Damien Forrest

Detail-oriented BSA, Fraud, and AML/KYC professional with extensive experience leading teams of up to 20 analysts and managing complex investigations in top financial institutions. Expert in regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and process improvement, with a proven track record of reducing financial losses and driving operational excellence through data analysis and cross-functional collaboration.

Manager KYC Compliance - USAA - San Antonio, TX

(2024-11)

• Acted as the team's key liaison with legal, compliance, credit, and operations, reporting on AML/KYC-related KPIs to segment/group management
• Managed special projects, including remediation, as directed by regulators and internal audit, ensuring compliance and timely completion
• Conducted monthly control audits and improved process mapping, enhancing audit efficiency
• Collaborated with Front Office, Due Diligence, and Global Financial Crimes Compliance teams to support key initiatives
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of money laundering laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), to guide team compliance
• Prepared suspicious activity reports (SARs), ensuring accurate and timely regulatory submissions
• Partnered with colleagues across CCB to plan and manage tactical and strategic projects and change initiatives
• Served as senior escalation point of contact for KYC and reporting issues for designated clients, improving issue resolution
• Managed a group of approximately 20 KYC Analysts accountable for conducting due diligence reviews of Business Banking and Consumer customers
• Worked with clients to collect documents, ensuring information was processed correctly and delivered on a timely basis
• Partnered with large teams of stakeholders on behalf of Global KYC management to evaluate and design solutions for key KYC change events
• Adhered to corporate standards and regulations, encouraging safe and efficient operations
• Presented operational metrics and data to company executives and directors for review, supporting informed decision-making
• Analyzed and reviewed quality trends and measures, reporting feedback to internal partners to drive improvements
• Acted as a subject matter resource on KYC/AML and account opening policies and procedures, enhancing team expertise
• Provided training and coaching support in KYC methodology to increase awareness throughout the KYC Team

BSA AML EDD Analyst IV - Broadway Bank - San Antonio, TX

(2023-09)

• Conducted thorough investigations on AML cases with accuracy, achieving timely completion within assigned deadlines
• Managed multiple duties independently within the department, ensuring operational efficiency
• Escalated cases when appropriate by attaching evidence and documenting investigation efforts, improving case resolution accuracy
• Managed case loads including high-risk alerts, AML, and fraud, consistently completing assigned work monthly
• Maintained working knowledge of BSA principles such as CTRs, CTR Exemption, SARs, 314(a), EDD, MIL, OFAC, and related topics to ensure compliance
• Maintained current knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to BSA/AML and Fraud, supporting regulatory adherence

Vice President KYC Operations Manager - Citibank - San Antonio, TX

(2017-10 - 2023-05)

• Acted as the team's key liaison with legal, compliance, credit, and operations, reporting on AML/KYC-related KPIs to segment/group management
• Managed special projects, including remediation, as directed by regulators and internal audit, ensuring compliance and timely completion
• Conducted monthly control audits and improved process mapping, enhancing audit efficiency
• Collaborated with Front Office, Due Diligence, and Global Financial Crimes Compliance teams to support key initiatives
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of money laundering laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), to guide team compliance
• Prepared suspicious activity reports (SARs), ensuring accurate and timely regulatory submissions
• Partnered with colleagues across CCB to plan and manage tactical and strategic projects and change initiatives
• Served as senior escalation point of contact for KYC and reporting issues for designated clients, improving issue resolution
• Managed a group of approximately 20 KYC Analysts accountable for conducting due diligence reviews of Business Banking and Consumer customers
• Worked with clients to collect documents, ensuring information was processed correctly and delivered on a timely basis
• Partnered with large teams of stakeholders on behalf of Global KYC management to evaluate and design solutions for key KYC change events
• Adhered to corporate standards and regulations, encouraging safe and efficient operations
• Presented operational metrics and data to company executives and directors for review, supporting informed decision-making
• Analyzed and reviewed quality trends and measures, reporting feedback to internal partners to drive improvements
• Acted as a subject matter resource on KYC/AML and account opening policies and procedures, enhancing team expertise
• Provided training and coaching support in KYC methodology to increase awareness throughout the KYC Team

KYC Quality Assurance Analyst - JPMorgan Chase Bank - San Antonio, TX

(2015-11 - 2017-10)

• Supplied quality control data necessary for regulatory submissions, supporting compliance efforts
• Identified quality problems and recommended solutions, improving process effectiveness
• Evaluated analytical methods and procedures to determine improvements, enhancing quality assurance
• Completed quality reviews for consumer retail accounts, ensuring adherence to standards
• Provided coaching and feedback to analysts, increasing team performance
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and compliance with regulatory standards
• Trained new and existing team members on quality assurance best practices, strengthening team capability

Team Leader Digital Fraud - JPMorgan Chase Bank - San Antonio, TX

(2013-08 - 2015-11)

• Suggested changes to standard operational and working practices, providing leadership needed to develop and implement continuous improvements
• Delegated tasks to team members according to project requirements and employee strengths
• Communicated work goals and deadlines to employees to increase productivity and meet project benchmarks
• Prepared reports to summarize operational results and financial performance
• Resolved problems and escalated high-level issues to supervisor within established timeframes
• Analyzed corporate intelligence data to identify trends and patterns
• Administered and created training and awareness presentations or materials
• Recommended improvements in security systems or procedures
• Conducted performance reviews to measure employee growth and skills
• Developed and utilized team building exercises to promote workplace synergy and productivity
• Recommended employees for promotions and notified individuals of career progression opportunities

Risk Analyst IV - JPMorgan Chase Bank - San Antonio, TX

(2013-04 - 2013-08)

• Managed department resources daily and reported to senior leadership
• Investigated data trends to identify risk mitigation strategies
• Collaborate with risk-op partners on improving processes
• Reviewed high dollar wires for approval
• Managed escalated issues
• Reviewed alerts for fraud trends in PEGA, LAD and wire templates
• Provide feedback and coaching to analyst
• Interim Manager for team of 12 analyst

Risk Analyst IV - JPMorgan Chase - San Antonio, TX

(2011-10 - 2013-04)

• Reviewed incoming and outgoing wire transactions for Fraud Trends
• Reviewed high dollar wires for approval
• Worked in a high production environment
• Reviewed alerts for fraud trends in PEGA, LAD and wire templates
• Investigated data trends to identify risk mitigation strategies

Consumer Escalations Specialist - JPMorgan Chase - San Antonio, TX

(2010-10 - 2011-10)

• Resolved escalated issues from consumer clients
• Remained calm and composed to deescalate aggressive customer situations
• Kept records of client interactions and account activity for future reference
• Promoted uniformity and consistency in communications
• Followed up promptly on all unresolved cases from previous shifts

Consumer Lending Analyst - JPMorgan Chase - San Antonio, TX

(2008-07 - 2010-10)

• Reviewed consumer Home Equity Lines of Credit for new and existing clients
• Maintained and reviewed account records, updating and recategorizing them according to status changes
• Handled customer complaints and took appropriate action to resolve them

Associate's degree - Business Management - Fayetteville State University (1999-08 - 2001-12)

EE Smith Highschool