AML Conversations

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 in...

In this episode, John Byrne and Elliot Berman unpack a series of significant developments in banking, compliance, and enforcement. They begin with the White House’s new executive order on “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans,” which aims to prevent what some call “debanking.” While positioned as a fairness measure, John and Elliot warn that it could weaken banks’ ability to make independen...

Shelby Katona has spent over a decade at AML RightSource leading complex investigations across alternative investment banks, traditional financial institutions, crypto platforms, and fintech companies. This diverse experience has positioned her and her team as specialists in one of the most critical—and challenging—areas of financial crime: human trafficking detection and prevention. In this conve...

In this week's TWIA episode, John Byrne and Joe McNamara cover critical developments in financial crimes prevention across multiple jurisdictions. Cultural Racketeering Crisis Insights from a recent Atlantic Council program reveal Russia's systematic assault on Ukraine's cultural heritage: 200 million books destroyed, 35,000 artifacts stolen, and 2 million artifacts lost. Russian museum officials...

Synthetic identity fraud is on the rise, and it’s more complex and dangerous than ever. In this episode, host Elliot Berman is joined by Amy Petric, Ross Yellon, and Adam Gunselman to break down how synthetic IDs are created, where they’re being used, and why they’re so hard to detect. You’ll hear real-world examples of fraud in credit cards, auto loans, and fintech platforms, along with insights...

In this episode of our special series on payment fraud, Elliot Berman is joined by Nikki Siko, Adrianna Wolfe, and Patrick Haney to explore the evolving landscape of financial fraud. From the surprising resurgence of check fraud to the rise of ACH scams, push payment fraud, and social engineering tactics, this conversation dives deep into the methods fraudsters use—and how financial institutions a...

In this week's episode, Joe McNamara and John Byrne examine significant shifts in the regulatory landscape, starting with a tribute to compliance leader Anna Rentschler. They dive into concerning changes to FCPA enforcement guidance that critics say abandons universal ethical standards, the OCC's unusual LinkedIn post signaling increased risk tolerance for banks, and growing threats to the Corpora...

David Tyree, Senior Advisor for Financial Crime Detection and AML for Valid 8, shares his views on the most essential ways to utilize bank data gleaned from his decades at DEA to his current work.

This week, John Byrne and Joe McNamara discuss Treasury's decision to postpone the investment advisor AML rule from 2026 to 2028 and reopen the comment process, drawing criticism from anti-corruption groups who warn it sends the wrong signal during the US's ongoing FATF evaluation. The hosts review Chainalysis's midyear crypto crime report showing $2.17 billion already stolen in 2025, with North K...

In this episode, Elliot Berman and John Byrne discuss the U.S. legislative gridlock around crypto regulation during “Crypto Week” and the Senate’s bipartisan recognition of the need for a crypto market structure. The conversation also highlights the Basel Institute’s 2024 report, a GAO study on organized fraud in federal programs, and troubling staffing cuts at the State Department’s anti-traffick...

In this episode, Elliot Berman and John Byrne dive into the latest developments in global financial crime compliance. They unpack the FATF’s new report on terrorist financing, explore upcoming U.S. legislation on cryptocurrency and stablecoins, and discuss AUSTRAC’s expanded AML/CTF regulations in Australia. The conversation also covers the FCA’s updated guidance on politically exposed persons (PE...

In this episode, Elliot Berman and Jeff Fischer delve into how financial institutions can modernize their risk assessment practices by integrating fraud and AML considerations, responding to regulatory change, and leveraging data more effectively. They discuss the importance of aligning assessments with organizational risk appetite, embracing technology and automation, and adopting a dynamic, proa...

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman is joined by Joe McNamara to unpack efforts across North America to combat fentanyl trafficking—including Treasury’s designation of Mexican financial institutions and Canada’s new FinTRAC intelligence unit, FATF’s latest update on virtual assets and VASPs, he OCC’s report on key risks in the federal banking system, FinCEN’s change on TIN collectio...

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman is joined by Jennie Jonas to unpack FinCEN’s 2024 Year in Review, BSA modernization efforts, and key takeaways from recent FATF reports. They also explore global fraud trends, regulatory shifts in the EU and UK, and the evolving role of digital currencies in financial crime prevention, and other issues affecting the financial crime prevention comm...

This week, John and Elliot discuss key outcomes from the June FATF Plenary, OFAC enforcement actions, the DOJ’s evolving stance on white collar crime, the ABA’s lawsuit challenging executive orders targeting law firms, a request for comment from the US bank regulators on payment and check fraud, and other issues affecting the financial crime prevention community.

Senior Economist for the Economic Policy Institute, Adam Hersh, discusses the immediate and potential impact of the Trump tariffs, the ongoing challenges of trade fraud, and how the loss of government resources will impact all areas of society.

FCA Guidelines, EU Blacklist, Syrian Antiquities, and a FinCEN Advisory by AML RightSource

This week, John and Elliot discuss the updated Enforcement Guide from the Financial Conduct Authority, the changes to the EU money laundering blacklist, the latest on the trafficking of Syrian antiquities, FinCEN’s Advisory on Iranian illicit oil smuggling, and other issues affecting the financial crime prevention community.

Elliot Berman and Jeff Fischer explore how financial institutions can transform risk assessments from a regulatory obligation into a powerful decision-making tool. They discuss tailoring assessments for different stakeholders, avoiding internal risk gaps, and ensuring a scalable, story-driven process that aligns with an organization's size, complexity, and risk appetite.

Popular AML Expert Sarah Beth Felix shares her candid observations on the 2025 challenges with BSA oversight, crypto guardrails, and what to expect from the private sector in the future.

This week, John and Elliot discuss the recent GAO report on AI in financial services, AUSTRAC’s media release about crypto ATMs and their use in scams, fraud, and illicit finance, a new Canadian proposal to strengthen its boarders, including efforts to crack down on money launderers, a new North Dakota data security law impacting financial service providers, and other items impacting the financial...

Each industry segment has unique issues for its third-party risk management program. Learn what you need to know for the manufacturing sector.

This week, John and Elliot discuss the recent Wolfsberg 25th Anniversary Forum, the outcomes of the G7 meeting of Finance Ministers and central bank governors, the Manhattan D.A.’s office return of looted antiquities to Peru, a proposed bill in the US Senate concerning Russia sanctions, and other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

This week, John and Elliot discuss new Russian sanctions from the Council of the European Union, new UK AML requirements for art dealers, a call to action from FATF, Interpol, and UNODC, AUSTRAC’s second public consultation on new AML/CTF rules, an alert from NYDFS about scammers impersonating crypto service providers, and other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

In this episode of AML Conversations, Joe McNamara, Director of Solutions Marketing at AML RightSource, sits down with Vesna McCreery, a seasoned financial crime compliance expert and Managing Director at AML RightSource, to dissect the alarming rise in global fraud. Together, they explore the historical divergence and recent convergence between fraud prevention and AML functions, the trillion-dol...