Rashard Knowles
Nassau
Summary
To continuously develop myself so that I can become a more rounded financial professional and in doing so, add value in any situation that I am involved.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Team Lead
CIBC Caribbean Bahamas Limited
09.2025 - Current
- Onboard new and existing Corporate clients who are medium or high risk involving complex structures to ensure KYC compliance
- Manage the Task Manager Box where all customer complaints, queries and requests for transactions are sent for action
- Manage team of Officers and Analysts in Bahamas and Turks & Caicos in the day-to-day performance of their duties when Manager is out of office
- Consistently provide exceptional customer service to the Bank’s clients
- Ongoing transaction monitoring for medium to high risk clients ensuring full compliance with AML/ATF regulatory requirements.
- Complete periodic reviews for high risk clients with medium to complex structures to ensure KYC compliance
- Corporate Investment Banking
- Leadership & Team Support In September and October, I acted as Team Lead, working alongside senior colleagues to support onboarding operations. During this period: • Provided one-on-one training and coaching for new employees. • Guided staff on improving internal and external client experience, efficiency, and time management. • Delivered regional and on-the-ground support while balancing leadership duties with personal workload conversion.
Analyst
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2022 - Current
- Onboard new and existing Corporate clients who are medium or high risk involving complex structures to ensure KYC compliance
- Manage the Task Manager Box where all customer complaints, queries and requests for transactions are sent for action
- Manage team of Officers and Analysts in Bahamas and Turks & Caicos in the day-to-day performance of their duties when Manager is out of office
- Consistently provide exceptional customer service to the Bank’s clients
- Ongoing transaction monitoring for medium to high risk clients ensuring full compliance with AML/ATF regulatory requirements.
- Complete periodic reviews for high risk clients with medium to complex structures to ensure KYC compliance
- Corporate Investment Banking
International Corporate Banking Associate
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 250 low to high end clients from all cultural and diverse background
- Increased portfolio by over 150 more new accounts since joining the team
- Consistently provide exceptional customer service to the Bank’s clients
- Prepared several visa applications and renewals on ICAP for submission for sanction/approval
- Maintain accurate record of clients KYC and credit files for Wealth clients – medium to high risk
- Point of contact for vetting and onboarding of prospective clients, providing a business case where appropriate.
- Conduct appropriate enhanced due diligence on high risk clients
- Manage day to day issues, requests and investigations for Wealth clients
- Gather and source documents for internal and external auditors.
- Developed a working knowledge of BizApp and ICAP (credit banking applications)
- Private Wealth Management
Acting Manager Sales Support
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2017 - 01.2017
- Manage staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs
- Handle and resolve more complex customer requests or complaints
- Provide oversight, review and sign-off on KYC files
- Liquidate, monitor and manage internal reports i.e. loss summary, suspense accounts.
- Tracking and reporting deficiency remediation
- Corporate Banking
Client Service Officer
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2009 - 01.2017
- Provide a high level of service to Corporate clients to exceed expectations with every customer interaction
- Along with the Relationship Manager, co-managed a portfolio of approximately 100 mid to high end business corporate clients
- Manage the Task Manager Box where all customer complaints, queries and request for transactions are sent for action
- Prepared several annual client’s credit reviews on ICA and ICAP for submission for sanction
- Prepared several excess requests which was approved for Corporate clients
- Complete financial reporting on behalf of unit for submission to The Central Bank monthly
- Maintain accurate record of clients KYC and credit files
- Developed a working knowledge of CMRIL
- Corporate Banking
Reconciliations/Investigations Officer
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Managed a portfolio of over 200 suspense and nostro accounts ensuring risk to the bank was kept at a minimum
- Maintained thorough open and closed investigation files.
- Prepared monthly, weekly and daily reports for the unit.
- Support the customer service and processing functions through the balancing of their ledger accounts
- Mitigate risk by keeping reconciliation up to date by escalating outstanding issues in accordance with guidelines
- Processing Centre
Customer Service Representative I
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Consistently provided efficient and superb service to the bank’s internal/external customers
- Balanced the branch’s cash account.
- Extensive knowledge of balancing cash
- Bay Street Branch
Education
Bachelors of Science - Information Systems Administration
Sojourner Douglass College
01.2004
Associate's Degree - Computer Information Systems
The College of The Bahamas
01.2001
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C I Gibson Secondary
01.1999
Skills
- Demonstrated meticulous attention to detail in all tasks and projects
- Facilitated conflict resolution processes to enhance team collaboration
- Cultivated strong customer relationships to enhance service delivery
- Assisted in developing coaching programs to support team members Provided guidance to individuals seeking professional growth Facilitated mentoring sessions to enhance skills and knowledge
- Supported quality assurance processes to maintain product standards and compliance Assisted in identifying defects and implementing corrective actions Collaborated with team members to enhance overall quality control measures
- Spearheaded initiatives for process improvement to enhance operational efficiency
- Directed operations management initiatives to enhance efficiency and productivity
- Oversaw production monitoring processes to ensure operational efficiency
- Analyzed and monitored key performance indicators to drive strategic decision-making
- Cultivated and strengthened professional relationships to enhance collaboration
- Executed strategic thinking to identify and address complex challenges
ACHIEVEMENTS
Named “Employee of the Year” in 2014 for CIBC Firstcaribbean in The Bahamas, Awarded “ Player of the Series” for year 2014 under CIBC FirstCaribbean’s recognition program, Recipient of “Star Player” award under CIBC FirstCaribbean’s recognition program in January 2014 (Quarter 1), April 2014 (Quarter 2) and April 2010 (Quarter 2) for being a Helpful Partner, Achieved Advanced Toastmaster Bronze in Toastmasters program, April 2006, Received Competent Leader award in Toastmasters program, October 2006
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Successfully completed Tier II of the CSI Credit Risk Accreditation program in 2012
- Completed Corporate Banking Core Business Training in May 2009
- Co-manage CIBCFirstCaribbean’s Softball Team. Won Championship for 2018 softball season
- Member of Executive team, YEP Youth Empowerment Program – West District 2015
- President, Toastmasters Club 753494, FirstCaribbean 2005-2006
- Vice President of Education, Toastmasters Club 753494, FirstCaribbean 2007-2008
- Secretary, Toastmasters Club 753494 FirstCaribbean 2004-2005
Timeline
Acting Team Lead
CIBC Caribbean Bahamas Limited
09.2025 - Current
Analyst
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2022 - Current
International Corporate Banking Associate
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2017 - 01.2022
Acting Manager Sales Support
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2017 - 01.2017
Client Service Officer
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2009 - 01.2017
Reconciliations/Investigations Officer
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2004 - 01.2009
Customer Service Representative I
CIBC FirstCaribbean
01.2001 - 01.2004
Bachelors of Science - Information Systems Administration
Sojourner Douglass College
Associate's Degree - Computer Information Systems
The College of The Bahamas
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C I Gibson Secondary