AML Conversations

In this episode, John Byrne returns from the Missouri Bankers AML Conference to join Elliot Berman for a wide-ranging discussion on the latest developments in financial crime compliance. Topics include FinCEN’s proposed delay of investment advisor AML rules, the GENIUS Act’s digital asset regulation, and the Bank of Canada’s call for stablecoin oversight. The hosts also explore OFAC’s controversial sanctions decisions, the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia, DFS guidance on blockchain analytics, and FATF’s mutual evaluation training. Plus, a look at corruption investigations and Antifa’s domestic terrorism designation.

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and Joe McNamara cover a wide range of global financial crime compliance updates. Topics include the U.S. Treasury’s initiative to simplify SAR filings, BIS entity list implications, FINTRAC’s new ID verification rules for Canadian real estate, and Russia’s barter-based sanctions evasion. The hosts also discuss crypto regulation developments in the UK and Malta, Swiss AML reforms, underground banking trends, and AUSTRAC’s efforts to combat child exploitation.

In this week’s episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne unpack the latest regulatory developments. They begin with FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki’s recent testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, highlighting key takeaways on beneficial ownership data, SAR/CTR streamlining, and real estate’s role in money laundering. The conversation then shifts to new FinCEN guidance on geographically targeted MSB reporting and financially motivated sextortion. John and Elliot also dive into the OCC’s controversial statements on SARs and debanking. On the international front, they explore new Wolfsberg Group guidance on stablecoin issuers, FATF’s collaboration with Interpol, and Transparency International UK’s push for beneficial ownership transparency in offshore financial centers.

In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne speaks with Ashleigh Subramanian-Montgomery, Acting Director of the Charity & Security Network, about the complex intersection of counterterrorism policy, financial regulation, and humanitarian work. They explore the implications of recent sanctions changes in Syria, the unintended consequences of FATF Recommendation 8, and the challenges posed by de-risking and debanking practices. Ashleigh shares insights on the gendered and societal impacts of sanctions, the limitations of FATF’s new reporting mechanism, and the devastating effects of foreign aid cuts. The conversation closes with a hopeful look at cross-sector collaboration and donor engagement in support of civil society.

In this week’s episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne cover a wide range of breaking developments in the financial crime compliance space. From congressional scrutiny of Jeffrey Epstein’s financial records and FinCEN’s website overhaul to the DOJ’s seizure of fraudulent ID marketplaces, the conversation highlights the growing intersection of policy, enforcement, and technology. They also explore FATF’s new National Risk Assessment Toolkit, the UK’s sharp rise in fraud prosecutions, and the landmark “Failure to Prevent Fraud” offense now in effect. Plus, updates on FINTRAC’s enforcement actions in Canada, and FinCEN’s advisory on Chinese money laundering networks.

Lisa Arquette, recently retired Deputy Director of Operational Risk at the FDIC, shares her extensive insights into financial regulation and the dynamics of risk management. She discusses the evolution of banking through crises like the oil crisis and 2008 meltdown. The conversation dives into the Corporate Transparency Act, the balance between AML compliance and reputational risks, and the critical need for improved financial access for humanitarian organizations. Lisa also highlights career opportunities in the financial crime sector, emphasizing the importance of effective training.

Elliot Berman and John Byrne return with a global roundup of AML developments. They begin with reflections on the Wolfsberg Group’s latest guidance on suspicious activity monitoring, emphasizing innovation and model validation. The Basel Institute’s working paper on collective anti-corruption action highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration. The episode also covers a UK report forecasting a surge in synthetic identity fraud, a Ponzi scheme involving fake AI investment tools, and a comprehensive look at the evolving stablecoin landscape. Canada’s 2025 national risk assessment is discussed, with insights into NPO risks, fraud trends, and the country’s role in global trade. Additional topics include a local elder fraud case in Wisconsin, a Dutch bank’s challenge to an AI-related AML fine, and upcoming AML webinars and interviews. The hosts close with a tribute to workers ahead of Labor Day and a reminder of the importance of vigilance in financial crime prevention.

In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne sits down with Bob Simpson, founder of Daylight AML, to explore the often-overlooked world of mortgage fraud and its intersection with anti-money laundering (AML) efforts. Simpson shares insights from decades of investigative experience, highlighting typologies such as occupancy misrepresentation, cash purchases, and property flipping as vehicles for laundering illicit funds. The discussion also covers the impact of recent regulatory changes, including the rollback of beneficial ownership requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act, and the implications for financial institutions. Simpson and Byrne also examine the global FATF evaluation process, the risks of gray listing, and the transformative role of AI in fraud detection and compliance.

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne cover a wide range of pressing global and domestic issues shaping the financial crime prevention landscape. From the humanitarian toll of economic sanctions and corruption risks in Ukraine’s reconstruction, to Australia’s cybercrime trends and the evolving U.S. stablecoin regulatory framework, the conversation dives deep into the intersection of policy, technology, and ethics. They also discuss the controversial “debanking” executive order, the phasing out of federal paper checks, and the disturbing rise of sextortion scams linked to Southeast Asian fraud compounds.

Dive into the intriguing implications of the White House's executive order aimed at ensuring fair banking for all, which may inadvertently heighten risks of white-collar crime. Discover the groundbreaking CI-FIRST initiative that enhances collaboration between the IRS and financial entities to tackle financial crime more effectively. Unpack the significant $26.5 million settlement involving Paxos for regulatory failures linked to Binance, and explore corporate accountability with Liberty Mutual's bribery case, shedding light on enforcement challenges surrounding U.S. sanctions.