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AML Conversations is dedicated to inform professionals and those interested in anti-money laundering about conversations happening in the government, private sector, and internationally. Throughout the series John Byrne, AML RightSource Vice Chairman, will interview industry experts or participate in live programming or panel discussions related to the industry.
474 Episodes
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In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne unpack a pile of developments across the globe. From the EU’s decision to add Russia to its AML blacklist and phase out Russian gas imports, to major enforcement action against a crypto mixer, the conversation dives deep into the evolving financial crime landscape. They also cover Canada’s updated guidance on politically exposed persons, U.S. alerts on cross-border transfers, OCC’s changes for community banks, and a surprising OFAC penalty tied to real estate sanctions. Plus, insights on humanitarian access challenges and upcoming year-in-review discussions. Stay informed on what’s shaping compliance and risk management today.
In this special Thanksgiving edition of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne break from tradition to spotlight the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its three 2025 plenaries. They explore key developments, including updates to FATF standards, mutual evaluations, financial inclusion initiatives, and the evolving global stance on virtual assets. The episode also covers jurisdictional changes in monitoring status, new guidance on asset recovery, and FATF’s forward-looking Horizon Scan addressing emerging tech threats like generative AI and deepfakes. Tune in for a comprehensive overview of FATF’s strategic direction and its impact on the global AML landscape.
In this episode of AML Conversations, Joe McNamara speaks with David Lutz, Associate Director of the AML RightSource Financial Crime Advisory group about the evolving Crypto landscape, recent milestones in the space, and how recent legislation has opened the door to further legitimacy and regulation. The cryptocurrency industry is experiencing its fintech moment - trading the freedom of the Wild West for legitimacy in the regulated financial system. With the GENIUS Act establishing the first federal framework for stablecoins and new EU travel rule requirements taking effect in 2026, crypto exchanges must now meet higher AML standards that align with the expectations of traditional banking partners.
In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne speaks with Thalia Malmberg and Sangeeta Goswami from the Human Security Collective about the ripple effects of global AML/CFT frameworks on nonprofit organizations. The discussion explores FATF Recommendation 8, recent revisions aimed at reducing harm, and the challenges of striking a balance between security and financial inclusion. Learn why unintended consequences matter, how they affect humanitarian efforts worldwide, and what financial institutions can do to foster risk-based approaches without stifling legitimate charitable work.
In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne cover a wide range of pressing financial crime topics. They discuss FATF’s latest report on combating online child exploitation, the UK’s Economic Crime Survey findings on sanctions awareness and fraud, and updates from FinCEN on cartel-linked gambling establishments. Other highlights include enforcement actions against elder fraud, tariff evasion prosecutions, and regulatory changes at the Federal Reserve. Tune in for expert analysis and actionable insights for compliance professionals.
In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne sits down with Dan Tannebaum, Partner at Oliver Wyman and global leader in anti-financial crime, for a wide-ranging discussion on the evolving landscape of sanctions. From the EU’s post-Ukraine enforcement challenges to the U.S.'s shifting approach under different administrations, Dan offers sharp insights into the effectiveness, limitations, and unintended consequences of sanctions as a policy tool.
They explore:
Key differences between U.S. and EU sanctions regimes
The impact of sanctions on Russia, Syria, Cuba, and Venezuela
The growing complexity of sanctions evasion tactics
How AML professionals can stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment
The future of sanctions as a tool of economic statecraft
Whether you're a seasoned compliance officer or new to the field, this episode offers practical takeaways and a candid examination of the geopolitical forces shaping financial crime risk today.
In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne dive into a wide range of developments shaping financial crime compliance worldwide. From controversial U.S. pardons and their implications for corruption cases, to Australia’s staggering $82 billion organized crime costs, and the UK’s new anti-fraud campaign targeting crypto scams—there’s plenty to unpack. The discussion also covers the Bank of England’s stablecoin limits, the latest Global Organized Crime Index findings, intelligence-sharing breakdowns between allies, major sanctions relief for Syria, and a record AML fine against JP Morgan in Germany.
In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne cover a wide range of global developments impacting financial crime compliance. Topics include new OFAC sanctions targeting North Korean cybercrime and updates from New York's Department of Financial Services on cybersecurity compliance. They also discuss the UN's new Cybercrime Convention, the closure of sanctioned Mexican banks, and identity verification reforms in the UK. Additional highlights include regulatory updates from the European Banking Authority, FINTRAC’s annual report, corruption investigations in Portugal, and California’s new data privacy laws. Tune in for insights on how these changes may shape AML strategies worldwide.
In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne dive into the latest global developments in anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance. They unpack the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia, discuss the GAO’s critique of U.S. sanctions effectiveness, and explore FATF’s October plenary outcomes—including new guidance on asset recovery and AI-related risks. The conversation also covers AMLA’s growing role in EU-wide crypto oversight, the regulation of law firms, elder financial exploitation initiatives from the OCC, and the impact of government shutdowns on FinCEN operations.
In this episode of AML Conversations, Ferko Spits sits down with Dheeraj Maken, Practice Director at Everest Group, and Brad Breslin, Chief Delivery Officer at AML RightSource, to discuss the findings from Everest Group's 2025 Financial Crime Compliance Operating Services research. Dheeraj explains how the assessment criteria have evolved from emphasizing scale and cost arbitrage to focusing on operational ownership, and now in 2025, prioritizing regulatory agility and agentic AI capabilities that blend technology with human expertise.
Looking ahead, the conversation explores emerging trends including fraud and AML integration, the migration of transaction monitoring to first line operations, expanding opportunities in crypto compliance and payments, and the anticipated shift toward 50-50 splits between human resources and automation. The group emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining domain expertise and judgment capabilities even as automation increases, particularly for complex decision-making in higher-level compliance functions.
In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne dive into a packed agenda of financial crime compliance developments across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. They discuss the newly introduced bipartisan Senate bill proposing changes to SAR and CTR reporting thresholds, the troubling budget cuts at CISA, and New York’s latest cybersecurity guidance. The conversation also explores open banking debates, TRM Labs’ crypto adoption report, and Fed Governor Michael Barr’s remarks on stablecoins. Internationally, they cover Canada’s record-setting penalty against Xeltox Enterprises and the UK’s AML supervisory overhaul.
In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne cover a wide range of pressing topics in the anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance space. They discuss the UK’s latest sanctions targeting Russian energy giants, the European Banking Authority’s report on crypto asset risks, and the Charity & Security Network’s concerns about IRS scrutiny of nonprofits. The hosts also explore a revealing OCCRP investigation into corruption linked to Iraqi Kurdistan’s ruling family and break down FinCEN’s new FAQs on suspicious activity reporting. Plus, updates on GTO extensions and staffing concerns in EU regulators.
In this timely episode, John Byrne sits down with security experts Mark Freedman and Rick Mercuri to explore the evolving landscape of physical security in corporate and financial institutions. From the rise in workplace violence and executive targeting to the challenges of securing facilities against active shooters and ATM attacks, the conversation dives deep into the realities of 2025’s threat environment. Drawing on decades of experience and recent case studies, Mark and Rick discuss how organizations must move beyond reactive measures and embrace holistic, intelligence-driven security programs. They also highlight the role of AI, the importance of tailored threat assessments, and the need for specialized talent in building resilient security infrastructures.
In this episode of This Week in AML, John Byrne and Elliot Berman cover a wide range of developments in the financial crime and compliance landscape. They look at international enforcement actions, including record AML fines for UK law firms and Switzerland’s updated typology report. The conversation spans topics such as life insurance vulnerabilities, cultural heritage protection, Rabobank’s compliance-driven leadership shift, Iran’s FATF ambitions, insider threat mitigation in Canada, and Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorist financing via crowdfunding. Domestically, they unpack major U.S. regulatory proposals, including redefining community banks, eliminating reputation risk as a supervisory focus, and evolving model risk management guidance.
In this compelling episode, John Byrne welcomes banking law expert and author Tom Vartanian for his third appearance to discuss the evolving threats and challenges in financial technology, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency regulation. Vartanian offers a sobering look at online scams, the fragility of the Internet, and the role of financial institutions in consumer protection. The conversation also dives into the GENIUS Act, stablecoins, and the future of regulatory frameworks. It is a must-listen for professionals navigating the intersection of finance, tech, and policy.
In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne unpack a range of pressing developments in the financial crime prevention space. They begin with reflections on the U.S. government shutdown and its ripple effects, then dive into the newly released Trafficking in Persons Report—highlighting the disturbing use of AI in human trafficking. The conversation continues with FinCEN’s recent requests for comment on AML/CFT compliance costs and paperwork reduction, including insights into Section 314(a) data. They also explore AUSTRAC’s warning to Australian banks, the EU’s crackdown on beneficial ownership transparency, and the NYDFS leadership transition. The episode wraps with a look at declining U.S. money laundering prosecutions.
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.
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