Martin Woods
Martin Woods is a former detective turned compliance officer who has experience with major compliance cases and settlements from a number of perspectives. He now applies his experience to the analysis and subsequent commentary of current compliance investigations and settlements. Previously, he advised bankers, regulators, the United Nations, central bankers, and law enforcement groups from around the world.
ArticleJames Freis did the right thing at Wirecard … but why didn’t anyone else?
At the end of the sorry Wirecard saga, James Freis may be one of the very few former senior employees who can hold his head high, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
Goldman Sachs 1MDB fallout a case study for bonus risks
As Goldman Sachs cuts the pay of its top executives in response to more than $5 billion in penalties incurred for the 1MDB scandal, Martin Woods once again ponders whether bonuses helped facilitate the improper conduct that took place.
- Article
Compensation or compromise? The risks of compliance bonuses
Financial crime expert Martin Woods assesses whether incentivizing compliance officers with bonuses may undermine the importance of performing the job with integrity and credibility.
- Article
Recordkeeping among a compliance officer’s greatest allies
Martin Woods writes how a recent case in the United Kingdom should remind us of the importance of our own communications and recordkeeping—especially during a time where it has perhaps never been more important.
- Article
We’ve been failing at AML efforts, but new U.S. rules offer hope
If we fail to improve our collective AML efforts, specialized law firms will offer an inviting incentive to those who blow the whistle on our continued failings, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
Confidence is the ultimate tool in fighting fraudsters
Con men will try to bully weak investigators and sell them their version of “the truth,” writes Martin Woods. The ultimate deterrent is to challenge their “facts” and act with the same confidence they display.
- Article
U.S. beneficial ownership efforts a welcome sight for global AML community
U.S. Congress’ defense spending bill requiring corporations to identify who owns and controls them is a significant milestone in the global effort to put an end to anonymous shell companies, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
Fight against corruption must go on, even if the point is undermined
The recent decision by the Department of Justice to release from custody a dangerous Mexican general must not discourage the greater efforts of the anti-corruption community, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
Compliance should consider a well-balanced information diet
In comparing information to food, the outcome might be considered to be the same when too much is consumed, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
Crackdown on culture part of widespread regulatory push
A recent ruling by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority to ban three individuals from the financial services industry for out-of-work misconduct is part of a broader push by regulators to crack down on matters related to culture, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
More data, more problems with FinCEN international transfer proposal?
A recent international wire transfer rule change proposed by U.S. regulators could go a long way toward combatting terrorist financing, but the increased transaction reporting may overwhelm an already taxed system, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
Manchester Arena tragedy offers stark lesson in training importance
As the public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing of 2017 plays out in the United Kingdom, lessons can be gleaned on the importance of providing thorough and complete training to employees in all fields.
- Article
Avoiding the compliance pitfalls of bias, bullying, and blind spots
As compliance professionals we have an important role to play in helping businesses confront and challenge the three Bs of bias, bullying, and blind spots. If we can’t see it, we can’t police it, and that is our job, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
Back to the drawing board on transaction monitoring
In the wake of the “FinCEN Files” leaks, Martin Woods examines whether monitoring text rather than numbers in transactions could serve as a solution to our greater anti-money laundering woes.
- Article
Don’t forget to tell your teams they’re doing a good job
With no personal contact with your team members, it can be easy to forget to remind them from time to time that they’re appreciated, to give them a lift during these troubling times. It will pay off both for them and for you, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
Progress on beneficial ownership key to AML fight
With the British Virgin Islands vowing its commitment to a beneficial ownership public register, financial crime expert Martin Woods turns his attention toward how the U.K. and U.S. are progressing in the space.
- Article
With ‘FinCEN Files,’ don’t shoot the messenger
It’s important we understand with the “FinCEN Files” that the enemy is not a journalist, a regulator, or a banker. The enemy is the money launderer, and this is where we need to focus our thinking and resources, writes Martin Woods.
- Article
FinCEN leaks impart key lessons on basics of writing SARs
Martin Woods, who has analyzed many of the suspicious activity reports released as part of the “FinCEN Files,” offers best practices for compliance officers in writing SARs.
- Article
FinCEN leaks damage trust between banks and regulators, but serve higher purpose
The “FinCEN Files” leaks divided opinions within the community of financial crime compliance officers. Trust has been damaged, writes Martin Woods, but these leaks could facilitate real reform.
- Article
Lesson for startups: Don’t try to fake compliance
Promising startups are often cut slack with compliance because investors feel they will eventually make it, but the time in between is ripe with dangers that extend well beyond the company, writes Martin Woods.
