Customer Service Representative
Resume:
LILA SALEMI
ICA Compliance Certified- ****
Fredericksburg VA, 22407
****.******@*****.***
SUMMARY: BSA/AML professional with nearly 30 years combined experience in Sanctions and Anti Money Laundering investigation in financial institutions working in complex issues such as OFAC Sanctions programs, Anti money laundering Investigations, Counterterrorism, Counter-Organized Crime, Counter narcotics, Counterintelligence.
EXPERIENCE
2011 – Present NBAD Americas N.V. Washington, D.C.
The Number One Bank in UAE was incorporated in 1968. The bank provides its customers with a wide variety of financial services targeting all segments of the retail and corporate market, in addition to Fund Management, Brokerage, Leasing, Property Management businesses and Private Banking.
Compliance Specialist BSA/AML
Ensure that the Board of Directors, management and employees adhere to the rules and regulations of regulatory agencies and that Banks policies and procedures are followed.
Demonstrate in identifying and analyzing related to Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA Patriot Act, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws, identifying and analyzing, trends, to migrate associated risk, as well as knowledge and ability to apply them in a variety of situations to resolve complex compliance issues. Escalate and inform bank management regarding matters in potential breach of circumvention of U.S. Economic Sanctions programs.
Assist and participate in drafting and submitting voluntary self-disclosures (VSDs), to OFAC; facilitate in papering and filing of banks OFAC Blocked Annual Report.
Monitor OFAC queue for comparison, OFAC/sanction filter matches on international and domestic wires, reviewed possible matches, investigate, cleared transfers, and provided resources to other departments on OFAC issues.
Conduct extensive research in order to resolve inquires of OFAC SDN/Sanctions from other financial institution and internal, work with the ICS-Web (investigation system) on OFAC investigation cases for foreign international and domestic wire transfers, utilizing government sanctions and industry governed compliance laws and regulations.
Monitor OFAC’s website for updates in regulations/updates to the OFAC SDN list, review & test to ensure updates are loaded successfully to sanction system.
Responsible to run periodic OFAC review or as requested on overall bank customers and their signers.
Work with the Gift-EDD (payment system) in order to monitor profiles/patterns to detect suspicious activity, alert adjudication and decision for each alert on to escalate or close.
Investigate potentially suspicious activity; prepare reports where necessary and to ensure reports are completed in it’s entirety and all associated parties are researched accurately through, verify first suspicious activity date with required supporting documentation, make risk-based SAR recommendation.
Review, approve and submit CTR’s, prepare submit SAR’s to ensure timely filings with authorized enforcement agencies as appropriate and/or as required.
Review the FinCen (314a) biweekly request, report matches as required, maintained certification FenCin (314b).
Conducted 314(b) investigation through transactional analysis of all depository accounts and customer relationship accounts to determine if evidence of suspicious activity such as kiting, structuring of deposits and unusual patterns are present and responsible to investigate whenever necessary to determine final outcome using sound judgement and knowledge based on documentation and research conducted.
Perform enhanced review of Correspondent banks that may potentially pose risk involving the handling of transactions on behalf of other banks globally. Ensure that proper due diligence is completed and/or to review correspondent due diligence practices/procedures meet the Bank’s minimum guidelines, documentation requirements and compliance practices.
Research and review all transaction international wire transfers, deposits, withdrawals, counterparties, customers, ACH activity and cash transactions, check transactions and images to ensure operation is in line with business profile.
Facilitate in the preparation of reports to review transactions and ensure that compliance issues within the bank are being appropriately evaluated, investigated and resolved, analyze and investigate client depository accounts to determine possible structuring, money laundering, terrorist financing, suspicious activity and other red flags that may require further investigation.
Attended various seminars, Webinars to maintain proficient knowledge of rules and regulation, Ensured computer based training courses BSA, OFAC, USA patriot Act, Red Flag, Bank Bribery Act, for all staff are completed within the time limit. Assist in organizing training sessions for staff annually or as required.
2009 – 2011 Loan Administrator / Portfolio Assistant
Encode and submit deal tickets to Operations, Systems and Audit Departments while reconciling cash balances at close of trading
Prepare Investment Portfolio and Base Rate Sheets daily using data obtained from the Reuters and Bloomberg systems
Maintain updated and accurate Treasury ledgers and prepare various daily treasury reports in Excel in addition to reports on a monthly and as need basis
Review loan advances by verifying credit limits, commitment expirations and account status
Administer loan/revolvers by invoicing, tracking and processing payments, interest rate changes and receipt of financial statements
Complete loan process by preparing Loan Information Sheets, listing of funds movement
Control loan transactions by verifying information and investigating problems and errors, rectifying discrepancies
Reply to various correspondences received from Head office pertaining to loan administration and prepare response to various internal and external audit requests
Serve as primary back up to Dealer, Treasury in funding the Banks balance sheet within established Head office trading guidelines by executing trades
Maintain technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and reading technical publications
2007-2009 Investigation Specialist
Assisted Compliance Manager on OFAC/BSA investigations.
Provide quality transactional service to clients by processing deposits, payments, transfers, wires, foreign exchanges, and settlements of compensations in a timely manner while meeting all standards and guidelines
Compile and integrate international and domestic payment transfers and monitor the status of adjustments made to the accounts, such as claiming interest, in order to maintain efficiency and productivity
Perform proficiently under pressure and time sensitive situations by multitasking in a detail oriented manner
Manage and produce reports using software, such as STP (outbound & inbound wires and investigation), and Image (data inquiries) in order to investigate cases and hold funds until cleared with compliance officer
Retrieve data on US correspondent banks using fed online and chips on line
Encode and submit deal tickets to Operations, Systems and Audit Departments while reconciling cash balances at close of trading
Investigate reconciling items and notify appropriate department
NATIONAL BANK OF KUWAIT New York, NY
The New York branch, established in 1984, offers a wide range of financial services to corporate and individual clients, including: Funds Transfer, Trade Finance, Treasury Services & Cash Management, Real Estate Advisory & Commercial Loans, and Private Banking.
2001.– 10/07 Private & Correspondent Banking Representative
Assisted departmental management in all aspects of planning, implementation, and daily operations
Maintained electronic and paper documentation on bank accounts, bank records, and banking service agreements, including signatories for all audit purposes
Attended extensive training sessions in order to learn the fundamentals of retail banking services. Topics included, but were not limited to, regulatory compliance, fraudulent activity awareness and enforcement of related business policies (i.e. Anti-money Laundering, Bank Secrecy Act, and Customer ID Program)
Arranged for time deposits, rollovers, and handling overnight deposits and executing wire transfers and payments and communicated with banks via SWIFT messages.
Filed CTR (Currency Transaction Report) and SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) for cash transactions exceeding a specific amount, or abnormal in behavior to comply with OFAC rules and regulations.
Responsible for walk-in clients on a daily basis for different transactions (e.g. arranging for cash withdrawals), assistance, or guidance
Interacted with NBK’s International branches and head office when client’s account is held with them
Heavily involved with our Correspondent Banking clients such as corporate clients, banks, exchange companies, and other companies.
Worked closely with the investigation/customer service department to solve any errors or problems occurring with wire transfers, wrong entries, or returned funds in case of an international transfer
Supported the Paying & Receiving department by verifying account information, checking incoming funds, tracking IRN numbers to route payments, & identifying overseas branch accounts in case of a wire transfer
Utilized software such as, Kapiti (data inquiries & account entries), StorQM (reports & inquiries), Wit$Web (Online payment module), e-Gifts e-GIFTS (Outbound & Inbound wires module and Swift messages, OFAC inquiries)
Processed 3 types of checks: collection checks, travelers checks, and regular checks, plus resolving overdrawn accounts and arranging for cover
Liaise between Treasury Department and active customers in foreign exchange and money market
Actively trained temporary help and new hires, not limited to the New York Branch
Opened and closed accounts, offered financial advice, followed up on A/C status, handled payments, developed and implemented daily and monthly account instructions
Custodian of cash valet
1996 – 2001 FX Investigation/Customer Service Operations
Handled settlements of compensations to be paid and received while ensuring all C.I.B. provisions were met.
Initiated international and domestic payment transfers and adjustments to customer accounts
Facilitated daily efficiency by corresponding with clients via SWIFT messages, bank wires and telephone in order to resolve their issues
Maintained and updated cases through FX tracs automated system
Developed supervisory capability while maintaining a tension free relationship and work environment
HSBC- HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK New York, NY
Through an international network linked by advanced technology, including a rapidly growing e-commerce capability, HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services: personal financial services; commercial banking; corporate, investment banking and markets; private banking; and other activities.
1995-1996 FX Investigator
Researched and analyzed pending cases in order to resolve inquires for foreign currency on TRACS system
Calculated compensation payable and receivable on TRACS system
Created log forms and general ledger hub for closed cases
Monitored unposted/netting suspense accounts and ensured adjustment of rejected items
1993-1995 Bank Reconciliation Representative
Utilized Lotus 1-2-3 and NAR system to reconcile FX and USD accounts daily
Worked closely with various departments to investigate operational problems and reconcile differences
Managed and produced SWIFT messages to correspondent banks for missing statements and other inquires
Prepared manual traces on open items and wrote off broker and cable charges
HELLER FINANCIAL New York, NY
Heller Financial Inc. is a worldwide commercial finance company providing a broad range of financing solutions middle-market and small business clients. With nearly $19 billion in total assets, Heller offers equipment financing and leasing, sales finance programs, collateral- and cash flow-based financing, financing for health-care companies and financing for commercial real estate.
Customer Service Representative
Interacted with clientele and introduced them to products and services directed towards their individual needs
Generated and examined important documentation and correspondences regarding account balances
Accommodated customer requests and inquiries over the phone
Assisted Financial Executives, Operations Managers, and Financial Associates with respective occupational functions
EDUCATION Frank K Lane High School
ICA Compliance Certified - 2017
Global Institute of Finance and Banking - (Attended banking Classes) New York, NY
2017 CAMS (In progress).
SKILLS Languages: Fluent in Farsi, Urdu, Hindi and English
Technical: Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Outlook, Word, Access, Tracs, NAR, Kapiti,, SPT payment, Image, S.W.I.F.T., Bess 9, StorQM, specialized knowledge of e- Gifts, Gift-EDD, and Accuity.
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