Nawodika Yapa
Clyde North,Australia
Summary
CAMS-certified Financial Crime Investigator with 7 years of extensive multi-jurisdictional experience in New Zealand, UAE, Qatar, USA, and UK. Expertise includes AML/CTF investigations, SMR/STR reporting, transaction monitoring, correspondent banking, sanctions, PEP customer screening, and Enhanced Due Diligence for high-risk clients. Proficient in interpreting the AML/CTF Act and identifying complex financial crime typologies while delivering high-quality reports to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Recognized for strong risk-based decision-making skills, coaching capabilities in Transaction Monitoring, and adeptness at managing complex escalations under regulatory pressure. Proven track record of excellence in investigative quality and operational improvement through collaboration with law enforcement partners.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Crime Investigation Analyst – Transaction Monitoring & Sanctions
ASB Bank
08.2021 - Current
- Lead end-to-end AML investigations for high-risk customers, correspondent banking Trade base ML, and emerging ML/TF typologies.
- Prepare and review Suspicious Transaction Reports/ Suspicious Matter Reports / Suspicious Activity Reports (STRs/ SMRs/ SAR) and ensure timely and accurate submissions via GoAML(FIU in NZ), quality assurance of all the STRs prior to FIU lodgement.
- Conduct prescribed transaction reporting (IFTIs/TTRs) and collaborate across business units to maintain reporting accuracy.
- Perform Enhanced Due Diligence including direct customer interactions where required.
- Liaise directly with the New Zealand Police FIU on technical reporting matters and case clarifications.
- Subject Matter Expert, providing guidance, Mentored junior analysts, fostering skill development and enhancing team productivity..
- Contributed to GoAML (FIU New Zealand reporting) SOP updates, improving consistency and quality across reporting activities.
- Analyse complex transaction networks, identify risk indicators, and recommend effective mitigations.
- Manager support duties.
- Recognised as TMVP (multiple times) for consistently high-quality investigative outcomes.
- Analyzed financial data to identify trends and inform strategic decision-making.
- Developed comprehensive reports to support senior management in assessing business performance.
- Led initiatives to streamline reporting processes, reducing turnaround time for analysis delivery.
Associate KYC Analyst
ASB Bank
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Conduct enhanced due diligence for both high risk complex entities and individuals in compliance with AML/CFT regulations.
- Collect and analyze customer data from various sources for verification.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of customer information in line with privacy legislation.
- Resolve complex organizational structure verifications.
- Engage with customers to meet regulatory obligations and SLAs.
- Conducted thorough KYC due diligence to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Analyzed customer data to identify potential risks and suspicious activities.
Senior Customer Care Consultant
HRV
02.2017 - 08.2021
- Delivered exceptional customer support & sales, resolving escalated issues with professionalism.
- Managed nationwide scheduling of service operations and maintained CRM accuracy.
- Reviewed business operations report to optimise daily performance.
- HRV Head Office Filter Direct Person of the Year (2018)
- Service & Support Award (2018)
- HRV All-Star (2018)
- National Filter Rack n Stack Winner (2018–2021)
Transaction Monitoring Analyst – UAE & Qatar HSBC
HSBC Bank
02.2015 - 05.2016
- Investigated TM alerts across multiple queues in accordance with UAE/Qatar regulatory frameworks.
- Delivered training and floor support, quality assurance to junior analysts.
- Ensured consistent SLA delivery while managing high-volume workloads.
- Peer reviews
- Manager support duties.
- Global Service Delivery Center
- Service Excellence Award – HSBC UAE Transaction Monitoring (2015)
Executive Officer – Financial Crime & Regulatory Compliance Data Monitoring – USA & UK HSBC
HSBC Bank
03.2014 - 01.2015
- Performed sanctions and PEP screening.
- Conducted blocked list and SDN list checks to ensure global sanctions compliance.
- Top Performer – HSBC (2015)
- Completed Certificate of Competency – Score 87%
- Multiple “Star of the Month” awards in 2014
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across multiple departments.
- Developed and implemented compliance frameworks to meet regulatory standards.
Banking Trainee
Bank of Ceylon
06.2012 - 04.2013
- Front-line customer services.
Education
CAMS -
ACAMS
06.2022
Preventing Online Child Exploitation with Financial Intelligence -
ACAMS
01.2023
Fighting Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Part 2 - US Sex & Exploitation Cases
ACAMS
01.2023
Fighting Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Certificate -
ACAMS
12.2020
Ending Illegal Wildlife Trade Certificate -
ACAMS
12.2020
Applied Banking & Finance -
Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka
12.2014
Diploma in Software Engineering -
IIT – University of Westminster
12.2013
Skills
- AML/CTF Investigations
- Suspicious Matter Reporting
- Transaction Monitoring
- Prescribed transaction reporting
- Correspondent Banking
- Sanctions and Customer Screening
- ECDD
- Stakeholder Management
- Risk-Based Decision-Making
- Data Analysis
- Quality Assurance
- SOP Development
- Team Training
- SQL/ Oracle/ SharePoint
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Multitasking
- Critical Thinking
Accomplishments
- TMVP at ASB (multiple occasions)
- CAMS Certified (2022)
- Filter Sales Top Performer – HRV (2020)
- HRV Head Office Filter Direct Person of the Year (2018)
- HRV All-Star (2018)
- Service & Support Award – HRV (2018)
- Service Excellence Award – HSBC UAE Transaction Monitoring (2015)
- Top Performer – HSBC (2015)
- Completed Certificate of Competency (COC) – HSBC (2015, Score: 87%)
- Star of the Month – HSBC (Multiple Months in 2014)
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading
- Travelling
Timeline
Financial Crime Investigation Analyst – Transaction Monitoring & Sanctions
ASB Bank
08.2021 - Current
Associate KYC Analyst
ASB Bank
01.2021 - 01.2023
Senior Customer Care Consultant
HRV
02.2017 - 08.2021
Transaction Monitoring Analyst – UAE & Qatar HSBC
HSBC Bank
02.2015 - 05.2016
Executive Officer – Financial Crime & Regulatory Compliance Data Monitoring – USA & UK HSBC
HSBC Bank
03.2014 - 01.2015
Banking Trainee
Bank of Ceylon
06.2012 - 04.2013
Preventing Online Child Exploitation with Financial Intelligence -
ACAMS
Fighting Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Part 2 - US Sex & Exploitation Cases
ACAMS
Fighting Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Certificate -
ACAMS
Ending Illegal Wildlife Trade Certificate -
ACAMS
Applied Banking & Finance -
Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka
Diploma in Software Engineering -
IIT – University of Westminster
CAMS -
ACAMS