As financial institutions continue to face enhanced public scrutiny and potential regulatory attention, it is important they allocate competent resources to their AML programs regarding beneficial ownership.
AML
Posted inEurope
Former Swedbank CEO Birgitte Bonnesen charged with fraud
The Swedish Economic Crime Authority announced charges against Birgitte Bonnesen, Swedbank’s former chief executive officer, for fraud and market manipulation regarding the bank’s money laundering scandal.
Posted inAML, Financial Services, Risk Management
Financial crime risk management: Old crimes, new methods
Times and technologies change, but the fundamental means by which criminals attempt to launder money and carry out their nefarious acts are still rooted in the same criminal process.
Posted inAccounting & Auditing
Should lawyers, accountants be filing more SARs?
A study of suspicious activity reporting data in the United Kingdom suggests accountants, lawyers, estate agents, and other service-facing professionals could be doing more to contribute to the fight against financial crime.
Posted inAML, ESG/Social Responsibility, Financial Services, Risk Management
FinCEN report highlights uptick in wildlife trafficking SARs
Suspicious activity reports flagging potential financial crime risks posed by wildlife trafficking are on the rise, according to a report published by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Posted inEurope
HSBC hit with $84M penalty over AML failings
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority fined HSBC Bank £63,946,800 (U.S. $84.3 million) for failings in its anti-money laundering processes over an eight-year period.
Posted inInternal Controls
CommunityBank of Texas fined $8M over AML failures
CommunityBank of Texas has agreed to pay $8 million as part of a consent order reached with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network regarding deficiencies in its anti-money laundering program linked to understaffing.
Posted inRegulatory Enforcement
Wedbush Securities to pay $1.2M for role in microcap fraud scheme
California-based broker-dealer Wedbush Securities agreed to pay $1.2 million as part of a settlement with the SEC for the unregistered sale of microcap securities and its failure to file suspicious activity reports associated with those transactions.
Posted inRisk Management
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.
Posted inEthics & Culture
CCO Q&A: How Prime Trust is managing compliance in evolving crypto space
Compliance Week discusses with Nirvana Patel, chief compliance officer and BSA officer at Prime Trust, the unique challenges of practicing compliance in the cryptocurrency industry and his thoughts on the regulatory landscape moving forward.