PUAH SEI CHEONG
Summary
A highly skilled and motivated Private Banking KYC Specialist with close to 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. Expertise in managing complex KYC and AML requirements, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. Adept at building strong working relationships with relationship managers, compliance teams, and operational staff to deliver tailored, client-focused banking solutions. Proven track record of streamlining KYC processes, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining regulatory compliance to mitigate risks. Strong problem-solving skills with a commitment to providing exceptional service and support for long-term client satisfaction.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Private Banking – CDD (AVP)
Bank J. Safra Sarasin Ltd
04.2022 - 10.2024
- Collaborated closely with the Front Office to ensure an efficient and seamless onboarding experience for clients, balancing compliance requirements with a client-friendly approach.
- Oversaw the end-to-end client onboarding cycle, from verifying client documentation to conducting thorough customer due diligence (CDD) checks, ensuring full compliance with internal policies and regulatory standards.
- Performed detailed assessments of clients' backgrounds, sources of wealth, net worth, and tax profiles, ensuring accurate client classification and appropriate risk profiling.
- Identified, evaluated, and assessed potential risks—reputational, regulatory, and operational—associated with the client onboarding process, implementing and enforcing mitigation measures to prevent compliance breaches.
Private Banking – Onboarding Advisory (Associate)
DBS Bank Limited
03.2018 - 04.2022
- Provided expert guidance to the Front Office on verifying clients' source of wealth and net worth, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of onboarding documentation for KYC & CDD compliance.
- Coordinated the submission of client onboarding documentation from the Front Office to relevant stakeholders (KYC and Documentation teams). Thoroughly reviewed KYC write-ups and supporting documents to ensure all necessary information was captured for compliance.
- Conducted comprehensive screening of prospects using World-Check, internal systems, and blacklists to identify potential risks and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
- Prepared and delivered detailed Management Information System (MIS) reports on account openings and merger account repapering activities, ensuring transparency and accuracy in reporting.
- Coordinated Business Continuity Planning (BCP) efforts, ensuring seamless client onboarding and operational processes during periods of disruption.
- Streamlined the internal client onboarding process, implementing improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and client satisfaction.
- Led the remediation process for accredited investor accounts, ensuring compliance with SEC and other regulatory requirements by verifying investor qualifications and maintaining accurate documentation.
Private Banking - KYC (Analyst)
Nomura Singapore Limited
04.2015 - 03.2018
- Collaborated with Front Office to perform KYC & CDD reviews for existing clients, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Identified and escalated AML/CFT risks to Compliance for further action and investigation.
- Maintained and ensured the accuracy of client account documentation, adhering to internal standards.
- Reviewed and processed ad-hoc account updates, ensuring accurate account status.
- Reported daily account reconciliation statuses to senior management, highlighting key issues and trends.
- Generated MIS reports on periodic reviews, supporting decision-making with accurate data.
- Led FATCA remediation efforts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and improve documentation accuracy.
Division Officer of IMOS/BMTC
Singapore Arm Forces (SAF)
09.2009 - 09.2011
- Planned overall coursework as Course Commander for trainees, ensuring structured and comprehensive training programs.
- Supervised and conducted activities, providing guidance and support to trainees throughout their learning process.
- Organized events for up to 500 participants, managing logistics and ensuring smooth execution of all activities.
IT System Developer (Intern)
Ernst & Young
09.2008 - 01.2009
Education
BSC - Banking And Finance
University of London International Programmes (LSE)
Diploma - Information Technology
Temasek Polytechnic
Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Problem Solving and Decision Making
- Adaptability to Regulatory Changes
- Confidentiality and Integrity
- Communication Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Conflict Resolution
Professional Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- World-Check
- Factiva
- Avaloq
- Java
- CTI Tax Solution (Markit)
- C Programming
Computer Skills
Timeline
Private Banking – CDD (AVP)
Bank J. Safra Sarasin Ltd
04.2022 - 10.2024
Private Banking – Onboarding Advisory (Associate)
DBS Bank Limited
03.2018 - 04.2022
Private Banking - KYC (Analyst)
Nomura Singapore Limited
04.2015 - 03.2018
Division Officer of IMOS/BMTC
Singapore Arm Forces (SAF)
09.2009 - 09.2011
IT System Developer (Intern)
Ernst & Young
09.2008 - 01.2009
BSC - Banking And Finance
University of London International Programmes (LSE)
Diploma - Information Technology
Temasek Polytechnic
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