BALAJI MANI
Chennau
Summary
Seasoned Data Analytics and AML Specialist with Payments Investigation Expertise
Bringing 13 years of in-depth experience in data analytics, AML transaction monitoring, and payments investigation, I have a comprehensive background in leading teams to develop and implement innovative solutions to mitigate financial crime risks. I am adept at leveraging machine learning models, statistical analysis, and data mining techniques to uncover suspicious activity and optimize transaction monitoring systems. My work ensures compliance with global regulatory standards, including BSA, KYC, and OFAC, while enhancing the efficiency of investigative processes. With a strong command of analytical tools such as SQL, Python, and Tableau, I am passionate about driving data-driven strategies that boost accuracy, reduce false positives, and deliver critical insights for proactive risk management.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior AVP
Wells Fargo
Hyderabad
07.2024 - Current
- Provided leadership, direction, guidance, and support to team members on a daily basis.
- Conducted regular meetings with stakeholders to review performance against goals and objectives.
- Identified potential risks associated with new projects or initiatives and developed mitigation plans accordingly.Expertise in building, leading, and mentoring data analytics teams to drive data-driven decision-making and compliance solutions.
- Expertise in building, leading, and mentoring data analytics teams to drive data-driven decision-making and compliance solutions.
- Proven track record in utilizing machine learning models, AI, and big data technologies for AML compliance and risk assessment
- Strong background in regulatory requirements (BSA, KYC, FATCA, OFAC) and data analysis methodologies to meet legal standards.
- Proficient in data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) and programming languages (SQL, Python, R) for actionable insights.
DELIVERY MANAGER
Société generale GBS
Chennai
02.2019 - Current
- As a manager, I have been leading the team responsible for the setting and maintenance of the overall strategic direction for Transaction Monitoring
- Focusing on striking a fine balance between effectiveness and efficiency, and continually evaluate emerging technologies that can help achieve higher effectiveness maintaining sustainable cost
- Seasoned professional with direct experience of AML- Extensive working knowledge of all aspects of Transaction Monitoring (at strategic and operational level)
- Ensures all AML/ATF issues and events, results of testing, regulatory exams, internal audits, policies, processes, new business initiatives, and other relevant matters are the subject of ongoing monitoring and are reported on in a timely and comprehensive manner
- Develop strong relationships and work collaboratively with key business partners in AML Shared Services, Compliance Shared Services, Risk, Internal Audit, and others to keep abreast of matters that require reporting and/or additional communication or feedback
- Proactively identify matters that are subject to reporting that require additional attention, a change in status, or further escalation or review, and liaise with the appropriate compliance officer to rectify same
- Escalate and articulate relevant risks to the appropriate stakeholders
- Ensures staff is well trained and knowledge able by developing and providing training on relevant topics
- Identifies policy and procedural enhancements based on business challenges and BSA, AML, Government Sanctions, including OFAC, requirements
- Supports and leads the development and/or enhancements affecting systems utilized for alert analysis
- Presents reports to Senior Management and other key stakeholders
- Ensures proper process controls are continually identified and implemented to mitigate operational risk
- Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for the department as well as on a variety of projects related to new products and services
- Keeps abreast of important and relevant AML issues, laws and regulations that impact the business
- Identifies trends and opportunities to further improve the company's AML compliance program
- Provides direct management, feedback, instruction, guidance, and direction to a large staff of compliance professional, from analysts to supervisors
BUSINESS PROCESS LEAD
TATA Consultancy Services
Chennai
12.2015 - 02.2019
- Instituted high quality due diligence process in the team through Palantir, Google, World Check, LexisNexis, and Accuity
- Strengthened the process of recognizing the legitimacy of a banking activity by applying various AML regulations including the USA PATRIOT ACT, the Bank Secrecy Act, and OFAC
- Considered as the de-facto authority in the team for dealing all the high-risk individual cases
- Backed up as the team leader and guided other AML associates in the investigation processes during the absence of the team leader
- Provided direction and guidance to employees on appropriate remediation action for high-risk accounts, as an AML subject matter expert
- Reviewed all required AML/ KYC regulatory requirements for all clients and analysed transactions appearing unusual based on the customer's profile
- Performed focused public domain search for identifying entity profiles and other adverse or suspicious information
- Worked with senior managers, lines of businesses of other departments to ensure ongoing compliance with AML standards and regulatory requirements
- Performed 100% analysis of risk events for identification of unusual patterns against the customer's profile
- Collaborated extensively with other domain experts in evolving efficient and incisive investigative techniques
- Assisted in identifying systemic procedural weaknesses and additional training requirements for the team
SENIOR PROCESS ASSOCIATE
RBS Business Services Pvt. LTD
Chennai
04.2011 - 12.2015
- Authorizing and Quality checking of processed transactions in accordance with the Bank's guidelines and internal policies
- Verifying inward and outward transactions
- Processing and authorizing payments in SWIFT alliance and AML compliance
- Ensuring errors are recorded and feedback provided to the data processor/Quality Analyst in conjunction with the team leader/Manager
- Ensuring stringent quality control mechanisms are applied and adhered to in the business processes, ensuring applicable quality level of services is met
- Understanding and analysing the Business Processes
- Recommendations for increasing the productivity by improving efficiency and effectiveness
- Adhering to self and team's compliance to the Bank's regulations / procedures
- Developing MI and Identifying trends (Volumes, Errors, Exceptions) with analysis and sharing on the appropriate forum
- Handling the emails and escalation calls from clients
- Prepare root cause analysis for the errors in processing
- Sending Swift messages that include mt202, mt103, mt101, mt292, mt192, mt299, mt199, mt999
- Strict adherence to bank mandate requirements as per audit rules
- Effective Handling of escalation queries within the agreed TAT and cut off timing to ensure Customer satisfaction
- Monitor and ensure SLA is achieved for team
- Provide process training to new team members to improve the performance levels
- Ensure adherence of 'Are you in control' controls in place with the process and team
- Conduct the daily team huddles to share the information provided by the management to the team and know the team's requirements and changeless
Education
MBA - Finance & Marketing
VelTechHightechDr.RangarajanDr.Sakunthala Engineering College
Avadi01.2011
B.com - Commerce
Sir Theyagaraya College
Chennai, TN01.2009
Skills
- Strong leader
- Problem solving
- Interpersonal skills
- Microsoft Office
- Word
- Excel
- Outlook
- PowerPoint
- Access
- Python basics
- IBM blockchain foundation for developers
- Certified cryptocurrency investigator
- Payments ISO20022 certified
Accomplishments
- Implemented product risk rating process
- Travelled to France for correspondent banking migration.
- Derived 'Bottom quality analysis' process and successfully implemented in our team.
- Derived the process for 'data retention policy' and it is successfully implemented.
- Achieved bronze award for implement IAC (Internal audit check).
- Passed in YLP (Young leader program) certification.
- Implementation of Swift message for RFI.
- Migrated Germany country for alert investigations.
- Created client lifecycle and country dynamics database for the countries.
- Implemented RFI trend analysis into our process.
Application and tools
- PIRAT
- Tableau
- Power BI
- SQL
- FCC watch list search
- World Check
- Palantir
- Accuity
- SAS
- BANCS
- FILA-E
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Timeline
Senior AVP
Wells Fargo
07.2024 - Current
DELIVERY MANAGER
Société generale GBS
02.2019 - Current
BUSINESS PROCESS LEAD
TATA Consultancy Services
12.2015 - 02.2019
SENIOR PROCESS ASSOCIATE
RBS Business Services Pvt. LTD
04.2011 - 12.2015
MBA - Finance & Marketing
VelTechHightechDr.RangarajanDr.Sakunthala Engineering College
B.com - Commerce
Sir Theyagaraya College