The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network will focus its attention regarding compliance with its new beneficial ownership reporting requirements on education and outreach during the first year of implementation, although “willful violations” will still merit punishment.
AML
Ex-Sterling Bank GC cited by OCC over BSA-related failures
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a cease-and-desist order against the former general counsel at Sterling Bank and Trust for not ensuring the institution’s Bank Secrecy Act compliance and failing to timely file suspicious activity reports.
FinCEN: BSA data shows spike in crypto-financed human trafficking
Bank Secrecy Act reporting data disclosed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network revealed a significant spike in the use of cryptocurrency to finance human trafficking.
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.
Anti-fraud groups praise FinCEN AML proposal for real estate transactions
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require the handlers of all-cash residential real estate transactions in all U.S. cities and counties to disclose the beneficial owners.
Paytm denies money laundering claims amid regulatory scrutiny
The Reserve Bank of India ordered a halt to many banking activities of digital payments provider Paytm while the regulator investigates “persistent noncompliances and continued material supervisory concerns.”
ACAMS survey: Budget cuts, criminal tech innovation top 2024 threats
Nearly 800 financial crime professionals said the biggest threats to the effectiveness of their anti-money laundering programs are budget cuts and their inability to keep pace with more aggressive and innovative uses of technology by criminals to commit fraud.
City National Bank ordered to pay $65M over deficient risk, internal controls
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency levied a $65 million civil penalty against Los Angeles-based City National Bank over alleged risk management and internal control failures.
Compliance officer BSA case a cautionary tale for small banks
A New York-based Bank Secrecy Act compliance officer facilitated more than $1 billion in high-risk international financial business through an “unsophisticated” institution, according to the Department of Justice and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
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.
