Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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KANDRELL THOMAS

KANDRELL THOMAS

Villa Park,IL

Summary

Certified investigator specializing in AML financial crime and compliance with over 17 years of experience in managing complex money laundering and fraud cases for major banks in Illinois. Expertise includes the Bank Secrecy Act, US Patriot Act, and regulatory compliance, utilizing advanced tools such as World-Check, NICE Actimize, Thomson Reuters CLEAR, and LexisNexis for effective fraud detection.en track record of resolving cases through thorough evidence analysis and strategic follow-up on leads. Strong leadership skills demonstrated through staff training, performance management, and effective coordination of fraud risk initiatives.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Investigations Financial Crime, Quality Assurance

HSBC Bank
Chicago, IL
03.2022 - Current
  • Developed dashboards to track productivity and expedite remediation of issues.
  • Collected and assessed latest information about ongoing work and compliance issues.
  • Participated in regular meetings with management to assess and address issues and identify and implement improvements.
  • Utilized formulas to extract data from queries into Excel spreadsheets.
  • Adherence to US FCI procedures and framework to support investigations organization to manage risk.
  • Contributing to the effective and compliant implementation and sustainable day to day execution of the FC Investigations Quality Assurance process.
  • Ensure that policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and supported.
  • Supporting the ongoing development of FC Investigations QA contributing to coverage of all lines of business, entities and work streams i.e Investigative Reporting/Triage/ Major Investigations, as required and directed.
  • Completing quality assurance reviews in accordance with the FC Investigations QA Instructions and ensure their application to all areas covered by QA i.e Inv. Reporting/Triage/Major Investigations. Exercise judgement to ensure identified issues and queries impacting case outcomes are escalated as and when appropriate.
  • Ensuring accurate and timely output of QA, ensuring results are accurately recorded within UCM and associated files and folders that support MI production.
  • Maintaining current knowledge of regulations applicable to the business, any business changes as well as pertinent internal regulatory policy and procedural changes.
  • Developing and maintaining a collaborative working relationship with relevant FC Investigations, QA and Investigations within Inv. Reporting/ Triage/ Major Investigations and relevant business teams.
  • Being able to work both independently and in a team-oriented context, sharing best practice and taking ownership for self-development.
  • Providing feedback and recommendations to management to contribute to improved quality and efficiency.
  • Maintaining and observing all HSBC control standards and observe the Group Compliance Policy, including adherence (as directed) with recommendations made by internal/external auditors and external regulators.
  • Highlighting where processes could be improved or simplified.
  • Predicating all QA by a risk based approach and clearly articulating the underlying procedure which has not been met in any fail outcomes.
  • Completing all QA work to standards set within FC Investigations QA Instructions, applying Global and Local instruction knowledge for area being assessed i.e. Inv. Reporting/Triage/Major Investigations.

AML Senior Investigations Officer Financial Crime

HSBC Bank
Arlington Heights, IL
12.2017 - 03.2022
  • Reviews and evaluates alerts/cases consisting of anomalous or potentially suspicious activity and makes SAR Disclosure/No Disclosure recommendation. (i.e., fraud, card fraud, wires, international wires, fraudulent account openings, elderly abuse, etc.)
  • Reviews customer and account activity including transaction data and customer relationships to accurately identify cautionary/red flags and suspicious activities that require reporting for money laundering activities to make SAR filing determination.
  • Writes quality investigative narratives and SARs based upon transactional activity and customer relationships in order to report suspicious activity and evidence of possible money laundering and/or terrorist financing activities.
  • Review branch UAR's on customers, employees, non-customer, businesses, for potential risk factors.
  • Communicates effectively within the Financial Crime Investigations organization and across other functions/areas in HBUS, effectively conveying key information to both internal and external audiences as appropriate.
  • Analyzes sensitive information concerning customer and account activity including transactional data and conducts.
  • Additional research related to money laundering, terrorist financing, organized crime, and other financial crime activity in order to confirm that SAR filings are complete and accurate.
  • Identify criteria, validate data, and communicate awareness of trends to influence fraud strategy, model revisions, and rule efficacy to senior management.
  • Reviews customer and account activity including transactions data and customer relationships to confirm red flags and suspicious activities that require reporting.
  • Understand current risk methodologies and conceptualizing solutions.
  • Maintains familiarity with appropriate investigation and research techniques to support AML activities, including research utilizing bank systems, internet and external vendor solutions as appropriate.
  • Effectively communicates within the AML Investigations organization and across other functions/areas in HBUS, effectively conveying key information to both internal and external audiences as appropriate.
  • Maintains knowledge of internal escalation processes to ensure appropriate approvals are received prior to completions of SAR filings.
  • Identifies significant cases that require notification to management.
  • Assists in training and cross-training personnel, as required.
  • Ran background checks on individuals to obtain data on character, financial status, and personal history. Completed RFI (Request for Information) for further information on individuals. Developed case plans and conducted comprehensive investigation tactics to obtain necessary evidence.
  • Analyzed transaction activity for overseas correspondent banking transactions.

Adjudication Financial Intelligence Investigator

BMO Harris Bank
Chicago, IL
11.2016 - 12.2017
  • Review Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) alerts from client portfolio in Net Reveal and Actimize that includes individuals, commercial, PEPS, and High Risk customers.
  • Conduct Customer Due Diligence(CDD) Investigations on selected customers.
  • Act as a coordinator in systems such as Net Reveal, Check Vision, Actimize, Spotfire, Dovetail, Clear, HRU(BPM), Salesforce, and Alltel while working and completing all case files.
  • Review Currency Transaction Reports in the Cash Management System (CMS) to make sure they have been filed correctly so the bank can remain in compliance under FinCen regulated time frame.
  • Review and investigate debits and credits of a consumer or business customer and identify suspicious or unusual activity within the account.
  • Review and monitor a record of all wire transfers that are incoming/outgoing on all accounts through Dovetail and Spotfire.
  • Exercise solid judgment while examining, identifying and documenting suspicious activity behaviors and patterns.
  • When appropriate escalate and/or refer problem accounts or customer based on applicable procedures.
  • Document all findings in a centralized case management system, to include writing a detailed narrative supporting my findings.
  • Maintain a high degree of professional competence in the area of the BSA, Financial Crime and Investigations through self-study, webinars/seminars, and other internal or external training.
  • Conducted reviews of flagged transactions and reports that showed potential suspicious activity.
  • Participated in group discussions with team members to develop new ways to combat fraud.
  • Communicated with customers and company personnel, utilizing active listening and interpersonal skills.

Senior Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Investigator

Capital One
Rolling Meadows, IL
09.2015 - 11.2016
  • Review Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) alerts from Actimize that includes individuals, commercial, PEPS, and MSB customers.
  • Provide solutions and action plans to mitigate identified risks.
  • Work with team members to review and submit AML's Transaction Monitoring and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to ensure quality control.
  • Complete HRC (High Risk Cases) cases in the case management generated system.
  • Conduct enhanced due diligence/ customer due diligence investigations on select customers.
  • Reviewed, researched, and recommend accounts to be closed for the safety and care of the company's assets.
  • Review KYC portfolios to confirm products and services are utilized properly.
  • Communicate and interpret suspicious activity to management.
  • Actively participate in AML training opportunities in accordance to the AML Office standard requirements.
  • Researched economic data and reviewed records to assess adequacy of institution's operations in relation to established structure.
  • Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.

Anti-Money Laundering/CTR Investigator

BMO Harris Bank
Chicago, IL
03.2014 - 09.2015
  • Completed currency transaction reports.
  • Conducted and investigated analysis of suspicious activity and provide comprehensive documentation of these findings to the U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
  • Responsible for the completion of supportive documentation and portfolios for Currency Transaction Reports.
  • Investigated and researched transaction information to ensure BSA/AML and Bank requirements were met.
  • Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
  • Performed Enhanced Due Diligence and completed Unusual Activity Reports (UARs) in adherence to FinCEN SAR guidelines on cash transactions when suspicious activity was detected.
  • Monitored customer transactions and account activity to ensure that account remains in compliance with the BSA/AML regulatory requirements.
  • Provided direction and guidance for Currency Transaction Reports to the branches.
  • Completed special projects and assignments by management.

Loss Prevention Corporate Security Investigator

Bank of America
Chicago, IL
04.2005 - 11.2008
  • Worked within Loss Prevention to identify potential fraudulent trends. (i.e Lottery Scams, Elderly Abuse, Pigeon Drops)
  • Participated with the case manager on a daily basis while ensuring compliance with Federal Regulations.
  • Limited bank losses by reviewing firewalls in effort to identify potential fraudulent transactions.
  • Identified, investigated and resolved internal and external theft and fraud.
  • Documented evidence of attempted theft and recovered funds for use in loss prevention report generation.
  • Ascertained, investigated and alleviated internal and external theft and fraud.
  • Gathered loss control data and compiled information into reports for submission to appropriate customers.
  • Identified client needs and worked closely with risk management personnel to ascertain appropriate solutions.
  • Minimizes fraud, and/or organizational risk. Performs early detection of suspicious activity. Controls and prevents losses.
  • Researches and analyzes bank activities and reports to detect and prevent possible fraudulent and suspicious activities.
  • Supported eventual criminal probes by maintaining accurate documentation of security-related incidents.
  • Troubleshoot problems and developed successful solutions.
  • Helped team handle high-volume work by prioritizing tasks and organizing supplies.
  • Juggled multiple projects and tasks to ensure high quality and timely delivery.

Teller Operations Manager /Assistant Branch Manager

LaSalle Bank
Chicago, IL
04.2000 - 05.2005
  • Responsible for branch, staff hiring, staff termination, placement, training, planning, coordination, salary increase and performance reviews.
  • Trained and completed, and enforced staff completion of all Compliance Training.
  • Handled all audits for Tellers, Bank Vault, ATM's, Debit Cards, Checking accounts Logs with Bankers, Safe Deposit Box audits, Money Orders, Official Bank Checks, and Traveler's Checks audits.
  • Scheduled staff to assign shifts, meet daily operational needs and achieve productivity goals.
  • Motivated, informed, educated, developed, and coached staff to insure that financial objectives and service standards are met.
  • Conducted quality control inspections of work to monitor and resolve problems.
  • Built schedules, tracked hourly employee time and completed and approved bi-weekly payroll for employees.
  • Prepared the staff schedule, conducted weekly staff meetings for the Tellers, Bankers, and Customer Service Representatives
  • Coached employees to work together to carry out daily functions and meet service objectives.
  • Collaborated with staff to maximize customer satisfaction, streamline procedures and improve bottom-line profitability.
  • Motivated employee performance and satisfaction through fair evaluation, process review and mentoring.
  • Balanced cashed drawer's /Vault, ATM's, and ordered cash for the branch.
  • Supervised Customer Service Representatives and Bankers.
  • Overseeing day-to-day operations within an organization, and making sure sales goals are met.
  • Providing direct feedback to staff.
  • Enforce bank regulations and oversee bank security measures.
  • Handled all customer complaints, branch equipment orders, and vending orders.

Education

International Compliance Association Certified - Financial Crime

University of Manchester
12.2018

Skills

  • Report preparation
  • Critical thinking
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Word
  • Coaching
  • Excel
  • Macros
  • Leadership Skills
  • Fraud Investigations
  • Employee Management
  • SAR Reporting
  • SAR Writing
  • UAR Reporting
  • CTR Reporting
  • CTR Writing
  • Case Load Management
  • Cash Management
  • Enhanced Due Diligence
  • Employee Reviews
  • Supervisory Skills
  • Corporate audits
  • Negotiable instruments
  • Staff development
  • Business corporations
  • Researching skills
  • Compliance standards
  • Balance sheets
  • Report generation
  • Analytical research
  • Report writing
  • Including laws governing fraudulent transfers
  • Task delegation
  • Issue and conflict resolution
  • Customer Service
  • Conducting investigations of alleged criminal/suspicious acts
  • Deductive reasoning
  • Documentation and materials
  • Technology research
  • Computers and electronics
  • Pivot Tables
  • MSB (Money Service Business)
  • Power Point
  • Ethics
  • Cross Border Communication
  • Compliance
  • Mentoring and training
  • Knowledge of credit operations
  • MS Windows
  • Customer Experience
  • Branch Management
  • Adaptability
  • Clear Communication Skills
  • Data Processing
  • Self-Control
  • Attentiveness
  • Performing internal audit, administrative, or management
  • Effective Listening
  • Professionalism
  • Comprehensive knowledge
  • Knowledgeable in AML Sanctions and Financial Crime
  • Knowledge of Financial products, services, and operations
  • Collaborative working style
  • Certified in compliance
  • Ability to manage challenging circumstances
  • Skilled in delivering in pressured turn-around time driven environment
  • Skilled essential to the production of robust risk based QA assessments

Timeline

Investigations Financial Crime, Quality Assurance

HSBC Bank
03.2022 - Current

AML Senior Investigations Officer Financial Crime

HSBC Bank
12.2017 - 03.2022

Adjudication Financial Intelligence Investigator

BMO Harris Bank
11.2016 - 12.2017

Senior Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Investigator

Capital One
09.2015 - 11.2016

Anti-Money Laundering/CTR Investigator

BMO Harris Bank
03.2014 - 09.2015

Loss Prevention Corporate Security Investigator

Bank of America
04.2005 - 11.2008

Teller Operations Manager /Assistant Branch Manager

LaSalle Bank
04.2000 - 05.2005

International Compliance Association Certified - Financial Crime

University of Manchester

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KANDRELL THOMAS