I'm interviewing for a Compliance Specialist position. One of the candidates does not have any compliance experience, but her resume indicates some good skills - database, Excel, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for good questions to ask that would reveal whether this person has an "aptitude" for compliance?

Perhaps questions indicating any research and problem solving background. I also find that an interest in puzzles shows an aptitude (seriously!). Overall curiosity is good, a compulsion to dig deeper. Those who stop when they get the first pat answer to a question won't do well.

But I don't have any specific questions to suggest.

If they're going to have any interaction with line or ops people at the bank, you may want to find out more about their people skills.

A good compliance person also needs very good communication skills, both written and verbal. Without these, they are of no use to an organization. Ask them if they could produce some documents that they created in their current job.

Also, how good are they at interpreting a new or revised regulation? Can they show how they differ from the original requirements?