Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced KYC / AML Compliance Officer to support the Asset & Wealth Management business by ensuring adherence to Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Financial Security (FS), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and regulatory compliance requirements. The role will act as a Second Line of Defense (2LoD) function, providing advisory support to business stakeholders, conducting risk assessments, reviewing client relationships, and ensuring compliance with MAS, HKMA, and global regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in Wealth Management or Private Banking environments, with expertise in client onboarding, periodic reviews, transaction analysis, AML investigations, sanctions screening, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

KYC & Client Due Diligence:

- Perform independent review and approval of client onboarding, account opening, and periodic account recertification processes.

- Assess customer profiles and conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), and AML risk assessments.

- Assign and validate client risk ratings based on regulatory and internal compliance frameworks.

- Review KYC documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.

AML & Financial Security Compliance:

- Analyze client transactions and identify unusual or potentially suspicious activities.

- Investigate AML, sanctions, adverse media, and Financial Security-related alerts and escalations.

- Support the identification and assessment of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), sanctioned entities, and high-risk customers.

- Conduct investigations and assist in the preparation and filing of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) where required.

Risk Assessment & Advisory:

- Provide compliance advisory support to business teams on KYC, AML, sanctions, and Financial Security matters.

- Review complex client relationships and prepare risk assessment memorandums for approval committees.

- Evaluate and recommend actions related to account restrictions, unblocking requests, and compliance exceptions.

- Partner with business stakeholders to resolve compliance-related issues while maintaining regulatory adherence.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance:

- Ensure compliance with applicable MAS, HKMA, and global AML/CFT regulations.

- Support regulatory inspections, internal audits, compliance reviews, and remediation activities.

- Identify gaps in existing processes and recommend enhancements to strengthen compliance controls.

- Collaborate with regional and global compliance teams on policy interpretation, derogations, and governance initiatives.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting:

- Prepare and present client cases to compliance and risk committees.

- Maintain accurate compliance records, risk assessments, and management reporting.

- Support compliance reporting, tracking of regulatory actions, and monitoring of remediation activities.

- Work closely with Wealth Management, Private Banking, Operations, Legal, and Compliance teams across jurisdictions.

Required Skills & Experience:

- Experience in KYC, AML, Financial Crime Compliance, or Financial Security functions.

- Experience within Wealth Management, Private Banking, Asset Management, or Financial Services organizations.

- Strong understanding of:

1. AML/CFT Regulations

2. Customer Due Diligence (CDD)

3. Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

4. Sanctions Compliance

5. Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) Reviews

6. Adverse Media Screening

7. Transaction Monitoring

8. Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR)

- Experience working with Singapore (MAS) and Hong Kong (HKMA) regulatory frameworks.

- Strong analytical, investigative, and risk assessment capabilities.

- Experience presenting cases to risk committees and senior stakeholders.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Strong stakeholder management and advisory capabilities.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Bachelors Degree in Finance, Commerce, Law, Business, or related discipline.

- CAMS, ICA, CFCS, or equivalent AML/Compliance certification preferred.

- Experience supporting Private Banking or Wealth Management clients across APAC markets.

- Exposure to regulatory audits, inspections, and remediation programs.

Key Competencies:

- AML & Financial Crime Compliance

- KYC / CDD / EDD Reviews

- Wealth Management Compliance

- Financial Security & Sanctions Screening

- Regulatory Compliance (MAS / HKMA)

- Risk Assessment & Advisory

- Transaction Monitoring & Investigations

- Stakeholder Management

- Governance & Controls

- Strong Analytical & Communication Skills