Sneha Venugopal

Successfully migrated the EMEA Global Financial Crimes Advisory - Data and Document Refresh (KYC Refresh) and Standalone PEP review process from Glasgow to Mumbai

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Led a team of 11 Individuals within the Institutional Securities Group Enhanced Due Diligence team, overseeing and coordinating complex due diligence reviews of high and high plus risk customers and transactions across various jurisdictions
• Developed and implemented risk-based EDD procedures to identify, assess and mitigate potential financial crimes risks in accordance with regulatory requirements
• Conducted regular quality control checks on cases thorough investigations on high-risk entities, individuals, and counterparties to identify patterns, red flags, negative news and sanctions screening and potential illicit activities
• Conduct comprehensive enhanced due diligence reviews of both new and existing clients including analyzing corporate structures, party identification for screening and other documentation as necessary
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams including Institutional Securities Group (ISG) Advisory, GFC Legal, Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and Business Unit and Non Market Risk Officers (BURM) to enhance controls and ensure effectiveness of EDD processes
• Maintained a deep understanding of applicable laws, regulations and industry best practices related to financial crimes and AML compliance.
• Provided expert guidance to the team on complex EDD cases, supporting them in making sound risk decisions and recommendations.
• Conducted regular training sessions for staff to enhance their understanding of EDD processes, typologies, and emerging risks.
  Ensured timely and accurate reporting to senior management and regulators on EDD activities, findings, and trends
• Played a key role in internal and external audits – MRIA related activities, providing necessary documentation and explanations related to EDD procedures and outcomes
• Review and provide feedback to Client Onboarding & Regulatory Services Team on the completeness and quality of their handovers and liaise with AML Screening Operations team for review of screening results
• Prepare and present weekly and monthly Governance decks to senior management and stakeholders
• First point of contact for Vender Team for process related queries
  Regular engagement with stakeholders including Financial Crimes Risk US Team and PIPEX UAT Team for process enhancement and streamlining.
• Conducted interview with candidates to assess qualifications, skills and cultural fit

Projects / Initiatives & Committees:

• Developed a workflow tool by gathering requirements and collaborating closely with the Tech Team. Conducted User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and provided sign-off for the Go-Live phase
• Active Member of Firm-wide Events Committee and Legal & Compliance LEAN Committee – 2023
• Active Member of Automation Forum since Feb 2024

Roles and Responsibilities

• Building Good Guys to the Fircosoft filters thereby reducing the volume of the transactions that require review by the CSU operations
• Manage hit rate through data mining for creating False Positives and improve system intelligence
• Manage exception requests within committed service level agreement (SLA) timelines
• Perform and document quality assurance analysis for accurate testing of transactions
• Performed sanction screening of SWIFT messages, trade documents, and settlements initiated in various currencies across multiple regions
• Performed second-level verification checks
• Managed sensitive region, high-risk and priority clients independently
• Remediating incorrectly flagged exceptions to improve straight-through-processing (STP)
• Manage multiple markets and regional currency cut-offs daily
• Perform end-of-day (EOD) checks and sweep audits (SA) to ensure compliance with Bank policies
• Track and publish metrics reports to senior management
• Build and sustain excellent partnerships with Onshore OFAC Screening team and the Compliance team
• Interface with compliance for clarifications & addition
• Initiate projects aimed at mitigating risks, and improving efficiency
  Verified adherence through daily quality assurance checks
• Published daily key metrics reports to management
• Liaised with internal stakeholders and partner locations to emulate best practices
• Handled ad-hoc queries from internal stakeholders
• Imparted product and process training for other team members
• Trained staff to reduce low quality escalations and improve client satisfaction