Esther Cruz

Financial crime and investigations professional returning to work after a planned family career break, with more than two years' direct AML and transaction monitoring experience and five years' earlier experience across banking, complaints and claims. Experienced in investigating transaction monitoring alerts, conducting CDD, KYC and enhanced due diligence, identifying risk and emerging typologies, and producing clear audit trails and regulatory reports. Brings sound judgement, strong written communication and the ability to manage varied, high-volume caseloads while reaching fair, evidence-based decisions.

Now seeking to re-establish a career in first-line financial crime within a collaborative, fast-paced bank.

Planned Family Career Break | Full-time Parenting

(2017-09)

Took a planned career break to raise a family and am now ready to return to financial crime and banking operations.

• Maintained strong organisation, prioritisation, judgement and communication while managing complex family responsibilities.
• Bringing prior AML, transaction monitoring and investigations experience back to the workplace with a strong commitment to refresh knowledge and complete relevant sanctions or financial crime certifications.

Anti-Money Laundering Analyst - HiFX / Euronet

(2015-04 - 2017-08)

• Investigated transaction monitoring alerts and reviewed activity for unusual or potentially suspicious patterns, maintaining clear case records and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Completed risk-based client due diligence, KYC validation and enhanced due diligence for medium- and high-risk customers, including Politically Exposed Persons.
• Prepared and submitted Suspicious Activity Reports to the National Crime Agency in line with internal procedures and AML requirements.
• Advised colleagues across the business on AML, client onboarding, conflicts and risk, and supported responses to ad hoc compliance queries.
• Identified emerging risks and typologies from monitoring activity and shared practical guidance with the wider business.
• Liaised with internal stakeholders and partners to keep identification records current and ensure changes in customer structures were fully documented.

Review and Compliance Analyst / Quasi Checker - Lloyds Banking Group

(2013-03 - 2014-12)

Contract role | Banking and Financial Ombudsman Service stage complaints

• Investigated complex banking complaints by reviewing detailed evidence, reconstructing events and maintaining a complete, transparent audit trail.
• Reached impartial, evidence-based decisions and produced clear written outcomes explaining the rationale and fair and reasonable approach.
• Managed a demanding and varied caseload, balancing quality, accuracy and productivity while reprioritising work as required.
• Communicated with customers in writing and by telephone, obtained further evidence and used a mediation-focused approach to resolve disputes.
• Completed training in anti-bribery, CDD, AML and data protection and applied FCA-aligned reasoning to complex cases.
• Supported quality assurance through second-view reviews and clear feedback on investigation quality and decision rationale.

Graduate Claims Analyst - Santander Cards PLC

(2012-03 - 2012-12)

Contract role

• Managed card complaints from receipt to resolution, including case creation, evidence review, decision-making and customer correspondence.
• Handled upheld and rejected claims, calculated redress, arranged payments and issued accurate final response letters.

MSc - Banking and Finance - Queen Mary University of London (2010 - 2011)

BA Hons - Accounting and Finance - Liverpool John Moores University (2007 - 2010)