Mary Mwangata

I am an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and East Africa and a seasoned Risk, Regulatory and Compliance Professional.

I possess over a decade experience in Mainstream Banking, Investment Banking/Fund Management and in Fintech startups offering new and disruptive solutions aimed at bridging the gap in financial services to the marginalized and underserved in Africa and other emerging markets such as Asia.

I clearly understand that every Customer, Business and Jurisdiction pose its unique characteristic beyond risk posed by grey areas in regulation and appreciating the reward of first move advantage and engaging key stakeholders in deepening financial markets in strategic jurisdictions. My approach of managing financial crime risk is not only rule based but also pragmatic.

SENIOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER AFRICA - THUNES 

January 2021 – To date

OPERATIONAL/AML COMPLIANCE 

• Assist the Global Head of AML in monitoring transactions, sanction screening, and partner due diligence and all AML investigations covering all payment methods; Paying in and Paying Out of all partners in Africa. These transactions cover Bank transfers, mobile wallets, PayPal accounts, Collections and Alternative Payment method.
• Identify new and emerging AML/Fraud behavior
• Support the Global Partner Audit team in the region 
• Build a local Compliance team as the activity grows 
• Communicate and train relevant teams on compliance requirements 
• Manage compliance relationships with our African partners 
• Identify, track and escalate Compliance and Regulatory risks throughout the business in Africa 

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Advises on compliance requirements as they relate to regulatory changes and/or development of new or modified products and services.
• Build and maintain cordial relationships with all key stakeholders such as Central Bank of Kenya, Government, GSMA, FSD and other Partners such as Banks, IMTOs, PSPs, MNOs and E-Money Providers.
• Provide the business with Regulatory Opinion on emerging changes to policy and regulation with the aim of leveraging on opportunities for new business and mitigate against any emerging Regulatory and Compliance Risks.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE MANAGER - AZA FINANCE 

March 2018 – December 2020

OPERATIONAL/AML COMPLIANCE

• Conduct compliance reviews pursuant to the set monitoring and testing program. 
• Identify monitoring/testing issues, present findings to line-of-business partners, propose corrective action, work with issue owners to track progress, and validate completed remediation. 
• Maintain close relationships with line-of-business partners and provide periodic guidance regarding compliance-related questions and self-identified issues. 
• Manage Compliance training and awareness programs. 
• Advises on compliance requirements as they relate to regulatory changes and/or development of new or modified products and services.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Build and maintain cordial relationships with all key stakeholders such as Central Bank of Kenya, Government, GSMA, FSD and other Partners such as Banks, IMTOs, PSPs, MNOs and E-Money Providers.
• Provide the business with Regulatory Opinion on emerging changes to policy and regulation with the aim of leveraging on opportunities for new business and mitigate against any emerging Regulatory and Compliance Risks.
• Review Licensing terms and conditions and benchmark with global best practices
• Obtain approvals for new products, tariffs or promotion from Regulators such as Central Bank of Kenya as and when required.

LEGAL RISK AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER, STANLIB 

January 2013 – September 2016 

• Oversee the Compliance program in East Africa
• Implement the Group Risk Management program in East Africa
• Contract Management
• Regulatory stakeholder relationship management
• General legal and Regulatory advice to the business

LEGAL COUNSEL TRANSNATIONAL BANK 

September 2012 –December 2012 

• Supporting the Credit Team in drafting and review of Facility/Loan offer letters.
• Preparation and Review of conveyancing and Security perfection documents such as charges, mortgages, chattel mortgage, guarantee, deeds and debentures
• Litigation for and against the bank
• Contract negotiation drafting and review 
• Debt Recovery and Realization of Accounts

SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER, EQUITY BANK GROUP 

August 2007 – August 2012

• Preparation and Review of conveyancing and Security perfection documents such as charges, mortgages, chattel mortgage, guarantee, deeds and debentures
• Litigation for and against the bank
• Contract negotiation drafting and review
• Legal training and awareness
• General legal research

LEGAL INTERN, INVESTMENT AND MORTGAGES BANK (I&M) 

May 2006 - December 2006

Education

• SECTION 5 CERTIFIED CORPORATION SECRETARY (CS) KASNEB 

• CHARTERED INSTITUTE FOR SECURITIES & INVESTMENT 

IISI – International Introduction to Securities & Investment (Kenya). Ongoing RMP –

Regulations & Market Practice (Kenya). Ongoing

• DIPLOMA IN LAW (KENYA SCHOOL OF LAW) ADVOCATE, COMMISSIONER OF OATHS AND NOTARY PUBLIC

Jan 2007-Nov 2007 Kenya School of Law Nairobi

• DEGREE IN LAWS (LLB) SECOND CLASS HONORS, MOI UNIVERSITY

August 2002 – December 2006

• KENYA CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, MOI GIRLS SCHOOL 

January 1997 – December 2000