FRANCESCA SOUZA

Head Of Compliance | MLRO

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Professional experience

Defined compliance and AML strategy at Axis Bank Limited, DIFC, steering regulatory relations with the DFSA and RBI. Manages branch-wide corporate governance, AML operations, and transactional screening while ensuring alignment between host and home country regulatory requirements.

• •Acts as the single point of contact for the DFSA and RBI, maintaining compliance with corporate governance and AML standards.
• •Architects the branch Business AML Risk Assessment, updating it continuously to reflect changes from the UAE NARA, EOCN, and CB UAE.
• •Manages AML operations, including the approval of CDD and KYC renewals, name screening alert resolution, and the maintenance of internal watchlists.
• •Oversees transactional screening operations, including the approval of live payments and the development of transaction algorithms for active products.
• •Reports STRs and SARs to the regulator, coordinates regulatory audits and inspections, and facilitates information flow between the branch and head office management.

Defined the compliance and anti-money laundering strategy at Aarna Capital Limited, steering regulatory engagement and internal policy development within the ADGM jurisdiction. Managed the firm's regulatory license applications and oversaw the monitoring of trades and transactions to ensure adherence to local and international standards.

• •Acted as the primary regulatory contact for the FSRA and SCA regarding all AML compliance matters and firm-wide regulatory license applications.
• •Developed and updated compliance policies, procedures, and documentation to align with EU, UK, US, and local economic sanctions and regulatory requirements.
• •Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement compliance controls and conducted regular audits to identify and address potential noncompliance situations.

Defined the group compliance and AML strategy at Finance House PJSC, steering regulatory oversight across insurance, finance, securities, and digital banking divisions. Managed internal control systems and reporting requirements for the Insurance Authority, Central Bank of the UAE, SCA, and FSRA.

• •Architected and maintained group-wide AML/CFT manuals, policies, and procedures to ensure alignment with evolving regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• •Steered all regulatory submissions and correspondence, including the filing of Suspicious Transactions Reports (STRs) with the FIU and quarterly compliance reporting to the Board.
• •Implemented compliance monitoring programs and performed testing to identify deficiencies, executing necessary amendments to maintain operational adherence to FSRA, SCA, and Central Bank standards.

Defined the financial crime compliance and AML strategy at Pyypl Group Limited, steering the organization's regulatory adherence and risk management framework. Served as the primary liaison for the Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit, providing strategic guidance to the Board on operational risk and compliance policy.

• •Architected and implemented end-to-end AML and compliance frameworks, including business procedures and internal reporting systems to ensure organizational alignment with regulatory standards.
• •Steered the suspicious activity reporting process and conducted annual AML inspections to test the effectiveness of internal controls and program integrity.
• •Influenced Board-level decision-making by providing financial crime compliance advice and delivering management reports on compliance operations and regulatory progress.

Defined the Sanctions List Management strategy for the MENAP region at Standard Chartered Bank, steering the regional deployment of screening controls and system architecture. Acted as the principal contact for global lines of business, ensuring alignment with Sanctions Laws and internal policy requirements.

• •Executed the centralization of list management functions across the region, streamlining internal list maintenance processes.
• •Developed and deployed controls for Sanctions screening watchlists to mitigate the risk of transacting in contravention of Sanctions Laws.
• •Supported the delivery of the Sanctions Target Operating Model by managing screening, list management, and system-related requirements.

Defined the regional sanctions screening strategy for the MENAP region at Standard Chartered Bank, steering the Regional Name Screening team. Managed sanctions screening functions, list management, and provided regulatory guidance to lines of business and Country FCC teams to ensure adherence to internal policies and external regulations.

• •Managed the regional name screening process, tracked system updates, ensured narrative quality, and performed periodic reviews of the list tracker.
• •Coordinated the reporting of key metrics to AME leadership and oversaw risk assessments to support regional reporting requirements.
• •Escalated material breaches or potential violations of sanctions laws, regulations, and Group procedures to the Regional Head of Financial Crime Compliance and Global Sanctions Advisor.

Defined the regional FCC controls strategy for the MENAP region at Standard Chartered Bank, steering transaction surveillance, AML advisory, and sanctions compliance across wholesale and consumer banking. Managed relationships with Financial Intelligence Units and coordinated monitoring reviews to ensure the effectiveness of the regional compliance program.

• •Architected transaction and sanctions surveillance processes, providing advisory support to country teams to maintain satisfactory control environments.
• •Steered regional outreach initiatives and coordinated monitoring reviews to align local operations with the broader FCC Compliance Program.
• •Supported AML investigations, risk management, governance, and oversight activities across the MENAP region.

Defined regional sanctions compliance strategy for the MENAP region at Standard Chartered Bank, steering transactional monitoring, policy development, and regulatory reporting. Managed high-risk account oversight and provided technical guidance on US and non-US sanctions regulations to ensure institutional adherence.

• •Established transactional monitoring processes, trend analysis, and stakeholder education programs to standardize compliance procedures across the region.
• •Developed internal sanctions screening procedures for new and existing product streams and conducted impact assessments regarding Israeli boycott regulations on banking transactions.
• •Oversaw monitoring and control of high-risk accounts, delivering regular reports to senior management and securing regulatory approvals for transactions as required.

Defined regional AML/ATF investigation strategy for the MENAP region at Standard Chartered Bank, steering the suspicious transaction reporting process and high-risk client oversight. Managed compliance workflows across business units, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and internal risk frameworks.

• •Managed the suspicious transactions reporting process by analyzing alerts from monitoring systems and coordinating findings with the CAMLO for regulatory submission.
• •Executed Enhanced Due Diligence for high-risk clients and conducted periodic account reviews to identify and escalate unusual activity.
• •Architected system enhancement requirements for AML/ATF applications and facilitated staff training on regulatory compliance policies.

Defined regional business operational risk and anti-money laundering strategy at Standard Chartered Bank UAE, steering governance and compliance frameworks across the DIFC. Managed oversight for end-to-end processes including client onboarding, credit risk, and regulatory reporting while chairing the business risk management committee.

• •Implemented the regional risk management framework and managed the business risk management committee to ensure adherence to internal and regulatory standards.
• •Led assurance testing and coordinated with compliance, audit, and regulatory teams to close findings and oversee remediation projects within stipulated timelines.
• •Drove continuous process improvement across the business universe, including client onboarding, transaction monitoring, and portfolio management.

Defined business support strategy at Standard Chartered Bank, reporting to the Head of OCC. Steered the execution of the bank's strategic agenda by coordinating with business heads to align operational plans with corporate objectives.

• •Collaborated with the Wholesale Banking Head to identify, analyze, and implement strategic opportunities for franchise growth.
• •Developed and updated business execution plans based on the bank's strategy document to support the Head of OCC.
• •Tracked the progress of business-critical issues, product rollouts, and initiatives through the preparation of strategy presentations and business plans.

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