Escalation Decision Sample (Fictional)

This case example shows how I determined when escalation was appropriate based on clustered risk indicators and documentation requirements.

What Was Observed

  • The customer initiated a wire transfer that did not match prior account behavior. 
  • A second wire transfer was initiated within a short time frame. 
  • Both transactions involved a newly added beneficiary.

Why Escalation Was Required

  • The activity represented a clear change from the customer’s historical transaction pattern. 
  • Multiple risk indicators occurred close together, increasing overall risk. 
  • The combination of sudden wire activity and beneficiary changes required further review.

Action Taken

  • The activity was escalated to Compliance after the second inconsistent transaction. 
  • The escalation was made to support additional review and risk assessment.

What Was Not Done

  • No conclusions were drawn about intent or legitimacy. 
  • The customer was not contacted directly. 
    No investigative actions were taken outside analyst scope.