Financial Crime Specialist (Hybrid)

Zopa Bank Limited; Wythenshawe; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Wythenshawe is seeking a detail-oriented Financial Crime Specialist to join their team. You will monitor and analyze transactions to detect suspicious activity related to money laundering and fraud. The ideal candidate has experience in financial crime roles and strong knowledge of UK regulations. This hybrid position offers flexible working arrangements and opportunities to work abroad.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Option to work abroad up to 120 days a year

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a financial crime, fraud, or transaction monitoring role within the banking or financial services industry.
• Strong knowledge of UK financial crime regulations, including POCA, the MLR, and FCA guidelines.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze financial transactions to detect suspicious activity.
• Prepare and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
• Conduct Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) on high-risk customers.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Investigative Skills

Familiarity with Transaction Monitoring Systems

Education

ACAMS certification or equivalent ICA qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Job description

Overview

We started our journey back in 2005, building the first ever peer-to-peer lending company. Fast forward to 2020 and we launched Zopa Bank. A bank that listens to what our customers don't like about finance and does the opposite. We're redefining what it feels like to work in finance. Our vision for a new era of banking puts people front and centre - we've built a business that empowers everyone to aim high, every day, to move finance forward. Find out more about our fantastic offerings at Zopa.com!

Responsibilities

• Transaction Monitoring: Review and analyse customer transactions to identify potentially suspicious activity, including money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing and other typologies. Desirable that the candidate has experience with investigating Mule alerts that are raised through transaction monitoring.
• SARs: Prepare, complete, and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in a timely and accurate manner.
• Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Conduct in-depth investigations into high-risk customers, ensuring all critical due diligence information is collected. Understand the customer's Source of Wealth (SoW) and Source of Funds (SoF), evaluating whether the wealth and funds align with the customer's profile.
• Customer Risk Assessment Cases and Reviews: Conduct EDD for SIPs, PEPs, High Net Worth Individuals, and customers flagged due to a court order or external law enforcement enquiry.
• Phone-Based Interaction Requirement: The successful candidate will be required to handle phone-based interactions with customers as part of their daily responsibilities. This includes engaging with customers, addressing inquiries, and providing support or assistance, ensuring a high level of customer service. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage phone calls effectively are essential for this role.

Role Description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly motivated Financial Crime Specialist to join our Financial Crime Operations team. The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring and analysing financial transactions to detect and prevent suspicious activity related to money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes, performing customer risk assessments, triage and in-depth enhanced due diligence (EDD) reviews. This role requires a strong understanding of financial regulations, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively within a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a financial crime, fraud, or transaction monitoring role within the banking or financial services industry.
• Strong knowledge of UK financial crime regulations, including POCA, the MLR, and FCA guidelines.
• Familiarity with transaction monitoring systems.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to produce clear, concise reports and communicate with stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of banking products and services, including payments, savings, and investment transactions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and related tools.
• Highly organised and methodical with the ability to handle complex investigations.
• Strong decision-making ability and confidence in escalating issues when necessary.
• Desirable: ACAMS certification or equivalent ICA qualification, and experience in a similar role within a regulated UK financial institution.

Working Arrangements and Benefits

At Zopa we value flexible ways of working. This hybrid role requires you to come to our Manchester office 2-3 days a week. You'll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year. But no matter where you are, we will support you with what you need to thrive in your work and home life from day one.

Subject to having the right to work in the country of choice.

Diversity and Inclusion

Zopa is proud to offer a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to better products for our customers and a unique company culture. We are made up of nearly 50 nationalities and have a DE&I forum. We are proud of our culture where everyone can bring their full self to work. Our approach to DE&I is reflected in our hiring process, so please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.