Experts explain why red flags can often be ignored due to ‘underlying systematic issues’
Companies spend huge sums on audit, risk management, and compliance to alert them about potential legal issues before they escalate into serious corporate governance failings. There’s only one problem, however–they often misread their own early warning signs or ignore them altogether.
FCA slaps Metro Bank with $21M fine for inadequate AML monitoring
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has fined Metro Bank 16.6 million pounds (U.S. $21 million) for an alleged failure by its automated system to adequately monitor money laundering risks.
Underfunding of BSA/AML compliance made TD Bank an unwitting partner to cross-border crime
Law enforcement officials stumbled on TD Bank’s role in money laundering while investigating a Mexican drug cartel. They found that the bank’s corporate culture considered compliance, particularly BSA/AML compliance, a low priority. As they dug deeper, authorities discovered that multiple money laundering schemes had infiltrated the bank’s network.
Real estate firm JLL fined by Canada’s FINTRAC for AML, KYC failures
Canada’s anti-money laundering regulator fined Toronto-based real estate firm Jones Lang Lasalle $107,827 Canadian dollars (U.S. $77,632) for six violations of its anti-money laundering rules, after discovering gaps in recordkeeping and reporting requirements for know your customer rules.
TD Bank fined nearly $3.1B by U.S. regulators for AML compliance failures
TD Bank will pay nearly $3.1 billion in penalties to four U.S. regulators to settle charges that it “chose profits over compliance” when it allowed three money laundering networks to filter more than $670 million in dirty money through the company.
FinCEN, OFAC sanction crypto platforms linked to Russia, cybercrime
U.S. and European law enforcement agencies have announced sanctions against two Russia-linked cryptocurrency platforms in their ongoing chase to snuff out Russian-linked financial platforms that assist cybercriminals.
Wells Fargo agrees with OCC to shore up BSA/AML, sanctions program deficiencies
The Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ordered Wells Fargo to make “comprehensive corrective actions” to its Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering and U.S. sanctions programs, along with receive permission from the OCC to offer new products and services or enter new geographic markets with “medium or high” ...
An Amsterdam discussion on increased role of CCOs
Compliance Week and its sister organization the International Compliance Association will bring together more than 200 GRC professionals for Compliance Week Europe Oct. 15-16 in Amsterdam to discuss how they’re making sense of the constantly changing regulatory landscape.
CPE Webcast: The acronyms that changed the finance industry: from AML and BSA to KYC and BaaS
In the ever-evolving landscape of finance, governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) have emerged as critical pillars that underpin the stability and growth of financial institutions.
DOJ orders Wynn Las Vegas to forfeit $130M over BSA/AML violations
Wynn Las Vegas agreed to forfeit $130 million to settle a range of criminal allegations, including allegedly helping foreign customers hide money transfers and shielding patrons from Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering rules, the Department of Justice said.
Experts warn U.K. money laundering cases to ‘significantly increase’
The U.K. has an ongoing problem with money laundering, but recent changes to economic crime law and corporate registration requirements could bring more cases to court, according to consultancy KPMG.
Strengthening BSA/AML defenses: Critical role of ERTs in modern day compliance
Enforcement actions in the first half of of 2024 by the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network highlight the importance of proactive measures in Bank Secrecy Act compliance rather than just being compliant.
Ian Sherr joins Compliance Week as its new editor-in-chief
New Compliance Week Editor-In-Chief Ian Sherr shares his thoughts on where compliance is headed as businesses meet the realities of not just following the rules, but staying ahead of the pace of regulatory change at a global scale.
FinCEN finalizes AML rules for investment advisers, cash real estate transactions
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network released new anti-money laundering requirements for U.S. investment advisers and real estate professionals that attempt to close loopholes that criminals and kleptocrats have long exploited.
Nordea Bank to pay $35M to resolve NYDFS probe into AML shortcomings
Finland-based Nordea Bank will pay $35 million to resolve an investigation by the New York Department of Financial Services into “significant compliance failures” in its anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act program.
TD Bank discloses liabilities over AML probes in U.S. balloon to $2.6B
TD Bank has set aside $2.6 billion to settle allegations made by U.S. regulators that deficiencies in its anti-money laundering program allowed fentanyl traffickers to launder money on its platform.
Banks avoid penalties in OCC deals, agree to shore up AML/BSA, board oversight
Among the enforcement actions issued by the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in August, two banks were separately penalized for deficiencies in anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act compliance and board oversight.
American Portfolios agrees to $225K settlement with FINRA over AML failings
Broker-dealer American Portfolios will pay a $225,000 fine to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) over alleged deficiencies in its anti-money laundering program.
U.K. forced labor ruling raises bar for supply chain monitoring
Companies will need to tighten up how they monitor their supply chains after a recent U.K. ruling determined that corporates could be open to money laundering charges if they fail to act in cases where they believe there is a risk of forced labor.
Examining potential uses for GenAI in banking, financial services
The American Bankers Association sent a letter to the Treasury Department asking questions on the ethical application of generative AI in banking and finance, with an IBM report published the same day describing potential future uses of GenAI tools in finance.
Experts warn FCA review prompts firms to declassify or retain PEPs
The U.K Financial Conduct Authority published findings showing that financial services firms are implementing its guidance on politically exposed persons related to anti-money laundering inconsistently, with experts warning firms of reputational damage arising from potential enforcement.
SEC fines OTC Link $1.2M over allegedly failing to file SARs
New York-based broker-dealer OTC Link will pay a $1.2 million fine to settle charges levied by the Securities and Exchange Commission over allegedly failing to implement a system to monitor and report potential suspicious activities on its platforms.
Podcast: BCG managing director on anti-financial crime technology
Staff writer Aaron Nicodemus discussed anti-financial crime technology in banking with Hanjo Seibert, managing director and partner of Boston Consulting Group, during the latest episode of the Compliance Week podcast.
Q&A: Paxful CCO on ramping up compliance after BSA failures
Manfred Bekeris, chief compliance officer at cypto peer-to-peer network Paxful, sat down with Compliance Week to talk about joining the company shortly before its former chief operating officer and co-founder pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act.
Wells Fargo discloses AML, sanctions programs under investigation
Wells Fargo disclosed in a public filing its anti-money laundering and sanctions programs are under investigation, adding to the already long list of compliance issues plaguing the bank.
Interpol to launch AML pilot program in Africa by 2025
The International Police Organization will launch a pilot anti-money laundering initiative in Africa that will trace and recover funds stolen by corrupt officials and criminals.
FCA wants input on how Consumer Duty overlaps with existing rules
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority is asking for input on which of its existing rules for financial services overlap with the year-old consumer duty rule, with an eye toward streamlining and simplifying both rule packages.
Former U.K. Gambling Commission investigator on AML/CFT regulations
Recent events have put a spotlight on the role of the U.K. Gambling Commission, following its investigation into privileged information allegedly being used to bet on the date of the U.K. general election.
Treasury official slams Florida ‘anti-woke’ law for ‘undermining’ BSA compliance
Brian Nelson, Treasury Department under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, warned in a letter that Florida’s “anti-woke” banking bill may “materially undermine” financial institutions’ compliance with federal AML/CFT laws and U.S. sanctions.
FCA fines Coinbase subsidiary $4.5M over providing service to high-risk customers
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority issued a fine of $4.5 million (3.5 million pounds) against a U.K.-based subsidiary of crypto platform Coinbase for providing services to high-risk customers in violation of FCA rules.
Risk visibility striking fear in companies onboarding new customers
A lack of risk visibility is causing companies to reject customers–and potentially lose money–over fears they might be in danger of violating rules around anti-money laundering and sanctions regulations.
OFAC sets Aug. 2 deadline for firms to report Russian sovereign assets
Financial institutions holding Russian sovereign assets that have not reported them to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control are now required to do so by Aug. 2.
Green Dot fined $44M by Fed over compliance deficiencies, deceptive practices
The Federal Reserve Board of Governors fined financial technology and bank holding company Green Dot $44 million for numerous unfair and deceptive practices and a deficient consumer compliance risk management program.
Banking regs join FinCEN in proposing AML/CFT risk assessment rule
Four federal banking regulators have joined the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require financial institutions to conduct more thorough risk assessments on their anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism programs.
FCA: Most banks don’t subject U.K. politicians to excessive risk checks
The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority asked banks and financial institutions “to do more” to ensure that U.K lawmakers and their families are not treated unfairly.
DOJ latest agency to charge crypto platform BitMEX for BSA/AML failures
The parent company of crypto-trading platform BitMEX is again facing charges of violating the Bank Secrecy Act, the latest in a string of punishments against the company and its founders for failing to implement adequate know your customer and anti-money laundering programs.
Ex-Paxful co-founder pleads guilty to violating BSA/AML regulations
The co-founder and former chief technology officer of crypto peer-to-peer network Paxful faces charges related to violating the anti-money laundering requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act.
De-risking trend threatens global financial markets, Treasury official warns
As the United States and other Western countries turn the screws on criminals, hackers, terrorist organizations, and sanctions evaders attempting to access global financial markets, financial institutions could respond by reducing their connections to risky sectors, according to Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson.
Q&A: Seaco general counsel, compliance head on environmental regulations
Dominic Buckwell, general counsel and compliance head at global marine container leasing company Seaco, discussed key themes including anti-money laundering, sanctions, and why the industry needs common environmental reporting standards.
Silvergate Bank to pay $63M to Fed, California over BSA/AML deficiencies
Crypto-friendly Silvergate Bank will pay a total of $63 million penalties to California and the Federal Reserve Board to settle charges that its anti-money laundering program failed to properly monitor more than $1 trillion worth of customer transactions.
FATF removes Jamaica, Türkiye from watchlist; adds Monaco, Venezuela
Jamaica and Türkiye made “significant progress” addressing deficiencies in their anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) programs, warranting their removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list.
FinCEN proposes additional risk assessments for AML/CFT programs
Financial institutions would be required to conduct more thorough risk assessments on their anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism programs under a new rule proposed by the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
OCC emphasizes compliance’s role in FI’s operational resiliency
Compliance departments at financial institutions must become more involved in ensuring their firm’s operational resiliency to address emerging risks, the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said in its semi-annual risk perspective.
Credit Suisse unit inks deal with OCC over BSA/AML obligations
The New York branch of Swiss bank Credit Suisse reached a deal with the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) over compliance with its Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering obligations.
Evolve Bank ordered by Fed to address AML, sanctions lapses
The Federal Reserve Board ordered an Arkansas bank that partnered with numerous financial technology companies to correct deficiencies in its anti-money laundering, sanctions, risk management, and consumer compliance programs.
Photo gallery: Compliance Week Financial Crimes and Regulatory Compliance Summit
The Compliance Week Financial Crimes and Regulatory Compliance Summit took place June 10-11 at Fordham Law School in Manhattan, New York. Check out some of the sights from the summit in our photo gallery.
FinCEN BSA data: Fraud, money laundering top suspicious activities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network published its latest collection of Bank Secrecy Act data, including number and type of suspicious activity reports.
Reignited calls to tighten up AML in London, crown dependencies
Despite repeated interventions, fines, and negative publicity, money laundering is rife in U.K. financial services firms, according to Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell.
Epoch Times CFO charged in $67M money laundering scheme
The chief financial officer of the Epoch Times was charged with laundering at least $67 million in illegally obtained funds to bolster the fortunes of the newspaper and himself.
BaFin relaxes growth restrictions on N26 following AML improvements
German financial regulatory authority BaFin lifted growth restrictions on N26, after the digital bank made improvements to its anti-money laundering program.