Financial Crime Specialist

About this role

📍 Location: London

🕘 Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:30pm

🔄 Working Pattern: Hybrid (50/50)

👤 Reports to: Head of Financial Crime Operations

🏦 Department: Service Operations

Hampshire Trust Bank is a specialist bank, staffed by experts focused on helping UK businesses realise their ambitions.

We offer niche specialty lines, as an SME bank, targeting under-served segments. Our dedicated Wholesale Finance, Bridging Finance, Development Finance and Specialist Mortgages teams ensure that businesses receive the outstanding service, lasting relationships, integrity, and expertise they need to prosper.

We also provide savings accounts to individuals and businesses and since we lend to SMEs, our savers can be sure their money will help boost the British economy. Our vision is to be the go-to bank in our chosen markets; to deliver positive customer outcomes, rewarding careers and great shareholder value through a high-performing culture grounded in excellence and integrity.

Discover more about working at HTB here - Life at HTB | Careers & Inside Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB)

🔍 About the Role

As a Financial Crime Specialist, you will act as a subject matter expert on financial crime matters, supporting onboarding, enhanced due diligence (EDD), transaction monitoring, fraud investigations, and regulatory compliance activities across multiple business lines. You'll work closely with the Financial Crime Manager, wider Risk and Compliance teams, and business stakeholders to ensure the bank maintains the highest standards of financial crime prevention.

💼 Key Responsibilities

• Conduct Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) reviews and assess high-risk customer onboarding requests.
• Prepare detailed reports and recommendations for review by the Group MLRO.
• Support investigations relating to suspicious activity and financial crime concerns.
• Provide guidance and advice to colleagues on AML, KYC and financial crime matters.
• Review and investigate fraud alerts and escalate concerns where necessary.
• Support customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and periodic reviews.
• Maintain accurate KYC and AML records to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Assist with first line assurance activities and the embedding of financial crime controls across the business.
• Mentor, coach and support the development of Financial Crime Analysts.
• Participate in bank-wide AML and KYC projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

🎯 What We’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• Strong experience working within a Financial Crime, AML, KYC or Compliance function within financial services.
• Good knowledge of financial crime regulations and guidance, including JMLSG Guidance, FCA Financial Crime Guidance, Money Laundering Regulations and FATF recommendations.
• Experience conducting due diligence and onboarding for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
• Strong understanding of corporate structures and beneficial ownership requirements.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong analytical and investigative skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach and the confidence to work independently.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A collaborative team player who embraces change and continuous improvement.

🎁 Benefits

• Competitive remuneration
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Annual pay review
• Private Medical Insurance (Bupa)
• Mental health & wellbeing support via Zurich & Bupa
• 25 days annual leave (increasing with service) + Holiday Buy Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Green Car Scheme
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Study support & professional membership
• Hybrid working (50/50)
• Pension scheme – 8% employer contribution (non-contributory)
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Annual volunteering day & Net Zero employer commitment

If you're an experienced Financial Crime professional looking to take the next step in your career with a growing specialist bank, we'd love to hear from you.

About fraud prevention roles for ex-police

Fraud investigation, detection and financial-crime roles in banks, insurers and public bodies. Detective and economic-crime backgrounds map straight across, often with hybrid working and clear progression.