Lucy Cheema

Lucy Cheema is an Assistant Vice President and Senior Sanctions Compliance Analyst at Citibank. She monitors and enforces sanctions regulations, ensuring financial transactions align with global compliance standards. 

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

I am originally from the United Kingdom, but relocated to Warsaw, Poland in late 2020. In 2021 I started working at Citibank. I began my career as a User Acceptance Testing Analyst on the CitiKYC platform. In this role, I was responsible for testing to ensure that the 'Know Your Client' platform functioned as intended before its release. This involved testing various scenarios based on business requirements with the objective of meeting the needs of end users. My duties also included identifying potential issues and analysing their root causes.

In 2022, I became a Due Diligence Analyst for Foreign Correspondent Banking Clients. In this role, I was responsible for identifying potential clients. This involved collecting the necessary documents, examining the ownership structure, identifying any senior public figures, and assessing involvement with high-risk countries. The purpose of this process was to carry out a risk assessment and determine if the business could maintain a relationship with the client or if it would be necessary to terminate the relationship due to excessive risk.

I was recently promoted and now work as a Senior Sanctions Compliance Analyst (Assistant Vice President).

What does a typical work day look like for you?

In my role as a Senior Sanctions Compliance Analyst at Citibank, I am constantly monitoring our compliance procedures to align with new and evolving sanctions regulations. Each morning, I investigate any emerging issues, trends, or updates related to sanctions. This involves scrutinising a multitude of transactions to ensure they do not involve sanctioned individuals or entities. If a match is found, the transaction is blocked or rejected and reported to the relevant enforcement agency, whether it is the Office for Foreign Asset Control (US), the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation (UK), or the EU.

My career in sanctions compliance has been deeply rewarding, allowing me to contribute to the global effort to prevent financial crimes and promote international peace and security. The dynamic nature of sanctions means that no two days are the same. For instance, when the President of the United States signs a new executive order, I must quickly adapt to the new regulations issued by OFAC. This constant change keeps my work both challenging and engaging.

Sanctions play a crucial role in maintaining global security and stability, serving as a non-violent means of compelling compliance and discouraging unlawful behaviour. As such, working in this field requires a deep understanding of international law, thorough attention to detail, and the ability to keep up to date with the latest global political developments.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

My hard efforts have been noticed and valued; as I have been promoted to Assistant Vice President at the age of 27.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

Being at Kent allowed me to develop my passion towards financial regulation and preventing financial crimes. By having a taste of qualitative and quantitative modules at University, it really helped give me an understanding of what area of finance I wanted to dive into. I am extremely grateful for the lecturers at Kent for making my modules extremely engaging, by sharing their own first hand experiences and knowledge.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

The world is always changing, so staying up to date with current events is crucial. You can listen to podcasts at the gym or read articles in the morning. In interviews, applying your knowledge of current events to explain your suitability for the position will help you stand out.

Additionally, keep networking. This can help with potential career opportunities, being invited to events and more.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

I attended additional lectures in the evenings. Many external professionals visited the university to deliver these, offering valuable insights.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

Unfortunately, I did not go to Kent for my undergraduate degree. I attended the university only for my Master's program, which meant I spent just one year there. I wish I had completed my undergraduate studies at the same university to have more time at the institution.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

A few. Most have moved to other countries and are employed in corporations or financial institutions.

What are your future ambitions?

In the future I would like to complete a PhD focusing on Sanctions regulation. Here I can leverage my education and work experience to the course. My topic will be focused on sanctions for the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.