ARSAN ISLAM
Lake Grove,NY
Summary
Detail-oriented Senior Business Analyst with expertise in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), OFAC compliance, and Transaction Monitoring. Translates complex regulatory requirements into actionable solutions while leveraging NICE Actimize Case Management and SAM modules to improve financial crime detection. Drives data mapping and workflow optimization, fostering collaboration with Compliance, Product, and Technology teams to implement effective AML frameworks across global banking platforms.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Team Lead – OFAC
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA AMERICA (UBAA)
New York, New York
02.2023 - 10.2025
- Partnered with Project Managers, architects, and vendors to implement OFAC/Sanctions compliance solutions across global banking platforms.
- Defined detailed functional and data requirements including transformation rules, business logic, and sanctions list integration.
- Worked extensively with NICE Actimize Case Management System for sanctions alert review, escalation workflows, and integrated compliance reporting.
- Configured and optimized NICE Actimize SAM module for sanctions and watchlist filtering, enhancing compliance effectiveness.
- Led by Head of OFAC and CCO to gather sanctions screening requirements, deploying solutions in production environments to meet compliance standards.
- Authored comprehensive Business Use Cases, Functional Test Cases, and Source-to-Target mappings for OFAC/Sanctions data flows.
- Prioritized user stories, features, and acceptance criteria within Agile sprints to ensure high-quality and timely product delivery.
- Oversaw end-to-end demo sessions with business stakeholders showcasing sanctions screening and list management enhancements.
- Improved sanctions screening accuracy and alert efficiency by streamlining data transformation and matching logic.
- Enhanced automation and case-handling capabilities within NICE Actimize Case Management and SAM modules.
- Reduced implementation timelines through clear documentation and automated validation processes.
Senior FIU Analyst
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA AMERICA (UBAA)
New York, New York
07.2022 - 02.2023
- Collaborated with compliance officers and FIU teams to translate AML and suspicious activity monitoring requirements into detailed system specifications.
- Drafted business process designs for case management, investigations, and Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR).
- Applied strong expertise in NICE Actimize Case Management System to design and streamline AML/FIU workflows and escalation processes.
- Utilized and configured the NICE Actimize SAM module to support proactive detection, investigation, and reporting of suspicious activity.
- Designed source-to-target data mappings, transformation rules, and validation logic for customer and transaction data.
- Developed business scenarios, test cases, and functional process documents supporting FIU’s alert investigation and SAR workflows.
- Conducted internal and client demos to ensure stakeholder alignment on new FIU features and AML data insights.
- Supported FIU data validation and audit processes through SQL-based analysis and root-cause review.
- Worked under Agile methodologies to define user stories, structure sprint goals, and manage backlog prioritization.
- Strengthened audit readiness and regulatory reporting by enhancing use of NICE Actimize Case Management and SAM modules.
- Improved accuracy and efficiency of AML case investigations by streamlining data models and automating workflows.
Assistant Vice President (Transaction Monitoring)
National Bank of Pakistan
New York, New York
04.2018 - 07.2022
- Acted as primary liaison between Compliance, Product, and Technology teams for transaction monitoring (TM) system enhancements.
- Defined comprehensive functional and data requirements covering detection scenarios, thresholds, and risk typologies.
- Led the integration and optimization of NICE Actimize Case Management System for end-to-end AML alert processing and regulatory reporting.
- Specialized in configuration and testing of the NICE Actimize SAM module, ensuring accurate detection rules, alert generation, and escalation paths.
- Drove the design and mapping of multi-source data to TM systems ensuring end-to-end integrity of transaction data.
- Authored Business Use Cases, test scenarios, and acceptance criteria to validate alert rules and regulatory compliance.
- Owned sprint planning, story prioritization, and Agile delivery coordination for TM development projects.
- Supported cross-functional AML initiatives with FIU and Sanctions teams to ensure seamless end-to-end compliance integration.
- Leveraged SQL and BI tools for validation, defect analysis, and performance tuning of monitoring rules.
- Increased detection accuracy and reduced false positives through enhanced NICE Actimize SAM rule tuning and case management improvements.
Senior AML Analyst (Contractor)
Navigant (Client – Intesa Sanpaolo)
New York, New York
06.2017 - 03.2018
- Prepared summary reports utilizing client templates, including recommendations for frequently escalated matters.
- Introduced automated trading systems to enhance cyber communication between brokers and dealers, ensuring identity protection.
- Conducted extensive online research on money laundering, terrorist financing fraud, and related financial crimes.
- Screened sanctioned countries during level 3 investigations to mitigate disruptions.
- Analyzed comparative data and created managerial reports regarding sanctions risk assessments for senior management.
- Engaged with senior management to highlight sanctions trends and recommend program enhancements for compliance.
- Maintained a detailed log of USA PATRIOT Act Section 314(a) and 314(b) information sharing, escalating inquiries as needed.
- Reviewed suspicious activity information forms from all business lines and prepared corresponding Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
Senior AML Analyst (Contractor)
CiMbank N.A.
New York, New York
03.2017 - 06.2017
- Performed client identity verification and reputation controls through thorough customer due diligence.
- Assessed completeness of KYC files for adherence to compliance requirements.
- Implemented investigation procedures for flagged entities and high-risk clients.
- Partnered with global transaction banking clients to remediate KYC/AML statuses effectively.
- Filtered wire transactions for corporate clients to mitigate risks associated with high-risk countries.
- Verified counterparties in documentum referral system to ensure compliance with KYC evaluations.
- Refined customer risk rating frameworks to enhance KYC management effectiveness.
- Executed transaction investigations to monitor suspicious activities.
Senior EDD Analyst (Contractor)
Société Générale
Jersey City, New Jersey
08.2016 - 02.2017
- Led targeted remediation initiative that reduced high-risk EDD backlog by 45–60% in six months.
- Designed and implemented a risk-based triage framework aligned with BSA and FinCEN expectations, improving case allocation efficiency.
- Conducted root cause analysis of onboarding and periodic review bottlenecks; streamlined documentation requirements and eliminated redundant review layers.
- Partnered with transaction monitoring and sanctions teams to align KYC refresh prioritization with emerging OFAC exposure, reducing backlog risk.
- Developed KPI/KRI dashboards to track aging metrics and analyst productivity; delivered weekly reports to senior management and compliance committee for informed decision-making.
- Introduced standardized EDD memo templates and quality control checklists, resulting in over 30% reduction in rework rates.
- Coordinated temporary staffing strategy and cross-trained analysts, increasing review capacity during regulatory remediation periods.
- Cleared aged KYC population identified by regulators ahead of examination deadlines, earning positive feedback from Federal Reserve and state examiners.
AML Fraud Analyst (Contractor)
Signature Bank N.A. (Current Flagstar Bank)
New York, New York
06.2016 - 08.2016
- Investigated complex fraud alerts involving ACH wire transfers, check fraud, and account takeovers.
- Analyzed transactional patterns to detect red flags such as rapid fund movement and synthetic identity indicators.
- Conducted fraud investigations with customer outreach and transaction tracing to resolve complex cases.
- Reviewed suspicious activity per Bank Secrecy Act, coordinating with AML teams for timely SAR referrals.
- Identified elder financial exploitation and social engineering fraud impacting retail and small business clients.
- Placed holds on accounts and recommended closures based on investigative findings; documented regulatory-compliant case notes.
- Collaborated with branch operations and call center teams to validate fraud claims and prevent losses.
- Performed trend analysis to identify emerging fraud typologies impacting local communities in New York.
Triage AML Analyst (Contractor)
CITIBANK N.A.
Jersey City, New Jersey
03.2015 - 03.2016
- Executed risk-based triage on transaction alerts, assessing for escalation or closure to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Analyzed transaction flows across multiple banking sectors to recognize suspicious activities.
- Conducted CDD reviews validating KYC data and beneficial ownership details for accuracy.
- Managed screening processes for negative news and sanctions; escalated significant matches for compliance review.
- Identified money laundering schemes and fraudulent activities during alert assessments.
- Compiled case reports detailing investigation steps and decisions made on alerts to support compliance review processes.
- Achieved productivity targets while maintaining quality standards under strict SLAs in alert management.
- Collaborated closely with level 2 teams to enhance documentation quality for financial crime reporting.
Assistant Compliance Officer
Prabhu Money Transfer
Queens, New York
04.2012 - 10.2014
- Established and implemented compliance policies and procedures to enhance regulatory adherence.
- Analyzed client due diligence forms, focusing on ownership and activities in sanctioned countries.
- Managed onboarding process for third-party client segments to verify payer information and service authorization.
- Monitored compliance of service authorization and payment forms across national branches to ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
- Prepared and submitted currency transaction reports, suspicious activity reports, and bank secrecy act reports to FinCEN to fulfill regulatory obligations.
- Reviewed and released transactions from OFAC sanctions list, maintaining updated logs to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Conducted KYC policy reviews to mitigate money laundering risks.
- Completed periodic transaction reviews within required timelines to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Education
Ph.D. - Financial Crime Compliance
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05-2029
MBA - Business Analytics
Strayer University
Raleigh, NC09-2007
Bachelor of Science - Banking And Finance
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC05-2005
Skills
- AML & Financial Crime Compliance Expertise
- Transaction Monitoring & Sanctions Screening
- NICE Actimize Platform (SAM & Case Management)
- KYC & Customer Due Diligence (CDD/EDD)
- Data Analysis & SQL Proficiency
- Business Requirements & Functional Documentation
- Agile Methodology & Product Management Collaboration
- AML Investigation & Case Management Workflow Design
- Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Regulatory Reporting & Data Governance
Languages
Bengali
Native/ Bilingual
Hindi
Native/ Bilingual
Certification
National Money Transmitters Association, BSA/AML Course for Money Transmitters
Accomplishments
CITI Global Award Recognition - CITI · Aug 2015
Timeline
Team Lead – OFAC
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA AMERICA (UBAA)
02.2023 - 10.2025
Senior FIU Analyst
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA AMERICA (UBAA)
07.2022 - 02.2023
Assistant Vice President (Transaction Monitoring)
National Bank of Pakistan
04.2018 - 07.2022
Senior AML Analyst (Contractor)
Navigant (Client – Intesa Sanpaolo)
06.2017 - 03.2018
Senior AML Analyst (Contractor)
CiMbank N.A.
03.2017 - 06.2017
Senior EDD Analyst (Contractor)
Société Générale
08.2016 - 02.2017
AML Fraud Analyst (Contractor)
Signature Bank N.A. (Current Flagstar Bank)
06.2016 - 08.2016
Triage AML Analyst (Contractor)
CITIBANK N.A.
03.2015 - 03.2016
Assistant Compliance Officer
Prabhu Money Transfer
04.2012 - 10.2014
Ph.D. - Financial Crime Compliance
Liberty University
MBA - Business Analytics
Strayer University
Bachelor of Science - Banking And Finance
Claflin University