KARINA GOMEZ CESPEDES
Seffner,FL
Summary
Detail-oriented banking and fintech professional with over 8 years in compliance, fraud analysis, and banking operations. Expertise in AML, KYC, and sanctions regulations, alongside a strong track record in transaction monitoring and operational excellence. Consistently exceeding KPIs while fostering cross-functional collaboration in regulated environments.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
BANKING OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Fintech
Tampa, FL
03.2025 - Current
- Process and validate bank account changes to ensure accurate, compliant system updates.
- Manage DEFT reversals and R02 returns, reviewing transactions and coordinating fund recovery.
- Resolve Payment Source corporate returns (bank returns, credit returns, reversals) in compliance with NACHA guidelines.
- Perform filter research, testing, and validation for payment sources prior to transaction release.
- Partner with the Activation Team to approve Filter Work Items and authorize Distributor–Retailer relationships.
- Process daily payment batches with five banking partners, meeting settlement and cutoff requirements.
- Manage late wire processing alongside the accounting team.
COMPLIANCE EXPERT
Wise
Tampa, FL
02.2023 - 02.2025
- Ensured compliance with AML, KYC, OFAC, and sanctions regulations.
- Executed high-risk investigations to identify fraud and mitigate risks.
- Specialized in scam reports, ATO, phishing variants, SARs, RFIs, and sanctions checks.
- Trained support agents and acted as primary compliance liaison for inquiries.
SUPPORT ASSOCIATE
Wise
Tampa, FL
12.2022 - 02.2023
- Provided multi-channel customer support.
- Assisted clients with processing international money transfers across multiple currencies.
- Managed transactions using SWIFT, MT103, ACH, wires, and card payments to streamline processes.
STORE SUPERVISOR & SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Charmania
Wesley Chapel, Florida
02.2020 - 11.2022
- Increased annual profits by 25% through new product initiatives.
- Managed inventory audits, purchase orders, and full sales cycle.
- Improved productivity and quality by 35% in six months.
BOOKING OFFICER
APL Logistics (CMA-CGM)
, Costa Rica
01.2017 - 12.2019
- Managed 50+ daily customer bookings to ensure timely service delivery.
- Coordinated global freight documentation and port operations to facilitate seamless shipping processes.
- Coordinated bookings for international shipments across various transportation modes.
- Communicated with clients to confirm shipping details and address inquiries.
FRAUD IDENTITY DEPARTMENT – CREDIT CARDS
Capital One
, Costa Rica
03.2016 - 01.2017
- Detected and investigated fraudulent card transactions.
- Processed credit card applications and identity checks.
- Ensured PCI DSS and KYC compliance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition
Universidad San Jose
Costa RicaBachelor of Actuarial Sciences & Pure Mathematics -
Universidad de Costa Rica
Costa RicaSkills
- Banking Operations
- Transaction Monitoring
- Transaction Reconciliation
- ACH & Card transactions
- Wire Operations
- Payment Batching
- Returns & Reversals
- Risk Controls
Languages
- Spanish Native / Bilingual
- English Full Professional
- Portuguese Limited Working
Tools And Systems
- Microsoft 365 - Microsoft Teams - Salesforce - FAST - FTX Processing - Jira - Confluence - Zendesk - LexisNexis -TSYS - SWIFT
Certification
- OFAC & U.S. Sanctions Regulations Webinar, 03/2025
- SQL Fundamentals, Coursera
- Wise Fraud & Support Training
- Capital One Fraud Training
- CompTIA Course
Timeline
BANKING OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Fintech
03.2025 - Current
COMPLIANCE EXPERT
Wise
02.2023 - 02.2025
SUPPORT ASSOCIATE
Wise
12.2022 - 02.2023
STORE SUPERVISOR & SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Charmania
02.2020 - 11.2022
BOOKING OFFICER
APL Logistics (CMA-CGM)
01.2017 - 12.2019
FRAUD IDENTITY DEPARTMENT – CREDIT CARDS
Capital One
03.2016 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition
Universidad San Jose
Bachelor of Actuarial Sciences & Pure Mathematics -
Universidad de Costa Rica