KHANJINI ARUMUGAM
Senior Compliance Specialist Team Lead, Trade Finance Sanctions Compliance
Penang
Summary
Sanctions compliance professional handling OFAC-related investigations, sanctions screening, AML/CTF compliance, and risk review for trade finance transactions, escalating 10+ policy exceptions per month and reviewing 40+ sanctions screening matches per week. Evaluates 30+ blocked or rejected transactions per month, checks trade documentation for red flags, and documents findings with precision and confidentiality. Supports operational teams by resolving screening issues and reinforcing global sanctions controls.
Overview
1
1
Language
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Specialist Due Diligence Compliance Officer
Commerzbank Global Trade Services
Bayan Lepas, 07
04.2023 - Current
- Train and mentor five new hires on operational procedures, workflow requirements, compliance review practices, and quality standards.
- Maintain a 90% quality score through accurate trade review, disciplined documentation, and consistent compliance checks.
- Conduct due diligence and AML/CTF compliance reviews of trade finance transactions in line with internal policies and procedures.
- Review export and import Letters of Credit, guarantees, SWIFT MT messages, transport documents, and voyage information for sanctions risks.
- Use Trade AI, Sherlock, and Pelican OFAC to support sanctions screening, data refinement, and investigation of potential risk matches.
- Assess discrepancies, red flags, and risk indicators, then escalate cases requiring further investigation or stakeholder review.
- Refine trade document data, manage assigned cases within turnaround targets, and collaborate with partner teams to resolve issues.
Senior Analyst Assistant Branch Manager Operations
Citigroup Transaction Services (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Bayan Lepas, 07
08.2012 - 02.2023
- Tracked 10 escalated cases monthly to support timely resolution of client and operational issues.
- Reviewed 160 trade documents weekly to identify data issues and compliance gaps before processing.
- Managed export Letters of Credit, guarantees, and related trade documentation with accurate review and processing.
- Reviewed potential sanctions concerns across accounts, business relationships, securities holdings, and transactions, including OFAC reporting support.
- Monitored sanctions policies, internal controls, and regulatory developments while preparing daily and monthly management reports.
- Provided escalation support, coached colleagues, and contributed to process improvements that strengthened service quality and delivery.
- Received team leadership and individual performance awards for consistent contributions over an eight-year span.
Telecommunication Sales
Dell Global Business Centre
Bayan Lepas, 07
06.2011 - 06.2012
- Built 30 customer interactions weekly while developing relationships and matching Dell solutions to business needs.
- Achieved 88% of monthly sales target through outbound prospecting and consultative selling of Dell products and solutions.
- Built customer relationships and identified business needs to recommend suitable Dell products and solutions.
- Prepared product information, quotations, and tender-related documentation to support sales activities.
- Supported consultative selling conversations by clarifying product features and aligning recommendations with customer requirements.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Financial Management
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Gelugor Penang01-2019
Bachelor of International Business Management - Global Business Management
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Sintok Kedah01-2012
Skills
Trade Finance Compliance & Due Diligence
AML/CTF & Sanctions Compliance
OFAC Screening & Investigation Support
Trade Document & Transaction Review
Export and Import Letters of Credit
Bank Guarantees & SWIFT MT Messages
Compliance Risk Assessment & Escalation
Case Investigation & Documentation
Sanctions regulations research
Escalation management
Quality assurance reviews
Trade controls monitoring
Stakeholder communication
Training coordination
Management reporting
Performance monitoring
Sanctions list management
Trade-based money laundering detection
KYC remediation
Correspondent banking compliance
Enhanced due diligence
False positive reduction
Trade AI
Accomplishments
Academic Achievement: Dean’s List recognition and active committee involvement in a pre-university society.
Awards
Professional Recognition: Received team leadership and individual performance awards during an eight-year period at Citigroup.
Training
Training & Development: Trained five new hires in trade finance compliance processes and operational procedures.
ACHIEVEMENTS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Quality Performance: Achieved a 90% quality score in the current role.
- Professional Strengths: Analytical thinking, attention to detail, problem-solving, decision-making, stakeholder communication, teamwork, mentoring, and employee development.
Timeline
Senior Specialist Due Diligence Compliance Officer
Commerzbank Global Trade Services
04.2023 - Current
Senior Analyst Assistant Branch Manager Operations
Citigroup Transaction Services (M) Sdn. Bhd.
08.2012 - 02.2023
Telecommunication Sales
Dell Global Business Centre
06.2011 - 06.2012
Bachelor of International Business Management - Global Business Management
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Master of Business Administration - Financial Management
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)