Olola Grillo
Houston,TX
Summary
Experienced Financial crime Analyst with a strong background in enterprise-wide BSA/AML, OFAC, KYC, and fraud risk management. Proven track record in supporting compliance operations by administering policies and procedures, coordinating internal/external audits, and conducting detailed risk assessments for new products, services, and high-risk clients. Skilled in fraud investigation and analysis, while assisting in identifying, documenting, and escalating suspicious activity across multiple channels. Collaborative and detail-oriented, with a strong focus on mitigating financial crime risk and strengthening organizational compliance.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fraud Intelligence Analyst (QA/SAR WRITER)
Amegy Bank
Houston, Texas
04.2025 - Current
- Executed fraud detection and prevention strategies across multiple business units, ensuring proactive risk mitigation.
- Analyzed fraud trend reports to enhance visibility into potential threats, and support informed decision-making by leadership.
- Identified emerging fraud risks by tracking suspicious activity patterns across channels and products before they escalated into larger issues.
- Assessed and adjudicated high-risk new account activity and suspicious transactions referred from frontline operations and back-office teams.
- Partnered with fraud victims to process claims, resolve financial impact, and provide guidance on next steps following fraud incidents.
- Supported both inbound and outbound customer interactions, while coordinating with operational teams to ensure accurate reimbursement for confirmed fraud cases.
- Thoroughly documented investigative findings, conclusions, and actions taken, including drafting well-supported Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) when appropriate.
- Acted as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for AML and fraud investigations, advising team members on complex cases involving check fraud, wire fraud, ACH fraud, credit card fraud, and account takeovers.
- Collaborated closely with internal fraud investigators to detect coordinated fraud-ring activities, and elevate instances of heightened risk.
- Conducted quality assurance reviews of completed investigations to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulatory expectations.
- Managed escalated fraud cases requiring in-depth analysis, advanced investigative techniques, and cross-functional collaboration.
Sr. AML/KYC Analyst
Ernst & Young
San Antonio, Texas
11.2021 - 04.2025
- Review and resolve Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) alerts, escalating significant findings to the appropriate parties for further action.
- Conduct thorough research using online sources and third-party tools (e.g., Google, LexisNexis, World-Check) to identify adverse media, and gather relevant due diligence information for prospective and existing clients.
- Adhere to all established timelines, efficiently manage workflow to meet deadlines, and ensure all responsibilities are completed with accuracy and quality.
- Clearly and objectively escalate concerns or adverse findings to the manager for appropriate resolution.
- Support the implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures aligned with AML/KYC compliance standards.
- Report confirmed Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) matches, and negative news identified during EDD reviews to the Manager.
- Analyze customer activity to identify patterns, trends, anomalies, and potential suspicious schemes across multiple products and business lines.
- Monitor and assess quality control processes for consumer banking clients, including remediation and periodic reviews, ensuring timely completion and adherence to quality standards.
- Perform EDD reviews for high-risk customers, recommending account restrictions or closures as necessary to mitigate institutional risk.
- Compile, organize, and submit documentation related to a diverse portfolio of customers, accounts, and financial transactions, in full compliance with federal regulations, and internal bank policies and procedures.
BSA/EDD Analyst
Truist Bank
Houston, Texas
06.2019 - 11.2021
- Lead the implementation, administration, and continuous enhancement of monitoring and reporting systems related to BSA, AML, OFAC, and the USA PATRIOT Act to ensure effective detection of suspicious and fraudulent activities.
- Ensure all mandated regulatory reporting is completed accurately, timely, and in full compliance with applicable laws.
- Maintain a robust Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) risk rating and monitoring program.
- Conduct initial and ongoing risk assessments, analyzing unusual account activity, performing daily risk ratings for new accounts, quarterly reviews of high-risk accounts, and annual due diligence reviews for Money Services Businesses (MSB), Customer Identification Program (CIP), and Beneficial Ownership documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Develop and maintain standardized processes for Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) investigations, reviews, and filings.
- Conduct thorough investigations and research, supported by detailed and well-documented findings, to ensure consistency in decision-making.
- Collaborated with external auditors during annual audits of AML and KYC compliance programs.
- Perform annual BSA/AML/OFAC risk assessments, taking into account the institution’s products, services, and customer base, to identify and evaluate potential risk areas.
- Address examination and audit findings promptly, and oversee the implementation of corrective actions to resolve any identified compliance issues.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic
NigeriaSkills
- Fraud detection and investigation
- Software/tools - Verafin, Actimize, Trips, Bridger, SAS, Wire Watch, Patriot Officer, Secretary of State's website, Image View, Salesforce, Excel, Pivot table, Microsoft 360, Nautitlu Web, Epic, Flash, etc
- Regulatory compliance - KYC -CDD -EDD
- Investigative techniques
- Data analysis
- AML lookback investigations
- Quality assurance, control, and case reviews
- Team supervision and performance feedback
- Risk-based customer due diligence
- Suspicious activity reporting (SAR) 90 days review
- OFAC and sanctions risk assessment
- operational process optimization
- Regulatory compliance (BSA, AML, USA PATRIOT Act)
Certification
- Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners - In View 12/2025
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Fraud Intelligence Analyst (QA/SAR WRITER)
Amegy Bank
04.2025 - Current
Sr. AML/KYC Analyst
Ernst & Young
11.2021 - 04.2025
BSA/EDD Analyst
Truist Bank
06.2019 - 11.2021
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic
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