Associate, Financial Crime Operations
Job Overview
About Us
BACB is a UK bank that offers trade finance and complementary products to clients in specialist markets, especially Africa and the Middle East.
We have been helping businesses with trade finance and complementary products for over half a century, focusing on trade flows to and from Africa and the Middle East as well as real estate in the UK.
Our in-depth knowledge of the countries and practices where our clients operate ensures that we put them first.
Additional Info
Hybrid Working: 3 days onsite, 2 from home
Location: City of London
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Summary
The Financial Crime Operations (FCO) Associate (L1 & L2) is responsible for conducting due diligence on all transactions referred to FCO, whether generated systematically or escalated manually. The Associate reviews and analyses transactional activity to identify unusual or suspicious activity, ensuring timely and accurate detection of potential financial crime. All due diligence must be completed in accordance with established policies, procedures, and control frameworks.
In addition to the core responsibilities, the FCO Associate L2 is authorised to perform the final release of transactions across business lines and products, as directed by management.
Key Work Outputs and Accountabilities
Conduct in‑depth analysis and investigation of all transactions referred to FCO, whether generated through automated systems or manual referrals from across the Bank.
Review and investigate all system‑generated alerts, ensuring accurate assessment and timely progression of cases.
Take full ownership of individual alert cases, using appropriate case‑management tools to meet required investigation timelines.
Investigate, review, and escalate transaction‑monitoring and sanctions‑related alerts in line with departmental procedures.
Ensure thorough investigation and documentation of suspicious transactions, including accurate record‑keeping and escalation where appropriate.
Support daily operational tasks relating to the Bank’s sanctions systems, including reviewing filter logs and maintaining sanctions screening lists as directed.
Perform monthly, quarterly, or ad‑hoc reconciliations of the Bank’s sanctions screening lists.
Ensure issues and escalations are resolved efficiently and in accordance with Bank policies and procedures.
Promote and maintain positive working relationships with clients, counterparties, and internal teams, representing the Bank professionally at all times.
Adhere to all Bank policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements relating to financial crime, AML, and sanctions.
Maintain high standards of accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality in all investigative work.
Apply subject‑matter expertise in transactional due diligence to support and guide junior staff and other business areas.
Assist in the development and delivery of training for new staff, particularly in identifying and reporting suspicious activity.
Assist in the preparation, consolidation, and distribution of Management Information (MI) reports to support process enhancement and decision‑making.
Participate in projects and initiatives as required.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Good knowledge of UN, UK, EU, and US regulatory requirements relating to Sanctions and Financial Crime
Good knowledge of the UK Anti-Money Laundering and wider Financial Crime regulatory framework.
Good understanding of due diligence processes, including trigger for Enhanced Due Diligence.
Proven ability to research, investigate, analyse, and evidence payment and trade finance activity.
Able to build effective working relationships and collaborate across teams.
Exposure to African and Middle Eastern markets (desirable).
Experience in Trade Services, Banking Services or Operations (desirable)
UK or internationally recognised qualifications in Sanction, Anti Money Laundering or Financial Crime (desirable).