Compliance Officer

HARRY LAZAROU

**-** ****** ***** ********* Mobile: 718-***-****

Flushing, NY 11358 Email: *******@***.***

Career Summary

Highly proficient and entrusted professional with strengths in managing multiple projects, providing high quality, high value work pertaining to confidential and time-sensitive matters. Energetic and motivated self-starter is a loyal and trusted confidant and adviser to executives and mentor to staff. Results-driven, decisive collaborator with proven success in building strong, lasting relationships with a variety of key stakeholders; developing and implementing legal and business strategies, policies, procedures, and best practices. Continuously exceed expectations and provide superior individualized client service. With strong and progressive experience within the Compliance, Risk Management, Audit – Testing, Security, Legal Process and Credit sectors of the banking industry, leveraging my skills and education as a BSA/AML CIP/KYC/CDD/EDD and OFAC expert. My day-to-day involved liaising with Loan Officers, Relationship Managers, Legal, Operations, Marketing and Human Resources to ensure that transparency can be provided around the process while adhering to regulatory requirements and the bank’s internal policies, audit, compliance, risk and control requirements.

Highlights of Qualifications

•Skilled Compliance Officer, BSA Officer & Security Officer with strong credentials, broad expertise, and a proven history of exemplary performance.

•Developed, implemented and executed a risk based Consumer Compliance and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) high-risk monitoring program to assure compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements.

•Responsible for formulation, implementation, and the continued tuning and optimization of a bank wide Consumer Compliance and Customer Risk Rating methodology and processes.

•Experience managing EDD personnel responsible for conducting due diligence reviews for high risk customers.

•Experience managing relationships with 3rd party auditors, federal and state regulatory bodies as well as examination coordination and responses.

•Extensive knowledge of the Consumer Compliance, Bank Secrecy Act/Anti Money Laundering, U.S. PATRIOT Act, and OFAC regulations and best practices.

•Skillful analysis and interpretation of compliance laws and regulations, providing guidance, and effective training and implementation of company policies and standard operating procedures.

•Able to learn quickly, prioritize, schedule and execute tasks to meet demanding deadlines, manage complex projects, achieve results and resolve multiple issues in a complex fast-moving professional work environment.

Selected Accomplishments

Compliance & Risk Management

•Navigated numerous audit and remediation matters under a Federal Regulatory Formal Agreement with the OCC, including the release of all articles and a return to an 18-month audit cycle.

•Directed all communications with regulators; successfully obtained rescission of warning letter(s) and violations; favorable rulings, findings, and reviews from the FDIC, OCC, NYS – DFS and other federal and state agencies.

•Developed, implemented and executed a risk based Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) high-risk monitoring program to assure compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements.

•Reviewed and adjusted BSA AML System alert parameters and rules to ensure effectiveness in detecting unusual and/or suspicious activity.

•Responsible for formulation, implementation, and the continued tuning and optimization of a bank wide customer risk rating methodology and processes.

•Developed, modified and implemented compliance policies and procedures related to initiative. Revamped all forms pertaining to such to ensure efficient onboarding/maintenance workflow. Workflow performance improved by 60%, consistently meeting newly established SLAs with an overall success rate of 85%.

•Spearheaded the development, implementation, training, and review of comprehensive Compliance and Risk management programs that have limited liability and reduced exposure.

•Implemented BSA/AML & OFAC and Compliance & Risk Systems i.e. (Banker’s Toolbox – BAM+, FiServ – FCRM, FIS-Prime Compliance Suite, Wolf PAC - Regulatory Compliance & Enterprise Risk System and Wolters Kluwer’s CRA Wiz)

•Performed Self – Assessments (testing) related to BSA/AML & OFAC and Consumers Regulations – eg. (Reg. B, Reg. C, Reg. D, Reg. E, Reg. G, Reg. O, Reg. P, Reg. W, Reg. Z, Reg. AA, Reg. BB, Reg. CC, and Reg. EE)

•Developed and implemented Consumer Compliance, and BSA/AML/SAR & OFAC, Accounting & Treasury, Branch, Operations, Security Program Policies and Procedures

•Performed risk assessments across Bank for Consumer Compliance - Fair Lending and BSA/AML & OFAC.

•Established Compliance Self-assessment Monitoring Program for the business units to identify laws, rules and regulations related to the business; thereby effectively enhancing Compliance Management System

•Pivotal in reducing compliance costs by streamlining compliance requirements and realigning risk, compliance, and internal audit units through the development of a corporate assurance function.

•Chaired Compliance, Risk & SAR Committees

•Member of IT Steering, New Products and Management Credit Committees

Legal, Litigation, & Negotiation

•Retained, managed, and limited the use of outside counsel leading to a 36% reduction in legal expenses despite an increase in current and pending litigation.

•Strategically directed all legal matters.

Professional Experience

Chinatown Federal Savings Bank, New York, NY 2017 – Present

Compliance Manager/Reg. O Officer

•Coordinate and oversee the Consumer Compliance, Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering/OFAC Audit, Risk and Bank wide Training programs to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements. Facilitates the operational and risk assessment of all new or existing products provided by the bank. As well as document the bank’s overall risk model and provide mitigating policies and procedures to manage those risks.

•Establish and maintain appropriate SAR investigation, review and reporting processes that promote consistent decisions through investigation and research along with complete and detailed documentation. Prepares monthly reporting of BSA statistics for the Board of Directors and Executive Management.

•Maintained an effective CDD/EDD risk rating and monitoring program to include initial and ongoing assessments, and review and analysis of unusual/suspicious activity to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements.

•Oversees and manages the bank’s BSA and Fraud Analyst teams.

•Responsible for ensuring all required regulatory reporting is conducted in a timely, accurate, and compliant manner, including the filing of Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to FinCEN, as well as FinCEN 314(a) processes and reporting.

•Develop and implement Consumer Compliance, and BSA/AML/SAR & OFAC, Accounting & Treasury, Branch, Operations, Security Program Policies and Procedures

First Central Savings Bank, Glen Cove, NY 2014 – 2016

FAVP - Compliance Officer

Senior BSA Analyst – Bank Officer

•Performed review of new account opening documents to ensure compliance with CIP requirements and identification of High-Risk customers

•Conducted EDD review and monitoring of High-Risk customers

•Reviewed alerts generated by the AML system to identify unusual and/or suspicious activity

•Reviewed, prepared and filed SARs & CTRs

•Reviewed, verified and cleared potential OFAC and other Watch list matches

•Conducted FinCEN 314(a) searches

Alma Bank, Long Island City, NY 2013 – 2014

VP – Compliance Officer

•Coordinated and oversaw the Consumer Compliance, Audit and Risk programs to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements. Facilitates the operational and risk assessment of all new or existing products provided by the bank. As well as document the bank’s overall risk model and provide mitigating policies and procedures to manage those risks.

•Enhanced the Compliance Management System via establishment of Compliance Self-assessment Monitoring Program for the business units; which was supplemented by targeted reviews performed by the Compliance Department

Community National Bank of New York, Great Neck, NY 2012 – 2013

Acquired by Bridgehampton National Bank

VP – Compliance Officer

•Coordinated and oversaw the Consumer Compliance, Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering/OFAC Audit, Risk and Bankwide Training programs to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements. Facilitates the operational and risk assessment of all new or existing products provided by the bank. As well as document the bank’s overall risk model and provide mitigating policies and procedures to manage those risks.

•Established and maintained appropriate SAR investigation, review and reporting processes that promote consistent decisions through investigation and research along with complete and detailed documentation. Prepares monthly reporting of BSA statistics for the Board of Directors and Executive Management.

•Maintained an effective CDD/EDD risk rating and monitoring program to include initial and ongoing assessments, and review and analysis of unusual/suspicious activity to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements.

•Oversees and manages the bank’s BSA and Fraud Analyst teams.

•Responsible for ensuring all required regulatory reporting is conducted in a timely, accurate, and compliant manner, including the filing of Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to FinCEN, as well as FinCEN 314(a) and 314(b) processes and reporting.

Marathon National Bank of New York, Manhasset, NY 2004 – 2012

Member of Piraeus Bank Group, Athens, Greece

Acquired by Investors Bank

VP -BSA/AML/OFAC Officer & Security Officer

•Coordinated and oversaw the Consumer Compliance, Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering/OFAC Audit, Risk, Security, Legal Process and Bankwide Training programs to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements. Facilitates the operational and risk assessment of all new or existing products provided by the bank. As well as document the bank’s overall risk model and provide mitigating policies and procedures to manage those risks.

•Established and maintained appropriate SAR investigation, review and reporting processes that promote consistent decisions through investigation and research along with complete and detailed documentation. Prepares monthly reporting of BSA statistics for the Board of Directors and Executive Management.

•Maintained an effective CDD/EDD risk rating and monitoring program to include initial and ongoing assessments, and review and analysis of unusual/suspicious activity to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements.

•Oversees and manages the bank’s BSA and Fraud Analyst teams.

•Responsible for ensuring all required regulatory reporting is conducted in a timely, accurate, and compliant manner, including the filing of Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to FinCEN, as well as FinCEN 314(a) and 314(b) processes and reporting.

•Prepared for and coordinated regulatory and internal audit compliance examinations

•Participated in development/review and enhancement of bank-wide policies and procedures to comply with regulatory requirements

•Established Compliance Self-assessment Monitoring Program for the business units to identify laws, rules and regulations related to the business; thereby effectively enhancing Compliance Management System

•Reported to Board of Directors BSA activities and compliance issues on a monthly basis

•Reported to the Director’s Audit Committee BSA activities and compliance issues on a quarterly basis

•Direct liaison to Bank’s Legal Counsel in matters where Bank is named defendant.

Interbank of New York, New York, NY 1994 - 2004

Member of Interbank Group, Athens, Greece

Acquired by Marathon National Bank of New York

VP – Compliance, Quality Control & Marketing (Group Head)

•Coordinated and oversaw the Consumer Compliance, Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering/OFAC Audit, Risk, Security, Facilties, Purchasing, Legal Process and Bankwide Training programs to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements. Facilitates the operational and risk assessment of all new or existing products provided by the bank. As well as document the bank’s overall risk model and provide mitigating policies and procedures to manage those risks.

•Established and maintained appropriate SAR investigation, review and reporting processes that promote consistent decisions through investigation and research along with complete and detailed documentation. Prepares monthly reporting of BSA statistics for the Board of Directors and Executive Management.

•Maintained an effective CDD/EDD risk rating and monitoring program to include initial and ongoing assessments, and review and analysis of unusual/suspicious activity to assure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements.

•Oversees and manages the bank’s BSA and Fraud Analyst teams.

•Responsible for ensuring all required regulatory reporting is conducted in a timely, accurate, and compliant manner, including the filing of Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to FinCEN, as well as FinCEN 314(a) and 314(b) processes and reporting.

•Prepared for and coordinated regulatory and internal audit compliance examinations

•Participated in development/review and enhancement of bank-wide policies and procedures to comply with regulatory requirements

•Established Compliance Self-assessment Monitoring Program for the business units to identify laws, rules and regulations related to the business; thereby effectively enhancing Compliance Management System

•Reported to the Director’s Audit Committee BSA activities and compliance issues on a quarterly basis

•Direct liaison to Bank’s Legal Counsel in matters where Bank is named defendant.

Atlantic Bank of New York, New York, NY 1986 - 1994

Member of National Bank of Greece, Athens, Greece

Acquired by New York Community Bank

AVP - Small Business Unit Manager

•Handled Business Installment Loans and Credit Lines ranging from $10,000 to $250,000

•Managed Merchant Services portfolio consisting of 340 relationships; direct liaison between Bank and First Data/Citi Corp. Card Services Division (C-Net) generating $ 3.8 million profit annually.

Education

Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY

Bachelor of Science, Marketing & Business Management,

Contact this candidate