Entries by IFI

Onerous Ownership

New U.S. beneficial ownership reporting requirements went into effect on January 1, 2024, obliging many small businesses to report to FinCEN identifying information about the individuals who directly or indirectly own or control 25% or more of the company. This article explores what you need to know as well as concerns company owners have expressed about the privacy, security, and regulatory scrutiny that accompanies the new regulations.

Big Fines, Bigger Lessons

TD Bank’s $3 billion fine highlights a growing trend: regulators are cracking down hard on weak AML programs. Discover why fines are skyrocketing and how strong AML training can help safeguard your institution.

Risky Convergences

New digital solutions in money laundering and underground banking have facilitated the expansion of the criminal business environment in Southeast Asia, integrate billions of criminal proceeds into the formal financial system and enabling the growth of new criminal organizations.

A PEP Talk

Politically exposed persons are individuals who, due to their positions of power, influence, or proximity to government, are susceptible to becoming involved in corruption, bribery, or other financial crimes. And because moving and hiding misappropriated assets often involves money laundering, financial institutions across the globe are tasked with the challenge of identifying and managing these risks.

A $3 Billion Mistake

TD Bank was recently slammed with a record $3 billion fine for failing to comply with AML laws. With $18 trillion in unmonitored transactions, the bank became a hotbed for criminal activity. What went wrong, and what can other financial institutions learn from this?

Beneficial Ownership: Who Owns What?

U.S. efforts to curb illicit finance are in full swing, as the requirement to reveal the beneficial owners of certain entities registered or operating in the United States came into effect this year. In this article, we explore key requirements, benefits, and deadlines as well as address some of the concerns organizations may have about the new regulation.

New BIS Export Compliance Guidance for Financial Institutions

The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security recently published guidance for financial institutions on complying with strategic trade controls and discussing best practices, red flags, screening, and reporting. The latest guidance provides greater detail on due diligence and risk management to help financial institutions detect and deter emerging and evolving export controls evasion.

Exploring the Balance of Innovation & Responsibility

In our recent webinar, industry leaders examined the intricacies of leveraging AI responsibly to enhance compliance strategies while safeguarding data privacy and ethics. Featuring a panel of industry experts including Shannon Barnes, Ajit Tharaken, and Catherine Woods, this blog post summarizes the key insights shared during the event.

The Risks of De-Risking

Compliance officers are guardians at the gate: protecting their organization and the global financial system from abuse while also ensuring that licit funds flow undisturbed. This is a delicate balance, as global regulations continue to grow in complexity, prompting some financial institutions to de-risk from high-risk clients. What are high-risk clients? Must a bank cease its relationships with these clients?