KYC Specialist - Italian Market

About the role

N26 is seeking a dedicated KYC Specialist focused on the Italian market to strengthen their compliance operations in Madrid. This role plays a central part in ensuring that all customer onboarding and identity verification procedures meet the specific regulatory requirements of the Italian financial landscape. The specialist will be responsible for reviewing applications, assessing risk levels, and verifying that each customer profile aligns with anti-money laundering standards. You will serve as a key point of contact for KYC-related matters within the Italian market, working closely with both local and international teams to maintain the highest standards of regulatory compliance.

Key facts

What you'll do

1. Review customer identity documents to verify their authenticity and confirm that all required information is complete during the onboarding process.

2. Conduct thorough risk assessments on new and existing customers by applying Italian regulatory guidelines and internal risk frameworks consistently.

3. Monitor customer transactions on an ongoing basis and flag any activity that may indicate potential money laundering or fraud concerns.

4. Maintain and regularly update customer records within the compliance management system to ensure all documentation remains current and accurate at all times.

5. Collaborate closely with the Italian market team to address region-specific regulatory requirements and to implement updates to internal verification procedures promptly.

1. Prepare detailed and comprehensive reports on KYC findings and present these insights to the compliance leadership team for review and action.

7. Investigate any discrepancies found in customer documentation thoroughly and escalate unresolved or complex cases to senior compliance officers for further guidance.

8. Ensure that all customer due diligence procedures are fully aligned with European Union anti-money laundering directives and relevant local Italian laws.

9. Support the customer onboarding workflow efficiently by verifying source of funds information and confirming beneficial ownership details for each new account.

10. Stay current with evolving changes in Italian and European Union financial regulations that directly affect know your customer obligations and compliance practices.

11. Coordinate with internal audit teams on a regular basis to facilitate compliance reviews and to identify opportunities for process improvements and efficiencies.

12. Provide clear guidance to cross-functional teams across the organization on KYC policies and established best practices relevant to the Italian market specifically.

Requirements

1. Proven experience in KYC, compliance, or a related financial services discipline is required for this position and must be clearly demonstrated.

2. Strong understanding of Italian anti-money laundering regulations and know your customer regulatory frameworks is considered essential for success in this role.

3. Familiarity with European Union financial directives and cross-border compliance standards is expected of all candidates applying for this specialist position.

4. Ability to analyze complex customer documentation carefully and identify potential risk indicators with a high degree of accuracy and attention.

5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory, with Italian language proficiency being a strong and valued asset for this role.

6. A high level of attention to detail and a consistently methodical approach to handling sensitive and confidential customer information are critical qualities.

7. Prior experience working with compliance management systems or regulatory reporting tools is valued and will be considered a significant advantage during evaluation.

8. A university degree in finance, law, business administration, or a closely related discipline is preferred for all applicants to this position.

Nice to have

1. Prior experience working within the Italian banking sector or a fintech environment is considered a meaningful plus for this role.

2. Knowledge of Spanish regulatory environments and financial compliance practices could be beneficial given the Madrid office location for this position.

3. Familiarity with data privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation is considered advantageous for candidates applying here.

4. A background in risk management or financial crime prevention would significantly strengthen your application and overall candidacy for this specialist role.

Skills & tools

1. Proficiency in know your customer and customer due diligence processes and the methodologies that underpin them effectively.

2. Working knowledge of anti-money laundering regulations and the broader compliance frameworks that govern financial institutions across Europe.

3. Experience with compliance management platforms and case management software tools used in regulatory and financial environments.

4. Strong analytical skills for evaluating customer risk profiles, assessing documentation quality, and making informed compliance determinations consistently.

5. Familiarity with regulatory reporting procedures and internal audit standards that apply to digital banking and financial services.

6. A solid understanding of European financial markets, cross-border transaction monitoring practices, and the regulatory landscape affecting them.

Practical notes

1. This role is based in the Madrid office, so candidates should be prepared to work on-site at the N26 Madrid location.

2. The position involves close and ongoing collaboration with the Italian market team as well as the broader compliance functions across the company.

3. Applicants should be aware that N26 operates within a highly regulated financial services environment where compliance is a top organizational priority always.

4. The hiring process may include multiple interview rounds and a compliance-focused case study exercise designed to assess practical regulatory knowledge and judgment.

5. Candidates are encouraged to submit their application with any relevant certifications or additional qualifications that demonstrate their expertise in KYC and compliance matters.