Manager, KYC Review & Approval - FIG

Role Overview

Manager, KYC Review & Approval - FIG at First Abu Dhabi Bank, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This role manages the Know-Your-Client review and approval process for Financial Institutions clients in accordance with UAE and international Anti-Money Laundering requirements.

Role Purpose

To lead the centralized KYC & Onboarding function for Financial Institutions, performing client approval for new onboarding, trigger events, and periodic reviews. Ensure documentary evidence meets internal guidelines and regulatory expectations while enforcing Group KYC standards.

Key Responsibilities

Client Onboarding & Approval

• Manage approval process for New to Bank Client Onboarding along with Periodic and Trigger Reviews in liaison with all stakeholders.
• Ensure all clients are onboarded within agreed onboarding timelines.
• Review account opening forms, MT 199 or 299 SWIFT messages for all new business where applicable.
• Undertake strong support and communication with both internal and external clients to facilitate efficient client onboarding and offboarding.

Risk Analysis & Compliance

• Perform independent analysis of high-risk factors and escalate relevant cases to Financial Crime Compliance teams (FCC) based on key risk indicators.
• Always ensure adherence to all internal policies, procedures, and external regulatory requirements.
• Review questionnaires such as Wolfsberg, AML and Sanctions appropriately.
• Deliver fair outcomes for customers and ensure own conduct maintains orderly and transparent operation of financial markets.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop and manage relationships with Corporate and Investment Banking stakeholders across business lines and supporting functions.
• Be aware of strategic clients and their longer-term requirements by engaging with Coverage Bankers during Business Case and client selection process.
• Maintain discipline in prioritization in partnership with local business.
• Communicate consistency to internal and external stakeholders to ensure cases are accepted through approved channels and expectations are managed appropriately.

Reporting & Monitoring

• Ensure information for Management Information related to Corporate and Investment Banking segment for Onboarding and KYC is prepared and presented on a periodic basis.
• Ensure exceptions are updated in CDD Exception tracker and tracked to resolution.
• Circulate tracker to relevant stakeholders on monthly basis.
• Monitor monthly KYC KRI and KPI reports.
• Interact with other stakeholders and help the KYC teams achieve KRI and KPI targets.

Product & Industry Knowledge

• Possess proven business and operational experience with sound knowledge of the wide range and complex variety of Funds, Brokers, Money Services Business, Loans and Agencies, Non-Banking Financial Institutions and Correspondent Banks.
• Previous experience handling post facto transaction review for all Correspondent Banking clients and knowledge of key principles like Nesting and Downstream activities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in management, banking, or finance.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a reputable international bank.
• Minimum 5 years of experience within an Onboarding, KYC, or Compliance function.
• Relevant experience (AML/KYC/compliance related) with understanding of financial institutions KYC requirements.
• Familiarity with AML/KYC regulations and industry guidelines, along with client structure and hierarchies.
• Experience operating in a global regulatory environment.
• Certification in compliance, KYC/AML/CFT, financial crime, or risk management (advantageous).

Skills & Competencies

• KYC and AML/CFT expertise.
• Compliance and Financial Crime knowledge.
• Risk management and risk assessment.
• Client Onboarding, Periodic Reviews, and Trigger Reviews.
• Financial Institutions KYC requirements.
• Wolfsberg Questionnaires and AML and Sanctions reviews.
• Correspondent Banking, Funds, Brokers, Money Services Business, Loans and Agencies, Non-Banking Financial Institutions.
• Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) operations.
• Stakeholder and Relationship Management.
• Management Information (MI) reporting.
• KRI and KPI monitoring.
• Microsoft Applications proficiency.
• Client structure and hierarchies knowledge.
• Prioritization and communication.
• Proactive and business-oriented approach with ability to manage conflicting demands.
• Operational support capability.