José Leite

Compliance professional with over 8 years of experience across financial services, specialising in AML/CTF, Regulatory Compliance, Compliance Monitoring and Financial Crime investigations.

Experience across Tier 1 banks, securities firms and fintech environments, including regulatory authorisation work, Portuguese regulatory requirements, cross-border activities and third-party oversight. Experienced as Compliance Officer and MLRO, with a background spanning advisory, monitoring, investigations and team leadership.

Consultant Compliance Officer and Deputy MLRO at Uphold, Lda (2025-05 – 2026-08)

Served as Compliance Officer and Deputy MLRO for a foreign entity that applied to the Bank of Portugal for authorisation to establish an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) in Portugal. Supported the authorisation process through the development of compliance policies, procedures and the application of Portuguese legislation to future business processes. Also monitored the progress of the regulatory authorisation process and supported areas requiring further development in regulatory compliance.

Concurrently, developed and continuously monitored a Compliance Monitoring Plan translating the entity’s regulatory and risk universe into a structured programme of tests, reviews, and assessments.

Compliance Officer & MLRO at Leonteq Securities (Europe) Gmbh - Sucursal Em Portugal (2023-05 – 2025-05)

Provided compliance advisory and analysis on new initiatives and products, cross-border decisions, target markets, distribution and marketing materials, and third-party product distribution. Assessed compliance implications of new business initiatives and proposed target markets, supporting the business across international activities (in Europe and Middle East). From October 2024, also appointed MLRO of Leonteq’s Lisbon branch, with responsibility for supervising, monitoring and reporting to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).

Team Leader - AML/CTF, Level 2 (BP2S & Prime Brokerage) at BNP Paribas (2022-04 – 2023-04)

Managed the AML/CTF Level 2 team, overseeing administrative matters and addressing operational issues and challenges. Maintained regular contact with Level 3 Compliance Officers across 16 business areas and jurisdictions.

Compliance Specialist - AML/CTF Investigations – Level 2 at BNP Paribas (2021-03 – 2022-03)

Conducted investigations into transactions suspected of AML/CTF concerns based on enhanced due diligence policies and procedures. Managed cases referred by Level 1 teams across BNP Paribas locations in Portugal, liaising with relationship managers and Level 3 Compliance teams (local MLROs). Also supported AML processes within Securities Services (BP2S) and Cash Management.

Compliance Analyst - AML/CTF Investigations, Level 1 at BNP Paribas (2018-02 – 2021-02)

Investigated AML/CTF issues arising from client financial transactions, monitored suspicious payments, resolved false positives and escalated suspicious transactions to the Level 2 team for further investigation.

Master in Finance – Portuguese Catholic University – Católica Porto Business School (2017 – 2017)

Degree in Economics – Portuguese Catholic University – Católica Porto Business School (2015 – 2015)