Manager Project

BRENDA WEST

***** ********** **. **** ***, La Mirada, California 90638 * 469-***-**** * fp6wcc@r.postjobfree.com

Banking Compliance / Finance

Federal Regulatory Compliance / BSA-AML Investigation

Fraud Investigation / Financial Analysis / Financial Services / Due Diligence

A Senior Regulatory and Compliance leader with years of diverse experience delivering superior performance with the Federal Reserve Bank and providing advanced service as a financial services consultant. I have been trusted to carry out major initiatives, reliably managing multiple projects and organization change. Recognized as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in BSA/AML/US Patriot Act in compliance matters.

Strong ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations in a challenging environments who communicates equally well with senior management and team members from diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Proven ability to lead large, cross-functional teams and work directly with the necessary agencies to bring about the projected conclusion. Currently, a second year law student pursuing a law degree (Juris Doctorate). Also studying for the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) exam.

• Former employee of the Federal Reserve Bank Banking Supervision department Senior Financial Analyst

• Sound understanding and experience of Federal banking and compliance regulatory compliance requirements.

• Solid knowledge of BSA/AML compliance regulations and monitoring techniques as required under BSA exam manual

• Reviewed risk-elevated accounts analyzing risk and identifying compliance issues and searching for evidence or patterns of money laundering.

• Monitored the on-going risk assessments and surveillance for a portfolio of various banking institutions to spot signs of potential failure.

Federal Reserve Bank Regulations • Bank/Financial Operations • Corporate Compliance •

Bank Examinations • Due Diligence • Project Management • Problem Bank Analysis

BSA / AML / CIP Compliance • Forensic Investigations • Loan Sales • Operational Analysis

& Streamlining • Presentations • Mentoring • Team Building & Leadership Skill

JD – California School of Law (graduation pending) DEAN’S LIST

MBA – Amberton University. BA – Dallas Baptist University. AA – El Centro College.

CAREER OVERVIEW & EXPERIENCE

Strategic Consulting Solutions, Beverly Hills, CA – 07/2007 - Present

Client-Universal Bank 03/2012 – 09/2012 VP/Compliance Officer

Responsible for establishing a policy framework to identify, measure, monitor and control/manage all risk areas of the Bank and to be in compliance with regulations, laws and rulings.

• Keeps management and staff informed about the risk facing the bank.

• Developed a detailed understanding of the bank’s activities and customers.

• Conducts training sessions involving risk assessments, internal controls and other areas relating to risk management.

• Primary bank contact with outside vendors that perform audits and other risk assignments for the bank.

• Monitor management responses to various regulatory and audit reports

• Advised the Audit Committee regarding the audit needs of the bank and serves as a technical resource to the Committee

• Oversee HMDA/CRA and Fair Lending Officer responsibilities ensuring compliance with various state and federal laws and regulations.

• Updated, implemented and maintained bank policies and procedures to ensure department compliance with applicable compliance regulations.

Director of Audit

Director of Audit charged with overseeing, tracking and evaluating all aspects of the Bank’s control mechanisms to ensure that the Bank is managed in accordance with safe and sound guidelines established by regulatory authorities and U.S. auditing standard boards.

• Assist in the selection of the firms to perform outsourced operational audit functions for approval by the Audit Committee. The selection criteria will included evaluating the credentials and experience of the firm(s) to be used based upon scope, complexity and expertise required to perform the audit.

• Reported to the Audit Committee the defining scope of the audit program of all departments to comply with regulations.

• Primary liaison with the Audit Committee and responsible for providing monthly updates to the Committee including status on audit findings, audit reports issued, status of the corrective action and completion of the action.

TSRI Solutions: Client-Frontier Communications

Accenture (thru UKO Associates) – 04/2010 – 03/2012 Testing Manager

Testing Manager for the implementation and conversion of newly acquired phone lines for over 20 states. The implementation included the integration of VFO, ESB, M6, DPI, and VNET.

• Managed the day-to-day task of the testing team, assigning daily tasks, analyzed workloads, coached and mentored team members. Made daily/weekly presentations directly to senior management concerning the project status.

• Defined the test approach/strategy by developing test plans and test cases based on the test strategy, risk analysis and existing infrastructure..

• Extracted testing requirements from functional specifications and business requirements to write test plans and test cases. Produced artifacts to support testing activities including test scripts/matrices and test data.

• Performed structured and context-driven (formal ad-hoc) integration, system, volume (performance and concurrent usage) and regression testing. Served as subject matter experts (SMEs) for user acceptance testing.

• Managed internal defect tracking and test case management system(s) to document test cases, record defects and record test case execution results.

Business Analyst

Identified, analyzed and documented business requirements for Trouble Administration module by developing business use cases and screen mockups describing the business processes and expected functional experience.

• Conduct analysis of the existing system and created business and technical requirements documentation that developers used to create applications that support the functional, technical and visual requirements. Performed a detailed feasibility study to determine alternatives and associated costs, risks, benefits, timing, etc.

• Acted as a liaison with software developers to ensure that functional requirements are captured. Formulated solution alternatives that fit in with our current infrastructure, and ensured the client’s buy-in to the proposed solutions.

• Prepared requirements documentation needs to be precises, logical in layout, captured the expected user experience, identified mock screens, listed required input validations, identify security structure, and create a list of unit/functional tests to be performed.

Accomplishments

• Exceeded clients expectation of delivery

• Awarded for outstanding service and deliverables

Adams Consulting Group, New York, NY – 09/2008 – 12/2008

MSquared Consulting, El Segundo, CA – 07/2006 – 04/2010 Sr. AML/BSA Consultant

Review 2000+ risk-elevated account relationships analyzing risk, identifying compliance issues and searching for evidence or patterns of money laundering schemes. Made recommendations to management for exiting relationships with certain high-risk accounts due the results of the investigation. Worked closely with regulatory agencies and Fraud Investigation Units to bring banks into compliance with federal and state regulations. Possess extensive knowledge of Know Your Customers (KYC) programs gathering information from all sources to present a total investigation of clients. Retain broad knowledge of BSA, AML, OFAC and the USA PATRIOT Act. Some of the companies include: JP Morgan Chase, Union Bank, and Bank of Mitsubishi and others.

• Performed due diligence on high risk accounts, politically exposed persons (PEPs), Senior Foreign Political Officials, foreign businesses/entities, and Charities/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to insure compliance with regulatory guidelines including Bank Secrecy Act and USA Patriot Act.

• Performed quality control and analysis of client records including bank statements and transaction details

• Reviewed and assigned levels of risk for each customer

• Worked with third party audit team to review Know Your Customer (KYC) documents as well as Relationship Summaries as completed by Bank Officers to determine if all account profile information is accurate, detailed and commensurate with BSA/AML guidelines.

• Reviewed Subpoenas as well as Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) for accuracy and made additional recommendations as necessary for SAR filings

• Educated Compliance Officers on procedures for account remediation including performing Enhanced Due Diligence

Accomplishments:

• Assisted in the completion of look-back reviews for several large financial institutions

• Consistently met and exceeded deadlines set forth by clients.

• Received recognition for “Going Above & Beyond” clients goals and expectations.

Countrywide Home Loans, Riverside, CA 11/2004 – 07/2006 Branch Manager

Managed a total of 18 account executives (loan officers) to function in all aspects of loan origination, operating systems, product knowledge, pricing, underwriting and selling techniques. Prepares summary and/or credit approval reports documenting credit analysis and supporting information for credit decision recommendations. Handled employee performance issues, absenteeism, and production activities. Maintain knowledge of federal regulations (TIL, RESPA, ECOA, HMDA & many others).

Accomplishments:

• Consistently received recognition for outstanding service to employees and clients

• Led team of account executives in receiving top sales awards for 4 consecutive quarters

• Constantly brought in the highest revenue on a monthly basis

Neustar Financial Services, Dallas, TX – 05/2001 – 08/2004 President

Established and maintained branch with 30 loan officers originating loans, underwriting, and processing loans files. P & L management and emphasis on operating efficiencies and employee development. Extensive knowledge of bank lending policies, practices, compliance and underwriting criteria. Market to prospective clients and develop and implement presentations for clients. Oversaw daily operations, regulatory compliance, customer service, business development and employee development. Other regulations of importance (TIL, RESPA, Fair Housing Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, & others).

Accomplishments:

• Grew annual revenues to $1.5m.

• Developed training programs for officers and processors.

• Authored marketing strategies & plans for business development

MetaSolv Software, Inc., (Oracle) Plano, TX – 08/1999 – 05/2001 Sr. Business Analyst

Consulted with various companies on the implementation of TBS software into their business process using requirements gathering and gap analysis techniques. Conduct interviews with subject matter experts, risk assessments, document requirements, implement business workflows, develop use cases, facilitate meetings, data mapping, manage tasks to budget and various other business analysis functions. Providing training, quality assurance initiatives, and testing functionality. Worked extensively with developers to formalize client requirements.

Accomplishments:

• Always exceeded client expectations and goals.

• Received certificates and awards for recognition in excelling customer projects.

UIT, Schaumburg, IL – 08/1998 – 08/1999 Sr. Testing Engineer/Business Analyst

Assisted clients in diverse industries with software installation, user training, and system design. Clients included: SPRINT, IBM and DISNEY. Developed standard test methodology and plans, scheduling of testing calendars, design test conditions, scenarios and cases. Analyzed client’s systems for determination of conversion process, wrote high level design specifications, utilized data mapping methodology, and act as a liaison between programmers and end-users. Conduct interviews with subject matter experts, risk assessments, document requirements, implement business workflows, develop use cases, facilitate meetings, data mapping, manage tasks to budget and various other business analysis functions.

Accomplishments:

• Authored testing plans for testing schedules

• Wrote test cases, scenarios and conditions

Citizens Communications, Dallas, TX – 08/1996 -08/1998 Project Manager

Managed and responsible for driving day to day project teams’ efforts on large scale project management and service improvement project for Citizens. Performed comprehensive planning and analysis for new project proposals by facilitating JAR and RAD sessions. Constantly made crucial decisions to ensure a quality conversion. Communicated status, performance, issues and other information to ensure delivery of system package by established due dates.

Accomplishments:

• Lead the most successful system conversion with a 99% error-free conversion

• Promoted within six-months of being hired & received numerous awards for performance

Federal Reserve Bank Dallas, TX – 07/1988 – 08/1996 Sr. Financial Analyst

Conducted independent analysis of financial statements and HMDA data of banks to ensure the content is consistent with GAAP and regulatory reporting guidelines. Identified early signs of declining financial conditions of banking institutions and made recommendations to executive level management of remedies and/or solutions. The analysis of diverse financial and monetary reports related to international and domestic banking activities. Ascertaining compliance with laws and regulations related to bank holding companies and their subsidiaries. Maintain current knowledge of several federal statutes such as the Bank Holding Company Act, Regulation Z, Regulation C, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and various other federal regulations necessary to perform responsibilities of regulations.

Accomplishments:

• Automated “error-checks” for analysis purposes improving productivity of analysts by 65%

• Directed the implementation of pre-packaged booklets for financial reporting which improved efficiency by 100% and productivity by 85%

• Received numerous awards for contributions & training in various banking operations and systems

ASSOCIATIONS & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Brotherly Love Ministries Chief Operations Officer

Logos Fellowship of Churches Director of Finance

Duncanville Mustang Youth Football Assoc Director

National Association of Female Executives Member

California Women Lawyers Member

National Bar Association Member

Black Women’s Law Association Member

California Lawyers for the Arts Member

Women Lawyers Assoc of LA Member

National Association of Professional Women Member

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