New rules for SCCs: What you need to know
The latest set of standard contractual clauses for companies transferring data between the European Union and third countries, such as the United States, is meant to align more closely with the GDPR and root out government snooping.
Embattled Deutsche Bank to overhaul anti-financial crime controls
Deutsche Bank is planning to shake up its internal structure around anti-financial crime efforts in the wake of criticism from multiple regulators.
CJEU ruling opens Facebook, others to greater GDPR liability
The EU’s top court ruled any of the bloc’s national data protection authorities can pursue a privacy complaint against Facebook or any other Big Tech firm and not just the supervisory authority where the company has its European headquarters.
Reported Amazon fine ($425M) ‘biggest test’ of GDPR enforcement yet
Amazon reportedly faces a fine of more than $425 million under the GDPR that would show EU regulators firmly have Big Tech companies—and their practices—in their crosshairs.
How global compliance works at the local level
For compliance officers working for global companies, it is important to understand the way different regions view compliance and how it may differ from your home country’s views.
Volkswagen secures $21.7M in executive clawbacks for Dieselgate roles
Volkswagen’s supervisory board announced agreements to recover €17.8 million (U.S. $21.7 million) in compensation from former executives and board members for their respective roles in the Dieselgate emissions scandal.
EU probes of Microsoft, Amazon reignite calls for new Privacy Shield
European investigations into whether Amazon and Microsoft’s cloud-based services infringe EU privacy rules have once again shone a spotlight on how—and when—the United States and the European Union intend to come up with a new Privacy Shield.
Julius Baer pays $80M in FIFA corruption settlement
Swiss bank Julius Baer entered a deferred prosecution agreement and will pay $80 million for its role in a money laundering conspiracy linked to world soccer federation FIFA, the Department of Justice announced.
Report: GDPR fines more than doubled in Year 3
Data protection authorities issued 287 known GDPR fines between March 2020 and March 2021—a 120 percent increase in frequency, according to a new report from CMS.
GDPR’s future: Fine amounts, transparency among top points of contention
Experts believe the GDPR is largely “future-proof,” though fine decisions that vary considerably from one EU country to the next and lack of transparency remain areas of concern for the privacy law three years in.
Three years of GDPR: Many milestones, but calls for change increase
Despite its achievements, the General Data Protection Regulation’s flaws have become evident. Some are already questioning whether the regulation—and the way it is regulated—are fit for purpose and whether the law needs to be changed.
Danske Bank adds new chief risk officer from SEB
Danske Bank announced the appointment of Magnus Agustsson as its new chief risk officer. Agustsson will join the bank from SEB, where he held the same position.
Nomura, UBS, UniCredit fined $453M total over EU cartel scheme
The European Commission fined Nomura, UBS, and UniCredit a total of €371 million (U.S. $453 million) for their participation in a cartel scheme through a group of traders. Bank of America, Natixis, NatWest, and Portigon were also each allegedly involved but not penalized.
Deutsche Bank names new group AML officer amid enhanced scrutiny
Deutsche Bank named Joe Salama global head of anti-financial crime and group anti-money laundering officer less than a month after its AML controls were criticized by German financial regulator BaFin.
U.K. regulatory system also at fault in Greensill collapse
The collapse of Greensill Capital has led to investigations into how the company got into the financial mess it did and why alarm bells didn’t ring. But one investigation is noticeably conspicuous by its absence—why the company wasn’t properly regulated in the first place.
Chapter 5: Volkswagen’s path to winning back trust
Its monitorship now complete, Volkswagen’s new focus is to rebuild its reputation among its customer base. It’s a long process, says Board Member Hiltrud Werner, one supported by a shift in strategy.
Chapter 4: Tangible measures of cultural progress at Volkswagen
At the end of the day, how does an organization measure the effectiveness of company-wide cultural initiatives? Volkswagen has answers, utilizing perception workshops, mood barometers, and new diversity and inclusion initiatives as part of its culture rebuild post-Dieselgate.
Chapter 3: VW operationalizes its Dieselgate monitorship
A revamped code of conduct and the Together4Integrity campaign stood out as significant milestones for Hiltrud Werner & Co. as Volkswagen began to embrace its Dieselgate monitorship as a way to improve company culture.
German supply chain draft legislation expected to have far-reaching effect
Companies of a certain size with ties to Germany must soon establish robust due diligence procedures to prevent human rights and environmental abuses both within the course of their own business activities and within their global supply chains.
Chapter 2: Volkswagen monitorship falls in line under Hiltrud Werner
While Larry Thompson assembled his team for the Dieselgate monitorship, Volkswagen countered with appointments of its own, including Hiltrud Werner as head of integrity and legal affairs. Their relationship would determine the success of the monitorship going forward.
Chapter 1: Volkswagen’s Dieselgate scandal exposed; enter Larry Thompson
The Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal wasn’t the work of one executive who thought to install illicit software into diesel motor vehicles. It was born from a “chain of errors that was never broken,” forming the basis for one of the largest and most high-profile corporate compliance monitorships in history.
CW presents: ‘Coming Clean: Volkswagen’s Dieselgate scandal and compliance monitorship’
Volkswagen’s recently concluded three-year monitorship is chronicled in CW’s latest in-depth case study, which spares no detail in following the world’s largest automaker’s comeback from its biggest mistake.
SFO probing Sanjeev Gupta business ties to Greensill Capital
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into suspected fraud and money laundering in financing arrangements between steel and mining magnate Sanjeev Gupta and recently collapsed Greensill Capital.
Deutsche Bank’s continued AML struggles worth questioning
How is it Deutsche Bank can spend more than $1 billion on compliance enhancements but still be ordered to do more to improve its AML controls? Is the bank to blame or are regulators missing the big picture?
German finance regulator orders N26 to improve AML controls
BaFin, Germany’s market regulator, has ordered mobile bank N26 to improve its anti-money laundering controls, taking the unusual move to appoint a “special commissioner” to monitor its progress.
Ericsson to pay Nokia $97M to settle FCPA-related damages claim
Swedish telecom giant Ericsson has reached a settlement of €80 million (U.S. $97 million) with Nokia relating to events that were the subject of a 2019 FCPA resolution with U.S. authorities.
From Nazi hunter to acclaimed ethicist, Emmanuel Lulin honored for Lifetime Achievement
Emmanuel Lulin has a storied history in ethics and compliance shaped by his time hunting Nazis as a teenager. The recently retired chief ethics officer of L’Oréal was honored for Lifetime Achievement at CW’s 2021 Excellence in Compliance Awards.
EU Whistleblowing Directive a ‘potential minefield’ for compliance
An EU directive designed to harmonize whistleblower protections could produce complexity as lawyers warn there are likely to be wide variations in the level of security each country’s national law will offer.
Elevating compliance key for financial services, says former HSBC head
John Flint, former group chief executive at HSBC, considered the progress compliance has made over the last 20 years and the strides the profession must continue to make as part of a keynote at the ICA’s 2021 BIG Compliance Festival.
Tips for keeping pace with ever-evolving sanctions
The constantly changing sanctions landscape is much easier to navigate with a proper understanding of risk exposure. Here’s where firms can get started.
Norway’s DNB fined $48.1M for AML violations
DNB ASA, Norway’s largest financial services group, will pay a fine of NOK 400 million ($48.1 million) for failing to adhere to Norwegian Anti-Money Laundering Act standards.
Credit Suisse risk committee head to depart amid board reshuffle
Andreas Gottschling, Credit Suisse’s board member in charge of its risk committee, has stepped down as fallout from the collapses of Archegos Capital and Greensill Capital continues to roil the bank.
Deutsche Bank ordered to further improve AML controls
BaFin, Germany’s market regulator, signaled Deutsche Bank still has more to do concerning previously ordered improvements to its AML compliance controls.
Danske Bank compliance costs down after completing internal Estonia probe
New Danske Bank CEO Carsten Egeriis told investors compliance costs at the bank have stabilized now that a forensic audit into a money laundering scandal involving its Estonia branch is complete.
What you need to know about proposed EU rules for trustworthy AI
With various levels of defined risk and the potential for steep fines for offenders, the European Commission’s recent proposal to ensure trust in the use of artificial intelligence should receive urgent attention from industries beyond Big Tech.
Airbus subsidiary GPT pleads guilty to corrupt acts in Saudi Arabia
Airbus subsidiary GPT Special Project Management will pay approximately £30.3 million (U.S. $42.1 million) after pleading guilty to corruption relating to contracts it was awarded for work carried out in Saudi Arabia.
GDPR one-stop shop ‘unsustainable,’ says key regulators
Irish Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon and European Data Protection Supervisor Wojciech Wiewiórowski are among those who believe the one-stop shop provision of the GDPR needs to be reformed for the long term.
U.K. rolls out new anti-corruption sanctions regime
The United Kingdom has in place a new global anti-corruption sanctions regime, and the government is wasting no time enforcing it, imposing its first wave of sanctions against 22 individuals.
SFO strikes out again in Serco execs case
Two former executives at security company Serco were acquitted of defrauding the U.K.’s Ministry of Justice after the Serious Fraud Office failed to disclose documents to the defense.
Credit Suisse’s governance rebound a tall task after ‘unacceptable’ losses
Putting the collapses of Archegos Capital and Greensill Capital behind it won’t be simple for Credit Suisse amid staggering financial losses and widening scrutiny from Switzerland’s financial regulator.
ABN AMRO fine response suggests moral compass of banking is shifting
ABN AMRO CEO Robert Swaak acknowledging his bank’s “moral duty” to prevent money laundering should be welcomed by all in the global AML community as progress, writes Martin Woods.
Fines key attention to data privacy from boards, says ICO head
The threat of fines has done more to focus boardroom attention on data privacy and effective cyber-security than any other measure, U.K. Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham believes.
COVID-19 effects apparent in board composition changes
The enduring impact of the COVID-19 pandemic might be forcing companies and other organizations to rethink what skills, qualities, and experience their executives should have if the business is to succeed.
ABN AMRO to pay $575M in money laundering settlement with Dutch authorities
Dutch bank ABN AMRO reached a €480 million (U.S. $575 million) settlement with the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service to resolve money laundering charges.
Danske Bank CEO, board member resign amid ABN AMRO probe
Danske Bank CEO Chris Vogelzang and board member Gerrit Zalm each resigned after being identified as suspects in ABN AMRO’s money laundering scandal. Chief Risk Officer Carsten Egeriis will take over as Danske’s CEO.
Facebook facing 10th GDPR probe over data leak
The Irish Data Protection Commission has launched an inquiry into Facebook over concerns the social media giant may not have properly disclosed the full extent of its recent data leak.
SFO launches fraud investigation into Buy2Let Cars owner
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office announced a fraud investigation into car leaser Buy2Let Cars and several other companies operated by Raedex Consortium. Further details are expected next month.
Facebook’s new leak: Assessing its liability under the GDPR
Old personal data of more than 533 million Facebook users was recently made publicly available on a hacker forum. Could the social media giant face a new investigation under the GDPR in response?
Irish DPC seeking answers on Facebook breach
The Irish Data Protection Commission has reached out to Facebook seeking to determine whether the social media giant’s weekend data breach should receive scrutiny under the General Data Protection Regulation.
Italian DPA fines Fastweb $5.3M under GDPR for aggressive telemarketing
The Italian Data Protection Authority announced a fine of €4.5 million (U.S. $5.3 million) against telecommunications company Fastweb for misusing customer data for telemarketing purposes.