All BSA articles
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Premium
FinCEN to propose applying BSA requirements to investment advisers
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network will propose categorizing investment advisers as financial institutions that must comply with the Bank Secrecy Act, including having an anti-money laundering program.
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News Brief
TD Bank reportedly facing fine for faulty AML controls
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada is reportedly preparing to issue its largest fine to date against TD Bank for faulty anti-money laundering controls.
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News Brief
FinCEN analysis: Most common identity-related suspicious activities
Fraud remains the leading form of identity-related suspicious activity cited in Bank Secrecy Act reports by a large margin, while technologies enable greater overall risks around exploitation, according to new research from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
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News Brief
TD Bank expecting punishment in BSA/AML probes
TD Bank disclosed in a shareholder report it is facing regulatory investigations regarding its Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering compliance program.
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News Brief
Treasury: DeFi services vulnerable to AML/CFT, cybersecurity risks
A new U.S. Treasury report concluded that decentralized finance services are being used by bad actors to launder the proceeds of illegal activity, aided by crypto platforms weak or non-existent in anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance programs.
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News Brief
Popular Bank fined $2.3M by Fed over fraudulent PPP loan approvals
The Federal Reserve Board fined New York-based Popular Bank $2.3 million for processing Paycheck Protection Program loans despite finding significant indications of possible fraud in the loan applications.
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News Brief
Crypto exchange Bitzlato shut down, labeled ‘money laundering concern’
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network designated Bitzlato, a Hong Kong-registered cryptocurrency exchange, as a “primary money laundering concern” in the first use of a law that targets entities that facilitate illicit Russian financial transactions.
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Article
FinCEN seeking feedback on AML/CFT regime ahead of report to Congress
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has issued a request for information on ways to modernize the Bank Secrecy Act ahead of a report Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen must provide Congress by Jan. 1, 2022.
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Article
FinCEN report: Ransomware SARs surge past 2020 totals
A Financial Crimes Enforcement Network report on financial trends in Bank Secrecy Act data found a greater number of SARs related to ransomware filed between January and June 2021 than during all of 2020.
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Article
WaFd Bank to pay $2.5M for AML/BSA deficiencies
Washington Federal Bank has agreed to pay $2.5 million in accordance with a consent order reached with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in February 2018.
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Article
FinCEN eyes no-action letters as aid for FinTech rollouts
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network will launch rulemaking for a no-action letter process that would give financial institutions another way to enter dialogue with the regulator about innovative and newly emerging technologies.
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Article
FinCEN puts financial institutions on notice with first AML/CFT priorities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network tipped its hand at changes ahead for the Bank Secrecy Act in announcing the first government-wide list of priorities for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.
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Article
FDIC fines Apple Bank $12.5M for AML compliance failures
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has fined Apple Bank for Savings $12.5 million for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act related to anti-money laundering controls.
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Resource
White paper: BSA/AML Compliance: A Growing Consensus for Change
Serving a vital purpose for the U.S. financial system, the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) protects its individual members from being used to finance illegal activity. But at 50 years old, its ability to achieve that purpose has not kept pace with an ever-evolving world, as the law remains largely unchanged ...
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Article
Treasury under Yellen to prioritize climate change, sanctions, AML reform
Janet Yellen takes over as leader of a Treasury Department with a lot on its plate, including studying the effects of climate change on the economy, unwinding Trump administration sanctions, revamping the Bank Secrecy Act, and more.
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Article
Analysis: Improving SARs effectiveness takes more than act of Congress
In the wake of 2020’s FinCEN Files leaks, the U.S. Treasury this year will undertake a thorough reevaluation of the country’s AML program under the Bank Secrecy Act.
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Article
Capital One fined $390M for ‘egregious’ AML compliance failures
Capital One will pay a $390 million civil penalty for compliance failures regarding banking services offered to its check cashing group, which—according to FinCEN—had a reputation for money-laundering risks.
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Article
FinCEN proposes BSA reporting rule for cryptocurrency transactions
FinCEN has proposed a new rule looking to subject cryptocurrency transactions to similar AML reporting requirements placed on other financial institutions by the Bank Secrecy Act.
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Article
Congress passes defense bill with big ramifications for AML, whistleblowers
Congress’ defense spending bill approved Friday includes amendments that could dramatically alter the fight against money laundering, in addition to a new BSA whistleblower program with some kinks to be worked out.
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Article
OCC report: Banks sound, but compliance risks elevated amid pandemic
The U.S. banking industry is stable nearly nine months into the coronavirus pandemic, but the OCC warns of increased risks for banks seeking to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act and consumer protection and fair lending requirements.