Ramesh Sekar

I hold the responsibility of managing a team of climate analysts engaged in global operations, ensuring that climate risk assessments for both new and existing clients are carried out efficiently. I collaborate with the business team to facilitate the timely completion of Climate Risk Assessments (CRAs) necessary for credit decision process. My role requires me to prioritize a variable workload to meet the team's monthly targets. In addition, I track key performance metrics, promote staff development, conduct performance evaluations, and enhance process improvements.

• Manage day-to-day operations focused on the attainment of key business metrics, continuous improvement initiatives
• Maximize productivity and quality by establishing specific goals and managing operations.
• Led cross-functional teams in strategic planning sessions, aligning efforts with company goals.
• Collaborating with Credit Analysts to effectively present clients' Climate Risk Assessments and to have proactive conversations about crucial Climate Risk elements.
• Assisting Relationship Managers in executing their client strategies by fostering proactive idea generation, aiding in the preparation of discussion materials for clients, and ensuring they are comprehensively briefed on significant Climate Risk factors.
• Support growing the business and actively participate in the underwriting of new cross border deals and Climate Risk Assessment of new and existing clients that are in scope.
• Monitor the quality of Climate Risk Assessments and consistently work towards being top-notch.
• Spot and emphasize the challenges that Climate Analysts encounter and take the initiative to push for better processes. Collaborate closely with credit, policy, and other key players. Make sure to share effective strategies with team leads globally.
• Build up knowledge and skills in specific industries and segments within the Climate Analyst Team.
• Monitor and publish key metrics to give visibility on Productivity/Quality/TAT/Overdue etc.
• Support comprehensive training sessions/buddy set up for new analysts, improving onboarding efficiency.
• Managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines and quality standards.

Managing operation with multiple functions in Africa region and responsible for the timely processing of quality assurance in client onboarding and periodic review cases in Client Due Diligence team. Prioritized fluctuating workflow to ensure that operational commitments are met daily; conducted hiring, orientation and exit interview; handled time keeping and attendance tracking; administered staff development; performance reviews and salary inputs; Initiated system enhancement or maintenance requests in order to comply with the business needs.

• Working with Global KYC management team to develop target operating model, covering people, process, and technology
• Support consistent hiring and performance management practices; promote process improvement ideas and share best practices across the segment/group
• Develop the on-going KYC training plan to develop and enhance staff knowledge of business and product
• Manage AML/KYC-related KPIs (key performance indicators) for the segment/group to ensure consistency in quality and timeliness of completion

Leading and driving a team of 15 analysts by providing developmental and growth opportunities with focus on leading the team with expertise in the field and by leveraging collaboration and strong engagement with onshore teams.

• Responsible for quick on-boarding of new corporate/FI clients
• Responsible to complete the Due Diligence projects within the specified TAT and Quality.
• Ensuring all new hires receive appropriate KYC training on a timely basis
• Ensuring Team Members are trained in the Due Diligence Activity
• Forecasting production capabilities, and co-coordinating with the stakeholders.
• Reviewing Team Performance against the desired Metrics
• Service Management – Operations, Process and Workflow management
• Stakeholder Management – Global Clients & Delivery. Reporting senior management
• Prioritization of workload based on resource plans and deadlines

Responsible for ensuring the required Policies & Procedures are followed for all processes in KYC/CDD due diligence by performing Quality & Control Assurance. Processes covered are Client Due Diligence, PEP screening, Sanction Screening and Correspondent banking evaluation.

• Performed “Quality Assurance” reviews on a diverse range of institutional customers that include Private entities, Large Corporate, SPV's, Hedge Funds and Government entities.
• Experienced in handling accounts from all regions and perform quality review as per country specific rules and regulations.
• Ensured Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) identified and appropriate enhanced due diligence is carried out.
• Ensured Sanction dealings (If any) identified and appropriate enhanced due diligence is carried out.
• Ensured that AML principles for Correspondent Banking are strictly adhered to and enhanced due diligence is carried out.

• Perform complete due diligence reviews and quality checks on a diverse range of institutional customers that include Private entities, Large Corporate, SPV's, and Government entities
• Ensure the Bank's KYC and Classification procedures are made in strict accordance with regulatory requirements and the bank’s internal policies.
• Experience in running Background checks on clients and related parties using Internal Database, World-Check and Factiva and resolved/deemed any Political Exposed People (PEP’s), Negative Information, Immaterial and False-Positive alerts.
• Excellent knowledge of using AML Research / Investigations database such as Bloomberg, World check, D&B Report, Bankers Almanac, Lexis-Nexis, Orbis, CPL, One Source and companies’ house.
• In-depth understanding of Regulatory Risk & Compliance, Sanctions Screening, PEP and adverse media research / analysis and investigation.

• Supported credit underwriting process for residential Mortgage loans

• Transcription of client interviews, court proceedings, and other important documents.