Senior AML​/ATF Specialist

Description

About this opportunity

At Meridian our aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest opportunity is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.

This position holds the most senior investigative role within Meridian’s AML Compliance function (level lll). This role is designed for an accomplished professional with deep expertise in the detection and mitigation of money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions evasion risk. The Senior Specialist is entrusted with investigating and resolving high-risk and highly complex cases, which may involve large corporate or business entities, organized crime, and ideologically motivated violent extremism and/or terrorist financing.

These investigations and enhanced due diligence (“EDD”) activities often present unique and evolving risks and complexities, requiring the incumbent to apply exceptional judgement, advanced critical thinking, and leverage extensive experience to achieve effective and compliant outcomes.

As a subject matter expert, the Senior Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting first-line business banking relationship managers and branch leaders by equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize, assess, and manage risks associated with their Members, including those with significant relationship values. The Senior Specialist’s insights are critical in guiding decisions related to the onboarding of high-risk prospects and the potential demarketing of high-risk Members, directly contributing to the advancement of Meridian’s business banking growth strategy.

This position highly values prior experience in conducting complex enhanced due diligence (“EDD”) investigations, which may include analysis of corporate/entity legal structures, financial records, and account activity. Such expertise is considered a distinct asset for the role.

Given that the Senior Specialist responsibility for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with Meridian’s highest risk Members, the work performed in this capacity is subject to heightened scrutiny by FINTRAC, as well as other regulatory authorities and auditors. This ensures that all risk management activities not only support business objectives but also adhere to regulatory standards and best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Case Work:

• Design and execute complex EDD strategies, commensurate to the nature and severity of the risks identified for Members and prospective Members, including those who have complex or opaque ownership and control structures, who operate in high-risk industries, and/or whose investment and operating capital may be sourced from activities in high-risk international jurisdictions.
• Assess and set appropriate scope for investigations using a risk-based approach.
• Provide opinion to line-of-business stakeholders relative to the risk of the Member/prospect and make recommendations as to their suitability for Membership.
• Create a work product that will pass the scrutiny of auditors and regulators.
• Investigate potential or suspected instances of money laundering, terrorist financing, or sanctions evasion, specializing in cases with high complexity or profile within Meridian. This may include the review and interpretation of complex financial and legal documents, in addition to high volumes of transaction activity and open-source information.
  • Determine if reporting to FINTRAC is required. Discreet and documented decisions are subject to review by auditors and regulators.
  • Identify if additional risk mitigation tactics are necessary and execute; these may include recommendations to de-market material relationships based on the results of investigations.

Program Support:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and consultant to the lines-of-business, providing guidance and support in the identification and assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing risks as they arise.
• Provide education to business line stakeholders and influence/guide decision making in an effective and tactful manner.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and provide guidance and coaching to…