AML Associate

Overview

At BBVA we are leading the transformation of banking worldwide, united in pursuing our goal of supporting your drive to go further. Firmly focused on the future, our on-going digital transformation is already producing disruptive innovations that power our vision of banking. Every one of our 126,357 employees, from branch staff to senior leaders, plays an essential role in giving our 75 million customers the cutting edge banking solutions that they deserve.

Building on 160 years of history we know the importance of constant development, which is why we place so much confidence in the collaborative working environment that enables our people to grow and excel.

For over 50 years,
BBVA in Switzerland has been helping clients manage their wealth with a global outlook, Swiss precision, and a philosophy that blends tradition with innovation. From Zurich to the world, we provide tailored solutions for those who value both strategy and trust.

Yet, our greatest strength lies in our people: an international, diverse, and highly skilled team that combines financial expertise with a digital mindset and innovative spirit. Continuous learning, cross-cultural collaboration, and career growth that makes a real impact in our clients’ lives drive everything we do, shaping both the way we work and the opportunities we create for our team.

Joining BBVA in Switzerland means being part of a global bank, working on pioneering projects in private and digital banking, and growing within a culture that listens, evolves, and strives to make a difference.

BBVA is a Spanish bank with its Swiss offices located in Zürich.

Functions (duties and responsibilities):

• Serve as a core member of the second line of defense, with primary focus on the day-to-day execution of transaction monitoring controls across traditional and crypto assets.
• Execute systematic, risk-based reviews of transaction monitoring alerts, ensuring timely and well-reasoned dispositions.
• Analyze transactional patterns to detect anomalies, layering structures, and behaviors indicative of money laundering or financial crime.
• Conduct in-depth KYC reviews, challenging first-line assessments and ensuring regulatory compliance across client files.
• Lead investigations into unusual account activity, building complete and well-documented case files that clearly support conclusions and escalation decisions.
• Draft and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with accuracy, completeness, and timeliness, in line with regulatory requirements and internal procedures.
• Contribute to the continuous calibration and improvement of transaction monitoring detection rules and alert logic.
• Liaise with legal, risk, and front-office teams to gather supporting information and validate case assessments.
• Monitor emerging financial crime typologies, regulatory developments, and cross-border transaction risks, particularly in the private banking context.

Your profile

• Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on AML or financial crime experience in banking, with a strong track record in transaction monitoring, alert review, SAR drafting, and controls execution.
• Solid exposure to private banking and cross-border transactions, with a practical understanding of jurisdictional AML risks.
• Familiarity with crypto asset transaction monitoring is a strong advantage.
• Thorough knowledge of Swiss AML regulations and international standards (FATF, EU AML Directives).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex, high-volume transactional data and identify meaningful patterns.
• Excellent written communication skills for producing clear, precise investigation reports and regulatory filings.
• Clear, defensible decision-making under pressure and within tight deadlines.
• Detail-oriented, accountable, and discreet in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Collaborative and proactive team player, comfortable working independently in a small, dynamic team.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel.
• Fluent in Spanish, with working knowledge of English or German.
• Bachelor's degree in Law, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; AML certifications (CAMS, ICA) are a plus.