Naomi Moore, Senior Financial Crime Assurance Specialist

I first joined Al Rayan Bank as a Know Your Customer (KYC) Analyst, before being given the opportunity to step up as a KYC Team Leader when the Centre of Excellence team was first created.
Being responsible for building, embedding, and training the team was a challenge at the time, but I now consider it to be one of my proudest achievements. It was really rewarding to see the team fully established and play a key role in supporting the Bank move to a more defined three lines of defence model. 

This experience also enabled me to bring an enhanced skill set to my current role. As a Senior Financial Crime Assurance Specialist, I provide second-line assurance to ensure that controls designed to mitigate financial crime risks are operating effectively, as well as assess the design and effectiveness of policies and local procedures. I collaborate closely with management to obtain samples for testing, report findings, and ensure recommendations are followed through. Additionally, I support the reporting on second-line oversight of cyber security, an area that is new to me, but one I’m enjoying learning more about.

Being able to keep learning is just one of the reasons I’ve stayed at the Bank. I enjoy the work I do and the people I work with. Being part of a smaller organisation provides the unique opportunity to work closely with senior management and get involved in significant projects. The employee benefits are excellent, and the hybrid working arrangements are particularly helpful to me, as a working mother who has recently returned to the workplace. This support to maintain a healthy work-life balance is incredibly important to me.

I believe the Bank’s success is built on a combination of factors. Our values, which are upheld by employees across the organisation, play a significant role. And our unwavering commitment to keep the customer at the centre of everything we do. It has always been a priority to provide excellent customer service and meet customer needs.

But I have seen some changes. Since I first joined, the Bank’s culture has evolved significantly. There is now a clear strategic direction, effectively communicated from the top down. Investment in professional development has also increased, with more training opportunities available. I’ve also seen a real push to support and develop women within the bank. I was fortunate to participate in the Women’s Leadership Programme last year, which was an incredible learning opportunity and a chance to network with colleagues from across the organisation.