BELINDA MORAES
Dubai,DU
Summary
Proven leader in financial crime compliance, excelling at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation with expertise in regulatory compliance (KYC, AML, CDD, EDD) and fostering cross-functional team collaboration. Spearheaded policy formulation and compliance training, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and risk mitigation. Renowned for implementing innovative compliance monitoring programs and driving quality assurance initiatives. Career goal: to leverage extensive compliance knowledge to drive organizational integrity and regulatory adherence
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Financial Crime Compliance - AVP
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
12.2016 - Current
- Spearheaded the end-to-end KYC lifecycle, including onboarding, periodic reviews, and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for high-risk clients, ensuring strict compliance with DFSA regulations and UAE Federal Laws while enhancing operational efficiency.
- Conducted quality assessments and root cause analyses to resolve compliance challenges, implementing tools like the Sanctions Questionnaire and Quality Assessment Checklists to enhance risk evaluation accuracy and consistency.
- Acted as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in KYC, sanctions screening, and financial crime compliance, advising business operations on regulatory developments, ensuring policy adherence, and delivering proactive compliance solutions.
- Conducted detailed screenings to identify sanctions exposure, PEPs, adverse media, and other risks, delivering timely risk mitigation strategies.
- Designed and implemented compliance policies for the EMEA division, standardizing ABC and G&E management to ensure seamless adherence to internal and external regulatory requirements.
- Led cross-departmental compliance training programs, strengthening team capabilities in KYC processes and financial crime risk management while fostering a culture of regulatory awareness and accountability.
- Collaborated with regional compliance teams to resolve regulatory queries and operational bottlenecks, driving process improvements tailored to local and international regulatory requirements.
- Compiled and presented ABC/KYC Management Information (MI) reports to senior stakeholders, providing key insights into compliance metrics, pending files, completion rates, and high-risk escalations to support informed decision-making.
Lead Operations Representative – Compliance
Bank of America
India
12.2015 - 06.2016
- Oversaw daily operations for the KYC department, managing workload distribution, prioritization, and resource allocation. Guided and trained staff on compliance matters to cultivate a culture of awareness and accountability company wide.
- Prepared and delivered reports on KYC metrics, trends, and performance for senior management. Engaged in training sessions and workshops to enrich understanding of KYC, AML, and sanctions compliance principles.
- Executed regular quality assurance reviews to monitor team performance, identifying areas for enhancement.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams such as Compliance, Legal, and Operations to streamline KYC processes and resolve compliance challenges.
Senior KYC Analyst
HSBC Global Banking & Markets
India
06.2012 - 12.2015
- Performed enhanced due diligence (EDD) with a focus on customer due diligence (CDD) and simplified due diligence (SDD) procedures. Conducted thorough reviews of customer documentation and information for a comprehensive assessment of KYC records, managing the entire KYC onboarding lifecycle for new clientele.
- Managed timely completion of periodic client reviews, analyzing and interpreting KYC data accurately for risk assessment. Provided mentorship and instructions to junior KYC analysts to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and best practices.
- Evaluated potential new clients, assessed associated risks and compliance issues, and confirmed customer identities for new accounts.
- Collaborated closely with Relationship Managers, Compliance Officers, and stakeholders to address KYC inquiries and issues effectively.
Education
Risk And Compliance in Banking
The London Institute of Banking And Finance
Dubai06-2025
MBA - Management
Sikkim Manipal University
India12-2014
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
Karnataka University
India05-2007
Skills
Regulatory Compliance (KYC, AML, CDD, EDD)
Policy Formulation, Updating, and Application
Compliance Monitoring Programs (Testing & Implementation)
Risk Assessment & Mitigation
Training & Compliance Awareness Programs
Quality Assurance & Process Improvement
Cross-Functional Team Collaboration
Certification
- Global Sanctions Specialist Certification (CGSS) | Present
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS)
- Certificate Course in OFAC Essentials (ACSS)
Accomplishments
- Excellence Award for Efficient Project Management, KYC, Bank of America
- Service Excellence Award, HSBC
- Global League Excellence Award, HSBC
Languages
English
Timeline
Financial Crime Compliance - AVP
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
12.2016 - Current
Lead Operations Representative – Compliance
Bank of America
12.2015 - 06.2016
Senior KYC Analyst
HSBC Global Banking & Markets
06.2012 - 12.2015
Risk And Compliance in Banking
The London Institute of Banking And Finance
MBA - Management
Sikkim Manipal University
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
Karnataka University