Akiya Britton

Experience

• 

  Bank of America

  Jan 2004 - Mar 2006

  Lead Operations Representative

  Provided verification of debt through research and the retrieval of documentation for agencies assisting in the collection of monies on behalf of BOA. Additional responsibilities include closing consumer accounts that have been paid or settled with the agencies, which reduced liability and risk. Led cross–functional team in development the of agency "dispute resolved" code and automation of that code, which led to a 12% reduction in unresolved disputes.Designed and implemented process improvements in document retrieval resulting in a 63% decrease in turnaround time.Analyzed inventory and coding of exceptions to ensure proper placement.Customized monthly ad hoc reports for distribution to agencies.Audited agency reporting to ensure accurate coding of accounts. Developed rapport with agencies and other Bank of America departments that partnered with our recovery department by being customer driven, efficient and trusting in teamwork. Show less

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  Union Bank

  Mar 2006 - Jan 2014

  Responsible for the enhanced monitoring and oversight of Union Bank’s highest risk client population across multiple business segments including, Retail, Commercial & Private Bank by utilizing a risk based approach to the on-boarding and periodic reviews of the various client types, corroborating client activity through various external and internal sources, documentation of customer profile discrepancies and transactional irregularities and the investigation of suspicious activities as needed. Conduct ongoing enhanced due diligence on SRC client’s in my client population which assists Union Bank with its management of regulatory and reputational risk by reporting adverse findings through the proper channels in a timely manner. Use of a risk based EDD scoring matrix (Risk Codes/SRC Category Code & more), coupled with occupational and industry research to conduct on-going monitoring and risk assessments of SRC client’s when completing semi-annual reviews. Ongoing reviews also include cross checking client information with public records and the use of multiple databases and internet research strings to build a client’s profile and identifying negative newsThe utilization of pivot tables and funds flow analysis as a tool for performing data analysis on client’s with a substantial account relationship and a large volume of transactional activities for assessing and explaining client transactional activities, patterns, lulls and spikes Responsibilities include the day-to-day portfolio management of approximately seventy-eight Special Risk Client Types including, Domestic Financial Institutions (DFI), Third Party Payment Processors (TPPPs), Senior Political Figures (SFPF) / Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), Money Service Businesses (MSB), OFAC Affidavit Client’s and more. Show less Analyzed and conducted risk based analytical reviews of system generated alerts (AMBRS/BLUS) and report unusual activity. Supported findings by performing customer due diligence, which included verification for appropriate documentation. Completed written analysis of account activity on High Risk Clients/Activity, which included Foreign High Risk Wire transfers; Business Entities; Client’s Risk Rated at 1-3 (CRR); Money Service Businesses (MSB); Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs); and Cash Intensive Businesses.Submitted detailed alert narrative of findings to MRU Management within reasonable time period and in accordance with KPI (Key Performance Standards) and SLA (Service Level Agreements) Standards.Assisted management with coaching colleagues on process improvements, trained new employees and Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi Trainees. Show less

  • AML Agent / BSA Operations

    Dec 2010 - Jan 2014

  • Senior MRU Analyst

    Mar 2006 - Nov 2010
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  First Republic

  Jun 2014 - Jul 2024

  Manage day to day operations of the customer risk rating (CRR) process, inventory management,escalation, and disengagements of client relationships that fall outside of the Bank’s risk appetite. Drive and manage department Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), production and ensure the EDDwork product is in adherence with set Service Level Agreements (SLA) standards. Oversee EDD managers, their respective teams of investigators and outside consultants. Management of the Banks highest risk rated clientele which include Crypto Related Businesses, Alternative Investments, Politically Exposed Persons/Senior Foreign Political Figure, Sovereign Risks and more. Ensure these parties fall within the Bank’s risk appetite, disengage parties that do not fall within the Banks risk framework and ensure SAR obligations are met when required. Collaborate with executive management and account officers on complex case matters, riskescalations and disengagements due to negative news, financial irregularities, ESAC concerns orrelationships that fall outside of the Bank’s risk framework. Supervise all aspects of employee management which encompasses candidate selection, settingdepartment and individual goals, approving, and administering performance reviews and corrective/ disciplinary actions. Drive enhancements/ operational efficiencies to the EDD work product by partnering with the Policy to modify/enhance the way clients are risk rated utilizing various data points aggregated from internal systems and transactional activities. Advise relationship managers/bankers on enhanced risk of prospective clientele during on-boardingphase due to adverse findings on the prospect, investment adviser, fund administrator, limitedpartners (LPs) or associated parties. Partner with external and internal partners on audits and exams which includes reviewing therequest, pulling case reviews, providing feedback, and responding to recommendations and/orfindings. Show less Assignment of alert inventory, daily management of alert inventory, setting service level agreements (SLA), tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and documented breaches. Managed a team of six senior investigators, setting individual goals, providing performance reviews, and corrective actions plans.Managed the end-to-end Customer Risk Rating (CRR) process from alert creation to closure. Partnered with the data science team on a quarterly basis to ensure pre-run and post-run activities were completed accurately and in a timely manner.Partnered across various AML Ops verticals/units which included reassigning work items between departments to ensure review, multi departmental reporting, management of inventory due to active escalations, pending exits, SAR90 items and alerts/clients under review.Partner with external and internal partners on audits and exams which included reviewing the request, pulling case reviews, providing feedback, and responding to recommendations and/or findings. Show less Conducted enhanced due diligence and SAR investigations on the Banks highest risk clients and provided analysis and assessment to ensure that these relationships fell within the Banks risk appetite. Escalated clients to DDO Management and the Policy Office that might harm the Bank’s reputation.Investigations conducted on clients due to manually generated monitoring alerts (i.e., Questionable Activity Referral/QAR) or internal inquiries from Bankers to determine whether any BSA and/ or reputational risks exist for prospective clients prior to on-boarding.Participated in the DDO CRR process improvement project with DDO management to identify areas of congestion, frustration, and redundancy.Served as liaison between the Bank and law enforcement to better determine the nature of the legal order, the purpose and scope of their investigations, and the role our clients play in their investigations. Conducted extensive and thorough investigations of clients for which subpoenas, search warrants, IRS-CI summons, and other legal orders received. Show less

  • Head of Enhanced Due Diligence

    Jan 2023 - Jul 2024

  • Enhanced Due Diligence Senior Manager

    Jan 2021 - Jan 2023

  • Enhanced Due Diligence Manager

    Feb 2018 - Jan 2021

  • Due Dilligence Operations Sr. Investigator

    Jan 2016 - Apr 2018

  • Special Risk Client Unit

    Jun 2014 - Jan 2016