AML OPERATIONS ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION

An AML Operations Analyst and a Financial Crime Investigator may both work in compliance, but only one owns the daily alert queue. This role holds direct accountability for processing Transaction Monitoring System alerts, completing Suspicious Activity Reports, and executing OFAC verification reviews that determine whether a financial institution meets its BSA obligations. It sits within the financial crime or compliance operations function, reporting upward to a BSA Officer or Financial Crime Operations lead. The work requires working knowledge of typologies such as PEP screening and Threshold Transaction Reporting, not as background context, but as the practical language of every case resolved.

As the AML Operations Analyst, you monitor and investigate potential money laundering and terrorism financing activity across consumer and institutional accounts, ensuring the institution's BSA and AML/CTF program remains accurate, current, and audit-ready. You work within a compliance operations team, supporting the BSA Officer and cross-functional partners with case documentation, regulatory reporting, and program testing on a daily and periodic basis.

Career Impact: Hands-on ownership of SAR preparation and OFAC audit processes builds the kind of documented regulatory expertise that financial crime compliance teams at larger institutions actively recruit for.

Business Impact: The alerts you clear or escalate directly determine whether the institution meets its BSA filing obligations and avoids regulatory enforcement action tied to undetected ML/TF activity.

Growth Opportunity: Proficiency across transaction monitoring, CIP/KYC frameworks, and AML/CTF rule sets positions you for senior investigator, AML compliance manager, or BSA Officer roles within financial services.

• Monitor and process ML/TF alerts from Transaction Monitoring Systems and Watch List Management within established SLA windows.
• Investigate alert queues by reviewing transaction data, customer profiles, source of funds, and beneficial ownership information.
• Prepare and submit Suspicious Activity Reports in accordance with BSA regulatory requirements and internal procedures.
• Review and audit OFAC verifications completed by internal staff and third-party servicing partners to confirm accuracy.
• Assess and resolve Threshold Transaction Reporting and International Funds Transfer Instruction exceptions within policy parameters.
• Complete periodic BSA/AML Risk Assessments and present compliance program updates to management.
• Collaborate with the BSA Officer and operations leadership to deliver staff training on updated AML processes and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audit requests by gathering evidence, documentation, and case rationale in a timely manner.

• Bachelor's degree in finance, criminal justice, business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of AML operations or financial crime compliance experience, with direct exposure to transaction monitoring or SAR filing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of BSA, AML, OFAC, KYC, and CIP regulatory requirements applicable to US financial institutions.
• Ability to analyze transaction data, identify suspicious activity typologies, and document findings clearly for regulatory and audit purposes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to support case escalation, management reporting, and cross-functional liaison.
• Experience handling confidential information, subpoenas, or law enforcement requests with appropriate discretion and procedural compliance.
• Proficiency in data analysis methods and reporting techniques using standard office productivity software.

• Professional certification such as CAMS, CRCM, or BSACS, demonstrating verified competency in anti-money laundering compliance.
• Prior experience with Enhanced Customer Due Diligence, PEP screening, or AML/CTF regulatory frameworks outside the United States.
• Background in consumer underwriting, credit operations, or powersports and automotive financing, where AML risk profiles differ from traditional retail banking.
• Familiarity with formal AML/CTF training programs or qualifications recognized by financial crime professional bodies.

• SAR filing accuracy rate, measured against regulatory submission standards and internal QA review.
• Alert closure rate within SLA, reflecting timely and compliant case disposition across the monitoring queue.
• False positive justification rate, tracking the proportion of de-identified alerts supported by documented rationale.
• OFAC verification audit pass rate, measuring the proportion of reviews cleared without procedural exception.
• Annual Risk Assessment completion, evaluated on timeliness and management sign-off within the compliance calendar.
• Typical tools: Transaction monitoring platforms (commonly case management and alert review systems); office productivity software (commonly spreadsheet and document tools)

• Base Salary Range: $62,000 to $88,000 annually, depending on experience and location
• Bonus: annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10 percent of base salary
• Equity: not standard for this role and seniority level in most financial institutions
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard for US financial services employers
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays
• Common Perks: Professional certification reimbursement for CAMS or CRCM, compliance training access, hybrid scheduling

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

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may request them at any time. Because this role operates within a regulated financial environment, a satisfactory background check, including a review of financial history relevant to BSA compliance responsibilities, is a condition of employment. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The AML Operations Analyst owns the monitoring and testing of BSA and AML compliance programs, including SAR preparation, OFAC audit, fraud investigation, and Annual Risk Assessment delivery. Working within Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation and collaborating with the BSA Officer, Retail Servicing Operations Manager, and DSC Management, the role shapes a compliant financial environment that minimizes losses and supports regulatory audit readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform monthly and quarterly BSA/AML certifications, maintain various BSA/AML reports for accuracy, and conduct testing.
• Review and audit OFAC verifications completed by internal staff and servicing partners.
• Prepare and complete SAR reports.
• Gather evidence, suspect information, and documentation to investigate alleged fraud.
• Initiate reports with law enforcement agencies and process subpoenas by maintaining confidential information.
• Generate reporting for management and make recommendations to enhance the BSA/AML program process and procedures as needed.
• Complete the Annual BSA/AML Risk Assessment and present program updates to management.
• Collaborate with the BSA Officer, the Retail Servicing Operations Manager, and DSC Management to provide training to staff as needed.
• Research, detect, conduct, and resolve fraud investigations and identify gaps to help drive solutions that minimize losses.
• Assist with internal and external audits promptly and support developing long-range strategic planning for audit projects.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Professional certification in CAMS, BSACS, CBAP, or CRCM is preferred.
• 7+ years of consumer underwriting experience including credit and funding operations, and 3+ years of prior fraud investigation experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial operations activities, products, and services in the Automotive or Powersports industry preferred.
• Strong knowledge of BSA, USA Patriot Act, AML, OFAC, FDCPA, GLBA, Dodd Frank Act, Elder Abuse Laws, CIP, KYC, and Right to Financial Privacy Act, as well as all related state regulations.
• Experience in account analytics, investigations, SARs, account review processes, suspicious activity typologies, fraud investigations, trends, patterns, and prevention.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving, analytical, critical thinking, and time management skills.
• Proficient in MS Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visio, as well as Adobe.

Embedded within a cross-functional financial crime compliance team, the AML Operations Analyst delivers end-to-end operational support across daily, weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc workstreams. Working closely with internal partners, management, and external contacts, the role advances regulatory adherence and process integrity across the organization's AML operations framework.

Core Functions

• Serve as an expert in the assigned operational function and perform end-to-end activities.
• Lead problem resolution for escalated issues and escalate to the appropriate level where further clarity or interpretation is required.
• Complete work within specifically defined parameters with guidance and direction from management as necessary.
• Act as a subject matter process expert in a range of technical processes and procedures.
• Exchange ideas and information with internal partners and management requiring diplomacy and professional communication.
• Coordinate focus of work on daily, weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc and initiative-based requests as required.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across the organization and with external contacts as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• Undergraduate degree preferred.
• 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of AML operations standards, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in AML and financial crime.
• Skill in using analytical software tools, data analysis methods, and reporting techniques.
• Proficient in MS Office and computer applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form, work collaboratively, build relationships, exercise sound judgment, analyze and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines, and handle confidential information with discretion.

Reporting to the Financial Crime Operations team, the AML Operations Analyst conducts critical analysis of Transaction Monitoring Program alerts to detect and assess ML/TF risk in accordance with SLAs and KPIs. Partnering with staff across the BOQ Group, the role strengthens the institution's AML/CTF posture by resolving threshold exceptions, escalating due diligence findings, and maintaining full adherence to policy and regulatory obligations.

Primary Duties

• Conduct critical analysis of alerts generated via the Transaction Monitoring Program to detect and assess ML/TF risk.
• Manage casework in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with SLAs and KPIs.
• Understand and interpret transaction data using banking systems to pursue lines of inquiry related to customers, source of funds, beneficial owners, and related parties.
• Articulate due diligence findings clearly and escalate cases as appropriate for further investigation.
• Adhere to policy and procedures relevant to the role and liaise with staff across the BOQ Group to complete inquiries.

Skills and Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in a Financial Crime Operations team, preferably within AML/CTF transaction monitoring and reporting.
• Knowledge of the AML/CTF Act and Rules including AML typologies, customer screening requirements, transaction monitoring, PEPs, and Enhanced Customer Due Diligence obligations.
• Understanding of banking codes of practice and relevant legislation including Privacy Act and Criminal Code.
• Formal training or qualifications in AML/CTF, Sanctions, or investigations is desirable.
• Previous experience using NetReveal on Demand (NROD) system is desirable.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, high attention to detail, problem-solving mindset, and strong analytical skills.

Sitting at the intersection of transaction monitoring and regulatory compliance, the AML Operations Analyst ensures timely and accurate processing of ML/TF alerts from Transaction Monitoring Systems and Watch List Management. Operating across false positive resolution, PEP de-identification, and case rationale generation, the role directly supports the organization's AML/CTF risk control obligations.

Duties

• Ensure timely and accurate processing of potential Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing alerts generated from Transaction Monitoring Systems and Watch List Management.
• Investigate and review Watch List Management alerts to de-identify potential Politically Exposed Persons.
• Provide rationale for generation of ML/TF cases and PEP cases.
• Close and justify false positive ML/TF and Watch List Management alerts which can be de-identified.
• Assess and resolve exceptions resulting from Threshold Transaction Reporting and International Funds Transfer Instruction Reporting.

Experience and Qualifications

• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing knowledge is preferred.
• Experience within the financial crime, risk, or compliance environment is preferred.
• Broad knowledge of banking and financial services products and procedures.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills with strong customer service skills.