Denese Harmon, CAMS
Denese Harmon, CAMS, is an Assistant Vice President and a Financial Crimes Investigator at First Bank (FBNC) in Troy, North Carolina. With over 15 years of experience in anti-money laundering (AML), fraud prevention, and financial crime investigations, Denese is dedicated to protecting the integrity of the financial system. She leverages her expertise in transaction monitoring, KYC/CDD/EDD compliance, and regulatory risk management to identify and mitigate complex financial threats, making a tangible impact on both organizations and individuals. Denese’s journey in financial crimes investigation began somewhat by chance when she was fresh out of college looking for her first "real job". She took a staffing position at a local bank in their fraud department, focusing on debit card and ATM fraud detection, and quickly discovered a natural aptitude for investigations. She continued to develop her skills in ATM, debit card, check fraud, and Ecommerce investigations, eventually expanding into anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act compliance. In her current role, Denese analyzes large volumes of transactions to detect illicit activity, including terrorist financing, drug and human trafficking, tax evasion, and elder financial exploitation. Collaborating with law enforcement and government agencies, she finds fulfillment in stopping criminal behavior and seeing the real-world results of her work. A Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Denese is proud to have achieved this benchmark certification, a goal that culminates her extensive hands-on experience in detecting complex financial crimes and formalizes her expertise in unmasking sophisticated money-laundering schemes. She is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals in financial crime compliance and actively shares insights on new evolving risks. Outside of work, Denese enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and caring for her dogs, bringing the same analytical rigor, dedication, and curiosity to her personal life as she does to her career.
• ACAM Certification
• Buisness Administration
• Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
• ACAM
• International Association of Financial Crimes Investigatiors
• Manna Food Bank
• School Supply Drives
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being open to new opportunities that allow me to expand my knowledge and skillset beyond standard protocols and into the fascinating intersection of data, psychology, and law. The true reward lies in the 'hunt'—finding the needle in the haystack across thousands of transactions to unmask the hidden motives and methods behind complex financial deception, safeguarding not only my financial institution but the community at large.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that it’s possible to build a meaningful career in a field you love while also making a real difference in the lives of others. I’ve carried this principle throughout my professional journey, always seeking opportunities where my skills align with my passions and where my work can have a positive impact. It reminds me to approach every role with purpose, to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and to focus on contributing value in ways that matter both to my organization and the communities I serve.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry that they absolutely can build a career they love. Success comes from dedication, persistence, and a willingness to keep learning. Stay focused on your goals, work hard, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Most importantly, never give up on your ambitions, because with perseverance and passion, you can achieve meaningful and fulfilling success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my view, we are at a critical juncture where AI technology is both our greatest ally and our most formidable threat. Criminals are adopting AI at an accelerated rate, using it as a multiplier to outpace traditional defenses. Combined with the rise of third-party payment platforms that mask the flow of illicit funds, the 'cat and mouse' game has never been more complex.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Ultimately, I am driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. In my role as an investigator, I have often met customers on their worst days, when a financial loss feels not just tangible but visceral. For me, the opportunity to bring a victim back to a "whole" state or to prevent it all together will always be my "why." Outside of the office, my investigative spirit carries over into my hobbies, enjoying detective-related books and documentaries. I find balance in nature—whether hiking, working in my yard, or walking my dogs. I value the simple things in life, with my family remaining the most important and most rewarding part of my life.