U.S. BSA/AML Intelligence. Straight from the Field.

May 16, 2026

8 min read

Compliance StrategyOFAC Enforcement

OFAC Sanctions Compliance Is No Longer Just for Banks: What Schools, Businesses, and Professional Services Can Learn from IMG Academy's $1.7M Settlement

Most businesses assume OFAC sanctions compliance is a bank problem. IMG Academy's $1.7 million settlement proves otherwise. When a world-renowned sports academy gets penalized for accepting tuition payments from sanctioned-country nationals, it signals that OFAC's enforcement reach has expanded far beyond financial institutions - and that any business accepting international payments needs to rethink its exposure.

OFAC SanctionsOFAC Compliance

May 15, 2026

10 min read

Compliance StrategyRecovery Guide

What Happens After a Bad AML Program Review: A Recovery Checklist

You had a review. The report came back with findings - or you have since realized the review itself was inadequate. Either way, you are now in recovery mode. This is the step-by-step checklist for what to do next: how to assess the damage, prioritize the fixes, document the remediation, and rebuild a program that will hold up the next time someone looks at it.

AML RecoveryAML Remediation

May 12, 2026

10 min read

Compliance StrategyBuyer's Guide

What a Real AML Program Review Should Include (And What to Do If Yours Didn't)

A genuine AML program review is not a document scan. It is a structured evaluation of whether your program actually works - not just whether it exists on paper. If you have had a review and are not sure it covered the right ground, this is the standard it should have been held to.

AML Program ReviewBSA Compliance Review

May 12, 2026

9 min read

Compliance StrategyBuyer's Guide

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an AML Compliance Firm

Not every AML consulting firm delivers what it promises. Some sell templates as custom programs. Some lack the industry-specific expertise your business actually needs. And some will leave you more exposed than you were before you hired them. These are the questions that separate the firms worth hiring from the ones worth avoiding.

AML Compliance FirmHiring AML Consultant

May 12, 2026

9 min read

Compliance StrategyBuyer Beware

Why Getting an AML Policy Without a Risk Assessment First Is a Major Red Flag

If an AML firm hands you a finished compliance policy before they have spent serious time understanding your business, that is not a service - it is a liability. A policy built without a proper risk assessment is a template with your name on it, and it will not protect you when a regulator walks through the door.

AML PolicyRisk Assessment

May 12, 2026

8 min read

FinCEN & RegulationFinCEN Alert

FinCEN Issues Notice on the Threat of Human Trafficking During the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Today, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Notice urging increased vigilance by financial institutions located in and around cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With millions of foreign and domestic visitors expected, the surge in economic activity creates conditions that traffickers historically exploit. Financial institutions are the front line of defense, and FinCEN has identified specific red flags and transaction patterns that compliance teams should be watching for now.

FinCENHuman Trafficking

May 11, 2026

9 min read

Compliance Strategy

BSA/AML Audit Simulator: Test Your Compliance Program Before the Examiner Does

Most businesses discover their AML gaps during a regulatory examination - the most expensive possible time to find out. The BSA/AML Audit Simulator is a free interactive tool that evaluates your program against FinCEN's five-pillar framework in under 10 minutes, scores your readiness, and tells you exactly what to fix before an examiner walks through your door.

BSA AML Audit SimulatorAML Compliance Audit Tool

May 4, 2026

8 min read

Real EstateBreaking: March 2026

FinCEN's Residential Real Estate Rule Was Vacated. Here's What Title Companies Should Do Now.

On March 19, 2026, a federal court vacated FinCEN's Residential Real Estate Rule in Flowers Title Companies, LLC v. Bessent. The rule is not currently in effect. But vacated does not mean dead - and title companies that treat this as permanent relief are making a strategic mistake. Here are the three ways the rule could return, and what you should be doing while you wait.

FinCEN Real Estate RuleResidential Real Estate Reporting

April 23, 2026

8 min read

FinCEN & RegulationBreaking: March 2026

FinCEN Proposes Whistleblower Rule: What It Means for Your Business, Your Employees, and the Future of AML Enforcement

On March 30, 2026, FinCEN submitted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to fully implement its whistleblower program, offering 10 to 30 percent of collected penalties to individuals who report BSA violations, sanctions breaches, and other financial crimes. This is the most significant shift in AML enforcement incentives in years. Here's what it means for everyone.

FinCEN WhistleblowerNPRM 2026

April 19, 2026

9 min read

FinCEN & RegulationBreaking: April 2026

FinCEN's BOI Reporting Rule Was Just Vacated. Here's What That Actually Means for Your Business.

A federal court blocked the Corporate Transparency Act's beneficial ownership reporting requirement in March 2026. FinCEN has confirmed that filing is not currently required and there is no liability for not filing while the order stands. But this can change quickly, and businesses that aren't prepared will be caught flat-footed.

BOI ReportingCorporate Transparency Act

April 18, 2026

7 min read

Real EstateNew Rule - Dec 2025

FinCEN's New Real Estate Reporting Rule: What Every Real Estate Professional Needs to Know

FinCEN's Residential Real Estate Rule became effective December 1, 2025, replacing the patchwork of Geographic Targeting Orders with a permanent, nationwide reporting requirement. If you're a title company, settlement agent, closing attorney, or real estate professional involved in all-cash transactions, your obligations changed. Here's exactly what the new rule requires and what you need to do now.

FinCEN Real Estate RuleResidential Real Estate Reporting

April 17, 2026

10 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

What Is a FinCEN Gap Analysis? (And Does Your Business Need One?)

A FinCEN gap analysis is one of the most searched compliance terms - and one of the least understood. If you've heard the phrase from a regulator, a banking partner, or a consultant and aren't sure what it actually means or whether you need one, this is the complete explanation.

FinCEN Gap AnalysisAML Program Review

April 17, 2026

8 min read

AML Basics

What Is a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)? The Complete Guide

A Suspicious Activity Report is one of the most important - and most misunderstood - obligations in the Bank Secrecy Act. Most businesses that are required to file SARs don't fully understand when they're required, what they must contain, or what happens after they're filed. This is the complete explanation.

SAR FilingSuspicious Activity Report

April 15, 2026

9 min read

AML Basics

What Is Customer Due Diligence (CDD)? The Plain-English Guide for 2026

Customer Due Diligence - CDD - is one of the five mandatory elements of a BSA-compliant AML program, and it's the one most businesses get wrong. Not because it's complicated, but because the regulatory standard is higher than most businesses realize. Here's exactly what CDD requires and how to do it correctly.

Customer Due DiligenceCDD Rule

April 12, 2026

8 min read

MSB

What Is an MSB? The Complete Guide to Money Services Business Classification

Thousands of businesses in the United States are operating as Money Services Businesses without knowing it. The MSB classification under the Bank Secrecy Act is broader than most people expect - and the consequences of operating as an unregistered MSB are serious. Here's how to know if your business qualifies.

MSB ClassificationMoney Services Business

April 10, 2026

8 min read

Compliance Strategy

What Happens If Your Company Fails an AML Audit?

Most business owners think of an AML audit failure as a bureaucratic inconvenience - a findings letter, some corrective actions, a follow-up visit. The reality is considerably more serious, and the consequences can unfold over years. Here's exactly what regulators do when they find a program with serious deficiencies.

AML AuditEnforcement Actions

March 25, 2026

9 min read

AML Basics

What Is an AML Program and Who Needs It in 2026?

If you've ever Googled "do I need an AML program," you're already ahead of most. The majority of businesses that face regulatory action for AML deficiencies didn't know they had a problem - because they didn't know they had an obligation. The definition of who's covered is broader than most business owners expect.

AML ProgramBSA Compliance

March 12, 2026

7 min read

AML Basics

AML Compliance Checklist for Small Businesses (2026)

Small businesses that fall under the Bank Secrecy Act often assume that AML compliance is for big banks with dedicated compliance departments. That assumption is one of the most expensive mistakes in financial compliance. Regulators apply the exact same five-element framework to a 10-person MSB that they apply to a regional bank.

AML ChecklistSmall Business Compliance

March 1, 2026

6 min read

Compliance Strategy

How to Perform an AML Risk Assessment in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

The AML risk assessment is the single most important document in your compliance program - and it's the first thing a competent examiner evaluates. If it doesn't accurately reflect your actual business, every policy and procedure built on top of it is suspect. Here's how to build one that holds up under scrutiny.

Risk AssessmentAML Framework

February 18, 2026

8 min read

Mortgage

AML Requirements for Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs): The 2026 Breakdown

Mortgage loan originators sit in one of the most unusual compliance positions in financial services - subject to BSA obligations but processing transactions that look nothing like a bank's. The regulatory framework was designed with banks in mind, but you're expected to apply it anyway. Here's what that actually means for your operation.

Mortgage ComplianceMLO

February 5, 2026

7 min read

Fintech

AML Compliance for Fintech Startups: What You Need Before Launch

Every fintech founder says the same thing: "we'll build out compliance once we get traction." It's an understandable priority call - you have limited runway and a product to ship. But compliance is one of the few areas where getting it wrong early creates problems that money literally can't fix.

Fintech ComplianceAML Startup

January 22, 2026

7 min read

MSB

MSB Compliance Checklist: Everything You Need to Stay Legal in 2026

Money Services Businesses face a compliance environment unlike almost any other industry in the U.S. - federal oversight from FinCEN, IRS examination authority, state licensing requirements, and banking relationship scrutiny, all running simultaneously. Here's the complete checklist for staying on the right side of all of them.

MSB ComplianceFinCEN Registration

January 8, 2026

8 min read

Compliance Strategy

5 Costly AML Mistakes That Can Shut Down Your Business

After reviewing AML programs across hundreds of South Florida businesses, the same five mistakes appear repeatedly in enforcement actions and examination findings. These aren't obscure regulatory technicalities - they're foundational failures that businesses make because they don't know what they don't know.

AML MistakesCompliance Risk

December 20, 2025

7 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

AML Compliance Requirements in Florida: The 2026 Guide

Florida's proximity to Latin America, its concentration of international capital, and its cash-intensive economy make it one of the most scrutinized states in the country from an AML perspective. Here's what operating a financial business in Florida means for your compliance obligations in 2026.

Florida AML ComplianceFinCEN Florida

December 5, 2025

8 min read

AML Basics

How to Build an AML Program From Scratch (Step-by-Step Guide)

Building an AML program from scratch sounds more complicated than it is - but not building one is considerably more complicated than most business owners realize. If your business has BSA obligations and you don't yet have a formal written program, this is your framework for building one that passes examination.

Build AML ProgramBSA Compliance

November 18, 2025

9 min read

Compliance Strategy

Why Regulators Want Variable BSA/AML Certificates - And Why Yours Should Be Too

A generic certificate that says "completed AML training" tells an examiner almost nothing. Regulators increasingly want to see certificates that reflect what was actually trained, who received it, and when - and businesses that can produce variable, role-specific certificates are consistently better positioned in examinations. Here's why that distinction matters more than most compliance officers realize.

BSA Training CertificatesAML Training Documentation

April 11, 2026

8 min read

Real Estate

AML Red Flags in Real Estate Transactions: What Every Agent Needs to Know

Real estate has been a preferred vehicle for money laundering for decades. FinCEN's Geographic Targeting Orders have expanded, and regulators are watching all-cash transactions more closely than ever. Here are the red flags every real estate professional must recognize.

Real Estate AMLFinCEN GTO

December 18, 2024

7 min read

AML Basics

The BSA Officer Role: Responsibilities, Authority, and Common Mistakes

The designated BSA compliance officer is the single most important element of your AML program - and the most commonly misunderstood. Here's what the role actually requires, and why getting it wrong undermines everything else.

BSA OfficerCompliance Role

December 5, 2024

6 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

What Actually Triggers a SAR Filing? A Practical Guide for Non-Bank Businesses

Suspicious Activity Reports are one of the most misunderstood compliance obligations in the BSA framework. Most businesses either over-file on irrelevant activity or under-file on genuine red flags. Here's the practical framework for getting it right.

SAR FilingSuspicious Activity

November 22, 2024

8 min read

AML Basics

FinCEN's CDD Rule Explained: What Covered Institutions Must Do

FinCEN's Customer Due Diligence rule added a fifth pillar to the BSA compliance framework - and many businesses still haven't fully implemented it. Here's what the rule requires and where most programs fall short.

CDD RuleBeneficial Ownership

November 8, 2024

7 min read

Compliance Strategy

How Often Should AML Training Happen? What Regulators Actually Expect

Annual AML training is the regulatory minimum - but it's not the standard that well-run compliance programs are held to. Here's what examiners actually look for when they review your training records, and how to build a training cadence that holds up.

AML TrainingCompliance Training

October 25, 2024

6 min read

Real Estate

FinCEN Geographic Targeting Orders: 2024 Update and What's Changed

FinCEN's Geographic Targeting Orders have expanded significantly since their introduction. The 2024 updates affect more markets, lower thresholds, and add new disclosure requirements. Here's what covered businesses need to know.

GTOGeographic Targeting Orders

October 10, 2024

7 min read

AML Basics

What Must Be in Your AML Policy Manual? The Complete Breakdown

Your AML policy manual is the written foundation of your compliance program. Examiners read it carefully, and gaps in the document translate directly into examination findings. Here's exactly what must be included.

AML Policy ManualBSA Program

September 26, 2024

8 min read

Fintech

Crypto Exchange AML Obligations in 2024: What FinCEN Expects

Cryptocurrency exchanges and virtual asset service providers face some of the most rapidly evolving AML obligations in the financial sector. Here's the current state of FinCEN's expectations and where enforcement is focused.

Crypto AMLVirtual Currency

September 12, 2024

8 min read

Compliance Strategy

Independent AML Testing: What It Is, Who Does It, and Why It Matters

Independent testing is one of the five required elements of a BSA compliance program - and one of the most commonly skipped. Here's what it actually involves, who can perform it, and what happens when you don't have it.

Independent TestingBSA Audit

August 28, 2024

6 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

AML Compliance for Insurance Companies: What the BSA Requires

Insurance companies are covered financial institutions under the BSA, but many operate without a formal AML program. Here's what the regulations require and where insurance AML programs most commonly fall short.

Insurance AMLFinCEN

August 14, 2024

7 min read

Compliance Strategy

Transaction Monitoring for Small Businesses: A Practical Guide

You don't need expensive software to have an effective transaction monitoring program. Here's how small businesses can build a monitoring process that satisfies regulators without breaking the budget.

Transaction MonitoringSmall Business AML

July 25, 2024

6 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

AML Compliance for Investment Advisers: The Regulatory Landscape in 2024

Investment advisers have long operated in a regulatory gray zone on AML compliance. That's changing. Here's where the regulatory landscape stands in 2024 and what advisers need to do to prepare.

Investment Adviser AMLSEC Compliance

July 11, 2024

7 min read

AML Basics

Currency Transaction Reports: The 5 Most Common Filing Mistakes

CTR filing errors are among the most common BSA examination findings. Here are the five mistakes that appear most frequently - and how to avoid them.

CTR FilingCurrency Transaction Report

June 27, 2024

6 min read

Compliance Strategy

Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs): What They Are and How to Handle Them

Politically Exposed Persons represent one of the highest-risk customer categories in AML compliance. Here's what defines a PEP, why they require enhanced due diligence, and how to build a PEP program that satisfies regulators.

PEP CompliancePolitically Exposed Persons

June 13, 2024

7 min read

MSB

MSB Banking Relationships: How to Keep Them in a De-Risking Environment

Banks are terminating MSB relationships at an accelerating rate. Here's what's driving de-risking, what banks actually want to see from MSB compliance programs, and how to protect your banking access.

MSB BankingDe-Risking

May 30, 2024

8 min read

Real Estate

AML Compliance for Title Companies and Escrow Agents in 2024

Title companies and escrow agents sit at the center of real estate transactions - and at the center of FinCEN's attention. Here's what the current regulatory environment requires and where most title company programs fall short.

Title Company AMLEscrow Compliance

May 16, 2024

7 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

The Corporate Transparency Act and Beneficial Ownership: What Businesses Need to Know

The Corporate Transparency Act's beneficial ownership reporting requirements took effect in 2024. Here's what the rule requires, who must comply, and how it intersects with existing AML obligations.

Corporate Transparency ActBeneficial Ownership

April 25, 2024

8 min read

Compliance Strategy

When to Update Your AML Risk Assessment: 7 Triggers You Can't Ignore

An AML risk assessment is not a one-time exercise. Here are the seven events that require an immediate update - and why waiting for your annual review cycle can be a costly mistake.

Risk AssessmentAML Update

April 11, 2024

6 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

AML Compliance for Casinos and Gaming: What the BSA Requires

Casinos have been subject to BSA requirements since 1985, but the compliance landscape has evolved significantly. Here's the current state of casino AML obligations and where most programs fall short.

Casino AMLGaming Compliance

March 28, 2024

7 min read

AML Basics

AML Compliance for Auto Dealers and High-Value Goods Sellers

Dealers in high-value goods - automobiles, jewelry, art, and luxury items - face specific AML obligations that many don't know about. Here's what the BSA requires and how to build a compliant program.

High-Value GoodsAuto Dealer AML

March 14, 2024

6 min read

Compliance Strategy

What to Expect During an AML Program Review: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether it's an internal review, an independent test, or a regulatory examination, an AML program review follows a predictable pattern. Here's what happens at each stage and how to prepare.

AML ReviewProgram Examination

February 29, 2024

7 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

FinCEN's 2024 Priorities: What Regulated Businesses Need to Know

FinCEN publishes national AML/CFT priorities that signal where regulatory attention and enforcement resources will be focused. Here's what the 2024 priorities mean for your compliance program.

FinCEN PrioritiesAML/CFT

February 15, 2024

7 min read

Mortgage

AML Compliance for Mortgage Servicers: Obligations Beyond Origination

Mortgage servicers face AML obligations that are distinct from those of originators - and often less well understood. Here's what the BSA requires for the servicing function and where most servicer programs fall short.

Mortgage ServicingAML Compliance

January 31, 2024

7 min read

MSB

AML Compliance for Check Cashers: The Complete 2024 Guide

Check cashers face some of the most intense AML scrutiny of any MSB category. Here's the complete compliance framework for check cashing businesses and the specific areas where examiners focus.

Check Cashing AMLMSB Compliance

January 17, 2024

8 min read

Compliance Strategy

Your AML Compliance New Year Checklist for 2024

The start of a new year is the right time to review your AML program, update your risk assessment, and confirm that your training cycle is on track. Here's the complete checklist for starting 2024 in compliance.

AML ChecklistNew Year Compliance

January 3, 2024

6 min read

Compliance Strategy

Year-End AML Compliance Review: What to Check Before December 31

The end of the calendar year is a critical checkpoint for your BSA/AML program. Here's the year-end review checklist that every covered business should complete before December 31.

Year-End ComplianceAML Review

December 19, 2023

6 min read

MSB

State Money Transmitter License Requirements: A 50-State Overview

Money transmitter licensing is one of the most complex compliance obligations in financial services. Requirements vary dramatically by state, and operating without a required license exposes both the company and its officers to serious consequences.

Money Transmitter LicenseState Licensing

December 7, 2023

8 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

AML Compliance for Luxury Retailers and Art Dealers: The Emerging Obligations

Luxury retailers and art dealers have historically operated outside the BSA framework. That's changing. Here's what the emerging regulatory requirements mean for high-end retail and the art market.

Art Dealer AMLLuxury Retail Compliance

November 14, 2023

7 min read

Compliance Strategy

2023 BSA/AML Enforcement Actions: Key Lessons for Regulated Businesses

FinCEN and federal prosecutors issued significant BSA/AML enforcement actions in 2023. Here's what the year's enforcement activity reveals about where regulators are focused and what compliance failures they're finding.

Enforcement ActionsBSA Penalties

November 3, 2023

8 min read

Fintech

AML Compliance for Prepaid Access Providers: What the BSA Requires

Prepaid access providers - companies that issue prepaid cards, digital wallets, and stored-value products - face specific BSA obligations that many operators don't fully understand. Here's the complete compliance framework.

Prepaid AccessFintech Compliance

October 23, 2023

7 min read

AML Basics

What Your Employees Must Know: The Core Content of Every AML Training Program

Annual AML training is required, but what must it actually cover? Here's the core content that every BSA training program must include - and the role-specific additions that separate adequate programs from excellent ones.

AML Training ContentBSA Training

October 9, 2023

6 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

OFAC Sanctions Compliance and AML: Understanding the Intersection

OFAC sanctions compliance and BSA/AML compliance are related but distinct obligations. Many businesses confuse them or treat them as interchangeable. Here's how they differ and why both matter.

OFAC ComplianceSanctions Screening

September 28, 2023

7 min read

Real Estate

AML Compliance for Real Estate Agents and Brokers: What's Required in 2023

Real estate agents and brokers occupy a unique position in the AML regulatory landscape - subject to some obligations but not others. Here's the current state of AML requirements for real estate professionals.

Real Estate AMLReal Estate Agents

September 11, 2023

7 min read

Compliance Strategy

AML Program Documentation: Exactly What Examiners Want to See

Examiners don't just evaluate your AML program - they evaluate your documentation of it. Here's the specific documentation that examiners request in every BSA examination and how to organize it for maximum impact.

AML DocumentationExamination Prep

August 22, 2023

7 min read

Fintech

Payment App AML Obligations: What Venmo, Cash App, and Their Competitors Must Do

Consumer payment apps have transformed how people move money - and created new AML compliance challenges. Here's what the BSA requires for payment app operators and where the regulatory focus is in 2023.

Payment App AMLFintech Compliance

August 8, 2023

7 min read

AML Basics

AML Compliance for Credit Unions and Community Banks: The Practical Guide

Credit unions and community banks face the same BSA obligations as large financial institutions but with far fewer resources. Here's how to build a compliant program that works at community scale.

Credit Union AMLCommunity Bank Compliance

July 19, 2023

7 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

Human Trafficking Red Flags: What Financial Institutions Must Recognize

Human trafficking is one of FinCEN's national AML/CFT priorities. Here's what the financial red flags of human trafficking look like and how your compliance program should be designed to detect them.

Human TraffickingFinCEN Priorities

July 3, 2023

7 min read

AML Basics

BSA Recordkeeping Requirements: What You Must Keep and for How Long

The BSA's recordkeeping requirements are extensive and specific. Here's exactly what records you must maintain, for how long, and what happens when records are missing during an examination.

BSA RecordkeepingRecord Retention

June 21, 2023

6 min read

Mortgage

AML Compliance for Mortgage Brokers and Third-Party Originators

Mortgage brokers and third-party originators occupy a unique compliance position - they originate loans but don't fund them. Here's what the BSA requires for brokers and how lenders should manage their TPO relationships.

Mortgage Broker AMLThird-Party Originator

June 6, 2023

7 min read

Fintech

AML Compliance for Digital Assets and NFTs: The 2023 Regulatory Picture

The digital asset sector - including NFTs, DeFi protocols, and virtual currency exchanges - faces an increasingly complex AML regulatory environment. Here's where things stand in 2023.

Digital Assets AMLNFT Compliance

May 17, 2023

8 min read

MSB

AML Compliance for Small MSBs: A Practical Framework That Actually Works

Small money services businesses face the same regulatory requirements as large ones but with a fraction of the resources. Here's a practical compliance framework designed specifically for small MSB operations.

Small MSB ComplianceMSB AML

May 2, 2023

7 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

Wire Transfer Rules and the Travel Rule: What Financial Institutions Must Do

The BSA's wire transfer rules and the Travel Rule create specific obligations for financial institutions that transmit funds. Here's what the rules require and where most institutions fall short.

Travel RuleWire Transfer Compliance

April 13, 2023

7 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

Cannabis Banking and AML Compliance: Navigating the Federal-State Conflict

Cannabis businesses operate legally under state law but remain federally illegal. Financial institutions that serve cannabis businesses face unique AML compliance challenges. Here's the current state of the law and the practical compliance framework.

Cannabis BankingAML Compliance

March 27, 2023

8 min read

Compliance Strategy

AML Compliance and Fraud Prevention: Where They Overlap and Why It Matters

AML compliance and fraud prevention are often treated as separate functions. They shouldn't be. Here's how the two disciplines intersect and why integrating them produces better outcomes for both.

AML Fraud IntersectionFraud Prevention

March 8, 2023

6 min read

Compliance Strategy

Your AML Compliance New Year Checklist for 2023

Starting the year right means reviewing your AML program, confirming your training schedule, and making sure your risk assessment reflects your current business. Here's the complete checklist for 2023.

AML ChecklistNew Year Compliance

January 11, 2023

6 min read

MSB

Florida MSB Compliance: State Requirements Beyond the Federal Framework

Florida MSBs face compliance obligations from both FinCEN and the state Office of Financial Regulation. Here's what the OFR requires and how it differs from the federal BSA framework.

Florida MSBOFR Compliance

January 25, 2023

7 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020: What's Actually Changed in 2022

The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 was the most significant overhaul of the BSA framework in decades. Two years in, here's what has actually been implemented, what's still pending, and what regulated businesses need to do now.

AMLA 2020FinCEN Reform

November 9, 2022

8 min read

FinCEN & Regulation

Russia Sanctions and AML Compliance: What Financial Institutions Must Do in 2022

The Russia-Ukraine conflict triggered the most significant expansion of U.S. sanctions in decades. Here's what the 2022 Russia sanctions mean for your AML and OFAC compliance programs.

Russia SanctionsOFAC Compliance

April 14, 2022

8 min read

AML Basics

Beneficial Ownership Reporting Rule: What the 2022 Final Rule Means for Your Business

FinCEN finalized the beneficial ownership reporting rule in September 2022. Here's what the rule requires, who must comply, and how to start preparing before the January 2024 effective date.

Beneficial OwnershipCTA Reporting

October 3, 2022

7 min read

Compliance Strategy

Two Years After the FinCEN Files: What the Leaked SARs Taught Us About AML Programs

The 2020 FinCEN Files leak exposed the inner workings of the global AML system. Two years later, here's what the revelations mean for how regulated businesses should think about their compliance programs.

FinCEN FilesSAR Quality

July 21, 2022

7 min read

Fintech

Crypto AML Enforcement in 2022: The Year Regulators Got Serious

2022 was a watershed year for cryptocurrency AML enforcement. Here's what the year's major actions reveal about where regulators are focused and what crypto businesses must do to stay compliant.

Crypto Enforcement 2022Tornado Cash

December 6, 2022

8 min read

Real Estate

FinCEN's Proposed Real Estate AML Rule: What It Means for the Industry

In 2022, FinCEN proposed extending formal AML requirements to real estate professionals involved in non-financed transactions. Here's what the proposed rule would require and how the industry should prepare.

Real Estate AML RuleFinCEN Proposed Rule

February 17, 2022

7 min read

Compliance Strategy

The Most Common AML Program Gaps We Found in 2022

After reviewing dozens of AML programs across multiple industries in 2022, the same gaps appear repeatedly. Here's what we found most often - and what it means for your program.

AML Program GapsCompliance Deficiencies

August 30, 2022

6 min read

Community Voices

Published Articles

Expert perspectives from compliance professionals and industry leaders.

Guest Contributor4 articles

Building a Risk-Based AML Framework for Small MSBs

MSB AML Risk Framework

Guest Contributor

Building a Risk-Based AML Framework for Small MSBs

A risk-based AML framework is the foundation of every compliant money services business. Too many small MSBs treat compliance as a checkbox …

MSB AML Risk Framework

James C. Whitfield

Whitfield Compliance Group

2 min read

Navigating the Intersection of Fintech Innovation and BSA Compliance

Fintech BSA Compliance

Guest Contributor

Navigating the Intersection of Fintech Innovation and BSA Compliance

Fintech companies operate in a unique regulatory space where innovation speed collides with BSA compliance rigidity. Pre-launch AML program …

Fintech BSA Compliance

Dr. Amara Okafor

RegTech Advisory Partners

2 min read

Title Company AML Obligations Under Geographic Targeting Orders

Title Company GTO Compliance

Guest Contributor

Title Company AML Obligations Under Geographic Targeting Orders

Title companies operating in GTO-covered counties face some of the most specific AML obligations in the regulated sector. Unlike the general…

Title Company GTO Compliance

Rebecca Morales

Morales & Associates Law

2 min read

Mortgage Lender AML

Guest Contributor

Mortgage Lender AML: Source of Funds and Non-Bank Compliance

Non-bank mortgage lenders face a unique AML compliance challenge: they must meet BSA requirements designed primarily for depository institut…

Mortgage Lender AML

David Chen

Chen Compliance Solutions

2 min read