Founder/General Manager
Geowinestore LLC
Total years of experience :16 years, 9 Months
· Launched a start-up, obtained authorization from the Tax Administration of the Republic of Latvia to operate an excise warehouse
· Ensured company compliance with all law and regulatory requirements
· Provided general supervision and management of the company's day to day affairs · Developed strategic partnerships
· Developed business strategies and oversaw operations to achieve revenue growth
· Developed AML/CFT/sanctions/compliance policies and procedures to ensure adherence to industry standards, laws and regulations
· Managed the application process for an EMI license from the Central Bank of Cyprus
· Developed schemes and requirements for remote onboarding for all types of customers
· Developed transaction monitoring requirements
· Developed a risk assessment framework
· Evaluated business initiatives, conducted research and provided recommendations
regarding potential business impact
· Developed, kept up to date and implemented AML/CTF/sanctions policies and procedures
· Developed and maintained ML/TF/sanctions risk assessment framework for business- wide and individual ML/TF/sanctions risk assessments
· Oversaw the effective application of AML/CFT/sanctions controls applied by business
lines and internal units
· Acted as the first point of contact for the Central Bank of Cyprus and Financial Intelligent
Unit
· Evaluated and examined STRs/SARs
· Oversaw the company's compliance with current AML/CFT/ sanctions regulations/laws
and industry standards
· Developed and implemented ongoing training and awareness programs to staff members
on industry regulations and best practices
· Performed initial KYC/CDD and ongoing monitoring of business relationships
· Provided professional advice and guidance to the management and business units
· Prepared and submitted mandatory and ad-hoc reports designated by the Central Bank of
Cyprus
· Assessed transactions for compliance with DAC 6 reporting requirements
· Led AML investigations and collaborated with law enforcement agencies/ correspondent
banks to combat financial crimes
· Conducted CDD/ EDD on new and existing customers
· Prepared FATCA, CRS reports
· Led a team of 8 onboarding specialists, providing guidance, improving eciency
· Assessed and implemented technological solutions to automate and improve onboarding
processes
· Managed regulatory lings, ensuring timely and accurate completion, assisted with
regulatory exams
· Ensured real-time monitoring of customer transactions as well as post-monitoring of
cash/security deposits and withdrawals
· Developed, implemented, and maintained an individual risk assessment model
· Developed and maintained AML/CFT/ sanctions policies and procedures
· Conducted CDD/EDD, individual risk assessments for new and existing bank customers
· Conducted AML/CFT/sanctions investigations, analyzed financial transactions, and filed
SARs/STRs
· Acted as a point of contact for the Financial Intelligence Unit
· Performed monitoring of cash deposits and withdrawals
· Collaborated with regulatory agencies and correspondent banks to ensure compliance
with laws/ regulations, providing information in timely manner upon request
· Performed transaction monitoring in real time and through post - monitoring
· Assessed loan applications and creditworthiness, identifying key risks and mitigating factors, participated in the credit committee
· Ensured real-time monitoring of loan portfolio data and credit exposure, credit risk assessment, compliance with bank strategies, policies and procedures
· Managed credit projects, oversaw trade nance operations
· Guided business units on issues related credit queries and risks
· Provided mandatory reports to the Central Bank of Latvia in a timely manner
· Managed credit projects, assessed customer applications, adequacy of collateral, prepared all documentation and participated in the loan committee
· Ensured maintenance of the trade finance database system
· Collaborated with customs warehouses and freight forwarders, conducted warehouse audits and prepared reports for the senior management
· Led a project to develop in-house technology solutions to improve existing monitoring
processes and overall portfolio management functions
· Ensured post monitoring of issued loans, compliance with bank strategies, policies and
procedures
· Founded and managed successful start-up from concept to execution in competitive market
· Oversaw day-to-day operations, including budgeting, hiring and customer relations
· Cultivated strong relationships with customers, vendors, and partners to foster long-term
growth
· Developed and implemented policies and procedures, HACCP self - control system
· Ensured company compliance with all law and regulatory requirements (license
requirements, consumer rights protection etc.)
· Led a team of 30 employees providing leadership