Sanctions & Economic Crime Analyst

About this role

About Arab Bank Europe

Arab Bank Europe (ABE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arab Bank Plc, an international bank established more than 90 years ago, with a global network of more than 600 branches across five continents.

ABE serves individuals, companies and institutions. The Bank offers personal and private banking services, and corporate banking services in support of commerce, trade, and project finance to corporate and institutional clients.

The Bank has presence in the UK, through Arab Bank Europe plc, and in the EU via its subsidiary Arab Bank Europe SA in France.

ABE's heritage gives it access to an unrivalled network of branches and people across the MENA region. The Bank draws on its local knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social and commercial landscape in Europe and MENA to support clients wherever they live, work, or do business.

Arab Bank Europe positions itself as a trusted partner connecting clients across Europe and the MENA region, building on more than 50 years of banking heritage.

Traditional Values

Arab Bank Europe combines traditional values with a progressive, international outlook. They are proud to have served high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, families, corporations and institutions for generations.

Responsible Corporate Citizens

At Arab Bank Europe, people are respectful, considerate and responsible corporate citizens who aim to make a positive contribution to the communities in which we work and do business.

Clients of Arab Bank Europe benefit from being part of a leading regional banking group with a long history of service, a global network and presence in key financial markets and centers.

Job Purpose

• Arab Bank Europe PLC is seeking a bright, numerate and intellectually curious individual to join its Financial Crime Compliance function as a Sanctions & Economic Crime Analyst.
• This is an early-career role intended for a high-calibre graduate who is interested in developing specialist expertise in sanctions, financial crime, geopolitical risk and the increasing use of data and technology within financial crime compliance.
• Previous banking or Compliance experience is not essential. More important is the ability to analyse information, identify patterns, question assumptions, undertake research and reach well-reasoned conclusions.
• The successful candidate will support the Bank's sanctions and wider economic crime framework, combining traditional investigative work with data analysis, technology and emerging analytical techniques.

Key Responsibilities

Sanctions & Investigations

• Review and investigate sanctions and name-screening alerts relating to customers, counterparties, transactions and payments.
• Undertake research into individuals, companies, ownership structures, jurisdictions and other parties to establish whether potential sanctions concerns exist.
• Analyse potential sanctions exposure under relevant UK, UN, EU and US sanctions regimes.
• Assist with the investigation and escalation of potential sanctions matches and other financial crime concerns.
• Prepare clear, concise and evidenced investigation records explaining the analysis undertaken and conclusions reached.
• Support investigations into unusual or potentially suspicious customer or transactional activity.

Economic Crime & Geopolitical Risk

• Develop an understanding of sanctions, money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, trade-based financial crime and other economic crime risks.
• Research countries, industries, companies, ownership structures, trade flows and geopolitical developments relevant to the Bank.
• Consider how international events, sanctions developments and changes in financial crime typologies may affect the Bank and its customers.
• Assist with thematic reviews and risk assessments relating to emerging financial crime risks.

Data Analytics & Technology

• A significant part of the role will involve using data to identify, understand and manage financial crime risk.

Candidate Profile

• ABE is particularly interested in candidates who are naturally inquisitive and enjoy understanding why something has happened rather than simply following a process.
• The successful candidate is likely to be someone who enjoys economics, international affairs, data and problem solving and who can move comfortably between quantitative analysis and qualitative research.
• They should be prepared to challenge assumptions, investigate unfamiliar subjects independently and learn quickly.

Essential

• Strong general computer literacy.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Comfortable working with numbers and datasets.
• Ability to analyse information and present conclusions clearly.
• Ability and willingness to learn new systems and analytical tools.

Highly Desirable

• Experience, whether through university, personal projects or employment, with one or more of:
• Advanced Excel.
• Python.
• SQL.
• R.
• Power BI.
• Tableau.
• Data visualization.
• Statistical analysis.
• Data modelling.
• Automation or scripting.

Candidates are not expected to be experienced programmers, but an interest in using technology to solve analytical problems is strongly encouraged.

Knowledge & Interests

• Previous sanctions or financial crime experience is not required; however, candidates should be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in some of the following:
• Economics and financial markets.
• International relations and geopolitics.
• Sanctions and international trade.
• Economics and financial markets.
• International relations and geopolitics.
• Sanctions and international trade.
• Banking and financial services.
• Financial crime.
• Data analytics.
• Technology.
• Current affairs.
• The role will suit someone who independently reads around subjects that interest them and is comfortable researching areas in which they initially have little knowledge.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate

• Intellectual curiosity – asks questions and wants to understand how and why things work.
• Analytical thinking – able to break complex issues into their component parts.
• Numeracy – comfortable interpreting quantitative information.
• Attention to detail – able to identify inconsistencies and anomalies without losing sight of the wider picture.
• Critical thinking – does not automatically accept information at face value.
• Problem solving – enjoys working through unfamiliar problems.
• Research ability – able to find, assess and synthesise information from multiple sources.
• Clear communication – able to explain complex findings simply and concisely.
• Sound judgement – able to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information and reach a reasoned conclusion.
• Initiative – willing to investigate and develop ideas rather than waiting to be given every step.
• Adaptability – interested in learning new subjects, systems and technologies.

Experience

• This is an entry-level / early-career position. Applications are welcomed from:
• recent graduates.
• candidates graduating shortly; and
• individuals with approximately 0–2 years' professional experience.

Previous experience in banking, Compliance or financial crime is advantageous but not a prerequisite.

Candidates will be assessed primarily on their intellectual ability, analytical potential, technical aptitude, curiosity and willingness to learn.

Development Opportunity

• The role provides an opportunity to develop specialist expertise across:
• Sanctions | AML | Economic Crime | Geopolitical Risk | Investigations | Transaction Analysis | Data Analytics | Screening Technology | Financial Crime Systems.
• The successful candidate will receive practical exposure to the financial crime risks faced by an international bank operating between Europe and the Middle East and will have the opportunity to develop both traditional financial crime expertise and modern data-driven analytical skills.

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