Leah Cook
Sydney,NSW
Summary
With over 13 years of experience in the field of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF), I am a passionate and driven leader in financial crime. My core competencies include compliance analysis, assessment, remediation, reporting, and advisory, as well as cryptocurrency and risk management. I am committed to delivering high-quality and timely solutions to clients, while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and best practices. I enjoy working with diverse and collaborative teams and leveraging my knowledge and skills to support the growth and innovation of the financial crime industry.
In my most recent role, I was involved in several challenging and rewarding projects, such as spearheading an independent audit review of a large mutual bank's AML program and assisting a big four bank's digital bank remediation project. I have demonstrated my expertise in customer risk assessments, ongoing and enhanced customer due diligence, suspicious matter reporting, and stakeholder management. I have also contributed to the implementation, development, and enhancement of AML standards, programs, guidance, training, and procedures. Additionally, I have obtained a cryptocurrency tracing certification, which enables me to trace and investigate illicit activities involving digital currencies. I have also completed a diploma in AML/CTF management, and an international diploma in money laundering with distinction.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager - Risk and Compliance
Protiviti Australia
10.2022 - 02.2024
- Delivering Financial Crime advice for a division of a Big Four Bank, as a part of their uplift/remediation project in line with an AUSTRAC Enforceable Undertaking
- Superb stakeholder management demonstrating excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to forge strong working relationships, dealing with all levels of management from divisional to group teams and executives
- Supporting the implementation and development of Financial Crime/AML Processes ensuring they are in line with program and regulatory requirements
- This includes KYC, ECDD, Senior Manager Approvals, Transaction Monitoring and Sanctions
- Leadership and support for the development, enhancement, testing and roll out of a new AML Monitoring Platform
- Subject Matter Expert for an Independent Audit Review of a large Mutual Bank’s Part A AML Program Review
- Extensive Stakeholder Management while working regularly with their Internal Audit Team, Executives, AMLCO, Financial Crime Team and Member Service Teams
- Successful completion of planning, research, fieldwork and report writing
- Testing Design Effectiveness and Operational Effectiveness of controls for the business
- Main areas of research performed being AML/CTF Customer Risk Assessment Model, Ongoing Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Customer Due Diligence activities.
Manager Compliance
Ebonex Australia Pty Ltd
04.2022 - 07.2022
- Responsible for delivering and managing Money Laundering and Financial Crime Risk, which included advice and oversight across Ebonex’s Digital Currency Business, coupled with detection and decision making within the function
- Oversaw core relationships with Financial Crime colleagues, first and second-line teams, product and customer facing teams, business unit team members including Senior Management and Executives, vendors and suppliers of financial crime solutions
- Supported the implementation, development, enhancement and roll out of standards, AML Programs, guidance documents, training and procedures
- Contributed to the culture of continuous improvement by implementing Quality Assurance across KYC, ECDD, and other Compliance Functions
- Reporting any findings and ensuring any learnings are shared across the team and processes/procedures updated appropriately
- In addition, initiated companywide Compliance and AML news and learning on a regular basis
- Integral in initiating and raising Continuous Improvement Initiatives and having them implemented and adopted by business
- This included the recognition and assistance in the design of a Sanctioned Wallet Blocking process
- This entailed working with the Product and IT teams on a regular basis to ensure correct and timely implementation based on the risk posed to the business
- Responsible for oversight, advice and approval for all KYC Onboarding, ECDD Reviews, Line 1 Team referrals, and SMR submissions to AUSTRAC
- AUSTRAC Administrator responsible for updating Reporting Entity Roll known as DCE Registration for Digital Currency Businesses.
AML Compliance Manager
ING Bank
08.2021 - 04.2022
- Manager within the Enhanced Customer Due Diligence stream for Compliance/2nd Line of Defence
- MLRO Delegate for approving and offering advice on High Risk Customers including PEP’s, High Net Worth Individuals, Individuals residing in High Risk and Ultra High Risk Countries and Customers who have had pervious SMR’s
- MLRO Delegate for reviewing and approving SMR reports to AUSTRAC, and ensuring they are reported in an accurate and timely manner
- Reviewing and approving customers outside of Risk Appetite for off-boarding
- Case Management Tool Expert ensuring training for all staff involved, daily case management and oversight of all ECDD and Advisory
- Daily/weekly and monthly reporting for case management tool which included setting up reporting matrix enabling accurate report to Management and Board
- Liaising and training with 1st line/KYC and other departments around AML Requirements, issues and improvements
- Daily staff training, engagement, stakeholder management, advice requirement, issue identification and reporting.
Manager Financial Crime, Strategy and Governance
Westpac Group
02.2021 - 08.2021
- Responsible for ensuring timely, accurate consolidation and submission of Westpac Group’s AUSTRAC Compliance report
- This included liaising with numerous stakeholders in Line 2 and Line 1 business groups and divisions
- Responsible for Westpac Group’s Designated Business Group review on a yearly basis
- Remediation of issues and incidents around the DBG, including control design, control testing, remediation of current records, and ensuring any changes are reported to AUSTRAC in a timely manner
- Ongoing consultation and involvement in KRI Reporting
- This included being designated as Dashboard Producer and reporter
- Achieved superior stakeholder management in a short period of time by building and maintaining productive relationships with trust
- This all while working collaboratively and being open to the perspectives of others
- Achievements: Receiving multiple GEM Awards/Leader Award, recognition from peers and Diana Clarke at Group Financial Crime weekly huddle
- This was around the timely and efficient reporting of Westpac’s AUSTRAC Compliance Report and completion of DBG Review
- All within my first month and a half of being at Westpac.
Team Leader, Client Lifecycle Team, Financial Crime Risk
Bank of Queensland
07.2019 - 02.2021
- Responsible for ensuring timely, accurate and efficient completion of initial and ongoing KYC/Enhance Customer Due Diligence and maintaining client files in line with the bank’s AML program
- Subject matter expert for advice and guidance to CLC Analyst team to complete KYC activities during the lifecycle of the customer
- Leading a team of 5 CLC Analysts, supporting workflow allocation, supporting escalations and an SME responsible for ongoing performance management, identify continuous improvement opportunities and contribute to ad-hoc project implementations
- Implementation and maintenance of MI reporting in order to evaluate the operational production of the CLC Analysts team, reflecting the number of files completed and the number of files passed/failed on a weekly, monthly and year-to-date basis
- Assisting senior management with ongoing maintenance of relevant policies, Desktop procedures, guidance and checklists
- Superb stakeholder management demonstrating excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to forge strong working relationships
- Achievements: Leadership and training of Advisory Analysts including assisting in establishing the Advisory function of the CLC Team
- Quality training of all new CLC Analyst with multiple accolades and praise regarding my role
- Establishing relationships with front line staff and the broader business lines in KYC guidance and education.
AML and CTF Transaction Monitoring Analyst
Momenta Resources – Commonwealth Bank Australia
07.2018 - 07.2019
- Actioning high volume AML and CTF transaction monitoring alerts within given SLA’s
- Enhanced customer due diligence of customer records upon unusual findings
- Submission of Suspicious Matter Reporting to AUSTRAC
- Training staff, including mandatory training presentations in large groups, and one on one support of analysts
- Leadership and support roles when required, when manager is absent
- Achievements: Superb record in Quality Assurance
- Superb leadership skills and recognition by peers across all streams of the business, including high level management and support.
Senior Compliance and Risk Analyst – Reporting and Monitoring – Australia and New Zealand
Travelex Limited
01.2018 - 07.2018
- Management, leadership and training of two direct reports
- Second level reviews of all SMR and STR’s
- Enhanced customer due diligence of customer records upon unusual findings
- PEP and Sanction reviews of customers across the company
- Daily structuring and Transactions Monitoring Reviews
- Submission of TTR’s and PTR’s for all modes of the business
- Project work and investigation of new streams and processes
- Stakeholder Management including liaising with offshore teams and Head Office in London.
AML and CTF Transaction Monitoring Analyst
Momenta Resources – Commonwealth Bank Australia
09.2017 - 01.2018
- Actioning high volume AML and CTF transaction monitoring alerts within given SLA’s
- Enhanced customer due diligence of customer records upon unusual findings
- Submission of Suspicious Matter Reporting to AUSTRAC.
Senior Compliance – Australia and New Zealand
Western Union Business Solutions
04.2014 - 09.2017
- Lead in addressing all OLS (Online Services) escalations for compliance and accreditation related queries for Australia and New Zealand
- Lead in conducting all OLS meetings, reporting and training for the offshore teams
- Lead in conducting AML/CTF Program Reviews of correspondent banking relationships
- This included EDD reviews of all new Financial Institutions and yearly reviews of existing Financial Institutions and MSBs
- Lead in completing QA on Branch Accreditation for Australia and New Zealand
- OLS Accreditation for Australia and New Zealand
- Re-Accreditation for Australia and New Zealand
- Employee Due Diligence and Training for Australia and New Zealand
- Addressed escalations from stakeholders locally and offshore in relation to transaction monitoring and sanction screening tasks
- Assisted internal stake holders with compliance related queries, including but not limited to escalations from Accreditation, Business, Operations and ROCs (Regional Off Shore Centers)
- Assisted with the completion of compliance monitoring tasks
- Conducted ECDD reviews on High Risk Clients and PEPs for both new and existing clients
- Unusual matter investigations including SMR/STR reporting within given regulatory time lines
- Preparation of policies and procedures in relation to compliance frame work, including KYC for Australia and New Zealand
- Achievements: Successfully supported the business in compliance matters, including being the main support for the Accreditation Team
- Continued level of leadership with all team members in compliance.
Team Leader - Accreditation - Projects
Western Union Business Solutions
- Team Leader responsible for Remediation Project
- Management and training of multiple staff including large offshore team of 40 and two local teams of up to 15
- Lead staff to complete project activities within specified time frames and outcomes
- Multitasked and supported team members to deliver departmental KPIs and objectives relating to turnaround times, prioritisation of workloads, and assisting with queries raised by CRMs and Sales team
- Organisational Skills
- Reporting
- Project Management
- Staff Retention
- Superior Stake Holder Management
- Identified and drove process improvement initiatives supporting the evolution of the business
- Accredited and Re-Accredited clients according to AML/CTF Rules and Regulations
- Ensured all KYC, ECDD, Sanction and PEP Screening requirements were fully met and documented by the team
- Achievements: Successfully supported WUBS Management and broader stakeholder groups to complete AML Projects
- This included Leadership and Management of the Client Refresh Project, involving Accreditation of approx
- 12,000 online clients across Australia and New Zealand, and 3000 Australian Business Clients
- Re-Accreditation, CDD Project and FK Update Project.
Fraud & Senior AML Officer
Indue Ltd – Orion Team
10.2011 - 01.2014
- Fraud monitoring of multiple card products from a large base of clients
- TC40’s, charge backs, RSA (Visa 3D Secure) Monitoring, Internet Banking, BPay Fraud, procedure writing/reviewing, client and member contact on a daily basis
- AML and CTF assessment and monitoring
- AML revisions, systems reviews and improvements
- Upholding standards, meeting and exceeding current expectations
- Individual and company AML staff training and presentations
- Assisting in rule revisions, emerging trends and outlooks for both Fraud & AML
- Always diligent, with attention to detail
- Superior customer service skills
- Work process improvements and strong work ethics on a daily basis
- Achievements: Very high-level Fraud Accuracy Rate with Yearly Ratings always Exceeding Expectations
- Numerous Published AML Articles.
Fraud Detection Officer
Westpac Banking - Risk Operations
10.2010 - 10.2011
- Fraud monitoring of customers credit cards using Falcon Monitoring System
- Implementing correct procedures to minimize card holders and banks loss regarding fraudulent activities
- Managing inbound and out bound calls regarding unauthorised transactions
- Case follow ups and other fraud related activities including Internet Banking Fraud, other bank checks and ETS duties
- Providing superior customer service to all card holders during often stressful situations for them
- Keeping confidentiality and security a priority while dealing with card holders and other members of the public
- Achievements: Recognised for successful assistance in Sanctions Monitoring and Constantly high processing rate on a daily basis.
Education
CAMS - Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist -
ACAMS
04.2024
CTCE – Cryptocurrency Tracing Certified Examiner -
CipherTrace – Mastercard
01.2022
ICA Diploma of Applied Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Management (Graduate) with Distinction -
International Compliance Association- ICA, Manchester, UK
01.2013
Skills
- Financial Services
- Digital Banks
- Big 4 Banks
- Digital Currency Provider
- Foreign Exchange Providers
- Risk Management Advisory
- Complex Problem-Solving
- AML Risk and Compliance
- Part A Program Reviews
- Remediation
- Financial Crime
- Regulatory Obligations
- Leadership
- Team Management
- Staff Training and Development
- Business Planning
- Project Management
- Time Management
Timeline
Manager - Risk and Compliance
Protiviti Australia
10.2022 - 02.2024
Manager Compliance
Ebonex Australia Pty Ltd
04.2022 - 07.2022
AML Compliance Manager
ING Bank
08.2021 - 04.2022
Manager Financial Crime, Strategy and Governance
Westpac Group
02.2021 - 08.2021
Team Leader, Client Lifecycle Team, Financial Crime Risk
Bank of Queensland
07.2019 - 02.2021
AML and CTF Transaction Monitoring Analyst
Momenta Resources – Commonwealth Bank Australia
07.2018 - 07.2019
Senior Compliance and Risk Analyst – Reporting and Monitoring – Australia and New Zealand
Travelex Limited
01.2018 - 07.2018
AML and CTF Transaction Monitoring Analyst
Momenta Resources – Commonwealth Bank Australia
09.2017 - 01.2018
Senior Compliance – Australia and New Zealand
Western Union Business Solutions
04.2014 - 09.2017
Fraud & Senior AML Officer
Indue Ltd – Orion Team
10.2011 - 01.2014
Fraud Detection Officer
Westpac Banking - Risk Operations
10.2010 - 10.2011
Team Leader - Accreditation - Projects
Western Union Business Solutions
CAMS - Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist -
ACAMS
CTCE – Cryptocurrency Tracing Certified Examiner -
CipherTrace – Mastercard
ICA Diploma of Applied Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Management (Graduate) with Distinction -
International Compliance Association- ICA, Manchester, UK
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