Non-financial risk & compliance experts
Knowing that security and compliance requirements are met is what affords our teams the freedom to get creative and conquer higher grounds in products and services. That’s where they come in: these are the experts who act from the second line of defence to cover a diverse pool of non-financial risks. They employ a common set of tools and a tailored approach for each domain.
Skills & interactions: oversees the implementation of IT & continuity risk minimum standards, IT security policies, provides guidance and interpretation, monitors, mitigates. Working with numerous internal stakeholders offers direct access to how compliance requirements and controls are embedded. This knowledge opens the door to contributions that can further enhance the global control framework.
See who you could team up with:
Cristina Sterea
Non-financial risk specialist
I work in the non-financial risk (NFR) area, specifically in assurance team. My short answer about my job is: I work for ING Hubs, in the NFR & Compliance Hub. Guess what: the words after ING are almost never heard.
ING is a strong brand and people instantly think of banking products. Ultimately, my role is to protect the bank and its clients, so they’re not wrong. We’re separate entities, but we’re in it together.
It had to do with what we call a significant deficiency (SD), and I was involved as a second line of defence challenger. The process was nothing but easy, it required a lot of research on my part, dedication and overcoming certain self-barriers.
But when all my recommendations were implemented, it really made my day. Made my month! My satisfaction matched the difficulty of the process, I was bursting with pride
As a new employee, I found myself stuck in a situation related to a Key Control Testing (KCT). I wasted time trying to do it alone, despite the unknowns. I thought that asking for help made me less of a professional.
I ended up by asking my more experienced colleagues for help and they were eager to explain things and to support me in completing the task. We’re our biggest critics, people are usually sympathetic.
The irony is that I’m now the very calm person my colleagues turn to. They always tell me that it helps them to talk to me when they stress about certain work-related activities.
A good talk is all it takes sometimes, it brings clarity and reassures us that the solution is out there.
I am happy to have this forum to talk about them. Most of my colleagues are quite young and extremely well trained professionally. They contribute to the energy of the team and are a breath of fresh air.
We have the privilege of working with almost all ING locations around the globe, so we get to meet and make friends with colleagues everywhere.
It depends on what I’m in the mood for, I’ll go for a good book, or cycle – I used to cycle to the office, 30 km every day -, I paint by numbers.
But the first thing I do after work is to take care of the "delicioși". It’s what I call my dogs and cats, but also the neighbourhood cats who visit us daily for a treat. And we plan for when we’re away, so they’re always taken care of.
Răzvan Breten
Lead Financial Crime
Let’s try some word associations – what best describes your activity as you know it and as others perceive it?
Some accurate descriptors are fighting financial crime, doing the right thing, compliance geeks.
If you were to ask my parents, they thought I was involved in physical security for a long time.
Your role in one phrase?
I work with most of the countries where ING is present, helping both the countries and the Global Compliance function improve the quality of execution in Financial Crime Compliance.
What are some of your main drivers?
Two things come to mind: I have a great team, we operate from a constructive mindset and are passionate about what we do. And then there’s the impact of my line of work inside the company and for society, really. Catching a money launderer, or a criminal is the gift that keeps on giving.
Having a managerial role, what’s something that gives you most satisfaction as a people leader?
Some of my proudest moments are when I see colleagues from my team grow into even bigger roles, receiving that recognition and taking the opportunity to increase their impact.
I’m a big believer in collective power and, with the right people on the job, there is a solution for everything. So, I’m happy to have them on my team but also glad when they spread their wings to reach greater heights.
Every job comes with demands, and yours sounds like it has the potential to bring some pressure. How do you handle it?
I try to be consistent with time management. Sticking to priorities, staying on top of things, and keeping it all contained to working hours takes some discipline.
It’s easy to get absorbed in tasks, so the way I go about it is to stay focused and bring my A game to work. Afterwards I can truly disconnect and be present with family and friends. I am a simple man and take my energy from moments rather that material accomplishments.
How does ING Hubs Romania contribute to your sense of balance?
Strong leadership is at the core of it. It’s a company I love working for because they prioritise people. We are given multiple means to perform both efficiently and effectively.
We have work from home and flexible working conditions, wellbeing benefits and an open culture. Not to mention the actual office, the headquarters is a spectacular building with modern facilities, designed in a very positive tone, located in the heart of the city.
What do you appreciate most about the people you work with and what do you bring to your team, besides professional skills, and leadership?
In addition to being true professionals, I appreciate the human touch in everything they do. We care about each other, and we also make time to laugh, celebrate and go out. Everything we do is based on good intentions, it’s a positive environment.
I try to be a genuine companion, one you can share the good and the bad with. I also think I bring a good sense of humour, but we have yet to reach unanimity on that.