AML & Compliance Specialist

Are you ready to play a key role in ensuring regulatory compliance? The Ballinger Group in London is seeking a talented and motivated AML & Compliance Specialist to join our team. As a vital member within the Ballinger Group, you will be at the forefront of ensuring our firm remains fully compliant with client onboarding regulatory requirements and the compliance lifecycle.

About Ballinger Group:

At Ballinger Group we specialise in providing Foreign Exchange Risk Management and Trading Services to Financial Institutions and corporate clients worldwide. Our expertise and insights enable us to navigate the global currency markets with confidence. As a well-capitalized firm with significant purchasing power, we offer flexible and straightforward FX solutions, giving our clients a crucial competitive advantage. Our commitment to delivering a superlative level of service is backed by the professional expertise of our team, state-of-the-art technology, and a lean and competitive approach.

Why Join Us?

At Ballinger, we pride ourselves on maintaining a best-in-class experience for our customers. We value positive and respectful interactions with stakeholders and colleagues, while upholding trust, integrity, and regulatory compliance at every step. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, leading the way as we achieve new levels of success together. We believe in staying up to date with industry best practices and encourage knowledge-sharing to foster a culture of continuous improvement, we also invest in our staff members and sponsor additional education. 

Requirements

As an AML & Compliance Onboarding specialist, your responsibilities will encompass:

• Gathering and analysing customer information to complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) process.
• Verifying the identity of clients using prescribed documentation and processes.
• Collecting necessary documents from new clients and ensuring all data is accurate.
• Approving or rejecting applications based on the company's compliance policies.
• Keeping up to date with regulatory changes and requirements related to KYC procedures.
• Communicating with clients to obtain missing documentation or data.
• Updating and maintaining client records in the company’s database.
• Conducting risk assessments on new clients.
• Assisting with internal audits and regulatory inquiries.
• Providing regular reports to management about the onboarding process.
• Collaborating with other departments like sales and customer service to ensure efficient onboarding.
• Coordinate and assist in the update of policies and procedures in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

• Conducting in-depth reviews of high-risk customers and transactions.
• Gathering additional customer information to establish their source of wealth and funds.
• Analysing customers' transaction patterns and behaviour for any suspicious activities.
• Liaising with customers to obtain necessary EDD information and documentation.
• Preparing and presenting detailed EDD reports to senior management.
• Collaborating with compliance and legal teams to ensure EDD procedures are up to date with regulatory changes.
• Conducting ongoing monitoring of high-risk customers and reporting any changes in risk levels.
• Escalating potentially suspicious activities to the appropriate internal teams for further investigation.
• Utilizing financial intelligence and customer data to inform EDD processes.
• Ensuring the confidentiality and security of customer information gathered during the EDD process.

Transaction Monitoring (TM)

• Monitor the departmental queues for alerts on a regular basis throughout the working day ensuring management are aware of outstanding alerts at end of day
• Be familiar with the departmental systems/processes and their implementation
• Review transaction monitoring alerts in line with prescribed procedures:
• Investigate the individual alerts to determine if there is a potential suspicious transaction involved
• Follow the recommended standard investigation steps
• In addition, assess if there is anything else unusual about a transaction, particularly based on experience of previous transactions
• Assess the transaction in the context of previous transactions and the client’s business/purpose of the account – if necessary review the client file
• Assess the relevance of the geographies of the remitter and beneficiaries of the transaction Where there are grounds for suspicion or a requirement for guidance in relation to an alert, escalate in line with the procedures
• Create and maintain accurate and concise records of all investigations undertaken including details on the rationale for any decisions made
• Seek to build an understanding of the profile of customers highlighted through the transaction monitoring alert process
• Assist with the preparation of departmental Management information reports
• Provide input to the maintenance of the departmental procedures
• Provide advice and support to the business units on the identification of areas of risk as a result of transaction monitoring trends
• Any other associated duties required from time to time to meet the departmental responsibilities and goals

Skills and Capabilities:

To excel in this role, you should have:

• Fluent in English.
• Experience working in AML/Compliance roles in the financial services industry, preferably within the investment services sector.
• Analytical mindset with exceptional problem-solving skills and keen attention to detail.
• Strong multitasking and prioritization capabilities.
• A constant willingness to improve and learn, staying proactive in staying up-to-date with industry trends.
• Knowledge of complex corporate structures and funds would be considered an asset.
• Familiarity with financial regulations affecting financial services firms and Malta Financial Services Authority rules would also be an advantage.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary package, which includes comprehensive benefits such as:

• Health insurance coverage for you and your dependents
• Death in Service Cover
• Performance-related bonuses and incentives
• Professional development opportunities to support your growth
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment that values your contributions

If you are passionate about AML/Regulatory Compliance and making a positive impact in the financial services industry, we invite you to join us at Ballinger Group as our AML & Compliance Specialist. Together, we will continue to drive growth and success while delivering outstanding results for our clients worldwide.