Islam Saadawy

• Overseeing all aspects of anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and sanctions compliance within bank.
• Developing and implementing robust AML and sanctions programs to ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate financial crime risks.
• Demonstrated strong track record in driving effective AML strategies, enhancing risk management frameworks, and fostering culture of compliance.
• Successfully led cross-functional teams, collaborated with regulatory bodies, and implemented innovative technologies to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
• Developed and implemented comprehensive policies and procedures to mitigate financial crime risks associated with outgoing transfers.
• Established robust AML/CTF policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with international standards and regulations.
• Built and mentored second line of compliance professionals, preparing them to assume future responsibilities within organization.
• Shared RT Bank's successful AML/CTF initiatives with other Iraqi banks, contributing to overall strengthening of financial sector's compliance framework.
• Led development of second line of defense by building team of skilled compliance professionals, ensuring sustainability and succession planning for RT Bank’s compliance functions.
• Implemented training and mentorship programs to cultivate future leaders in compliance, enhancing overall resilience and capability of AML/CTF department.
• Collaborated with K2 Integrity to assess and enhance our AML systems and policies, received praise from K2 Integrity for established procedures and policies, with recommendation to circulate these best practices to other Iraqi banks for broader benefit.

• Support for value addition in TBML operation Procedure as per TBML Policy to monitor trade transactions
• Research, evaluate and analyze transactions to understand nature of activity and identify significant trends for terrorism financing and money laundering patterns.
• Analyzing money laundering risk by checking for red flags (i.e. over and under invoicing, shell companies, tax heaven countries, tax evasion, multiple invoicing, economic sense and/or phantom shipment), etc.
• Identifying dual use of goods.
• Maintenance of red flags record.
• Update TBML procedure and implemented policies in case of any amendment/changes.
• Experience using Data gear ECM (Enterprise Case Management) interface to manage cases/alerts generated from monitoring/screening trade finance transactions.
• Escalate suspicious activity to money laundering reporting officer (MLRO).
• Closely coordinating with Compliance, Operations and financial institutions departments for smooth processing of transactions.
• Manage TBML team efficiently to mitigate TBML risk.

• Responsible for end-to-end AML Compliance advisory and manage broad spectrum of 49 branches located in North Cairo and Canal regions to safeguard business activities.
• Conducting Enhanced Due Diligence reviews on more complex and/or higher risk customers, trigger event review and enhanced due diligence for higher risk customers and suspicious transactions (e.g. PEP, sanctions, adverse news, assignments, cash or cash equivalent transactions, etc.) according to applicable AML/CTF policies / guidelines.
• Conducting analysis on ownership and control structures of customers via publicly available source or company documentation to meet full KYC due diligence.
• Identify and escalate higher risk customers / suspicious transactions / activities for senior management reporting / review and approvals.
• Conducting investigation into suspicious activities and prepare suspicious transaction report for timely filing to Financial Intelligence Unit.
• Contribute suggestions / support to improve system/operation processes and methodologies through participation of process improvement or digitalization projects, e.g. conduct user acceptance test, update operation manuals, etc.
• Preparing memo of findings and assessment.
• Reviewing and dispositioning Alert escalations (Name screening for negative news, PEPs, and potential sanctions hits).
• Investigated fraud referrals and performed research to minimize risk and resolve inquiries.
• Read fraud and security risk management-related articles and white papers and took part in webinars to keep abreast of changes in fraud and security landscape.
• Handling escalations from front office or onboarding teams.
• Maintaining blacklist of unwanted prospects, relationships or exited customers.
• Provide guidance as needed to onboarding team(s) on additional document requirements as well as alerts warranting escalation.
• Experience using LexisNexis, World Check or similar tools for due diligence.
• Have strong working knowledge of Knowledge of KYC, CDD&EDD, MLCU, OFAC, PATRIOT Act, requirements and regulations.
• Dealing with Internal and external auditors on audit processes.
• Recommended new software tools and enhancements to improve fraud detection, prevention and reporting efforts

• Provide sound sanctions advisory services to respective stakeholders - including interpretation on sanctions regulations issued by US , EU, UK, and local Sanctions.
• Long Experience dealing with updated Ukraine-/Russia related sectoral sanctions programs imposed by OFAC and EU.
• Long experience handling significant transactions held with Largest Russian economy sectors' subject to international sanctions in accordance with sanctions laws.
• Update Sanctions Policy, set procedures and disseminate to all Bank employees.
• Provide support to Chief AML Officer and other AML management team on relevant issues.
• Engage with Risk, Compliance, and other AML colleagues on sanctions related topics.
• Assessing controls relating to screening of payments and applicable transactions (by business line) to identify potential screening gaps and develop implementation plans to address them and improve control environment.
• Oversight and guidance to respective teams (Operations, Treasury, Trade Finance , Digital Transformation team ..) on control enhancements that need to be implemented based on gaps noted, ensure procedures are in place.
• Perform quality assurance checks and validations of Sanctions management filtering systems to ensure systems are compliant per releases of regulators updates.
• Long experience using LexisNexis, World Check or similar tools for due diligence.
• Long experience using Fircosoft, EastNets Safewatch filtering system for Sanctions screening requirements.
• Conducting Fit and Proper Correspondent Banking Due Diligence Questionnaire (CBDDQ) as per Wolfsberg definition and current FATF Guidance.
• Experience dealing with Wolfsberg Correspondent Banking Due Diligence Questionnaire (CBDDQ) and other US,EU Financial institutions' Questionnaire
• Develop and deliver Sanctions related training as needed.
• Stay abreast with new laws and regulations that involve Global/ Local Sanctions Compliance.

• Actively listened to customers' requests, confirming full understanding before addressing concerns.
• Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions and competitor actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals.
• Worked with customers to understand needs and provide excellent service.
• Worked within applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
• Experience dealing with trade finance products (DC, LC, LG)
• Authorizing and evaluating overdrafts and loans.
• Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.

Completed professional development with Distinction Grade in:

• Banking
• The banks balance sheet
• Bank risks and regulation
• Financial calculations
• Financial analysis of non-financial companies
• Retail and corporate credit analysis
• Retail banking
• Retail banking - Credit assessment
• Corporate banking
• Corporate banking - Credit assessment
• Private banking and wealth management
• Corporate risk-management products
• Islamic banking
• Compliance

Professional development for 206 hours completed in :

• Basel II & Overview on basel III
• Treasury Operations
• Trade Finance
• Retail Banking
• CSR and Corporate Sustainability
• Legal Aspects of Banking Compliance
• Fintech and Block Chain
• New Techniques in Compliance
• Islamic Banking
• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Credit
• Strategies for SME Finance
• Business Modeling
• The Brand is You
• Accelerating your leadership Success Experiential
• Emotional Intelligence
• DDI ( A global leadership development and human resources consulting firm ) Leadership & Management Journey - 64 hours