AML Conversations

In this episode of AML Conversations, host Vesna McCreery sits down with Denisse Rudich - financial crime expert, regulatory advisor, and FCA AI Lab cohort participant - to explore how regulators are stepping up to shape the responsible adoption of AI in financial services. Denisse makes a compelling case that innovation and regulation are not at odds, but deeply intertwined, as she walks through the remarkable ecosystem the FCA has built to stay ahead of a rapidly changing technological landscape.

This week, Elliot Berman and John Byrne break down major global developments shaping financial crime compliance. From AUSTRAC’s latest report on terrorism financing risks in nonprofits to FINTRAC’s role in a major Canadian corruption investigation, the conversation highlights how financial intelligence units continue to prove their value.

They also explore growing international coordination efforts—including AMLA’s push to standardize suspicious transaction reporting across the EU—and key insights from the Wolfsberg Forum on innovation, AI, and information sharing.

On the U.S. front, the discussion turns to regulatory tensions in crypto and prediction markets, new enforcement actions impacting fintech-driven banks, and the ongoing debate around meaningful BSA/AML reform.

Plus, a major Bitcoin ATM operator files for bankruptcy amid tightening regulations, and the episode closes with a thought-provoking look at AI governance—from enterprise strategy to global ethical considerations.

In this episode of AML Conversations, host Elliot Berman sits down with Abhishek Mittal, Executive Vice President and Chief Product & AI Officer at AML RightSource, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the financial crime prevention landscape. Abhishek makes a compelling case that domain experts are more valuable than ever — not despite AI, but because of it — as they become essential architects of the taxonomies, context, and judgment that make AI systems reliable and auditable.

The conversation covers how organizations can effectively blend domain knowledge with AI engineering, why guardrails must be built on a foundation of sound architecture rather than technology alone, and what it really takes to get your data ready for AI. Abhishek also addresses the blurring line between services and software, and closes with a myth-busting take on what AI can and can't do — including why equating large language models with AI itself may be the industry's biggest misconception today.

This week, Elliot Berman and John Byrne unpack a wave of fast-moving developments impacting the financial crime and banking landscape. They begin by reflecting on Barney Frank's legacy and his lasting influence on U.S. financial regulation.

The conversation then turns to a newly issued executive order, Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System, and what it could mean for financial institutions—from heightened scrutiny around immigration-related risks to potential shifts in crypto access to the Federal Reserve system.

They also examine the latest developments in the Clarity Act, a controversial DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund, new OFAC sanctions targeting global networks, allegations of cartel-linked gold entering the U.S. Mint supply chain, and Interpol’s major cybercrime crackdown across the Middle East and Africa.

This week, Elliot Berman and John Byrne break down a packed slate of AML and financial crime developments shaping the global landscape.

They start in the U.S. with two new FinCEN alerts—one highlighting Iran’s use of front companies, digital assets, and complex corporate structures to evade sanctions, and another warning of heightened human trafficking risks tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The conversation expands into broader trafficking concerns

From there, they unpack the OCC’s latest risk perspective, emphasizing persistent cyber threats, rising fraud sophistication, and mounting pressure on compliance systems amid geopolitical tensions. On Capitol Hill, attention turns to the Clarity Act and its push to build a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies—alongside mounting concerns from banks and law enforcement about stablecoins, AML enforcement, and investigative visibility.

Internationally, they discuss Canada’s dramatic increase in AML penalties, AUSTRAC’s updated risk outlook and virtual asset focus, Switzerland’s proposed AML rule changes, and The EU’s push toward a unified anti-corruption strategy.

In this episode of This Week in AML, John and Elliot cover a wide range of financial crime and compliance developments from around the globe. John opens by honoring the Foley Foundation's annual Freedom Awards dinner, recognizing the organization's vital work advocating for American hostages and journalist safety.

The conversation then turns to Canada, with updates on a newly introduced bill to establish a Financial Crime Agency, a proposed ban on crypto ATMs, and recent FinTrac monetary penalties across the real estate, banking, and precious metals sectors.

Internationally, they cover the FCA's preparations for the UK's new crypto asset regime taking full effect in 2027, Denmark's FSA referral of Nordea Bank to police over customer due diligence failures, and Europol's launch of a new EU anti-scam intelligence sharing platform.

Back in the U.S., John highlights new research from the Anti-Corruption Data Collective on suspicious win rates in prediction market defense and military sectors, the retirement and recognition of Guy Fico, the passing of RICO statute architect Bob Blakey, and the Manhattan DA's return of over 650 antiquities to India.

The episode closes with updates on the DOJ's decision to drop its investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, concerns over judicial nominees, and a preview of the AML Partnership Forum's upcoming May 28th webinar on financial access challenges domestically and globally.

In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne is joined by Sarah Beth Felix, author of Dirty Money Weekly, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving state of AML and BSA reform. Recorded at the close of April, the conversation examines FinCEN’s proposed AML program rule, with a critical look at how concepts like “effectiveness,” “risk-based approach,” and “reasonably designed” are used—and often left undefined.

Sarah and John also dig into FinCEN’s latest annual report, ongoing challenges with SAR data and form design, and what proposed changes could mean for enforcement consistency and regulatory bottlenecks. The episode explores emerging issues, including the PACE Act, AML model validation, and what meaningful modernization of the Bank Secrecy Act should prioritize ahead of an upcoming congressional hearing on BSA reform.

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot and John unpack a busy week in global financial crime and enforcement. They start with Italy’s latest FATF mutual evaluation, exploring what regulators praised, where weaknesses remain, and what it might signal for other jurisdictions.

The conversation then shifts to the EU’s newly adopted Russia sanctions package, including expanded financial and crypto restrictions and fresh anti-circumvention tools. They also highlight key investigations and enforcement actions from France, Moldova, Switzerland, and the OCCRP’s latest reporting.

In the U.S., the discussion turns to prediction markets, as the CFTC sues New York over regulatory authority, and a controversial DOJ case involving alleged insider betting raises thorny questions about national security, ethics, and enforcement priorities.

The episode closes with updates on DOJ staffing cuts, recent indictments, and transparency litigation tied to the Epstein files.

In this week’s episode of This Week in AML, with Elliot traveling, Joe McNamara joins John Byrne to break down a busy week in global compliance news.

The big domestic story is the Corporate Transparency Act, where the House Financial Services Committee passed a bill to repeal the CTA for domestic entities - but only by a single vote. The hosts unpack what that means, where the legislation goes from here, and why a separate threat to withhold FinCEN's entire budget adds another layer of uncertainty to an already complicated picture.

North of the border, Canada's FINTRAC has rolled out updates to its administrative monetary penalty framework, including a notable elevation of certain compliance program violations from serious to very serious.

Internationally, Transparency International had a busy week - launching a new Anti-Corruption Resource Center, announcing the EU's first Anti-Corruption Directive, and publishing a working paper on professional enablers implicated in illicit financial flows from Africa. AMLA is also moving forward with two public consultations on risk assessment and compliance standards, with hearings scheduled for May 20th and May 28th.

Across the pond, the FCA is pressing ahead with the UK's crypto regulatory regime, targeting October 2027 for full implementation - with rules expected this summer and firm authorization applications opening in September 2026.

The episode closes with a look at FATF's latest ministerial declaration, a heads-up on OCCRP's coverage of the CTA repeal, and a walkthrough of FinCEN's 2025 Year in Review - a document the hosts recommend as essential reading for any BSA professional.

Plus, a preview of AML RightSource's upcoming May webinar on global financial access and a recent AML Conversations episode featuring former IRS CI Special Agent in Charge Paul Camacho.

In this episode of AML Conversations, Elliot Berman is joined by Jennie Jonas, Senior Vice President of Financial Crime Advisory, to discuss the recent surge in fintechs pursuing OCC limited-purpose trust charters.

They explore what’s driving this trend, how limited trust charters differ from full bank charters, and why these structures are especially attractive for fintechs operating in payments and digital assets. The conversation also dives into common misconceptions, the reality of “bank‑grade” AML and governance expectations, and what fintechs should prepare for before—and after—receiving a charter.

From compliance program design and OCC examination rigor to risk governance, board expectations, and the future evolution of charter authorities, this episode offers practical insight for fintechs considering a charter and for institutions working with chartered fintech partners.