julius oyewole

A highly experienced Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) with over 10 years of expertise in anti-money laundering (AML), financial crime prevention, KYC, customer due diligence (CDD), customer onboarding, sanctions screening, and risk management within regulated environments. Proven track record in developing and implementing robust AML policies and procedures, managing Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR), and ensuring compliance with UK financial regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), Terrorism Act, and Money Laundering Regulations (MLR). Demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills with a deep understanding of financial crime risks and a robust ability to mitigate potential threats to business operations.

Head Compliance-AML Analyst

Ideation House Technologies Limited | United Kingdom

December 2023 – Present

A fintech company providing innovative solutions in financial services and compliance. Responsible for managing the AML/KYC compliance program and providing strategic leadership to ensure adherence to UK regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company’s global/regional/country-specific AML programs and policies.

•  Ensure all regulatory reporting is in line with the requirements and submitted within prescribed timelines.

•  Identify, assess, and address emerging AML risks and trends, offering recommendations to business units.

•  Produce AML-related management information to streamline processes and drive business efficiency.

•  Support senior management with advice on AML typologies, trends, and complex financial crime scenarios.

•  Oversee and manage the Country AML Program, providing guidance on high-risk client onboarding and ensuring that AML controls are maintained.

•  Conduct regular internal compliance monitoring, policy reviews, and audits to mitigate regulatory and reputational risks.

•  Advise business stakeholders on AML best practices and ensure adequate training on compliance requirements.

Key Achievements:

•  Successfully led the review and upgrade of the company’s AML program, enhancing its ability to detect and mitigate financial crime risks by 55%.

•  Managed cross-departmental teams to ensure AML training was delivered effectively, increasing awareness across all business areas.

•  Improved SAR filing processes, resulting in 45% faster reporting and compliance with NCA requirements.

AML/KYC Analyst - Financial Crime and Fraud Unit

Barclays Bank | United Kingdom

May 2022 – December 2023

Worked within the Financial Crime Unit to ensure the continued effectiveness of AML processes, with responsibility for investigating and reporting suspicious activity and monitoring financial crime risk.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Assess Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), disclosing relevant information to regulatory authorities and external bodies.

•  Provide oversight of AML processes, ensuring timely completion of regulatory returns and compliance with financial crime regulations.

•  Conduct customer due diligence (CDD) for high-risk customers and politically exposed persons (PEPs).

•  Monitor compliance with sanctions regulations and identify potentially suspicious transactions, including large cash deposits and third-party transfers.

•  Prepare detailed financial crime risk reports, presenting findings and action plans to senior management.

•  Collaborate with the compliance department to produce thematic reviews and implement necessary remedial actions.

Key Achievements:

•  Conducted in-depth investigations on high-risk clients and successfully mitigated potential exposure to financial crime.

•  Enhanced the quality of SARs and CDD checks, reducing investigation time by 45% and improving reporting accuracy.

•  Contributed to the bank’s seamless adaptation to evolving regulatory requirements, particularly in relation to Brexit and post-pandemic compliance measures.

KYC Onboarding Analyst

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc | Lagos, Nigeria

December 2014 – January 2022

Handled KYC and CDD processes for the onboarding of new clients and the periodic review of existing customers to ensure full regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Conducted comprehensive KYC and CDD reviews of new and existing clients to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

•  Performed risk assessments for high-risk clients, including PEPs and clients from high-risk jurisdictions.

•  Maintained detailed KYC files and ensured all documentation was complete and aligned with internal policies.

•  Worked closely with relationship managers to assess customer risk profiles and evaluate customer source of funds/wealth.

•  Led training sessions on KYC policies and procedures, ensuring all staff understood the requirements and risks.

Key Achievements:

•  Successfully onboarded over 650 high-risk clients, conducting enhanced due diligence (EDD) in compliance with Nigerian financial regulations.

•  Spearheaded the development of a new KYC risk assessment template that streamlined client reviews and improved operational efficiency by 50%.

•  Achieved high accuracy in regulatory reporting and KYC documentation, contributing to zero compliance breaches during internal audits.

KYC Support Officer / Onboarding Officer

Keystone Bank Limited | Lagos, Nigeria

March 2010 – December 2014

Provided KYC support to front office staff, assisting with the completion of customer profiles and ensuring that all financial crime due diligence procedures were followed.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Supported the onboarding team in collecting and verifying KYC information and documentation.

•  Conducted financial crime due diligence on potential clients, assessing risk based on various financial and geographical factors.

•  Assisted in identifying financial crime risk triggers and worked with senior compliance officers to address them.

•  Ensured all client data was accurately entered into the KYC systems and performed regular updates as per regulatory guidelines.

Key Achievements:

•  Contributed to the successful identification of high-risk clients, ensuring that AML and KYC compliance standards were upheld.

•  Assisted in reducing client onboarding time by 40% through improved data collection and verification procedures.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Insurance

Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASPOTECH), Lagos, Nigeria

Year of Graduation: 2012

RELEVANT TRAININGS / CERTIFICATIONS

•  European Institute of Management and Finance – Advanced AML for Financial Institutions

•  Harrybaker Training Institute – Business Analyst

•  Banker’s Academy – Anti-Money Laundering & Combating Financing of Terrorism

•  Banker’s Academy – Comprehensive Banking Operations

•  Allison.com – Introduction to Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

•  IBFC Alliance / Union Bank – WOW Service Experience Training

•  Sharphire Global Limited – Verbal, Logical & Analytical Thinking Elite Employee Quest   2015

•  Banker’s Academy – Introduction to Project Management