Merley Newman
Accra
Summary
Seasoned Regulatory Compliance Leader with over 19 years of experience in the banking industry. Proving track record in navigating complex regulatory environments, implementing compliance framework, and building strong relationships with regulatory authorities. Expertise in financial crime compliance, risk management and regulatory examinations with a background in law. Skilled at fostering culture and driving organizational change in multinational banking environments.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Head, Regulatory Compliance
Standard Chartered Bank PLC Ghana
Accra
10.2016 - Current
- Spearhead regulatory compliance strategy and foster a compliance-oriented culture across all bank operations
- Lead governance for Conduct, Financial Crime, and Compliance functions, ensuring adherence to local and international banking regulations
- Manage relationships with Central Bank regulators, supporting both Group and country initiatives
- Oversee the timely renewal of all regulatory licenses and permits
- Implement compliance training programs for high-risk areas, improving staff understanding of key policies
- Provide expert interpretation of regulatory expectations, laws, and best practices to stakeholders
- Identify emerging compliance risks and develop mitigation strategies to protect bank operations
Acting Head of Conduct, Financial Crime Compliance
Standard Chartered Bank
11.2019 - 01.2020
- Management of Compliance function
- Attended and provided compliance, financial crime compliance, regulatory, audits, conduct and people updates of the function and any other matters
- Presented the 2020 Compliance strategy to the Board with other Exco members
- Attended various governance meetings
Project Manager
Standard Chartered Bank
05.2016 - 09.2016
- Lead project manager during external review of the banks anti-bribery corruption procedures by a global accounting firm and regulator
Short Term Assignment
Standard Chartered Bank
02.2016 - 04.2016
- Short Term Assignment at SCB Dubai to assist UAE Country Compliance in readiness for Group Internal Audit review
Compliance Manager
Standard Chartered Bank
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Provide compliance support to the Corporate, Transactional Banking & Custody businesses
- Review their country addendums, letters to regulators and provide support during internal reviews, special exercises and/or Group Internal Audits
- Support the business in undertaking the necessary compliance due diligence to advance the digital initiatives
- Follow appropriate processes for escalation and resolution of medium to very high operational risk issues owned by Compliance
- Support the various functions and businesses on their regulatory obligations
- Provide guidance to business in the identification of risks before introducing or continuing to offer products
Account Manager for Group Special Assets Management
Standard Chartered Bank
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Engage with corporate team to manage downgraded accounts back to the approved level for credit purposes
- Ensure maintenance of control standards to attain no adverse findings in Audits by Group Internal Audit, Central Bank and External Auditors
- Ensure compliance with IAS 39 and Central bank requirements in respect of reports, provisions, recovery and restructuring of accounts
- Unit Operational Risk Manager responsible for identifying and managing all risk issues in the unit
- Liaise with external lawyers on bad debts recovery
Credit Manager
Standard Chartered Bank
05.2005 - 01.2007
- Validation and approval of all securing documentation for all customer accounts in accordance with Bank's policies
- Ensuring documentation and approval conditions have been perfected and attained and where necessary deferral or waiver held prior to release of facilities
- Assist management in overseeing the daily operations of the documentation team
- Review documents received from the business on behalf of customers for completion and enforceability
- Liaise with internal and external legal counsel for effective resolution of documentation issues
- Preparation of Banking Facility Letters (BFLs) and other relevant documents for customers
- Update documents received from the business and review the daily reports generated
- Supervise the preparation and issuance of BFLs for all the segments
- Function as a backup custodian in terms of retrieval of files from the strong room and recording same in the file movement register
Education
LLM - International Commercial Law
Sussex University
Brighton And Hove01-2001
BA (Hons) - Law and Business Administration
University of East London
East London01-1999
GCSE ‘A’ Levels - Economics, English Literature, History & General Studies
Holy Child School
01-1994
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance Management
- Financial Crime Prevention
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Audit Preparation & Response
- Regulatory Relationship Management
- Compliance Training & Development
- Credit Documentation & Control
- Banking Operations Compliance
- Legal Documentation Review
- Team Leadership & Development
Accomplishments
- Lead Project Manager, 05/01/16 - 09/30/16, Lead project manager during external review of the banks anti-bribery corruption procedures by a global accounting firm and regulator.
- Short Term Assignment, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Dubai, 02/01/16 - 04/30/16, Assist UAE Country Compliance in readiness for Group Internal Audit review.
Professional Interest
- Financial Regulatory Developments
- Banking Technology Compliance
- Anti-Money Laundering Innovation
- Regulatory Technology (RegTech)
- International Banking Standards
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Acting Head of Conduct, Financial Crime Compliance
Standard Chartered Bank
11.2019 - 01.2020
Head, Regulatory Compliance
Standard Chartered Bank PLC Ghana
10.2016 - Current
Project Manager
Standard Chartered Bank
05.2016 - 09.2016
Short Term Assignment
Standard Chartered Bank
02.2016 - 04.2016
Compliance Manager
Standard Chartered Bank
01.2011 - 01.2016
Account Manager for Group Special Assets Management
Standard Chartered Bank
01.2007 - 01.2011
Credit Manager
Standard Chartered Bank
05.2005 - 01.2007
LLM - International Commercial Law
Sussex University
BA (Hons) - Law and Business Administration
University of East London
GCSE ‘A’ Levels - Economics, English Literature, History & General Studies
Holy Child School
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