What are the responsibilities and job description for the Analyst - Compliance AML Investigations position at American Express?
Job Description
American Express’s Global Financial Crimes Surveillance Unit (GFCSU) and the US Investigations Unit (USIU) are part of the broader Global Risk & Compliance organization, operating within Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC). Together, they provide end-to-end oversight and support of global financial crimes investigations. In partnership with GFCC, GFCSU and USIU develop and implement transaction monitoring rules, reports, and other tools to detect potential criminal activity. They investigate suspicious financial behavior and, when necessary, file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) or refer cases to internal compliance partners for global reporting. These teams also manage risk related to politically exposed persons (PEPs) through sanctions screening and enhanced due diligence processes, as well as improper payments that may signal bribery, corruption, or other illicit conduct. GFCSU and USIU play a vital role in ensuring compliance with key regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. They also support law enforcement by providing critical information to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, credit card fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:
About Us
At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.
As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career. Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.
About The Team
We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:
American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.
We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.
US Job Seekers - Click to view the “ Know Your Rights ” poster. If the link does not work, you may access the poster by copying and pasting the following URL in a new browser window: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster.
The below represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.
American Express’s Global Financial Crimes Surveillance Unit (GFCSU) and the US Investigations Unit (USIU) are part of the broader Global Risk & Compliance organization, operating within Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC). Together, they provide end-to-end oversight and support of global financial crimes investigations. In partnership with GFCC, GFCSU and USIU develop and implement transaction monitoring rules, reports, and other tools to detect potential criminal activity. They investigate suspicious financial behavior and, when necessary, file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) or refer cases to internal compliance partners for global reporting. These teams also manage risk related to politically exposed persons (PEPs) through sanctions screening and enhanced due diligence processes, as well as improper payments that may signal bribery, corruption, or other illicit conduct. GFCSU and USIU play a vital role in ensuring compliance with key regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. They also support law enforcement by providing critical information to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, credit card fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes.
Minimum Qualifications
- A minimum of two years of experience in the legal field, audit, investigations or in the broader financial industry or Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields of study: Justice Studies, English, Journalism, Finance, Accounting, Statistics, or other fields involving intensive research, writing, or data analysis
- Minimum of six months of experience conducting financial crime investigations at American Express, with demonstrated proficiency leveraging American Express data sources, tools, and internal systems to independently produce high-quality and well-supported investigative decisions.
- Proven ability to analyze large amounts of data from various sources and make logical and well-supported decisions to report critical information
- Strong oral communication skills and ability to produce written summaries which clearly consolidate recommendations and conclusions
- High level of professionalism, self-motivation and sense of urgency
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word, with demonstrated ability to learn new technologies quickly
- Demonstrated ability to work with leaders, team members, and strategic partners at all levels and across functional lines
- Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential and professional manner
- A minimum of two years of experience in Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)/Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance or law enforcement
- Proficiency in researching information for business related purposes.
- Knowledge of American Express products and systems
- Strong knowledge of banking industry and related regulations and laws
- Ability to leverage data to make effective business decisions
- Experience delivering effective feedback to support process improvement(s) and/or enhanced proficiency
- CAMS and/or CFE certification is preferred
- Conduct time-sensitive, meticulous initial investigations, analyzing each instance of potential money laundering activity and/or suspicious financial activity across multiple jurisdictions and countries, utilizing a wide variety of research and analytical tools.
- Produce well-written reports detailing and analyzing potentially suspicious activity for review by a secondary reviewer.
- Build strong relationships with strategic partners across the unit to ensure effective coordination of significant investigations.
- Demonstrate a keen attention to detail in investigation, analysis, and writing.
- Collaborate proactively with colleagues in a hybrid work environment to work through investigative roadblocks.
- Support coaching colleagues through peer reviews and quality evaluations of casework as appropriate based on individual capabilities and expertise.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A minimum of two years of experience in Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)/Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance or law enforcement
- Proficiency in researching information for business related purposes.
- Knowledge of American Express products and systems
- Strong knowledge of banking industry and related regulations and laws
- Ability to leverage data to make effective business decisions
- Experience delivering effective feedback to support process improvement(s) and/or enhanced proficiency
- CAMS and/or CFE certification is preferred
About Us
At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.
As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career. Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.
About The Team
We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:
- Competitive base salaries
- Bonus incentives
- 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
- Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
- Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
- 20 weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
- Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
- Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
- Career development and training opportunities
American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.
We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.
US Job Seekers - Click to view the “ Know Your Rights ” poster. If the link does not work, you may access the poster by copying and pasting the following URL in a new browser window: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster.
The below represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.