Zakir Ali
Tallinn,784
Summary
Experienced Senior KYC/CDD Analyst with a proven track record of ensuring regulatory compliance and mitigating financial risk in the banking and financial services industry. With over five years of comprehensive experience, I possess a deep understanding of KYC procedures, AML/CTF regulations, customer onboarding, and risk assessment methodologies. Proven ability to translate complex data into actionable insights, driving strategic decisions and operational efficiency. Also skilled in conducting QA reviews using Klaus. Passionate about leveraging data to enhance business processes and deliver measurable results. Proficient in data analysis (SQL, Looker) to detect trends and root causes in screening operations and monitor team's performance. Experienced in providing structured feedback, training and mentoring new hires.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
KYC Operations Analyst
Wise (TransferWise)
Tallinn
06.2023 - Current
- Perform enhanced due diligence (EDD) on high-risk customers, including PEPs/sanctions screening reducing false positives.
- Exercise discretion in setting priorities, identifying customer records that require further review and taking action to obtain and follow-up on the information and/or documentation requested.
- Trained and mentored 15+ new hires on KYC/CDD procedures, EDD best practices, reducing onboarding time by 30% while maintaining QA standards.
- Conducted QA reviews for 100+ KYC files monthly part of a project, identifying and correcting error rate through root-cause analysis and 1:1 feedback sessions with investigators(officers).
- Developed targeted training materials and templates for new hires in the team, helping and improving team accuracy by 20% (tracked via Klaus QA platform)
Officer/Analyst SME Banking
RAKBANK
Dubai
02.2020 - 07.2020
- Analyzed 100+ SME loan applications monthly, conducting financial health checks, KYC/CDD, and risk scoring.
- Flagged high-risk applications for enhanced due diligence (EDD), preventing potential fraud exposure.
- Trained 10+ junior staff on credit appraisal techniques and AML-red-flag identification in SME transactions.
- Consistently achieved 115-130% of monthly loan disbursement targets while maintaining <2% NPA rate through rigorous financial health checks and KYC vetting.
- Trained 5+ relationship managers on identifying red flags in SME transactions (e.g., circular trading, unusual cash flows), reducing suspicious applications by 20% quarterly.
Officer Retail Banking
United Arab Bank
Sharjah
06.2018 - 11.2019
- Processed 50+ monthly credit card/personal loan applications, conducting credit score analysis (A-Etihad Credit Bureau/AECB) and KYC checks, maintaining <3% default rate despite aggressive sales targets.
- Flagged high-risk applications with inconsistent income/employment docs, preventing potential NPA exposure.
- Achieved 120% of quarterly sales targets by leveraging credit bureau data to pre-qualify high-intent, low-risk customers.
- Worked with Risk & Compliance teams to implement updated CBUAE guidelines for retail lending, training 8+ frontline staff on new policies.
- Investigated credit card application discrepancies and determine authenticity to prevent fraudulent applications while maximizing new accounts.
Finance Executive Islamic (Retail) Banking
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC
Dubai
02.2017 - 04.2018
- Onboarded HNWI clients for co-branded premium Credit Cards (Etihad Airways/Etisalat).
- Partnered with Etihad/Etisalat loyalty teams to align KYC requirements, ensuring seamless compliance across co-branded programs.
- Led monthly audits of 50+ priority banking client files to ensure ongoing compliance with UAE Central Bank's AML regulations, identifying and rectifying documentation gaps.
- Reviewed credit card applications to detect any fraudulent or suspicious activity.
- Consistently achieved 120-130% of quarterly sales targets for Etihad/Etisalat co-branded Credit Cards by strategically targeting HNWIs, while maintaining <1% fraud incidence rate through rigorous KYC checks.
- Received merit-based bonus after a 1-year service.
- Trained new hires on identifying 'red flag' spending behaviors (e.g., sudden luxury retail spikes) during client prospecting, reducing suspicious applications.
Education
Master - Innovation and Technology Management
University of Tartu
Tartu, Estonia06.2023
Bachelor - Business Administration
Iqra University
Karachi, Pakistan12.2016
Skills
- Zendesk
- Klaus (QA)
- R Programming
- Excel
- Spreadsheets
- SQL
- Looker Studio
- Python
- Tableau
- AML/CTF Screening
- KYC/CDD/EDD
- QA Frameworks
- Sanctions/PEP Screening
- Fraud Detection
- Risk Management
- Transaction Monitoring
- Root-Cause Analysis
- Cross-Team Training
- Communication
- Constructive Feedback
- Delivery
- Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments
- Critical Thinking
- Detail-Oriented
- Documentation
- Risk Assessment
- Stakeholder Reporting
- Process Optimization
- Team Work
Certification
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Languages
- English, Proficient
- Urdu, Proficient
- Balochi, Native
Timeline
KYC Operations Analyst
Wise (TransferWise)
06.2023 - Current
Officer/Analyst SME Banking
RAKBANK
02.2020 - 07.2020
Officer Retail Banking
United Arab Bank
06.2018 - 11.2019
Finance Executive Islamic (Retail) Banking
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC
02.2017 - 04.2018
Master - Innovation and Technology Management
University of Tartu
Bachelor - Business Administration
Iqra University
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