Hi, I’m
SHAIKH BILAL AHMAD
Manager – Anti Money Laundering (Compliance International Desk)
Karachi,Pakistan
Summary
Analytical, decisive and solutions-driven professional with over 10 years of diversified experience in leading cross-functional teams in screening, detecting, investigating and interpreting complex / suspicious transactions (Trade Finance/ Inward & Outward Remittances / Vessel Tracking), in an effort to safeguard the interest of bank from reputational and financial risk associated with Sanctions, Money Laundering, Financing of Terrorism, Proliferation Financing and other illicit financial activity risks, by attaining appropriate level of due diligence, understanding of financial crime tactics, updated knowledge of multiple global sanctions legislations / AML / CFT / CPF regimes, creating the more informed, compliant and secured operational framework.
In addition to my primary employment, freelancing work is also undertaken, encompassing tasks such as, creation of feasibility reports, writing research reports on various topics, content writing, assistance in investment decisions and designing process layouts, among other tasks.
Overview
11
years of professional experience
3
Certificates
2
Languages
46
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Compliance - International Desk (UAE) – United Bank Limited – Karachi Karachi, Pakistan
Manager – Anti Money Laundering
09.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Handling trade finance transactions screening to avoid any risk related to the sanctions, proliferation financing, terrorist financing and money laundering
- Perform complex research / investigations to confirm whether the potential matches generated by the screening systems (Accuity / Worldcheck) are actual matches or not, and discount them accordingly
- Ensuring that transaction analysis is aligned with the customer’s profile and assigned risk category
- Perform rigorous transaction review for high-risk category customers, applying meticulous attention to details, to unveil potential irregularities
- Compare account activity volume and value against historical transaction trends, utilizing predefined thresholds and rules
- Ensure root cause identification, timely reporting, escalation, remediation action against any breach of sanctions/ML/FT/PF risk
- Participate in event-based monitoring processes triggered by breach of transaction thresholds or irregular patterns of inflows/outflows, aiming to detect potential money laundering, fraud, corruption, bribery, tax evasion, or terrorist financing risks
- Highlight and investigate high-risk indicators and red flags, generating alerts for review and investigation by the MLRO
- Develop clear narratives for Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) that tell a coherent story of suspicious activities
- Collaborate with relevant staff, including the MLRO, to develop and optimize alert programs based on transaction characteristics and regulatory requirements
- Participate in regular group meetings to discuss cases, trends, and cross-training opportunities to enhance ML risk understanding
- Enterprise Risk Management Facilitation – Provide essential support to management in conducting enterprise-wide risk assessments, by accurately organizing core data for integration into the model. This aids in interpreting results, facilitating the identification of emerging risks, evaluating key risk indicators, updating risk & control self-assessments and further reporting of results to the key stakeholders, Committees and Boards
Payment Screening Unit – United Bank LimitedKarachi
Manager – Trade Screening
09.2018 - 08.2023
Job overview
- Managing trade finance transactions to avoid any risk related to the sanctions, proliferation financing and money laundering
- Managing continuous tracking / monitoring of vessels, there associated risk with respect to sanctions and there related illicit activities throughout their journey
- Carry out complex research / investigations to confirm whether the potential matches generated by the automated transaction filtering / screening systems (Accuity / Worldcheck / Lloyds Seasearcher) against the local and global sanctions watch list (OFAC / HMT / INTERPOL / BIS / UN / EU, etc.) are actual matches or not, and discount them accordingly
- Evaluating the identified red flags among purposes, parties, counterparties, institutions, transaction routes, pricing and commodities
- Assessing customer’s transaction pattern with the customer profile and its risk assigned by the bank
- Taking confirmation from the stakeholders regarding due diligence (KYC/EDD) requirements
- Provide support and suggestions to the bank’s operational risk and compliance department to assist with implementation of sanctions and anti-money laundering related programs
- Maintain a current understanding of sanctions, money laundering and terrorist financing issues, including policies, procedures, regulations, industry best practice and developing trends
- Assist in identifying procedural weaknesses, amendments & requirements
- Managing all IT related requirements, development, testing and its integration
- Managing intradepartmental matters like, administrative issues, expenditures, replacements against depreciated assets, staffing matters and other HR related concerns.
United Bank Limited, UBLKarachi, Pakistan
Business Analyst – Process Management
05.2017 - 09.2018
Job overview
- Developing integrated business analyses, optimization strategies and projections for incorporation into strategic decision-making
- Assesses market competition by comparing the company's product to competitors' products
- Coordinate internal resources and third parties/vendors for the flawless execution of projects
- Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget
- Manage changes to the project scope, schedule and costs using appropriate verification techniques
- Measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques
- Interrelate research data by flow charting, value-stream mapping and cost benefit analysis
- Conduct insightful, adhoc analyses to investigate ongoing or one-time operational issues
- Effectively communicating insights and plans to cross-functional team members and management
- Serving as a liaison between management and their users
- Performing user acceptance testing (UAT) and documenting and communicating the results
United Bank Limited, UBLKarachi, Pakistan
Customer Services & Operations Manager
03.2015 - 04.2017
Job overview
- · Managing staff who work directly with customers, including hiring, training, and scheduling employees
- · Perform routine operational and administrative work; Day-to-day actions are focused on administering defined procedures, analyses and report preparation
- · Establish and promote cordial relationship with customers, ensuring prompt attendance to their inquiries and solving their problems to grant them maximum satisfaction
- Ensures that all the policies and procedures, code of conduct and regulatory guidelines are strictly complied with in the process of discharging duties
- Complete analysis of transactional information to identify risk, trends and potential wary activity
- Effectively conducted AML /KYC formality reports on questionable accounts and transactions
- Responding queries raised in monthly compliance report and regularly update compliance status
- Suggest effective ways to promote banking products and services to increase customer satisfaction
- Identifying areas of potential risk and promote controls and sound risk management
- Responding audit and compliance reports for review by the lead auditor and senior managers
- Identifying any gaps in controls and make practical recommendations
United Bank LimitedKarachi, Pakistan
Customer Services & Operations Officer
10.2013 - 03.2015
Job overview
- Process transactions efficiently and accurately while maintaining high service standards
- Record keeping as per branch requirements and the Bank's policies and standards
- Managing ATM Operations with the Chief Teller as second custodian
- Handing locker operations – opening, closing, recording of its operations on system
- Management of cheque books & ATM cards as per Bank's policies and regulatory guidelines
- Ensure accounts are opened & closed according to the Bank's product and service guidelines
- Improving customers banking experience with the bank by ensuring that the customers are attended to promptly and all their challenges are resolved without delay
- Inform and suggest new banking products to customers
Education
PAF Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology
Master's of Business Administration (MBA) from Finance
IQRA University
Bachelor's of Business Administration (BBA) from Finance
Skills
Project management
Process management
Process re-engineering
Problem solving
Optimistic
Creative
Analytical, decisive & big picture thinking
Team player
Teamleader
Active Listening
Clear Communication
Time management
Integrity and reliability
Trustworthiness
Certification
Certified Anti Money Laundering Professional (CAMLP-IFMP)
Accomplishments
- Integration of Accuity with the core banking system (Symbols)
- Digitization of record keeping management
- Implementation of TAT monitoring system
- Implementation of Bar code scanners for the ease of payment
- Introduction of Burglar alarm systems – Guard-less environment
- Tax clubbing mechanism in the bank’s tax recovery system
- Centralization of deceased and unclaimed accounts
- Integration of Hajj applications handling on core banking system
- KYC quality assurance cell
Timeline
Certified Anti Money Laundering Professional (CAMLP-IFMP)
02-2024
Manager – Anti Money Laundering
Compliance - International Desk (UAE) – United Bank Limited – Karachi
09.2023 - Current
Certified Sanction Specialist Professional (CSSP)
07-2022
Certification in Sanctions Foundation Course V1
11-2021
Manager – Trade Screening
Payment Screening Unit – United Bank Limited
09.2018 - 08.2023
Business Analyst – Process Management
United Bank Limited, UBL
05.2017 - 09.2018
Customer Services & Operations Manager
United Bank Limited, UBL
03.2015 - 04.2017
Customer Services & Operations Officer
United Bank Limited
10.2013 - 03.2015
PAF Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology
Master's of Business Administration (MBA) from Finance
04.2016
IQRA University
Bachelor's of Business Administration (BBA) from Finance
04.2013
Trainings / Workshops
- Advance Regulatory Compliance in Trade and Remittance - Dellsons in conjunction with United Bank Limited
- Islamic Banking Certificate - United Bank Limited
- Customer Services Representative Training Program - United Bank Limited
- Force Field Analysis - Akhuwat Institute of Social Enterprise & Management in conjunction with IBA - Karachi
- Emotional Quotient & Success - Akhuwat Institute of Social Enterprise & Management in conjunction with IBA - Karachi
- Institutional Change & Transformational Leadership - Akhuwat Institute of Social Enterprise & Management in conjunction with IBA - Karachi