AML Investigator

Citizens Bank; Westwood (MA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizens Bank is seeking an AML Investigator to perform due diligence on individuals, firms, and organizations suspected of money laundering/AML violations across the Citizens footprint using an internal AML application, referrals, and open-source intelligence.

You will prepare and file Suspicious Activity Reports, assess risk, and determine investigative approaches while collaborating with retail and other units. Strong communication and research skills are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required – all relevant majors considered.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong investigative and research skills.
• Ability to prioritize a complex workload.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; adaptability to new software.

Responsibilities

• Conduct financial forensic investigations on AML cases involving complex transaction patterns.
• Assess risk represented by the customer and activity under review.
• Determine investigative approach ensuring compliance with AML regulations and internal policies.
• Exercise independent decision-making on case status (case/ no case; SAR/ No SAR).
• Create and maintain comprehensive case files with supporting documentation.
• Document SARs for law enforcement audiences and provide required information.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and internal stakeholders; respond to inquiries on BSA/AML matters.
• Explain closing recommendations to bank personnel with clear rationale.

Skills

Communication skills

Investigative skills

Work prioritization

Excel proficiency

Cross-unit service

Education

Bachelor Degree

CAMS certification desirable

Job description

Description

You’re made ready for a fulfilling career with exciting new challenges and opportunities to stretch yourself.

As required by Citizens Secrecy Act and the US Patriot Act, the purpose of this position is to investigate cases of both potential money laundering/terrorist financing crimes and BSA/AML violations throughout the entire Citizens footprint utilizing an internal AML application, referrals from business lines, and opensource intelligence such as negative media, internet research, information from peer banks, and information from law enforcement.

As an AML Investigator, you will conduct due diligence inquiries on individuals, firms and organizations suspected of money laundering crimes/AML/BSA violations or identified as a member of a higher AML risk population. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills in your interactions with Retail and other business unit managers across Citizens. Additionally, you will be responsible for preparing and filing Suspicious Activity Reports as required by BSA Regulations and making closing recommendations on customers based on account activity. You will collaborate with and provide supporting documentation and information to law enforcement representatives, including IRSCI, Secret Service, Homeland Security, ICE, and the FBI as requested.

Most importantly, you’ll feel valued for who you are and supported to achieve what’s important to you, personally and professionally!

Primary responsibilities include

• Business Practice: Conduct financial forensic investigations on AML cases involving complex patterns of transactions. Case sources include an internal application, referrals from business lines, law enforcement and department intelligence.


• Perform an independent assessment of the risk represented by the customer and/or the activity in which the customer has engaged.


• Determine the best investigative approach for each unique case, ensuring that key questions are addressed and that Compliance AML for Citizens and a department policies/regulatory expectations are satisfied.


• Exercise critical thinking and critical decision-making skills to efficiently and effectively determine whether or not further investigative and analytical activity is required.


• Exercise autonomous decision making with regard to status of referred customers/activity, e.g., case/ no case, SAR/ No SAR, customer exit/customer retention.


• Create and maintain comprehensive case files that document the decision-making process and contain all applicable supporting documentation.


• Document Suspicious Activity Reports in manner associated with law enforcement audience.


• Exercise independent discretion regarding problem resolution (investigator is expected to identify, evaluate, and resolve problems rather than just report/refer to Management).


• Demonstrate the ability to identify and escape customers/activity that represents a significant risk to Citizens in terms of regulatory compliance, violation of law, or reputation.


• Compliance Management: Ensure that SARs meet all regulatory requirements and are completed within the required regulatory timeframe.


• Apply knowledge of BSA/AML regulations to the analysis/review of customers and activity in order to identify and report suspicious activity.


• Organize and prioritize work tasks to ensure that a large volume of work is completed in a risk based and efficient manner.


• Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong relationships with law enforcement by providing information and documentation to them as requested.


• Respond to inquiries from Branch and business line personnel on BSA/AML matters.


• Effectively communicate to bank personnel the rationale behind closing recommendations.

Qualifications, Education, Certifications and/or Other Professional Credentials

• Required Qualifications
  
  
  
  • Bachelor Degree Required – All relevant majors considered including Forensic Accounting, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, etc.
  
  
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  
  
  • Strong investigative and research skills
  
  
  • Ability to prioritize a complex work load
  
  
  • Ability to provide high quality service to all business units across CFG and adhere to Quality Standards and Corporate Values
  
  
  • Excellent Microsoft Word and Excel skills along with general proficiency in adapting to new software applications
  
  
  
  


• Preferred Qualifications
  
  
  
  • Knowledge of AML regulations and industry best practices
  
  
  • Knowledge of retail banking, lending and bank operations processes
  
  
  • Other Education or Training Preferred - CAMS certification (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) desirable.
  
  
  
  

Hours & Work Schedule

• Work Schedule: 40


• Hours per Week: M-F

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $69,000 - $92,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the budget, work location, and relevant skills and experience.

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits .

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.