Ebru Özpolat
Compliance Officer
Istanbul
Summary
Compliance Officer dedicated to improving policies and procedures in all business areas. Hardworking and driven with quality-focused and proactive approach. Successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Chief Compliance Officer
UAB EXZi Markets
Istanbul
03.2024 - Current
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Designed and implementated regulatory framework in Turkey.
- Developed, maintained and implemented AML policies, procedures, manuals, and programs to reflect best practice with regulatory and industry requirements.
- Prepared licensing application documents for Capital Markets Board as a Crypto Asset Service Provider.
Compliance Officer
Rain
12.2023 - Current
- Manage practical action plans to respond to audit discoveries and compliance violations.
- Develop and maintain system for tracking and reporting compliance violations.
- Continually monitor and review all developments within the regulatory environment and actively develop technical knowledge.
- Develop and implement of the AML/CTF risk management framework to meet regulatory requirements.
- Review internal STR’s and submit an external SAR/STR if required.
- Develop, maintain and implement AML policies, procedures, manuals, and programs to reflect best practice with regulatory and industry requirements.
- Work with relevant stakeholders from Lines of Business and Functions to ensure consistent and effective application, implementation, and controls to evidence full compliance with AML standards, policies and procedures.
- Provide AML subject-matter-expert advice to Lines of Business and Functions.
- Analysis of Country AML MI and external events to provide a strategic appraisal of emerging issues and recommendations.
- Design and execute of financial crime controls monitoring and testing programs.
- Arrange the delivery of training to colleagues and embed an effective risk culture within the firm.
- Responsible for responses and actions for AML audits, risk assurance reviews and track the progress of AML-owned actions with the relevant departments.
- Obtain and assess the impact of proposed regulatory changes to ensure regulatory and legislative requirements are identified, communicated and addressed as appropriate.
- Communicate and raise awareness of compliance to business units to cultivate a compliance culture and understanding of issues imperative to compliance.
Compliance Manager
iyzico
11.2022 - 05.2023
- Advised local and global team in compliance related frameworks, risks and mitigating actions.
- Prepared and presented comprehensive reports to upper management and audit team, covering issues and recommendations.
- Advised division leaders of regulatory risks in business processed and provided recommendations for improvement.
- Evaluated customer complaints, processes and all other aspects of operations to assess compliance.
- Managed full life cycle of assigned audits in alignment with departmental procedures, delivering progress as well as closing reports to senior management and clients.
- Maintained effective working relationships with regulatory authorities.
- Collaborated with HR and IT to develop and implement code of business and ethics and anti-harassment policies and related personnel training.
- Kept new and modified products and services in conformance with security and compliance regulations.
- Played instrumental role in company-wide risk assessment efforts, supporting enhancements in business processes and controls.
- Managed compliance efforts, reporting and audits.
Sr. Compliance Associate
Rain
11.2021 - 08.2022
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
- Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Assisted Operations team with onboarding process of retail and institutional customers.
- Participated in the design of workflows regarding EDD, Screening, PEP onboarding and exit processes.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Worked closely with internal audit team to prepare for regulatory audits and provided input for GAP analysis.
- Managed full life cycle of assigned audits in alignment with departmental procedures, delivering progress as well as closing reports to senior management and clients.
Compliance
ING
09.2019 - 11.2021
- Reviewed, revised and updated compliance policies and procedures to confirm continual compliance with applicable laws.
- Developed and maintained compliance database, tracking all compliance activities and documents.
- Implemented improvement initiatives and developed compliance testing program to monitor and identify gaps in new and existing practices.
- Managed practical action plans to respond to audit discoveries and compliance violations.
- Assisted with internal and external audits to confirm compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Identified, investigated and documented compliance violations and recommended corrective measures.
- Investigated and documented all violations of compliance regulations to determine necessary improvements.
- Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders, auditors and legal counsel to confirm compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Conducted periodic Key Control Tests (KCTs) in order to investigate and document efficiencies of compliance regulations and report to ING Group Compliance in Amsterdam.
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding compliance regulations and procedures.
- Identified gaps in existing compliance processes and recommended updates.
- Developed risk assessment models to identify potential compliance risks.
- Oversaw and monitored violation tracking system for accuracy, reducing compliance and operations risk management issues.
Credit Monitoring Manager
Akbank
07.2017 - 07.2019
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Internal Auditor
Akbank Istanbul
07.2009 - 07.2017
- Developed auditing program to address risks and evaluate regulatory requirements.
- Performed internal audits of financial and departmental operations, developing risk assessments and conducting process walkthroughs for compliance with documented processes.
- Identified and reported audit issues.
- Handled supervisor duties when manager was unavailable or out of office.
- Reviewed and identified risks, analyzed controls and tested compliance.
- Evaluated company's policies to determine how well standards adhered to best practices.
- Documented recommendations to improve internal controls.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Statistics
Middle East Technical University
Ankara 09.2004 - 06.2009
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team in the Licensing Application Process and get listed on Capital Markets Board's list of Operating Crypto Asset Service Providers.
Timeline
Chief Compliance Officer
UAB EXZi Markets
03.2024 - Current
Compliance Officer
Rain
12.2023 - Current
Compliance Manager
iyzico
11.2022 - 05.2023
Sr. Compliance Associate
Rain
11.2021 - 08.2022
Compliance
ING
09.2019 - 11.2021
Credit Monitoring Manager
Akbank
07.2017 - 07.2019
Internal Auditor
Akbank Istanbul
07.2009 - 07.2017
Bachelor of Science - Statistics
Middle East Technical University
09.2004 - 06.2009