Ayla Abousikkeh
Toronto
Summary
Highly motivated business professional with extensive experience in Global Banking and Correspondent Banking, Client Service Relationships, Enhanced Due Diligence, Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Sanctions Testing practices. Passionate about coaching, learning and training, compliance, AML controls, risk assessment, and best practices. Demonstrates strong client focus and exceptional risk management skills through the establishment of cross-functional business relationships. Proven track record of improving processes, resolving issues, and enhancing efficiency while ensuring compliance. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. Fluent in French, English, and Arabic (native language).
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, AML Testing & Oversight
Scotia Bank Canada
06.2022 - Current
- Assisting the Director, Testing & Oversight in strategic planning as it relates to Quality Assurance and 2nd Line Testing activities in accordance with Testing Standards, Enterprise AML/ATF and Sanctions Policies and applicable regulatory requirements
- Leading multiple simultaneous review engagements while identifying gaps and areas for improvement, ensuring appropriate corrective actions are taken, if necessary
- Monitoring the progress of corrective action plans for identified control deficiencies and manage regulatory issues efficiently
- Understanding the bank’s risk appetite and culture in daily activities and decisions; perform ad-hoc duties and projects as needed.
- Identifying continuous development opportunities and training plan and monitor for achievement/completion.
- Honored for two consecutive years as a Scotia Bank Best of the Best top performer employee in 2022 and 2023
- Conduct training sessions for newly onboarded employees and manage the onboarding process for intern students, supporting them throughout their internship in AML Testing & Oversight
- Provide guidance on record keeping, 360 feedback surveys, feedback process rollout, and QC at the end of each engagement to support our top-tier testing team
- Cultivate a learning mindset and encourage cross-collaboration within the team by implementing 'the bits of wisdom' sessions last year
- A rotating schedule was established for team members to present topics of interest and practice their presentation skills, promoting knowledge sharing and collaborative learning
- Proud to be part of the Scotia Employee Giving Campaign, Scotia Pulse Committee, and Global Compliance and AML Recognition Committee, leading the Best of the Best sub-committee
Manager, QA and Testing, Financial Crime Risk Management
Scotia Bank Canada
05.2021 - 06.2022
- Initiating, managing, and executing projects, testing engagements and/or control reviews independently or within cross functional teams with minimal oversight
- Managing the timely testing and challenge of solutions designed to address AML/ATF and Sanctions issues, as well as tracking status of corrective action plans for identified control deficiencies
- Communicating with business lines and/or operational units and presenting results to Management
- Ensuring all deliverables are completed within negotiated timelines and within established department guidelines and protocols, escalating, as necessary
- Driving continuous improvement to processes, while safeguarding quality and managing regulatory risks
Manager, Enterprise AML Monitoring & Testing / AML Risk
Scotia Bank Canada
07.2019 - 08.2020
- Reviews the design and operational effectiveness of AML/Sanctions controls Program within GBM different jurisdictions to confirm whether implemented Controls adhere to applicable regulatory requirements, Enterprise Standards, and documented Procedures
- Validates any AML issue identified during the testing and provides an independent view to Management of the adequacy and effectiveness of AML, ATF, and Sanctions key Controls
- Performs end to end control reviews with minimal oversight, including defining the scope of the engagement, communicating with Business Lines and Operational Units, presenting results to team management
- Makes recommendations to close identified gaps to management within Business Lines and Operational Units and identify best practices within Scotiabank and the financial industry
- Testing governance harmonization – coordinate and harmonize testing governance globally, across GBM and business lines (including centralized functions) and ensures all activities are conducted in compliance with governing regulations, internal policies, and procedures
Senior Risk Analyst/Enhance Due Diligence/Regulatory Operations & Control
Scotia Bank Canada
09.2017 - 07.2019
- Performed enhanced due diligence for new and existing client relationships considered to be of higher risk by investigating and assessing the relationship for potential financial, reputational, operational and compliance risk in addition to activities that possess money laundering or terrorist financing risks
- Assisted in ensuring the Bank is compliant with AML regulatory obligations to detect and report suspicious activity
- Assisted in Mitigating AML-related financial and reputational risk
- Delivered effective and timely support/ communication on risk initiatives to business line partners, management, and other key internal stakeholders
- Actively identifying opportunities for process and system improvements by bringing innovative ideas to the team and increasing performance efficiency at work
- One of the Top team’s performers; Exceeded performance metrics and set the bar higher for the team
- Received recognition from Banking and other business line partners and stakeholders
- Contributed to the success of the RDC Pilot project in EDDU Commercial
- Took ownership in preparing some training materials/presentations to the team and delivering it with great passion
AML Risk Analyst/Investigator
HSBC Canada
12.2016 - 07.2017
- Performed a holistic view of all HSBC customers (Retail, Commercial, and Global Banking &Market clients) and assess all accounts and relationships risks relating to the customer
- Transaction’s monitoring: Review and analyze Correspondent Banking global transactions to identify on suspicious money laundering and terrorist financing indicators
- Certified in Global Standard and GMSAS (Global Minimum Standard Anti Money Laundering Scenarios)
- Created a new rational to sampling transactions for review based on affiliate risk rating, monthly transactions volume and the risk categories assessed which resulted in saving half of the time taken during the account activity review
KYC/AML Analyst – Capital Markets
Bank of Montreal
07.2015 - 12.2016
- Onboard/Review/Investigate Financial Institutions with Vostro Accounts, Foreign Exchange, Trade Finance, Securities Financing, etc
- Ensured compliance with all AML laws, regulations, guidelines, written procedures; OFAC, CIP, KYC customer/ transaction monitoring
- Performed Sanctions screening, PEPs identification and customer’s risk assessment to identify clients who present higher money laundering and terrorist financing risks to the bank
- Delivered a value-added Client review and implemented an escalation process to evaluate and mitigate the client’s risk and provide recommendation’s actions based on the client’s overall standing
- Employee Giving/United Way Ambassador for BMO Capital Market KYC Team 2015-16
Relationship Manager / International Banking Department & Correspondent banking
Banque Bemo Saudi Fransi
03.2004 - 04.2013
- Establishing, managing, monitoring, and developing banking relationships with all financial and international institutions
- Interface between correspondent banks and other departments in the bank (Trade Finance/Operations and Treasury) to solve any problem that might occur and enhance communication between all parties
- Review and monitor all correspondent banks accounts, credit lines and agreements
- Promote the bank to all major International Banks to build wide network relationships and exchange business by Participating in International Banking Seminars as 'Sibos' and making routine business travels in Europe and Middle East countries
- Established and built business relationships with more than 150 correspondent banks spread all over the world
- Promote and present the bank abroad in annual banking and financial conferences organized by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication in various cities around the world 'SIBOS'
- Performed continuous strategic risk assessment of clients’ portfolio/ analyzed potential risks and revenue growth
Education
Preparing to be CFCS -
01.2025
Bachelor’s degree - Economy & Commerce, Specialized Business Administrations
University of Damascus
10.1996
Skills
- CAMS and Financial Intelligence Specialist certified
- Excellent Communication and People management skills
- Fluent in French, English and Arabic (Native language)
- Cross-functional team coordination
- Troubleshooting and problem resolution
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Data-driven decision making
- Talent development
- Strategic planning
Professionaldevelopmenttraining
- ACAMS Certificate of participation-The Assembly Canada, 11/06/24
- CAMS (Certificate on combatting Modern slavery and human trafficking), 2021
- FIS (Financial Intelligence Specialist), 2020
- CAMS (Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist), 2018
- Global Standard and GMSAS, 2017
- U.S. Compliance Training Program courses, 2015/2016
- International Banking training, 2009
- Management skills and supervising, 2007
Timeline
Senior Manager, AML Testing & Oversight
Scotia Bank Canada
06.2022 - Current
Manager, QA and Testing, Financial Crime Risk Management
Scotia Bank Canada
05.2021 - 06.2022
Manager, Enterprise AML Monitoring & Testing / AML Risk
Scotia Bank Canada
07.2019 - 08.2020
Senior Risk Analyst/Enhance Due Diligence/Regulatory Operations & Control
Scotia Bank Canada
09.2017 - 07.2019
AML Risk Analyst/Investigator
HSBC Canada
12.2016 - 07.2017
KYC/AML Analyst – Capital Markets
Bank of Montreal
07.2015 - 12.2016
Relationship Manager / International Banking Department & Correspondent banking
Banque Bemo Saudi Fransi
03.2004 - 04.2013
Bachelor’s degree - Economy & Commerce, Specialized Business Administrations
University of Damascus
Preparing to be CFCS -
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