Nicole M. Azzopardi
Summary
An AML/CFT and Compliance professional with 10 years of experience within the Financial and Payments industries. Expertise includes: conducting customer and business risk assessments, investigations on suspicious accounts and activities, implementing remediation action plans to mitigate risks, and acting as contact point during internal and external compliance examinations. Also a skilled manager with effective team leadership abilities to meet targets and deadlines, while staying regulatory compliant.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
MLRO and Compliance Officer
YSG SAFE PROCESSING LTD
01.2024 - Current
- PQ's by MFSA in June 2024.
- Submitting AML/CFT and Compliance reports to the Board of Directors as required.
- Leading a team of KYC Agents to ensure effective AML controls in line with regulations.
- Revising and updating AML/CFT Policies and Procedures as required to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
- Revising Customer Risk Assessments as required.
- Approving High-risk accounts in terms of AML/CFT
- Receiving and reviewing internal suspicious activity or transaction reports, and submitting external SAR/STRs as required.
- Acting as point of contact during internal and external AML/CFT and Compliance examinations, and ensuring possible findings are remediated accordingly.
- Responding to Requests for Information from FIAU and other Authorities.
- Suggesting improved controls for AML/CDD purposes.
- Developing and implementing a Compliance Monitoring Programme.
- Ensuring regulatory filing by responsible owners is done as per stipulated deadlines.
- Submitting regulatory returns on time.
- Ensuring policies and procedures are reviewed and updated as required by relevant owners.
- Attending seminars and training sessions to stay updated with the applicable regulatory requirements.
MLRO AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER
GLOBAL PAYMENTS LTD
08.2020 - 12.2023
- PQ'd by MFSA in May 2021 for the MLRO role and in December 2021 for the Compliance Officer role.
- Ensured team's compliance with AML/CFT controls.
- Acted as central point of contact for communication with Authorities and Internal Audit teams.
- Implemented remedial action by effectively communicating with relevant teams.
- Responding to Requests for Information from FIAU.
- Received and reviewed internal reports of suspicious transactions or activity.
- Approving new onboarding and ongoing monitoring of high-risk relationships.
- Provided counsel to key internal departments in relation to AML/CFT and regulatory compliance issues.
- Prepared and presented monthly and quarterly statistical reports to Head of Departments and Board of Directors.
- Updating AML/CFT Policy, Jurisdiction Risk Assessment, and Business Risk Assessment as required.
- Being the Chair for the Compliance and Risk Committee.
- Leading, managing, and training the compliance team members.
- Obtained agreement approval for and implemented new ID+V software for business use.
COMPLIANCE AND AML MANAGER
MASTERPAYMENT FINANCIAL SERVICES MALTA LTD - REBRANDED TO CEEVO FS MALTA
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Developing the Compliance Monitoring Programme.
- Delivered training to Compliance members and other departments.
- Developing, and implementing second-line procedures.
- Maintaining the Risk Register for the business.
- Communicated regularly with stakeholders and risk owners.
- Provided advice in relation to AML/CFT issues.
- Keeping updated with the regulatory landscape.
- Informing senior management on changes or updated to regulations.
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
MASTERPAYMENT FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD - REBRANDED TO CEEVO FS MALTA
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Handling and reviewing incoming merchant applications.
- Providing full CDD pack obtained during onboarding for approval.
- Updating customer's data as per procedures.
- Communicating with Risk Manager to assign appropriate Card Schemes MCC and risk profiles to customers.
- Communicating with MLRO in case of AML/CFT high-risk factors and red flags.
- Communicating with technical teams to ensure timely integration of new merchants.
- Conducting PEP, Sanctions, and Adverse Media screening.
- Conducting AML/CFT Periodic Reviews and monitoring website alerts.
- Approving Merchant Change Requests and Settlement of funds requested.
- Assisted with internal and external audits, and in preparation of regulatory reports.
ONGOING MONITORING COMPLIANCE OFFICER
SECURE TRADING FINANCIAL SERVICES
06.2018 - 12.2018
- Conducting Periodic Reviews on existing merchants.
- Working closely with Account Management and Business Relation Officers for clients' onboarding and ongoing monitoring processes.
- Conducting PEP, Adverse Media, and Sanctions' screening.
- Monitoring and documentation of suspicious activity flags.
- Monitoring alerts received through 'Creditsafe' and 'Webshield'.
- Communicating with Fraud department.
- Working closely with Payment Service Providers and Payment Facilitators.
COMPLIANCE EXECUTIVE
BINARY EUROPE LTD
01.2018 - 06.2018
- Approving players' withdrawal and incoming deposit requests.
- Analysing data to monitor fraudulent and suspicious indicators.
- Monitoring high-risk clients' account activity.
- Assisting support and payments' departments.
- Ensuring company procedures are in line with new Responsible Gambling license requirements.
- Maintaining the Compliance Monitoring Programme in line with UKGC requirements.
- Responsible for reporting Key Events and License Variations.
- Filing monthly and quarterly regulatory returns.
- Submitting internal suspicious reports to MLRO.
- Assisting in compliance projects.
SUPPORT AND AML EXECUTIVE AND TRAINER
BINARY EUROPE LTD
09.2015 - 01.2018
- Assisting players with service and products' queries.
- Performing KYC/KYB checks and monitoring transactions.
- Handling incoming complaints.
- Acting as a point person within the CS team.
- Generating team productivity reports.
- Updating Customer Support and AML manuals.
- Preparation and delivery of AML training sessions.
- Travelling to the Company's headquarters in Malaysia for training and improvement.
Education
ICA INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN FINANCIAL CRIME PREVENTION, EQF level 6 -
ICA International in association with Alliance Manchester Business School
07.2021
INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING, EQF level 4 -
ICA International Compliance Association with Alliance Manchester Business School
03.2020
DIPLOMA IN LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, EQF level 5 -
Lead Training Services
05.2017
MASTERS OF ARTS IN GERMAN CULTURE (BY RESEARCH), EQF level 7 - Languages and Culture
University of Malta
06.2015
BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN GERMAN STUDIES, EQF level 6 -
University of Malta
06.2013
SOMMERKURS "SPRACHE LERNEN- LANDESKUNDE ERLEBEN": B2/ C1 LANGUAGE LEVEL -
Freie Universitaet
08.2011
MATSEC MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE, EQF level 4 -
G. F. Abela Junior College
03.2010
Teaching English As A Foreign Language
NSTS Malta
01-2010
O LEVEL EXAMS AND SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE, EQF level 3 -
St. Joseph Convent School
04.2008
Certification
- Unpacking the EU AML Package - Ganado Advocates, June 2025
- Trade-Based Sanction Evasion Tactics - Council of Europe, June 2025
- AML Roundtable XX, 2024-2025 - KPMG Malta, June 2024, November 2024 and February 2025
- Preparing for DORA - Ganado Advocates, October 2024
- Information Session on the New EU AML Legislative Package - FIAU, April 2024
- DORA Countdown - Ganado Advocates, April 2024
- Filing of Suspicious Transaction Reports - Society Education, March 2024
- National Risk Assessment for the Financial Sector - FIAU, February 2024
- CESOP Status Updates - MTCA and MITA, January 2024
- MBR Inspections - Ganado Advocates, January 2024
- EU Webinar on CESOP - September 2023
- Transaction Monitoring, Targeted at Credit and Financial Institutions - FIAU, June 2023
- Training Session on Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism Typologies - FIAU, April 2023
- Corporate Governance Webinar - MFSA, June 2022
- Beneficial Ownership Obligations and Tax-Related Money Laundering - FIAU, May 2022
- How to be an effective MLR0 - MITC, February 2022
- The importance of being an organised Compliance Officer – the role in practice - MITC, February 2022
- AML/CFT – The Requirements of the National Interest Act - MITC, January 2022
- Implementing Procedures Part I: Recent Amendments - FIAU, November 2021
- Training Session on Concealment of Beneficial Ownership – FIAU, November 2021
- Typologies and Red Flags: Indicators of Tax-Related ML – FIAU, November 2021
- Financial Risks and safeguarding of Funds - Grant Thornton, October 2021
- Compliance monitoring programme - Grant Thornton, September 2021
- The role of the MLRO - a day in the life of - MITC, July 2021
- The Regulatory Framework of Financial Institutions - Grant Thornton, June 2021
- The Business Risk Assessment: Best Practices - FIAU, June 2021
· The Changes introduced by the 5th AML Directive – Diligex, August 2019
· What to expect from a Regulator’s Visit – Diligex, August 2019
Languages
Maltese
German
Upper intermediate (B2)
Italian
Intermediate
B1
French
Beginner
A1
English
Proficient
C2
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 10/09/1992
- Nationality: Maltese
- Driving Licence: B
Timeline
MLRO and Compliance Officer
YSG SAFE PROCESSING LTD
01.2024 - Current
MLRO AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER
GLOBAL PAYMENTS LTD
08.2020 - 12.2023
COMPLIANCE AND AML MANAGER
MASTERPAYMENT FINANCIAL SERVICES MALTA LTD - REBRANDED TO CEEVO FS MALTA
01.2020 - 07.2020
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
MASTERPAYMENT FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD - REBRANDED TO CEEVO FS MALTA
01.2019 - 01.2020
ONGOING MONITORING COMPLIANCE OFFICER
SECURE TRADING FINANCIAL SERVICES
06.2018 - 12.2018
COMPLIANCE EXECUTIVE
BINARY EUROPE LTD
01.2018 - 06.2018
SUPPORT AND AML EXECUTIVE AND TRAINER
BINARY EUROPE LTD
09.2015 - 01.2018
INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING, EQF level 4 -
ICA International Compliance Association with Alliance Manchester Business School
DIPLOMA IN LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, EQF level 5 -
Lead Training Services
MASTERS OF ARTS IN GERMAN CULTURE (BY RESEARCH), EQF level 7 - Languages and Culture
University of Malta
BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN GERMAN STUDIES, EQF level 6 -
University of Malta
SOMMERKURS "SPRACHE LERNEN- LANDESKUNDE ERLEBEN": B2/ C1 LANGUAGE LEVEL -
Freie Universitaet
O LEVEL EXAMS AND SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE, EQF level 3 -
St. Joseph Convent School
ICA INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN FINANCIAL CRIME PREVENTION, EQF level 6 -
ICA International in association with Alliance Manchester Business School
MATSEC MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE, EQF level 4 -
G. F. Abela Junior College
Teaching English As A Foreign Language
NSTS Malta