Niharika Kanala
Senior Regulatory Compliance Associate
Bangalore
Summary
Experienced finance and compliance professional with expertise in credit operations, AML/KYC compliance, and risk assessment. Skilled in conducting due diligence, drafting SARs, and ensuring regulatory adherence. Proficient in credit appraisals, document verification, MIS reporting, and optimizing processes to enhance efficiency. Known for attention to detail, problem-solving, and supporting cross-functional teams to mitigate risks and maintain compliance.
Professional with strong experience in compliance, ready to ensure adherence to regulations and internal policies. Known for collaborative approach and reliable in team settings, adapting seamlessly to changing needs. Skilled in risk assessment, regulatory reporting, and policy development. Valued for integrity, analytical thinking, and commitment to achieving results.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Regulatory Compliance Associate
Ernst & Young
Bengaluru, India
01.2025 - Current
- Conducted periodic and event-driven reviews of corporate entity alerts in line with AML and Sanctions policies, including alert disposition, case creation, risk assessment, and preparation of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
- Analyzed complex corporate transaction patterns across multiple products (trade finance, wire transfers, cash management) using detection scenarios and red-flag indicators to identify potential money laundering, sanctions evasion, or trade-based financial crime.
- Assessed corporate customer risk profiles, including nature of business, ownership structure, source of funds/wealth, expected activity, and geographic exposure, to determine overall AML risk.
- Coordinated with Relationship Managers (RMs) and business teams by issuing RFIs to obtain corporate documentation such as incorporation records, UBO details, financial statements, contracts, invoices, and trade documents.
- Reviewed and validated corporate and trade-related documents (contracts, invoices, bills of lading, airway bills) to verify transaction legitimacy and identify red flags such as over/under-invoicing, circular trading, false counterparties, or inconsistent trade routes.
- Performed entity-level name screening using FircoSoft, FSK and public-domain searches to identify sanctions, PEP, adverse media, or high-risk jurisdiction exposure.
- Identified and escalated sanctions-related risks, including indirect exposure through subsidiaries, intermediaries, or trade counterparties.
- Liaised with Compliance, Trade Finance, and Business teams to gather additional information and ensured only well-substantiated suspicious corporate transactions were reported to the Central Bank.
- Conducted quality assurance reviews of corporate alerts, ensuring accurate risk assessments, proper documentation, and compliance with internal policies and regulatory expectations.
- Developed and enhanced process documentation for corporate alert handling, CDD/EDD procedures, audit logs, and RFI templates, improving consistency, efficiency, and regulatory readiness.
Regulatory Compliance Associate
Accenture solutions Private Limited
Bangalore
04.2022 - 08.2024
- Conducted periodic reviews of client cases following AML/Sanctions policies, including case creation, risk assessment, and drafting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
- Analyzed transaction patterns using detection scenarios (red flags) to identify and mitigate unusual activities, ensuring compliance with AML standards.
- Coordinated with Relationship Managers (RMs) by raising RFIs to obtain necessary customer information and documentation for thorough risk evaluation.
- Reviewed customer-provided documents to verify transaction legitimacy, identifying and escalating issues like fabricated documents, sanctions involvement, or contradictory details.
- Performed name screening using FircoSoft, World-Check, Dow Jones, and public domain searches to ensure no ties to sanctioned entities or individuals.
- Investigated potential matches in screening results, conducting detailed reviews and escalating cases with suspicious activity for SAR filing.
- Verified trade legitimacy by tracking airway bills and bills of lading, ensuring compliance with sanctions regulations.
- Liaised with business teams to gather additional information and reported only warranted or suspicious transactions to the Central Bank.
- Conducted quality checks on analyst-processed alerts, enhancing team performance by identifying errors and ensuring accurate customer information.
- Developed process documentation, including SR creation, CDD procedures, audit log templates, and RFI questionnaire formats, streamlining operational workflows.
Lending and KYC Operations Officer
Standard Chartered
Bangalore
02.2020 - 04.2022
- Managed credit operations and loan disbursals for self-employed and salaried clients, ensuring compliance with policies.
- Conducted risk assessments and credit appraisals for loan applications, validating KYC/AML and identifying Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
- Supported Relationship Managers (RMs) with expert advice across lending units at Standard Chartered Bank.
- Ensured document accuracy through non-discrepancy checks, sanctioning entries, and eligibility verification.
- Prepared and maintained MIS reports within strict timelines, supporting decision-making processes.
- Oversaw post-disbursal document management for home loans, including custody and SKR preparation.
- Resolved PDD-related issues, prepared monthly MIS, and secured approvals for BUC extensions and waivers.
- Coordinated the sanctioning process for salaried files and managed vendor relationships for legal and valuation reports.
- Collected and processed post-disbursal documents from customers, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
- Handled part-disbursal cases for under-construction properties, aligning builder demand letters with customer requirements.
- Circulated MIS reports for legal and valuation updates across the region.
Education
Bachelors - Electronics and Communication
Ravindra College of Engineering for Women
Kurnool, India04.2016
Skills
Risk assessment, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), MIS preparation, AML Software Expertise, FircoSoft, FSK, Anti-money laundering, Know your customer, Compliance monitoring, Risk identification, Critical thinking, Problem-solving aptitude, Legal compliance, Reporting management, Sanctions screening, Information security, Financial crime prevention, Privacy and confidentiality
Personal Traits
- Analytical Thinker: Ability to assess complex financial data and identify risks effectively.
- Proactive Learner: Quick to adapt to new regulations, tools, and industry best practices.
- Problem Solver: Adept at addressing discrepancies and proposing actionable solutions.
- Customer-Focused: Skilled in engaging with clients to gather critical information and provide tailored support.
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 30 Dec 1994
- Gender: Female
Awards
Performance Excellence Certificate, Chief Compliance Officer
Timeline
Senior Regulatory Compliance Associate
Ernst & Young
01.2025 - Current
Regulatory Compliance Associate
Accenture solutions Private Limited
04.2022 - 08.2024
Lending and KYC Operations Officer
Standard Chartered
02.2020 - 04.2022
Bachelors - Electronics and Communication
Ravindra College of Engineering for Women