ensure CTRs are sent within the 15-day regulatory deadline.
• Monitor customers on the CTR exempt list on an annual basis.
• Complete EDD reviews including research, document gathering, narrative writing, and risk rating determination.
• Monitor potential OFAC matches and act as dual control for OFAC processing.
• Examine branch administration, retail lending, and commercial loans to ensure CIP requirements are met and properly entered into the banking system.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a business-related field with 2+ years of experience or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of FCRM Software.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with ability to present to managers and customers.
• Well-organized with ability to manage multiple tasks and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and in groups.
• Bilingual skills a plus.

AML Associate prepares accounts for opening in line with company procedures and AML guidelines, conducting due diligence at onboarding, monitoring ongoing customer relationships, and reviewing transactions for compliance with the BSA and OFAC program. The work directly supports the AML Compliance Manager and Chief Compliance Officer in maintaining oversight of the AML and OFAC program and mitigating organizational risk.

What You'll Do

• Ensure accuracy of information required for opening new accounts and conduct due diligence reviews for customers at onboarding.
• Research beneficial ownership within account relationships and liaise with internal and external customers to clarify company ownership.
• Authorize accounts as required.
• Conduct ongoing monitoring of high-, medium-, and low-risk relationships.
• Maintain the Politically Exposed Person Register with up-to-date information and review these relationships periodically.
• Review customer transactions for compliance with the BSA/OFAC program.
• Assist with OFAC, PEP, and other BSA regulatory programs.
• Store all documentation correctly and update internal systems accordingly.
• Complete weekly, monthly, and ad hoc statistics and tasks.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant subject or role.
• Proficient in Excel and Word.
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Mandarin or another second language is a plus.

The AML Associate delivers end-to-end client due diligence across new and existing accounts, performing sanction checks, periodic reviews, and CDD process improvements to ensure compliance with AML and KYC policy requirements. Working closely with the front office and the Compliance Team, the role accelerates onboarding, resolves compliance queries, and builds trusted client relationships that support regulatory integrity.

Key Deliverables

• Complete due diligence on new and existing accounts to ensure compliance with AML and KYC policy requirements.
• Perform and record the results of searches and sanction checks.
• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with clients to facilitate and accelerate onboarding processes.
• Perform periodic reviews of accounts as required by onboarding policies.
• Actively participate in developing, testing, and implementing new or enhanced CDD processes and other process improvement initiatives.
• Proactively resolve queries received from the front office and the Compliance Team.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on client onboarding procedures where required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience with client due diligence, including completing independent searches and sanction checks.
• Prior experience interpreting policies and procedures associated with AML regulations.
• Working knowledge of third-party global information sources used to complete CDD searches.
• Experience with higher-risk client entities including Trusts, Funds, SPVs, Limited Companies, and Charities.
• Knowledge of MS Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Reporting to the AML Sanction and Advisory team within the legal and compliance department, the AML Associate handles AML and CFT advisory, sanctions screening, and compliance program design to ensure the corporate bank meets all applicable laws and regulations. Partnering with business units across the bank and the head office, the role advances regulatory readiness by developing training programs, preparing MIS reports, and maintaining accurate records of sanctions screening evidence.

Scope of Work

• Handle AML and CFT advisory, sanctions laws and regulations updates, and new development updates.
• Design, develop, and implement effective AML and CFT programs and sanctions compliance programs for the bank and business units.
• Prepare and review AML and CFT MIS reports and monitor and recommend process improvements.
• Perform day-to-day preliminary clearance on sanctions required by the head office and comply with relevant requirements for recording and storing screening evidence.
• Develop training programs and conduct regular testing on AML and CFT programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, or a relevant discipline.
• 2-3 years of experience in AML or compliance advisory or sanctions screening within the banking industry.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Cantonese.

Embedded within a financial services compliance team, the AML Associate performs first-line and second-line account reviews for onboarding and continued monitoring across private equity funds, hedge funds, and registered fund offerings. Working closely with audit, testing resources, and the broader AML and KYC program, the role refines compliance controls and maintains the policy and procedure library that underpins the organization's financial crime prevention framework.

Functions

• Perform first-line and second-line account reviews for both onboarding and continued monitoring across private equity funds, hedge funds, and registered fund offerings.
• Perform testing among high-risk and politically exposed client populations.
• Assist in reviewing and updating AML-related agreements.
• Assist in audit and testing of AML and KYC programs.
• Maintain a library of relevant policies, procedures, FAQs, and checklists.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2-6 years of AML and KYC onboarding or screening experience in Financial Services or Alternative Investments.
• CAMS preferred and JD a plus.
• Strong knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, and OFAC and related sanctions laws.
• Prior experience with Lexis-Nexis, WorldCheck, or similar software.
• Experience with Cayman Islands and/or European AML and KYC laws preferred.
• High level of integrity with ability to handle sensitive and confidential material.
• Willing to learn with an interest in technology.