Anti-Money Laundering Manager

At Verto, we’re passionate about helping businesses in Emerging markets reach the world. What first started life as a FX solution for trading Nigerian Naira has now become a market-leading platform, changing the way thousands of businesses transfer money in and out of Emerging Markets.

We’re on a mission to change this by creating equal access to easy payment and liquidity solutions that are already a given in developed markets. Backed by world-class investors and recognised for our innovation — including winning the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech, receiving the B2B Payments Innovation Award at the 2025 FinTech Breakthrough Awards, and being named ‘Fintech Start-Up of the Year’ at the Fintech Awards London 2022 — we are growing rapidly, processing billions of dollars annually.

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic compliance leader to act as our designated Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) in Hong Kong. This pivotal role is ideal for a driven professional who is excited to build and oversee a robust compliance framework, ensuring our operations adhere to the highest standards of regulatory compliance within the dynamic B2B cross-border payments sector.

In this role, you will be empowered to achieve key milestones, such as establishing and enhancing the firm’s AML/CTF program under the Hong Kong MSO license, while ensuring the seamless alignment of local requirements with our global compliance strategy. You will play a crucial role in steering the company through the complexities of Hong Kong's regulatory landscape, leveraging your deep expertise to develop and implement comprehensive and effective risk-based controls.

Responsibilities

• Overall Compliance and Regulatory Adherence:

  • Serve as the designated MLRO for the firm, ensuring full compliance with Hong Kong’s regulatory requirements under the Customs and Excise Department’s MSO licensing regime.

  • Oversee the organisation’s adherence to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Couner-Terroism Financing (CTF) regulations, by implementing necessary policies and procedures.

  • Collaborate with the Verto Group compliance function to align and implement policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with local Hong Kong MSO regulations and statutory requirements.

• Policy Development, Implementation and Risk Management:

  • Develop , implement and maintain comprehensive AML/CTF policies, procedures, and controls, specifically tailored to B2B cross border payments and aligned with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

  • Conduct regular risk assessments and compliance reviews to identify and evaluate potential money laundering and terrorist financing risks, pinpoint gaps and recommend improvements.

• Suspicious Activity Monitoring and Reporting:

  • Establish and maintain an effective system for identifying, monitoring, and reporting suspicious transactions or activities.

  • Investigate and analyse suspicious transactions or activities, assessing their potential impact on AML/CTF compliance.

  • Prepare and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the relevant authorities in accordance with our regulatory obligations.

• Regulatory Engagement and Reporting:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies regarding AML/CTF matters, including the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department and the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU).

  • Oversee the preparation and submission of periodic compliance reports and transaction statements, including AML/CTF compliance reports to senior management and regulatory authorities as required.

• Compliance Operations and Monitoring

  • Oversee the compliance operations for the Hong Kong entity encompassing critical functions such as customer onboarding, due diligence review, transactions monitoring, sanctions screening, vendor reviews, regulatory reporting procedures.

  • Establish and maintain a robust compliance monitoring program to assess the effectiveness of AML/CTF controls and procedures.

• Training and Internal Collaboration:

  • Provide training to staff on AML/CFT obligations and best practices, developing and delivering comprehensive AML/CTF training programs across all employees to ensure a high level of awareness and understanding.

Requirements

• Proven experience as an MLRO or Compliance Officer within an MSO-licensed firm in Hong Kong.

• In-depth knowledge of AML/CFT regulations, especially as they apply cross border payments.

• Familiarity with the regulatory framework governing cross-border payments in Hong Kong.

• Prior experience working with Hong Kong based financial institutions

• Fluency in English and Cantonese; Mandarin is a plus.

• Degree holder or above in Law, Risk Management, Finance or related field with 10+ years' experience in a regulatory compliance role within a Banking/Finance, Payments, Fintech, or other relevant industry

• Solid experience managing relationships with different regulatory authorities, with a keen understanding of their concerns and requirements.