Associate II - Fin Crime Risk and Controls

HSBC Innovation Bank Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

HSBC Innovation Banking in the UK is seeking an Enhanced Due Diligence specialist to support fintech and NBFI portfolios in London. The role emphasises financial crime risk assessments, PEP/adverse media checks, and geographic risk analysis within a ringfenced team.

You will work in a hybrid setup (office 2 days/week) with Relationship Teams, ensuring regulatory compliance and timely, accurate decisions while upholding HSBC standards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of AML/CTF and sanctions within UK regulatory environment.
• Experience in financial crime risk management and reviews.
• Strong understanding of regulatory obligations in financial services.
• Detail-oriented with ability to interpret complex business models.

Responsibilities

• Review high-risk client relationships and NBFI/DACs.
• Perform financial crime risk assessments incl. PEPs/adverse media.
• End-to-end financial crime assessment from initiation to approval; include geographic risk.
• Serve as SME to Relationship Teams for AML/sanctions risk.
• Manage referrals with accuracy, quality, and pace.
• Liaise with clients to ensure policy adherence; timely follow-ups.
• Escalate issues for SAR review and resolution.
• Suggest process enhancements to remain compliant within risk-based approach.
• Maintain awareness of current regulatory obligations.
• Guide FLOD colleagues to embed financial crime risk culture.
• Support papers to Reputational Risk and Client Selection Committees.
• Assist fintech governance committees with pack generation and minutes.
• Collaborate with 2nd Line of Defence on complex matters.

Skills

Financial crime in UK

Regulatory compliance

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Tools

Regulatory frameworks

Job description

Who are HSBC Innovation Banking? We’re the power behind the UK's forward-thinkers, future-makers and leap-takers, helping them ignite the bold ideas that reshape our world. We offer flexible banking solutions for start-ups, scale-ups, growth businesses, investors and those working towards IPO. Whether it’s comprehensive corporate banking, managing cashflow, plans for buyouts or funds banking, we power ideas at every stage of their journey. From the first-time founders to the funds that back them and everything in between. Here’s to never standing still. We're proud to accelerate growth for tech and life science businesses, create meaningful connections and open a world of global opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

The Role

The HSBC Innovation Banking UK Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) team is specialist team ringfenced within BFCR and focuses specifically on clients and prospects within the Fintech NBFI portfolio, which may include Money Service Businesses (MSBs), Third Party Payment Processors (TPPPs), Crowdfunding, Digital Assets and Currencies (DACs) and Credit and Lending Companies.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing client relationships that meet HSBC’s high risk business categories and performing reviews of existing NBFI and DACs related clients and prospects
• Undertaking financial crime risk assessment including assessment of Actionable Intelligence alerts (including PEPs, Adverse Media and Account Activity Reviews)
• Perform end to end workflow of financial crime assessment from initiation to final approval, including Geographic risk assessments
• Serving as an SME for Relationship Teams to aid in identification of prospects & existing clients that may have increased AML, ABC or sanctions risk due to business model or geographic location
• Managing portfolios of referrals competently ensuring high levels of accuracy, quality and pace
• Liaise with existing clients with confidence to ensure strict adherence to HINV policy, proactively following up with clients throughout the process within stated timeframes.
• Escalation of issues in a timely manner for review and resolution in relation to financial crime including knowledge of SAR escalation
• Supporting change in the right way and recommending enhancements to processes and procedures to ensure the firm remains compliant whilst aligning to a risk-based approach.
• Maintaining current industry awareness and demonstrating awareness and competence in relation to regulatory obligations
• Providing guidance and direction to FLOD colleagues to ensure they remain protected from financial crime risks and embedding an effective financial crime risk culture.
• Supporting the preparation of papers to Reputational Risk and Client Selection Committees where required
• Supporting relevant Fintech governance committees with pack generation, logistics and minute taking
• Working closely with HINV Financial Crime in the Second Line of Defence to seek advice on complex financial crime matters and serving as the FLOD escalation point of contact for financial crimes activity for HSBC

Skills And Requirements

• Good knowledge of financial crime legislation including Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Terrorist Financing and Sanctions
• Solid experience related to financial crime compliance risk management processes.
• Good working knowledge of financial crime and/or fraud prevention within the UK regulatory environment
• Detail oriented and able to grasp complex business models and activities, preferred knowledge of NBFI and DAC related activity
• Strong individual contributor with the ability to work effectively as a team
• Able to demonstrate initiative and have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Good time management and attention to detail are critical to this position
• Good judgement, analytical, research, organizational, and project management skills

Where You’ll Be Based

Our home office in Finsbury Square, London. We offer hybrid working to our employees, so you can flex between home and the office, with a current requirement to be in the office 2 days per week.

Being open to different points of view is important for our business and the communities we serve. At HSBC, we’re dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces - no matter their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or age. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring careers at HSBC are inclusive and accessible for everyone to be at their best. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Leader and will offer an interview to people with disabilities, long term conditions or neurodivergent candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If you have a need that requires accommodations or changes during the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Helpdesk via [e-mail].