FINRA fines First Trust $10M for allegedly giving too-generous gifts to brokers
First Trust Portfolios has been fined $10 million by FINRA for allegedly providing excessive meals, gifts, and other incentives to broker-dealers.
Q&A with former FCPA unit chief Charles Duross on the DOJ’s monitorship policy
Compliance Week recently interviewed Charles Duross, former Chief of the DOJ’s Fraud Section’s FCPA Unit, to talk about the Department of Justice’s recently revised monitorship policy.
Compliance officers accused of helping criminals run $346 million international payment fraud network
Four U.S. citizens were arrested in California Wednesday in connection with a massive, $346 million international credit card fraud scheme based in Germany, in which compliance officers were allegedly complicit, according to the DOJ.
FinCEN flags $9 billion in Iranian shadow-banking activity, citing SARs filings from U.S. banks
Approximately $9 billion of potential shadow-banking flows tied to Iranian networks in 2024, according to a new analysis from FinCEN. The report highlights how illicit funds are making their way through financial institutions as they meet the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
Compliance survey shows clawback policies and cooperation tools largely unused
Many companies have strong compliance policies to encourage cooperation with regulators and hold staff accountable, but these policies are rarely used, and cooperation often depends on cost and business benefit, according to a new survey of compliance professionals.
OCC proposes dropping its ‘recovery plan’ requirements for big banks
Less than a year after a new rule required more of the U.S.’s biggest banks to draft “recovery” plans in case of failure, the rule is on its way out.
Sanctions, money-laundering and supply chains top agenda for energy sector compliance
The energy sector faces rising regulatory activity, with more rules and enforcement. Bribery, corruption, and sanctions now dominate compliance concerns, driving rapid change and pressure on compliance officers.
Agentic AI and the policy blind spot: Why security can’t wait
The current AI policy and regulation landscape is still emerging globally. While some regulations and standards exist, governments, industry, and security leaders have critical gaps to close, especially around agentic artificial intelligence.
CFPB ends probe into Meta’s financial advertising practices
Meta says it is no longer under investigation by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the latest instance of the agency scaling back enforcement under President Donald Trump.
Navigate SEC cautiously during shutdown, experts advise
The U.S. government shutdown has brought most operations at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to a screeching halt, but that doesn’t mean compliance teams should be taking a breather, experts advised.
Texas sues Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue over alleged misleading marketing of Tylenol
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued two pharmaceutical companies for ”deceptively marketing Tylenol to pregnant mothers” despite risks linked to autism. The filing came two days before HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared to walk back the claims.
CFPB scraps bad-actor registry, citing cost-benefit issues
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shut down a registry of non-bank financial firms that broke consumer laws. The agency cites the costs being ”not justified by the speculative and unquantified benefits to consumers.”
Senate Democrats question Vought on comments about closing CFPB in months
Senate Democrats warned OMB Director Russell Vought Tuesday that it would be illegal for the Trump administration to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, citing a recent court decision barring actions that could severely harm the agency.
California climate rules cause uncertainty as CARB delays draft guidance
California has delayed the release of draft greenhouse gas reporting rules for businesses until early 2026, the California Air Resources Board said.
Nine states collaborating on data privacy enforcement across state lines
Nine states are collaborating to write and enforce comprehensive data privacy laws, in an effort to protect consumers across jurisdictions and due to the absence of a broad, federal privacy law.
Assessing the impact of the DOJ’s monitorship policy six months in
It has been nearly six months now since the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division released its memorandum on the selection of compliance monitors. This article provides a critical analysis of the monitorships that received early terminations, those that remain in place, and the broader compliance lessons they impart.
Binance’s Changpeng Zhao receives presidential pardon from Trump
The founder of crypto exchange Binance, Changpeng Zhao, received a pardon from President Donald Trump. This pardon comes almost two years after Zhao signed a plea agreement and was sentenced to a four-month prison sentence.
OCC drops $10M fine against former Wells Fargo risk officer fingered in “fake accounts” scandal
A former Wells Fargo risk officer previously ordered to pay $10 million by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for her alleged role in the bank’s “fake accounts” scandal is completely off the hook, according to an OCC consent order issued Tuesday.
NYDFS to firms: apply cybersecurity rules to third-parties
The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) wants financial firms to step up their game when it comes to third parties and cybersecurity.
Extra-territorial rules: How to navigate global compliance complexity
Sanctions, tariffs, economic crime, big tech, data privacy, and environmental laws are expanding global compliance risks. Tougher penalties now reach deep into supply chains, making even small suppliers accountable to customers or regulators.
NY auto insurers on the hook for $19M for cybersecurity violations
Eight auto insurers failed to meet the requirements of New York’s cybersecurity regulations during widespread online attacks in 2021 and will pay $19 million under consent orders with the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).
Smartmatic faces DOJ charges amid allegations of election contract bribes
Three executives of a multinational voting machine company in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump since 2020 have been indicted in Florida by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly paying $1 million in bribes to the Philippines top election official.
Soaring costs of car loan compensation in U.K. highlight global risks from poor sales practices
U.K. motor finance companies are preparing to pay billions in compensation after a Supreme Court ruling found they sold unfair car loans over many years, failing to disclose key information and denying consumers the chance to compare deals or negotiate.
SEC reportedly investigating MassMutual’s accounting amid ongoing government shutdown
Even though the U.S. federal government is currently shut down, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission appears to still be at work. The financial regulator is reportedly investigating a major insurance and asset management company over its accounting practices.
U.S. targets southeast Asian “pig butchering”, human trafficking, forced labor empire
This week, U.S. authorities took coordinated action against Cambodian multinational conglomerate Prince Holding Group and its 37-year-old founder Chen Zhi, who is accused of running forced-labor camps in Cambodia where captives were forced to conduct pig butchering scams that defrauded U.S. and global victims out of billions of dollars.
Nasdaq: A majority of financial firms plan to use AI in compliance this year
About 36 percent of financial firms are using artificial intelligence in compliance, and most firms intend to ramp up their reliance on AI in compliance in the next 12 months, according to a new survey by Nasdaq.
Navigating HHS and FDA’s overhaul of the food and beverage industry
Under the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration have been hellbent on eliminating synthetic food dyes from food and beverage products, forcing a jarring and costly overhaul with cascading impacts on the operations of the entire industry.
U.K. financial regulator looks to streamline audit enforcement procedures
Auditors are supposed to keep businesses honest, but how much regulation is the optimum for the auditors – and how onerous and punitive should the enforcement regime be? A new consultation by the U.K. regulator, the Financial Reporting Council, opened on Oct. 1 and has put the vexed question of ...
Employee faith in whistleblowing programs wanes when companies act selectively
Whistleblowing hotlines are rightly championed as valuable tools for employees and even third parties to raise concerns about corporate conduct. But it seems some complaints may be acted upon more keenly than others, particularly if blame can be pinned to one individual and any potential fallout can be ring-fenced.
How food and beverage companies adjust to the throes of tariff woes
On-again-off-again tariffs, a down economy, and a long list of global supply chain disruptions are challenging U.S. food and beverage companies to adjust their supply chain operations in a variety of ways.
Former startup CEO gets 7 years in prison for $175M fraud against JPMorgan Chase
Charlie Javice, a former CEO who duped JPMorgan Chase into purchasing her start up company for $175 million, has been ordered to forfeit more than $22 million by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and to spend 7 years in jail.
PCAOB’s Christina Ho: How emerging technologies could improve audit quality
Emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics, can improve audit quality in significant ways. As the regulatory overseer of public-company audits, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has a critical role to play by ensuring that its audit standards evolve as the audit profession evolves.
Georgia Tech to pay $875,000 for allegations brought by compliance officers
Georgia Tech Research Corp. (GTRC) has agreed to pay $875,000 to settle allegations first raised by two compliance officers that its cybersecurity protocols violated acceptable standards for defense contractors, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
Tractor Supply Company hit with $1.35M fine for alleged California privacy violations
Tractor Supply Company has agreed to get into compliance with California’s consumer privacy law and to pay a $1.35 million fine—the largest yet by California—to settle allegations it violated the privacy rights of customers and job applicants.
LuminUltra fined $685K by BIS for illegal shipment to Iran
A single $33,000 shipment to Iran triggered a six-figure penalty and years of compliance oversight for biotechnology company LuminUltra Technologies, Inc.
DOJ is ramping up, not ramping down, health care fraud enforcement
While the Trump administration may have shifted away from pursuing small, white-collar, financial crimes, its focus on health care fraud cases is as hot as ever.
FTC secures $5.7M settlement after business data provider repeatedly broke compliance order
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused business credit reporting company Dun & Bradstreet of failing to comply with the commission’s 2022 order.
CFPB Ends Oversight of Washington Federal and Planet Home Lending
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) terminated two consent orders with mortgage lenders in September as the agency’s enforcement power shrinks under Trump-era cuts.
Retailers face new compliance pressures from tariffs, sanctions, fraud and cybercrime
Regulators are pressuring retail compliance teams on supply chains, shifting sanctions and tariffs, sustainability, and digital commerce. Rising cyberattacks heighten data security concerns, while large retailers push legal and commercial requirements down their supply chains.
Compliance should prepare for more ESG reporting as global pressure rises
Most major organizations are not changing their ESG reporting plans, despite “regulatory ambiguity”, according to a report by consultancy KPMG. The researchers say this indicates market expectations are driving action as much as legal requirements.
FinCEN seeks to lighten the regulatory load on casinos
Regulatory relief from anti-money laundering rules is in the cards for casinos, insurance companies and other non-bank financial institutions, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) said Monday.
Geopolitical risks among compliance concerns for metals, mining companies
Companies working in the metals and mining sectors face increased compliance checks due to efforts to clamp down on abuses in the supply chain, while “volatile” geopolitical changes make sourcing and transporting raw materials more difficult and expensive.
Amazon to pay $2.5 billion in FTC settlement over 'deceptive' Prime sign-ups
Amazon settled a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Thursday over allegedly enrolling consumers into its Amazon Prime subscription and making it difficult to cancel. The FTC says the amount of the settlement is one of the biggest in its history.
Supreme Court allows Trump to remove FTC commissioner ahead of final ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allowed President Trump to remove a Federal Trade Commission commissioner without cause on Monday, setting up a final battle over whether he can dismiss commissioners despite congressional rules.
Board chair of Puerto Rico bank helped its collapse by siphoning millions
The board chair of a failed Puerto Rican bank played a key role in its $92 million collapse by robbing it of more than $13.6 million, the Department of Justice said Monday.
Prosecutions of bribery, health fraud and market tampering are DOJ top priorities
Serious bribery, health care fraud and crimes that threaten U.S. investors are top enforcement priorities of the Trump Department of Justice, (DOJ), according to the acting head of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
Bank of America Securities avoids prosecution over market manipulation case
The DOJ announced Thursday that it has declined to prosecute Bank of America Securities over lapses related to a spoofing scheme conducted by two former employees that went on for almost seven years.
More than 100 ‘anticompetitive’ federal regulations poised for the chopping block
About 125 federal regulations deemed anticompetitive by President Trump are poised for possible elimination, following recommendations delivered Wednesday to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Listen to the radio interview with Compliance Week’s Aly McDevitt on Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein’s finances are back in the spotlight with new reports this month, but Compliance Week published an in-depth investigation into the anti-money laundering compliance angle of the story 18 months ago. Compliance Week’s Aly McDevitt went on WBAI Monday to discuss her investigation
Florida seafood exec faces 10 years for crab claw price fixing
A Florida seafood company executive has pleaded guilty to conspiring with competitors to fix the prices he paid to local fishers, an effort that impacted more than $8 million in wholesale fish and cut the pay of hundreds of fishers, the Department of Justice said.