Merchant Risk Analyst & Underwriting Lead

Razer; Shah Alam; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Razer Merchant Services (SG) PTE. LTD. is seeking a seasoned Merchant Risk Analyst & Underwriting Manager to lead complex risk assessments and robust underwriting practices across payment channels.

You will drive Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), assess high‑risk merchants, and ensure regulatory and card scheme compliance. The role requires hands‑on underwriting leadership, sound risk decisions, and the ability to translate risk insights into actionable actions, balancing growth with risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Risk Management or a related field is required.
• Strong knowledge of KYC/KYB, AML/CFT, Sanctions Screening and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD).
• Experience with card schemes (Visa, Mastercard) and PayNet or equivalent channels is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead Risk Assessment & Underwriting: evaluate and underwrite merchant applications, including high‑risk industries and complex models.
• Conduct Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and assess risks across business model, MCC, transactions, and geography.
• Make approval, conditional approval, or rejection decisions based on risk and business considerations.
• Monitor ongoing risk exposure and performance of merchant portfolio; oversee ODD compliance.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of card schemes and corresponding channel requirements.
• Assist in team management by mentoring analysts and ensuring consistency in decisions.
• Develop and refine underwriting policies, SOPs, and risk frameworks.
• Prepare risk insights and reports for senior management and stakeholders.

Skills

Risk assessment

Underwriting

EDD/ODD

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Risk Management

Tools

Fraud detection systems

Risk management software

KYC/KYB tools

Job description

Joining Razer will place you on a global mission to revolutionize the way the world games. Razer is a place to do great work, offering you the opportunity to make an impact globally while working across a global team located across 5 continents. Razer is also a great place to work, providing you the unique, gamer-centric #LifeAtRazer experience that will put you in an accelerated growth, both personally and professionally.Job Responsibilities :Merchant Risk Analyst & Underwriting Manager role is responsible for managing complex merchant risk assessments and ensuring robust risk management practices across multiple payment channels. This includes leading Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), assessing high-risk merchants, and ensuring compliance with regulatory, card scheme, and payment channel requirements.The role requires strong hands-on experience in underwriting, the ability to make sound risk decisions, and the capability to translate risk insights into practical actions. You will work closely with internal stakeholders, support team development, and act as a key decision-maker for escalated and high-impact cases.The Merchant Risk & Underwriting role cannot be fully replaced by AI as it requires human judgment in complex, non-standard cases, accountability for regulatory and financial decisions, and the ability to balance business growth with risk exposure. AI serves as a support tool, but final decision-making and risk ownership must remain with an experienced manager to safeguard the company.· Lead Risk Assessment & Underwriting:Evaluate and underwrite new and existing merchant applications, including high-risk industries and complex business modelsConduct Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and assess risks across business model, MCC, transaction flow, and geographyMake approval, conditional approval, or rejection decisions based on risk assessment and business considerationsAssess exposure risk with clear understanding of financial impact, liability implications, and impact to merchant performance· Advanced Portfolio Monitoring & Management:Perform ongoing risk assessments and detailed reviews of merchant portfolio to identify high-risk behavioursOversee Ongoing Due Diligence (ODD) and ensure merchants meet regulatory, card scheme, and payment channel requirementsMonitor merchant performance including chargeback ratios, abnormal transaction behaviour, and compliance indicatorsRecommend appropriate actions such as review, restriction, or termination based on risk findings· Card Scheme & Payment Channel ComplianceDemonstrate strong understanding and hands-on experience with card schemes (e.g. Visa, Mastercard) and their rules and requirementsEnsure merchant compliance with card scheme and payment channel requirements (including e-wallets and PayNet), including prohibited categories and monitoring thresholds such as excessive chargebacksApply scheme and channel requirements in underwriting decisions and ongoing risk management· Assist in Team Management & Mentoring:Support the Manager in guiding the underwriting team and providing day-to-day directionMentor junior analysts by reviewing cases, providing feedback, and guiding decision-makingEnsure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to underwriting standards and risk policies· Policy and Process Enhancement:Develop and refine underwriting frameworks, EDD and ODD processes, and risk management practicesIdentify gaps and implement improvements to strengthen risk controls and operational efficiencyEnsure internal policies remain aligned with regulatory, card scheme, and payment channel requirements· Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting:Act as the key contact for escalated and complex risk cases, providing clear analysis and recommendationsSupport relevant business units by providing underwriting insights and risk assessment support for complex or escalated casesCollaborate with Business, Operations, Dispute, and Compliance teams to support decision-makingPrepare and present risk insights, analysis, and reports to senior managementPre-Requisites:Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Risk Management, or a related fieldProfessional certifications in Risk, Compliance, or Fraud Management (e.g., CAMS, CFE, FRM) are an added advantageMinimum 5–8 years of experience in risk analysis, underwriting, fraud management, or merchant risk within payments, fintech, banking, or e-commerce industryProven track record in handling complex underwriting decisions, high-risk merchant onboarding, and escalated risk cases independentlyStrong working knowledge of KYC, KYB, AML/CFT, Sanctions Screening, Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), and Ongoing Due Diligence (ODD)In-depth understanding of card scheme rules and payment ecosystems, including but not limited to: Visa, Mastercard PayNet (DuitNow, FPX) UPI, e-wallets, and alternative payment methods Cross-border payment and regulatory considerationsFamiliarity with regional regulatory frameworks and ability to interpret requirements from authorities such as BNM, BI, MAS, BOT, and other relevant regulatorsAbility to assess end-to-end risk exposure, including financial, operational, fraud, and reputational risks across multiple payment channelsStrong decision-making and judgment capability, especially for high-impact, ambiguous, or non-standard cases with potential financial or compliance implicationsExperience in engaging with external stakeholders (e.g., card schemes, regulators, banking partners) for clarification, escalation, and alignment on risk-related mattersProficiency in risk management tools, fraud detection systems, and data analysis, with the ability to translate data into actionable risk insightsDemonstrated ability to develop, refine, and implement underwriting policies, SOPs, and risk frameworksStrong leadership and team management skills, with experience guiding analysts, reviewing decisions, and ensuring consistency in risk assessmentExcellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to clearly articulate risk rationale to business, operations, and senior managementAbility to balance business growth with risk control, providing practical and commercially aware risk recommendationsHigh level of integrity, accountability, and ownership, especially in decision-making and regulatory-sensitive mattersAbility to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and lead initiatives in a fast-paced and dynamic environmentFlexibility to support extended working hours when required, particularly for urgent, high-risk, or escalated casesBased in I-City, Shah AlamPre-Requisites :Razer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that diverse teams drive better ideas, better products, and a stronger culture. We are committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and fair workplace for every employee across all the countries we operate in. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, colour, nationality, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected under local laws. Where needed, we provide reasonable accommodations - including for disability or religious practices - to ensure every team member can perform and contribute at their best.Are you game?