KYC Advisory & Controls Associate

 SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $75,000.00 and $120,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Role Description

Within the Compliance Operations Department, the KYC Advisory & Controls Associate is responsible for promoting oversight and control within the KYC program including: customer onboarding, and periodic reviews, and account opening. Will support strengthening processes and controls across the KYC program as well as escalate to management when issues/risks may arise. This role will require tracking of all audit and exam related requests as well as ensuring a timely and accurate response is provided. This role will also involve assisting in promoting consistency in policies, procedures and reference materials across the entire KYC program. Reporting to the KYC Controls and Oversight Director, the KYC Advisory & Controls Associate will assist in promoting overall accountability for related operational efficiencies and customer data integrity for SMBC, Bank and subsidiaries in accordance with external rules and regulations as well as internal policies and procedures of SMBC and Head Office.

The KYC Advisory & Controls Associate may direct the day-to-day work of employees, may have a formal management role, and contributes to broader strategic department planning.

Role Objectives

• Field questions from the KYC team as well as the Front Office related to AML/KYC processes including client onboarding and periodic KYC reviews.
• Knowledge of the Know Your Customer (KYC)/Anti Money Laundering (AML) protocols.
• May manage employee relations, performance management, and mentorship for all in scope members.
• May have responsibility for planning and budgeting within the KYC team.
• Identify and communicate control gaps, risks, proposed improvements.
• Provide program governance, oversight, and monitoring in accordance with SMBC's Policies and Standards.
• Participate in initiatives that streamline and improve the KYC processes. Including the maintenance and creation of KYC procedures and desktop reference materials.
• Build strong relationships and coordinate with key stakeholders across the KYC Program.
• Stay current on emerging regulatory requirements and best practices, and drive enhancements to KYC framework and controls.
• Ensure KYC policy and procedure and requirements remain up to date
• Coordination for project and program management regulatory concerns and providing guidance during internal/external audits.
• Assist remediation efforts from internal/external audit findings from a strategic and execution perspective.

Qualifications and Skills

• 5 to 7 years of specialized experience in Financial Services
• Experience should be in financial crimes consulting, project management or back-office/compliance operations.
• BA / BS (or equivalent experience)
• Knowledge of AML, Bank Secrecy Act, Foreign Asset Control, and other compliance related acts and regulatory requirements. Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) Certification preferred.
• Expert level knowledge of KYC process and regulations.