Khaled Alblooshi
Abu Dhabi / Dubai
Summary
Seasoned banking professional and financial crime fighter with extensive experience in developing and executing robust policies, procedures, and controls to mitigate compliance and regulatory risks. Proven track record in anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), sanctions, and fraud prevention. Passionate about fostering a culture of integrity and accountability, while driving operational efficiency and regulatory adherence across financial institutions.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director - Compliance
Abu Dhabi Department of Finance
Abu Dhabi
05.2024 - Current
- Established the Compliance function in Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, the largest sovereign government body in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- Leading the Compliance, Governance, and investigation functions.
- Engage with external and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
- Provide advice on sanctions and high-risk relationships.
- Provide updates to senior management on non-compliance incidents and mitigation plans.
- Provide guidance and advise on best practices to ensure positive outcomes.
- Approve the compliance KPIs for all stakeholders.
- Review and approve compliance controls.
- Support the stakeholders with their risk assessments.
- Periodic review of the delegation of authority matrix and monitor utilization.
- Lead investigations related to internal fraud, misconduct, financial & administrative violations.
- Manage the whistleblowing platform and collaborate with ADAA.
- Review employees' declarations and ensure no conflict of interest exists.
- Collaborate with the internal audit function during regulatory examinations.
- Created policies and procedure to align DoF with the applicable laws and regulations.
- Promote a culture of business ethics and compliance.
- Coordinate with various Abu Dhabi government bodies to ensure their compliance with laws and standards.
Senior Director - Compliance & Outreach
UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (CBUAE)
Abu Dhabi
03.2021 - 05.2024
- Provided direct support to regulatory authorities during their AML/CFT examinations on reporting entities.
- Reviewed, amended, and proposed AML/CTF laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines in collaboration with all law enforcement and regulatory authorities in the country to enhance the UAE's compliance with the FATF recommendations (CBUAE, SCA, ADGM, DFSA, MOE, MOJ, FCA, VARA, MOCD, LEAs, and PPs).
- Participated in reviewing and preparing the FATF post-observation period report (POPR), and the progress report.
- Developed two cash reporting requirements (DPMSR and REAR), and conducted enhancements on the existing reports in goAML (HRC, HRCA, FFR, PNMR and PSTR).
- Analyzed STRs/SARs data to identify new financial crime typologies and trends.
- Participated in the national AML committees, representing the FIU.
- Member of the UAE technical compliance committee
- Managed stakeholder relationships to promote effective communication and information sharing.
- Advised senior leadership on policy development related to financial crime, terrorism financing and sanctions.
- Member of the UAE supervisory authorities committee.
- Member of the UAE public-private partnership committee.
- Organized AML/CTF workshops for the 18,000 reporting entities (financial institutions, DNFBPs, and VASPs).
- Chaired the financial institutions roundtable meetings with banks and exchange houses.
- Developed the training plan for the UAE FIU.
- Participated in Egmont Group semi-annual meetings and workshops.
- Provided support and advice to the Operational Analysis team on complex STR/SAR cases.
- Developed strategic initiatives to enhance the national capabilities in receiving and analyzing financial crime data.
- Built and managed relationships with international stakeholders, counterparts and strategic partners to enhance financial crime convictions, asset seizure, and recovery.
Head of Compliance, AML and Sanctions (MLRO)
KEB HANA BANK
Abu Dhabi
07.2017 - 03.2021
- Established the Compliance function in the bank, including AML/CFT, and sanctions policies and procedures.
- In charge of regulatory compliance and engagement.
- Ensured the bank's adherence to the UAE laws, rules, and regulations.
- Implemented best global standards in AML/CFT/CPF, CDD, and sanctions monitoring based on FATF recommendations.
- Periodically reviewed and updated AML/CTF, sanctions, and compliance policies, procedures, and controls.
- Analyzed and investigated all alerts generated by various transaction monitoring systems (sanctions, AML/CTF, and fraud) and reported STR/SAR to the FIU.
- Provided support during regulatory examinations, and any other external/internal audits.
- Conducted quality assurance reviews on newly opened accounts and ensured KYC/CDD is conducted as per the approved policy and procedure
- Approved the periodic Compliance and AML/CTF reports for HQ.
- Provided AML/CTF, Sanctions and Compliance training to all staff.
- Conducted AML/CTF Risk Assessments.
- Chaired the regional Compliance Committee.
Regional Manager, Regulatory Support - Financial Crime and Compliance
HSBC
Dubai
04.2017 - 07.2017
- Provided support to business functions and senior management during regulatory examinations and audit reviews.
- Collaborated with regional stakeholders to review compliance issues and discuss mitigation plans.
- Oversaw the compliance assurance plan.
- Reviewed SARs related to large corporate clients.
AVP, Monitoring and Controls
BARCLAYS
Dubai
10.2012 - 10.2016
- Disbursed credit facilities to corporate clients, including amending, cancelling, and earmarking existing facilities.
- Authorized the facility record sheet, and approved credit reports.
- Provided support during operational risk controls setting and testing.
- Reviewed and updated the facility agreement (forms) to ensure no conflict in terms and conditions between the UK and UAE laws and regulations.
- Collaborated with the KYC/CDD team to update client profiles.
- Monitored past dues and over-utilization through daily and weekly reports, and highlighted all breaches to relevant stakeholders and senior management.
- Conducted process reviews and enhancements (LEAN re-engineering reviews).
Assistant Manager
Emirates Islamic Bank
Sharjah
05.2011 - 10.2012
- Managed corporate banking relationships.
- Conducted KYC/CDD updates, and checked borrowing clients documentation.
- Monitored facility utilization levels
- Prepared new facility proposals (funded and non-funded)
Investment Manager
Madain Properties
Dubai
03.2007 - 12.2010
- Managed the company’s investments in financial markets.
- Managed the shareholders book and communications with DFM.
Investment Manager
Esham Securities (DFM)
Dubai
09.2005 - 03.2007
- Managed high net worth client portfolios and stock investments in various stock markets.
- Provided market analysis to investors.
Portfolio Manager, Investment Banking
EMIRATES BANK INTERNATIONAL (Emirates NBD)
Dubai
01.2004 - 06.2005
- Managed mutual funds, discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios, IPOs and rights issue operations.
- Checked and authorized the daily NAVs of various funds.
- Trained Emirates Bank branches on IPO subscription procedures and collaborated with other branches on AML compliance related to non-UAE resident subscribers.
- Provided market research and technical analysis to the C.O.O and clients.
- Provided funds performance report to the C.E.O and C.O.O on weekly basis.
Officer - Corporate Banking
ARAB BANK FOR INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN TRADE
Dubai
06.2001 - 09.2003
- Oversaw the daily maintenance of corporate accounts (reduction of facilities, enhancement of facilities, earmarking, and one-off facilities).
- Monitoring and reporting limit breaches and past dues.
Education
International Diploma - AML, CTF & CPF
Dubai Police - UNODC
UAE01-2025
MBA - International Management
Swiss Business School
UAE01-2016
High Diploma - Banking and Financial Services
Higher Colleges of Technology
UAE01-2000
Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- AML/CFT implementation
- Transaction monitoring
- Financial crime analysis
- Policy development
- Risk assessment
- Data analysis
- Risk management
- Problem-solving
- Strategic planning
Certifications And Memberships
- Certified FATF assessor
- Advanced Certificate in Financial Crime Compliance (ICA UK)
- Certified Anti Money Laundering Consultant (CAMC) GAFM - USA
- Advanced Certificate in Anti-Corruption (UNODC)
- Trade Base Money Laundering (TBML) Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units - Canada
- Transnational Organized Crime (UNODC)
- Certificate in Financial Crime Compliance (ICA UK)
- Certified International AML Officer (CISI UK)
- Certified Specialist, AML Risks in Correspondent Banking (ICA UK)
- Member of the International Compliance Association (ICA UK)
- Member of the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, USA (SCCE)
- Member of the Association of Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS)
- Member of the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Director - Compliance
Abu Dhabi Department of Finance
05.2024 - Current
Senior Director - Compliance & Outreach
UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (CBUAE)
03.2021 - 05.2024
Head of Compliance, AML and Sanctions (MLRO)
KEB HANA BANK
07.2017 - 03.2021
Regional Manager, Regulatory Support - Financial Crime and Compliance
HSBC
04.2017 - 07.2017
AVP, Monitoring and Controls
BARCLAYS
10.2012 - 10.2016
Assistant Manager
Emirates Islamic Bank
05.2011 - 10.2012
Investment Manager
Madain Properties
03.2007 - 12.2010
Investment Manager
Esham Securities (DFM)
09.2005 - 03.2007
Portfolio Manager, Investment Banking
EMIRATES BANK INTERNATIONAL (Emirates NBD)
01.2004 - 06.2005
Officer - Corporate Banking
ARAB BANK FOR INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN TRADE
06.2001 - 09.2003
International Diploma - AML, CTF & CPF
Dubai Police - UNODC
MBA - International Management
Swiss Business School
High Diploma - Banking and Financial Services
Higher Colleges of Technology