LaTonya Tench Email: *******@*******.*** Location: Atlanta, GA
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Experience and detail-oriented professional with 10+ years of experience identifying, analyzing, and mitigating fraud/AML. Skilled in conducting internal investigations, preparing detailed reports, and maintaining compliance within AML, BSA, and other regulatory frameworks. Proficient in utilizing data analysis and detection techniques to uncover fraudulent activity. Proven ability to work cross-functionally and maintain strict confidentiality. CORE COMPTENCIES
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
- Fraud Investigation & Risk Analysis
- Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR)
- Know Your Customer (KYC)
- Report Writing & Documentation
- Compliance and Quality Review
- Case Management Tools
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Financial Crimes Analyst - Contract: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Advisory Atlanta, GA 01/2024 – 04/2025
- Conducted internal investigations and research in order to identify fraudulent or suspicious transactions based on evidence in order to mitigate reputational or financial risk and determine whether SARs reporting is warranted.
- Collaborated with compliance teams to file SARs in accordance with BSA regulations.
- Utilized NICE Actimize, Salesforce to analyze large volumes of transactional data and detect anomalies.
- Documented investigation findings and presented actionable insights to team members and management. Quality Assurance AML Advisor - Contract: Vaco, LLC Atlanta, GA 10/2022 – 05/2023
- Responsible for researching, analyzing and investigating potentially suspicious activity reports related to money laundering and terrorist financing and other forms of financial crime from system generated alerts and internal referrals to ensure suspicious transactions were filed within specified timeframes.
- Identified, measured, monitored, and controlled risks associated with high-risk business activities.
- Authored 6+ detailed SARs in compliance with regulatory requirements, documenting findings and communicating effectively with relevant stakeholders to ensure timely submission. Case Manager/Loan Specialist - Contract: Cushman & Wakefield, LLC Atlanta, GA 05/2020 - 12/2021
- Provided a high level of customer service to both internal/ external partners and applicants by providing accurate and concise information and entering into loan systems.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of 100+ Covid/Pandemic Relief (EIDL) loans and concentrated on loan due diligence, by making inbound/outbound calls, emailing the applicants and reviewing loan applications for suspected fraud activity.
- Maintained established service level agreements and guidelines for timely resolution of high-risk applications to minimize potential losses due to fraudulent loan applications. QC File Reviewer - Contract: Grant Thornton, LLP Atlanta, GA 05/2021 - 07/2021
- Validated all loan documentation was completed and complied with company’s policies and regulations.
- Reviewed credit bureau reports, hazard insurance, tax returns for accuracy and completeness to upload into applicants’ files. Recalculated all critical underwriting data to include LTV, DTI, income and managed a 500+ application queue.
- Analyzed loan applications in compliance with mortgage lending and applicable investor guidelines. This included performing general evaluations of the residential loan application file to verify that application data is complete and meets established standards.
AML Analyst - Contract: Grant Thornton, LLP Cherry Hill, NJ 09/2019 – 11/2019
- Utilized 3rd party sources (LexisNexis, Salesforce, Actimize, World Check) to validate suspicious activities per high-risk reports. Reviewed and gave feedback regarding summary activity reports to the appropriate department.
- Submitted/written more than 4 detailed SARs weekly in compliance with regulatory requirements, documenting findings and communicating effectively to ensure timely submission.
- Filed and reviewed over 150 SARs annually, ensuring timely submission per BSA guidelines. AML/KYC Analyst - Contract: Lewis James Professional Atlanta, GA 06/2019 - 09/2019
- Investigated and evaluated enhanced due diligence on client relationships to ensure policies adherence.
- Participated in internal audits of client risk assessment to ensure risks are effectively identified. Crossed trained to become a QC analyst. Advised the front/back offices regarding client onboarding, EDD and KYC requirements.
- Accessed Actimize, SharePoint, Salesforce and other related bank systems to review client info. Assessed customer profiles and monitored transactions for suspicious activity. Senior Fraud Investigator - Citizens Bank Pittsburgh, PA 10/2012 - 11/2018
- Involved in managing high-value financial fraud cases, resulting in over $2.1M in loss prevention in one year. Trained and mentored 3 junior analysts on red flag detection for cases and internal tools used.
- Conducted deep-dive transaction analysis using banking internal systems to uncover suspicious activity patterns.
- Monitored credit card and checking account transactions for signs of fraudulent activity.
- Flagged over 175+ accounts for suspicious behavior, preventing over $900K in potential losses. Business Credit Associate II - Citizens Bank Pittsburgh, PA 08/2009 – 10/2012
- Supported the maintenance of virtual credit files of confidential information and the overall preparation of a file for underwriting as specified in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Business Banking Loan Operations.
- Responsible for general loan-related, administrative duties including monetary processing, loan maintenance, loan research, reconciliation of loan accounts, imaging and exceptions handling.
- Timely onboarding, new, renewed, modified, or extended loans ensuring appropriate approvals have been received prior to processing.
401K Account Specialist - PNC Bank Pittsburgh, PA
07/2006 - 08/2009
- Administered day-to-day operations of defined contribution retirement plans, including 401(k), 403(b), and profit-sharing plans. Ensured accurate and timely processing of plan contributions, distributions, loans, and withdrawals.
- Conducted annual compliance testing, including ADP/ACP, top-heavy, and 402(g) limits.
- Prepared and review annual IRS Form 5500 filings and ensure compliance with ERISA and IRS regulations.
- Calculated employer contributions, vesting, and matching contributions according to plan documents and participant elections.
Senior Financial Consultant - PNC Bank Pittsburgh, PA 10/2004 - 07/2006
- Responsible for preparing loan documents for 3rd party clients, PNC Wealth Management, all attorney- witnessed closings, loans requiring new title insurance policies.
- Reviewed signed loan documents, accounts, returned and requested correction for those documents that failed the review process, and performed the disbursement function for all loan packages produced within a market that participates in the centralized closing process. AML Investigator – PNC Bank Pittsburgh, PA
01/2002 - 10/2004
- Documented and reported case review/investigation findings and prepare case files for review.
- Conducted research over available Bank systems, the Internet, and Databases.
- Collected and examined financial statements/transaction data to identify unusual transaction patterns.
- Demonstrated strong investigative/analytical skills and be able to formulate and clearly articulate a supportable rationale behind the outcome of an investigation/review (i.e. SAR or customer retention decision) while complying with departmental procedures. AML QC Analyst - Kelly Services Pittsburgh, PA
05/2000 - 06/2002
- Ensured AML processes are performed in line with regulatory and internal requirements. Reviewed the reports for high-risk clients. Investigated red flags to determine if a case can be closed or sent for SAR writing. Conducted AML reviews of account-to-account transfers to monitor for suspicious activity related to fraud, money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes.
- Documented and reported case review/investigation findings and prepared case files for review (e.g. media search results, copies of statements/checks, results from internal system searches etc.) EDUCATION
- Public Trust Clearance
- Public Notary
- Associate's Degree – Administration & Certificate - Medical Coding - Pittsburgh Technical College