Faisal Raza Awan - ACFCS, ACAMS, JAIBP, MBA (FIN)

Experience

• 

  SAMBA BANK LTD

  Jan 2005 - Dec 2009

  Quality Assurance Officer - SAMBA Bank Ltd - Pakistan

  Worked in different units under compliance and operations groups during my stay at SAMBA BANK LtdAML & KYC Unit (Compliance Group)Successfully implemented AML Solution (XM3) systemReconciliations Unit (Compliance Group) As a Team leader of Reconciliation Department, different reconciliations are being supervised on daily basis which includes Inter branch, Nostro, ATM, SBP, ATM Online, and Inter branch online etc.Internal Controls Unit (Operations Group) Responsible to carryout Field Audit of Business Units and Branches. Show less

• 

  NIB Bank

  Dec 2009 - Dec 2010

  Internal controls officer - NIB Bank Ltd - Pakistan

  Conducting comprehensive monthly review of operational activities of branches and Head Office Based Units as per NIB Operational Manual and SBP policies / guide lines. Identifying control gaps / serious nature of irregularities in the branches and reporting to concerned quarter / high ups promptly for protecting the bank from tangible and intangible losses.Providing guidance & facilitating the branch management regarding implementation of internal controls & SBP policies / guide lines in order to create better control environment and reduce SBP penalties, customer complaints & achieve desired audit ratings by the branches.Designing / re-designing the control processes for branches in order to create better control environment in the branches and manage / reduce the risks or operational losses. Show less

• 

  Bank Al Falah Ltd

  Dec 2010 - Jun 2016

  Regional Manager Compliance - North - Bank Al Falah Ltd - Pakistan

  To supervise staff & conduct Compliance Reviews of more than 125 Islamic + Conventional Branches/ Business Units to ensure compliance of Regulatory Guidelines & Bank’s Policies / Procedures by respective BranchesTo communicate, coordinate with AML Unit on AML/CFT related issues & perform AML functions on an ongoing basis which includes detection of out of pattern transactions & activities: Conduct reviews for enhancement of AML functions in settling long outstanding AML queriesEstablish and maintain cordial working relationship with Regional SBP Inspection Team/ stakeholders. to ensure that the entire annual Inspection process for the Bank runs smoothly and SBP Team gets timely information / administrative support for retrieval of information and ensure compliance of issues highlighted by SBP (in previous year's inspection report).Works with the Learning & development department and others as appropriate to deliver an effective compliance training program as per all applicable Local and International Policies (SBP, FATF etc) , including appropriate introductory training for new employees as well as ongoing training for all employees and managers Show less

• 

  Habib Bank Limited

  Sept 2016 - Oct 2017

  Country Compliance Manager - Habib Bank Ltd, Kabul, Afghanistan

  DA Afghanistan Bank (Central Bank) approved Country Compliance Manager at HBL Kabul, AfghanistanManaging overall Compliance Function.Management of KYC – Quality Assurance ExerciseReview KYCs uploaded by branch onto MISYS. The KYC quality assurance is a highly critical process given that KYCs are the basis of customer profiling (High, Medium and Low Risk) for the organization and is the primarily tool for determining the level of AML/CFT risk in light of Regulations and policies.On ground Training & AwarenessBuild a strong Compliance culture across HBL Afghanistan through continuous training efforts focused at educating branch staff on the criticality of completing KYC accurately and how it culminates into the overall management of Regulatory, AML and reputational risk for the Bank. These training and awareness sessions maybe executed through lectures and practical demonstration.Transaction Monitoring through AML SolutionTo Review the Alerts generated through AML solution (MANTAS). Investigate and raise queries with HBL Afghanistan in order to analyze out of pattern transactions.Resolution of Audit and Inspection FindingsEnsure timely resolution of outstanding observations emanating from Internal and External Audits, DAB Inspection and Thematic reviews in order to strengthen the processes and controls and avoid recurrence of observations in future.Monitor Regulatory SubmissionsEnsure timely submission of regulatory reports and returns via active coordination between various Bank functions. Submissions are reviewed before further submission.Review of AML/CFT Policy & ProcedureMake sure that AML/CFT policy & Procedure is approved by HOK respective departments on Annual basis or earlier if & whenever there are any changes made in regulation.FATCA &CRS ComplianceEnsuring FATCA & CRS Compliance Show less

• 

  National Bank of Pakistan

  Jul 2017 - Aug 2017

  Assistant Vice President, Team Leader CRM Framework - National Bank of Pakistan

  Implementation of Compliance Risk Management (CRM) Framework within the bank (Head Office Based Units) and monitor regulatory Compliance with applicable Laws & Regulations.Review all NBP Policies as well as procedural manuals and/or amendments thereof pertaining to all areas of the bank to ensure their compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.To update Compliance Risk Management (CRM) for each upcoming Regulation/Law.Provide Compliance Support on Regulatory guidelines. Show less

• 

  Ghazanfar Bank

  Nov 2017 - Feb 2020

  Chief Compliance Officer - Ghazanfar Bank, Kabul, Afghanistan

  Looking & Managing after the whole Compliance setup at Ghazanfar Bank. • DA Afghanistan Bank (Central Bank) approved Chief Compliance Officer at Ghazanfar Bank, Kabul, Afghanistan. Professional in Banking having worked in Operations, Compliance, Internal Controls, Quality assurance, Reconciliations etc with an extensive Banking and Finance experience of more than 14 years in different Local and International Banks which Includes SAMBA Bank Ltd, NIB Bank Ltd, Bank al Falah Ltd, National Bank of Pakistan and HBL AfghanistanSpecialized in over all Regulatory Compliance, AML/CFT related End to End Regulatory affairs & Comprehensive Audit Reviews of Branches & Management FunctionsAML/CFT Policy Developed and Approved by Board of supervisors & DA Afghanistan Bank (Central Bank) for Ghazanfar Bank for the First Time.AML/CFT Procedure Developed and Approved by Board of supervisors & DA Afghanistan (Central Bank) Bank for Ghazanfar Bank for the First Time.Annual Risk Based Compliance Program Approved by the Board of SupervisorsCentralization of Compliance Department from Decentralized environment approved by Board of Supervisors.Implemented OFSAA 8.0.6 includes four applications which are KYC Assessment, AML, Customer Screening & Transaction Filtering and Enterprise Case management.Implemented Accuity Database having 15 different lists along with Adverse Media news & Comprehensive PEP database.Automation of Accuity Database with OFSAA 8.0.6.Implemented Real Time Automated and Batch screening for existing as well as New Customers and Local & International Transactions.Implemented Online Compliance Tool for in-depth investigation about PEPs, Adverse media and +Matched entities, Correspondent Banks and Individuals.Implemented Automated LCTR Reporting by Bank with Local Regulatory Body FinTRACA.Implemented Automated DAB Data Collection format prior to Inspection within Fincluse for Data Collection by the central bank as per their requirement. Show less

• 

  Afghan United Bank (AUB)

  Feb 2020 - Dec 2021

  Chief Compliance Officer - Afghan United Bank

  Really Happy and Excited to start my New Job Assignment as "Chief Compliance Officer" at Afghan United Bank.

• 

  National Bank of Pakistan

  Dec 2021 - now

  Manage CRM Project:Oversee all aspects of the CRM project.Implement and update the CRM framework, including RCSA completion and compliance-related KRI's.Ensure Compliance:Timely preparation and updating of frameworks, programs, policies, and procedures.Establish and maintain RCSA's for compliance risks, ensuring quality and continuous updates.Operationalize CRM Processes:Disseminate new regulations within the organization.Track compliance/non-compliance progress, providing senior-level visibility through dashboards.Stakeholder Engagement:Engage with senior stakeholders for CRM success.Discuss and report control gaps, validation failures, and KRI breaches before escalation.Collaboration and Reporting:Collaborate with Monitoring & QA teams.Maintain data on validation failures and non-compliance for in-depth analysis and reporting.Regulatory Database Management:Supervise controls for the regulatory database.Ensure its availability through automated solutions at all bank levels.Automated Solutions for Compliance:Implement automated solutions for compliance risk management.Develop a detailed documented plan, approved by Divisional Head & CCO.Training and Development:Conduct regular training sessions on compliance risk management.Address CRM queries and ensure staff training needs are met.Management Practices:Manage staff effectively, including day-to-day administration and performance appraisals.Ensure merit-based performance evaluations and address absences. Show less Coordinate and oversee the entire process of compliance-related IT projects by managing interactions with key stakeholders.Take charge of (PWG) committee activities by managing documentation, scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, conducting meetings, and providing regular updates to internal stakeholders. Prepare meeting minutes and track actions until resolution.Support the Compliance Function in implementing and ensuring the completion of all mandatory compliance training across the domestic bank.Establish and nurture strong relationships with Steering Committee members, compliance, IT, operations, and business experts.Efficiently secure stakeholder agreement and compliance sign-off for requirement documents.Collaborated with HR, AML, and other SMEs to develop comprehensive compliance training curriculum for all bank staff.Identify, evaluate, and participate in the selection process of instructors or training consultants for e-learning programs.Optimize staff management through effective practices, including overseeing day-to-day administration, staff availability, absences, and merit-based performance evaluations.Provide guidance & on the job training to the PMO & Training staff & create an open work environmentMaintain list of requirements arising out of the new regulations, inspection reports, Internal audit requirements, laws or internal efficiency and maintain BoW Trainings related to compliance for tracking and timely delivery.Facilitate and track completion of mandatory compliance trainings across the bank, ensuring timely implementation and providing comprehensive statistics for reporting at management and other forumCoordinate with HR for content delivery mechanisms and address regulatory observations on compliance training.s. Show less To have strong Liaison with NBP Foreign/ international branches such as Paris, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia etc on all compliance related matters.To actively monitor International Regulatory Developments and Trends, and ensure that the branches comply with the new and amended regulations.To carryout review of policies, Procedures and manuals of overseas branches.To oversee the coordination of Compliance officers of overseas branches to ensure that periodic checks of different branches functions are performed with a view to assess compliance with regulatory and internal policies.To review resolution status of key compliance issues highlighted by the respective regulators.To have oversight on offsite review of overseas branches and subsidiaries covering regulatory & AML/CFT Risks and highlight key issues to the senior management & Board.Any other assignment given by the immediate supervisor.Directly reporting to Head of International Compliance and dotted reporting to the Group Chief Compliance. Show less

  • Senior Vice President (SVP) - Wing Head - Compliance Risk Management (CRM)

    Nov 2023 - now

  • Senior Vice President (SVP) - Wing Head - Project Management Office & Trainings

    Jun 2023 - Oct 2023

  • Senior Vice President (SVP) - Wing Head - International Compliance Division

    Dec 2021 - May 2023