May C. Buchmüller
Zurich
Summary
- Date of Birth: 01/05/86
- Nationality: Switzerland & Canada
As a seasoned compliance manager with 10+ years of experience, I bring a wealth of expertise to the financial industry, underscored by a keen focus on AML, sanctions, tax compliance, and government relations. I excel at managing teams and am a hands-on, solution-oriented team player. I navigate complex regulatory requirements and manage sanctions with precision.
I have an international mindset. I've lived in Canada, the US, Switzerland, France, Egypt, Kosovo, and the Netherlands. I am fluent in (Swiss) German and English.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager (temporary)
PwC
Zurich, Switzerland
11.2024 - Current
- Leading a long-term AML remediation project at the largest Swiss bank, overseeing the assessment and resolution of compliance gaps
- Responsible for analyzing and managing the client's highest-risk relationships from a compliance/AML and risk management perspective
Team Manager - Senior Compliance Officer
MBaer Merchant Bank AG
Zurich, Switzerland
10.2021 - 08.2024
- Managing a team of 5 Senior Compliance Officers, including training and performance reviews
- Compliance contact person for all audit (internal and external) inquiries
- Assessing and examining new private and corporate client relationships with a focus on money laundering, KYC, cross-border, MIFID, and legal/contractual matters
- Reviewing new client onboardings with respect to due diligence/KYC, PEP, sanctions, media and reputation, source of funds and source of wealth, tax status for private individuals, companies, complex structures, trusts, foundations, etc.
- Conducting real-time transaction assessments for complex transactions (invoice, contracts, client KYC profile)and sanctions
- Providing compliance advice for all employees and accompanying Front employees to client meetings
- Completing the preparation of quarterly and monthly compliance information for the Executive Board, Board of Directors, and FINMA
- Clarifying MROS suspicious activity reports, as well as responding to inquiries from authorities (Swiss Public Prosecutor, FINMA, Office of the Attorney General, law firms, police, and the Federal Office for Justice)
- Implementing and conducting internal training, in particular on the following topics: MIFID/FIDLEG, Market Conduct, AML, sanctions, and payment transactions
- Handling various fraud cases with internal and external stakeholders
- Managing and collaborating with various stakeholders and spearheading projects (Finnova, Sinpex, Pythagoras, WorldCheck, DowJones, Indigita, APIAX, M-Files)
- Compliance Lead for the implementation of the Bank's new IT platform(creation of test cases,processes, execution of tests, compilation of manuals, training staff)
- Writing and revising compliance directives as well as setting up training courses and new controls (MIFID, cross border, AML, sanctions, payment transactions)
- Spearheading flow of funds and internal investigations(clients and staff), including conflicts of interest, fraud, cyber crime, AML, and sanctions violations
- Carrying out and reporting monthly, quarterly, and annual IKS (FINMA) controls on advisory and asset management, transactions, GmeR, transactions (TmeR), stock exchange orders, cross-border, etc.
- Demonstrating solution-oriented decisions when handling inquiries from Front staff for clients regarding sanctions, complex transactions, tax optimization structures, and investigations
- Recording the identified financial crime, sanctions, and reputational risks, as well as client complaints
- Establishing and subsequently upgrading an electronic client onboarding and review system with business analysts for better, more efficient client management
- Investigating and reporting CDB and sanctions violations at the Bank
- Collaborating closely with senior management team to develop effective solutions for complex compliance challenges
- Participating in a variety of external training courses, such as at Equilas (FATCA/QI/CRS, CDB, AML), ACAMS (financial crime), BankersForum, STEP (trusts), and the Université de Fribourg sanctions program
- Resigned due to a desire for a more senior role & disagreement with Management on compliance approach
Senior Manager (temporary)
KPMG AG
Zug/Zurich, Switzerland
06.2021 - 10.2021
- Team Manager of 7 consultants
- Leading an AML remediation project to uplift the company's KYC, financial crime, and fraud standards
- Training and advising management, new team members, Front staff, and client documentation specialists on AML and VQF
- Displaying an affinity in blockchain international due diligence
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale
- Declined a permanent senior managerial position at KPMG due to a better job offer
Anti-Financial Crime, Assistant Vice President
Deutsche Bank AG
Zurich, Switzerland
12.2018 - 03.2020
- Analyzing and investigating AML-related risks and monitoring business lines to ensure the adequate implementation and adherence to AML/CFT policies, regulations, and audit recommendations
- Carrying out live sanctions screening check and escalating when applicable
- Assessing transactions(Actimize-based)on a daily and monthly basis; working with AML IT analysts for technical issues
- Providing advice on Gifts & Entertainment(anti-bribery and corruption), primarily for sensitive counterparts
- Clarifying the changes to the BaFin regulations to the onboarding teams, as well as the key differences between German and Swiss regulation (CDB 16/20)
- Ensuring the Bank's policies and procedures are up-to-date (e.g. a Swiss-specific PEP policy, a local Gifts & Entertainment Policy, etc.)
- Providing guidance and assurance on regulatory matters to the onboarding team on various topics (sanctions, adverse media, PEPs, product risk, country risk) and giving the final sign off to open an account
- Left the company for personal leave to Canada (tragedy in the family)
AML Officer & Head of Tax Compliance
Société Générale
Zurich, Switzerland
11.2016 - 10.2018
- Dual role as Head Tax and AML Officer
- Compliance responsible for all tax matters (US indicia, FATCA, 871m, CRS) at the Bank
- Evaluating and writing in-depth reports on clients' source of wealth, account structures, as well as assessing reputational and regulatory risks for asset managers, international financial institutions, MNCs, etc.
- Providing assistance and expertise to Front staff on the onboarding process requirements for different business areas (e.g. commodity trade finance, securities, capital subscription accounts, cash management, LBOs, and M&As)
- Completing risk reports on PEPs, potential sanctions touch points, clients operating in sensitive/high risk jurisdictions
- Delivering training on new EU, US, and Swiss AML/CTF laws to Front and Middle Office staff in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany
- Left the Bank in order to pursue a more senior role; was offered a role in Paris, but declined
AML Compliance Officer (temporary)
Banco Itaú
Zurich, Switzerland
08.2016 - 11.2016
- Engaging in a wide range of AML processes including: PEP identification, transaction investigations, background checks, sanctions screenings, and negative media searches
- Writing suspicious activity reports (SARs) and submitting them to the relevant authority(MROS)
- Co-heading the Bank's review regarding the Brazilian tax amnesty program and escalating directly to the CEO when necessary (primary focus of this temporary contract)
- Providing status updates to the executive committee and relationship managers in Switzerland and South American compliance topics
- Received an offer for a permanent position, but declined as it would have required travel to Brazil twice or three times a month
Financial Crime Compliance Officer (temporary)
Goldman Sachs AG
Zurich, Switzerland
05.2015 - 03.2016
- Participating in the last stages of the FATCA/DoJ uplift and investigation
- Monitoring relationship managers' communications (e-mails, phone calls, Bloomberg chats), verifying commissions charged to clients, and subsequently reporting if insider trading, bribery or violation of cross-border rules is suspected (market conduct compliance)
- Responsible for monitoring employee e-mails and chats conducted in Swiss German globally (e.g. investment bankers in New York writing in Swiss German)
- Researching prospective private banking clients' source of wealth and proposed source of funds to the account
- Utilizing various. tools and resources including WorldCheck, Factiva, LexisNexis, Pacer, US address history databases, and others to identify US indicia and AML/CTF/criminal/tax evasion matters
- Maintaining media monitoring databases on clients/prospects, PEPs, and bearer shares
- Working with audit and review teams to resolve potential findings
- Analyzing account structures (e.g. involving trusts, domiciliary companies, high risk PEPs, insurance wrappers, bearer shares, etc.) and assessing the risks from a financial crime perspective
- Contract was limited to one year and the Bank's operations were downsized
Analyst/Consultant (temporary)
ECOFACT AG
Zurich, Switzerland
04.2014 - 04.2015
- Assessing environmental, social (human/labor rights), governance (political), and reputational risks for large multinationals and banks considering engaging in business in higher risk jurisdictions and/or sectors (e.g. palm oil, large-scale construction, mines, etc.)
- Producing research reports for clients on emerging political risks and new international standards (primarily in the commodities, chemicals, oil and gas, and metals sectors)
- Preparing bespoke reports and sector policies for large German and Swiss banks, NGOs, and MNCs (e.g. Firmenich, Geberit, ABN AMRO, Coal India)
- Contract was limited to one year
Program Analyst (temporary)
United Nations
Pristina, Kosovo
02.2013 - 01.2014
- Spearheading three programs in the region (Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia) to tackle human trafficking/slavery as well as violence against women and children
- Presenting findings of such violence and criminal activity and highlighting the gaps in the country's laws to Kosovo government officials, foreign ambassadors, and development agencies in the region
Head of Economics (temporary)
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Geneva, Switzerland
09.2012 - 01.2013
Diplomatic Intern
Embassy of Switzerland, FDFA
Pristina, Kosovo
01.2012 - 08.2012
Education
LL.M. - International Financial & Commercial Law
King's College London
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) - Compliance Management
University of Zürich
Zurich, Switzerland07.2023
Master's of Science (MSc) - Political Science, International Relations
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands07.2011
Diploma with Distinction - French Language and Literature
Sorbonne Université
Paris, France08.2008
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - History
McGill University
Montreal, Canada05.2008
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Swiss German
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
German
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Upper intermediate (B2)
Italian
Elementary (A2)
Spanish
Elementary (A2)
Hobbies
Hiking, Surfing, Baking, History, Languages, Criminology, Traveling
Active Expert Member of the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime
Timeline
Senior Manager (temporary)
PwC
11.2024 - Current
Team Manager - Senior Compliance Officer
MBaer Merchant Bank AG
10.2021 - 08.2024
Senior Manager (temporary)
KPMG AG
06.2021 - 10.2021
Anti-Financial Crime, Assistant Vice President
Deutsche Bank AG
12.2018 - 03.2020
AML Officer & Head of Tax Compliance
Société Générale
11.2016 - 10.2018
AML Compliance Officer (temporary)
Banco Itaú
08.2016 - 11.2016
Financial Crime Compliance Officer (temporary)
Goldman Sachs AG
05.2015 - 03.2016
Analyst/Consultant (temporary)
ECOFACT AG
04.2014 - 04.2015
Program Analyst (temporary)
United Nations
02.2013 - 01.2014
Head of Economics (temporary)
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
09.2012 - 01.2013
Diplomatic Intern
Embassy of Switzerland, FDFA
01.2012 - 08.2012
LL.M. - International Financial & Commercial Law
King's College London
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) - Compliance Management
University of Zürich
Master's of Science (MSc) - Political Science, International Relations
University of Amsterdam
Diploma with Distinction - French Language and Literature
Sorbonne Université
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - History
McGill University