Samira Brown
Woodbridge,VA
Summary
Financial professional with proven expertise in accounting processes, systems oversight and compliance reporting. Over 18 years of banking and investment experience with strong knowledge of regulations, audit, budgeting and all other aspects of successful financial operations. Talented team builder and leader with expertise to develop and maintain consistent, accurate and legal accounting structures. Licensed Series 7 and 66.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Wealth Management Specialist
Merrill Lynch
Fredericksburg, VA
04.2021 - 11.2022
- Performed a variety of specialized functions across a Financial Advisor team such as: Business Management, Business Development, Wealth Planning, Investment Management and Relationship Management.
- Provided quality client service, effective and efficient operations support.
- Monitored customer accounts for suspicious activity, including large transfers or irregular patterns of financial activity.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of banking regulations and laws related to consumer protection and fraud prevention.
- Provided guidance and assistance to junior staff members.
- Executed problem escalation or problem solving of diverse scope where extensive analysis and evaluation was required.
- Exercised judgment within defined practices and policies in obtaining or determining solutions.
Financial Solutions Advisor
Merrill Lynch
Stafford, VA
11.2019 - 04.2021
- Provided tailored and personalized advice to clients through reviews and presentations, including assessing financial goals and recommending investment advisory strategies.
- Recommended solutions to clients which were best suited for their financial needs, such as core banking, investment and life priority solutions.
- Reviewed existing portfolios to ensure that they were in line with client risk profiles and objectives.
- Analyzed clients current financial situation and prepared detailed reports outlining potential risks and opportunities.
- Identified cross selling opportunities for additional financial services or products.
- Partnered with financial advisor teams to build their network by sharing relevant market developments and discussing new products to promote portfolio growth.
- Utilized the full breadth of resources across the bank to benefit clients or prospects.
- Developed and sustained a book of business to meet and exceed pre-defined financial targets.
- Prioritized client requests and made introductions to appropriate internal service providers based on client needs and asset thresholds.
- Maintained accurate records of all client interactions including notes of meetings held, documents provided and reviewed or decisions taken.
Financial Center Manager
Bank of America-Hastings Marketplace
Manassas, VA
06.2013 - 11.2019
- Mobilized organizational resources and delivered the full range of the bank’s capabilities to meet client needs and to gain competitive advantage.
- Efficiently allocated and managed resources across the organization to drive short- and long-term profitability.
- Contributed to enterprise strategy and influence messaging to connect team contributions to business purpose, results, and success.
- Supervised associates, conducted performance evaluation and ensured all teammates worked collectively toward the financial center’s performance goals.
- Inspected risk controls, governance, and culture to ensure the timely identification, escalation, debate and remediation of risk across the organization.
- Conducted interviews and collaborated with the human resources talent acquisition team and made hiring decisions.
- Performed regular audits of branch records in order to identify areas of improvement or potential risks.
- Worked closely with Bank of America’s Corporate fraud team by reporting suspicious activity.
- Prepared monthly reports, which summarized operational performance metrics such as customer satisfaction levels, deposit growth trends, and sales goals.
Financial Center Operations Manager
Bank of America-Harrison Crossing
Fredericksburg, VA
02.2012 - 06.2013
- Led all operational aspects of the financial center to include risk mitigation, coaching, training, and audit.
- Provided guidance and direction to staff members on operational policies and procedures.
- Identified risks, prioritized areas of focus, educated associates on avoiding risks and created action plans to correct problems.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and standards.
- Tracked and managed service and operational performance metrics through monitoring of daily activities and reports.
- Identified potential risks associated with financial transactions and took appropriate action to mitigate them.
- Prepared reports on operations performance for review by senior management team members.
- Drove customer satisfaction by addressing concerns or feedback promptly.
Senior Relationship Manager
Bank of America-Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, VA
02.2006 - 02.2012
- Educated customers on variety of retail products and digital solutions, enhancing customer experience.
- Built strong rapport with new and existing clients to better serve financial needs and promote branch loyalty.
- Recognized opportunities for cross-selling additional banking products or services.
- Created strategic financial solutions to suit individualized client needs.
- Analyzed financial documents provided by customers to determine their needs.
- Assisted and advised customers on using online and mobile banking systems.
- Used customer and bank records to investigate and correct errors upon customer request.
- Executed wire transfers of funds in compliance with banking best practices.
- Cultivated relationships with partners to fulfill or provide appropriate referrals for clients.
- Identified potential fraud risks on accounts and reported suspicious activities to management.
- Followed operational standards, promoting security, risk management and compliance.
- Reviewed existing accounts for accuracy of information and compliance with regulations.
- Monitored changes in laws related to banking policies and procedures.
Client Service Representative
Bank of America-Woodbridge
Woodbridge, VA
08.2004 - 02.2006
- Welcomed customers and offered pleasant service during entire transaction.
- Processed deposits, withdrawals, transfers, loan payments and other transactions accurately and efficiently.
- Explained bank services, financial products and applicable fees to customers.
- Entered transactions into computer and issued customer receipts.
- Identified customer financial needs, goals and objectives and offered appropriate financial products to suit needs.
- Researched customer inquires regarding their accounts using internal banking systems.
- Verified customer signatures on documents and ensured accuracy of all paperwork before submitting for approval.
- Responded and assisted customers with account inquiries and updates.
- Adhered to strict guidelines regarding financial and customer data to avoid breaches and information misuse.
- Identified suspicious activity on account holders' accounts and reported any discrepancies to the supervisor immediately.
- Identified and reported suspicious behavior to security personnel as appropriate.
- Demonstrated expertise in identifying and mitigating potential fraud and transaction risks.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
The University of Arizona
Skills
- Lending
- Investments
- Credit
- Transaction solutions
- Digital banking solutions
- Customer Relationship Management
- Financial Planning
- Banking regulations
- Branch operations
- Quality Control
- Auditing
- Account Retention
- Fraud Detection
- Regulatory Compliance
- Interpersonal Skills
- MS Office proficient
- Risk Mitigation
- Financial Oversight
- Excellent communication skills
- Financial Statements
- Accounts Payable
- Risk Analysis
Job Related Training Licenses
- Securities Industry Essential Exam
- General Securities Representative Series 7 Exam
- Uniform Combined State Law Examination Series 66
- Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System Registry (NMLS)
- Public Notary, Commonwealth of Virginia
- Bank Regulatory Training: Bank Secrecy Act
- Bank Regulatory Training: Anti-Money Laundering
- Bank Regulatory Training: Money Service Business (MSB)
- Regulatory Training: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- Regulatory Training: Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
Awards
- Top Financial Center Award in Revenue 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- High Five Platinum Award in Client Experience 2017, 2018, 2019
- Corporate Compliance Audit Certificate 2018, 2019
References
Available Upon Request
Timeline
Wealth Management Specialist
Merrill Lynch
04.2021 - 11.2022
Financial Solutions Advisor
Merrill Lynch
11.2019 - 04.2021
Financial Center Manager
Bank of America-Hastings Marketplace
06.2013 - 11.2019
Financial Center Operations Manager
Bank of America-Harrison Crossing
02.2012 - 06.2013
Senior Relationship Manager
Bank of America-Fredericksburg
02.2006 - 02.2012
Client Service Representative
Bank of America-Woodbridge
08.2004 - 02.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
The University of Arizona