Sanctions, Scams, and Scrutiny: Global Enforcement Signals Financial Institutions Can’t Ignore
AML ConversationsShow Notes
In this episode, Elliot Berman and John Byrne break down a wide‑ranging set of regulatory and enforcement developments shaping the global financial crime landscape. The conversation covers major U.S. bank settlements tied to the Epstein litigation, a closely watched Capital One debanking case involving Trump‑affiliated entities, and key overseas actions—from Australia’s expanded AML regime to the UK’s sanctions enforcement against Apple and a massive scam operation in Cambodia.
The discussion also dives into the OECD’s latest anti‑bribery report, FinCEN’s proposed whistleblower award program, emerging healthcare fraud typologies, and renewed concerns over the weakening of the U.S. Corporate Transparency Act. Wrapping up, Elliot and John assess developments tied to FATF’s mutual evaluation of the United States, nonprofit de‑risking, and new OFAC guidance on sham transactions—offering critical context for compliance professionals navigating a rapidly shifting risk environment.
More from AML Conversations
This week on This Week in AML, John Byrne and Elliot Berman examine several significant developments shaping the financial crime compliance landscape.
This week on This Week in AML, John Byrne and Elliot Berman unpack a wide-ranging set of developments affecting compliance, sanctions, financial crime prevention, and regulatory oversight. From geopolitical controversies surrounding Russia sanctions and international enforcement efforts to the OCC's latest report on so-called "de-banking," the discussion examines what these developments mean for financial institutions trying to maintain a risk-based approach in an increasingly politicized environment.
In this monthly regulatory roundup, John Byrne sits down with Sarah Beth Felix of Palmero Consulting to examine some of the most important AML, CTF, and sanctions developments from the past month. The conversation begins with a reflection on the 40th anniversary of the Money Laundering Control Act and its lasting impact on the compliance profession.
In this week's episode of This Week in AML, John Byrne is joined by Joe McNamara, filling in for Elliot Berman, to flag a wide range of global and domestic developments. They open with OCCRP reporting on an Uzbek security official who secretly acquired Emirati citizenship and millions in Dubai real estate, then turn to New York Times reporting on conflict of interest questions in U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine.
In this week's episode of This Week in AML, John Byrne and Elliot Berman examine Canada's newly released FATF mutual evaluation and what it may signal as the AML community awaits the upcoming U.S. assessment. They discuss FinCEN's plans to amend customer due diligence requirements related to immigration status verification, highlighting the operational and compliance challenges that institutions may face.