Bernadette Johnson Email and Phone Number

Led the execution of Ongoing Customer Due Diligence Reviews (OCDD) to ensure AML/BSA compliance, exceeding service level agreements by delivering special project outcomes ahead of schedule. Achieved swift resolution of data quality issues, addressing requests within 30 days and improving system accuracy. Streamlined client onboarding process, reducing time-to-completion by implementing efficient verification procedures. Enhanced team performance through effective leadership and coaching, leading to a decrease in escalations.

Managed full cycle of client onboarding for a dynamic banking institution, ensuring strict adherence to compliance standards and operational procedures. Verified and accurately entered beneficial ownership information into the bank's internal systems. Partnered effectively with Compliance and Line of Business (LOB) partners to maintain high standards of productivity and accuracy in client reviews. Applied comprehensive knowledge of bank products and services to facilitate informed decision-making in general risk management. • Assisted in conducting due diligence for potential Fintech clients by evaluating their risk of financial crimes and money laundering.• Supported Fintech clients by ensuring their BSA/AML OFAC policies comply with relevant regulations for account creation and transaction activity.• Verified and accurately entered beneficial ownership information into the bank’s internal systems.• Identified and escalated any potential issues or concerns to management.• Partnered effectively with Compliance and Line of Business (LOB) partners to maintain high standards of productivity and accuracy in client reviews.• Applied comprehensive knowledge of bank products and services to facilitate informed decision-making in general risk management.• Successfully onboarded 85% of customers with a first-pass rate and zero errors, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail and process efficiency.

Managed and enhanced due diligence programs, ensuring robust processes and controls to effectively identify, assess, and mitigate risks. Directed and allocated work among staff to review customer and transactional risks, achieving compliance within service level agreements. Fostered team development through regular coaching, performance evaluations, and strategic training initiatives. Ensured seamless collaboration with Compliance and Line of Business partners to maintain alignment with corporate standards and objectives. Collaborated with Due Diligence Manager to collate metrics and other data as requested.• Enhanced regulatory compliance by partnering with Due Diligence Manager to update and refine process improvements and policies• Implemented multiple complex, low-to-moderate risk projects, including regulatory policy updates, across a nationally distributed team of seven. • Played a pivotal role in revision of regulatory policies, contributing to the bank's adherence to industry standards.• Analyzed and coordinated investigation process and/or workflow; produced metrics used by management in monitoring work volumes, status and productivity.• Led and executed training of new compliance policies, ensuring team adherence to updated regulations.

During my tenure at Wells Fargo Bank as Assistant Vice President and Financial Crimes Consultant 4, I specialized in conducting detailed daily reviews of Customer Identification Program (CIP) items. My role involved verifying customer identities and establishing beneficial ownership in compliance with regulatory requirements.Analyzed complex organizational structures to perform comprehensive due diligence and ensured accurate escalation of documentation requests to business lines for policy compliance. Throughout my role, I maintained strict adherence to Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) processes, aligning with both regulatory and internal standards.My key success for this role is:Conducted meticulous daily reviews of CIP items to verify customer identities and establish beneficial ownership. Analyzed complex organizational structures for comprehensive due diligence and escalated documentation requests to business lines for policy compliance. Ensured adherence to KYC, CDD, and EDD processes in accordance with regulatory and internal standards.• Led team in completion of Enhanced Due Diligence for high-risk accounts, ensuring meticulous compliance with regulatory requirements.• Fostered collaborative relationships with Compliance and Line of Business (LOB) partners to enhance policy and procedural effectiveness and efficiency, contributing to implementation and completion of improvements.• Streamlined operational procedures by identifying enhancement opportunities and recommending optimal solutions to management, actively participating in implementation and ensuring successful completion.• Collaborated with Legal & Compliance, and IT to enhance third-party risk management processes, leading to a 45% reduction in compliance incidents.

During this tenure, I served as Assistant Vice President and Team Lead of the CRE Centralized Onboarding Team. Leading this specialized team within the commercial real estate sector, I ensured seamless client integration while adhering to rigorous banking regulations.My responsibilities included overseeing pre-close and post-close due diligence processes for over 800 loans, maintaining meticulous oversight of transactions involving multiple entities. Collaborating closely with relationship managers, I reinforced customer regulatory compliance and mitigated credit risks effectively.I also played a key role in streamlining internal processes by updating and maintaining compliance policy documentation, contributing significantly to operational excellence and ensuring adherence to BSA/AML and other regulatory requirements.Within this role, I had the following achievements:• Managed successful onboarding of large CRE Northeast, REIT, and RFG client portfolios, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction and streamlined loan administration.• Spearheaded integration of enhanced due diligence procedures, significantly reducing the risk of high-profile compliance.• Developed and implemented rigorous training programs for team members, leading to marked improvement in compliance with internal and regulatory standards.• Championed adoption of new compliance policies and procedures, ensuring up-to-date practices in line with OCC requirements and internal reporting mandates.• Ensured full compliance with BSA/AML, ECOA, MSB, FCRA, HMDA, FACTA, and internal credit policies through review/approval processes.