AML Conversations

In this week’s episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne cover a fast-moving landscape of regulatory, financial crime, and geopolitical developments across the U.S., EU, and beyond.

They discuss the latest releases of Epstein-related files and the surprising absence of financial‑transaction disclosures, a Wall Street Journal investigation into a major foreign investment tied to AI chip access, and new insights into U.S. corporate tax transparency. The conversation moves through significant DOJ actions, a controversial ICE memo, and key UK updates on crypto-related sanctions, data‑quality failures, and public consultations.

Elliot and John also explore new EU priorities for AMLA, research on illicit antiquities trafficking, a deep-sea mining corruption investigation, and the DOJ’s 2025 Fraud Section Year‑in‑Review. If your work touches financial crime, sanctions, compliance, or emerging‑risk intelligence, this episode is packed with timely developments that matter.

In this edition of AML Conversations, John Byrne sits down with financial crime expert Sarah Beth Felix, author of Dirty Money Weekly, for the first installment of a new monthly series. Together, they unpack some of the most pressing and misunderstood challenges in today’s AML landscape—from overlooked regulatory risks to the evolving reality of crypto-related crime.

Sarah Beth breaks down recent FINRA enforcement actions and explains why traditional financial institutions shouldn’t assume that regulation elsewhere means reduced risk at home. John and Sarah Beth also explore the shifting tone of U.S. supervision, including why banks considering staff or training cuts could be setting themselves up for trouble.

The conversation then turns to the political and operational complexities of de-risking/de-banking, and a deep dive into emerging healthcare-related fraud typologies.

A candid, insightful, and highly practical conversation—perfect for AML professionals, financial crime investigators, compliance leaders, and anyone navigating the fast-changing world of regulatory risk.

In this week’s episode, Elliot and John cover a fast-moving slate of anti–financial crime developments across the U.S. and around the globe. They break down former President Trump’s multibillion-dollar lawsuit against JPMorgan, evolving debates over U.S. regulatory burden and supervisory staffing at the Federal Reserve, and new legislative pushes to change AML reporting thresholds.

Internationally, they explore AMLA’s next steps toward direct supervision of 40 high-risk EU financial institutions, significant enforcement actions in Spain and the U.K., and Austrac’s probe into payments giant Airwallex. The conversation also highlights new leadership at the Wolfsberg Group, Europol’s report on skyrocketing maritime cocaine trafficking, and crypto crime findings from Chainalysis and TRM Labs.

The episode closes with a discussion of recent money laundering cases and industry responses to the tragic Minneapolis shooting.

In this episode, Elliot Berman and John Byrne take a wide-ranging look at major developments shaping the AML and financial crime landscape worldwide.

The conversation begins in Europe, with updates on the transition to the EU’s new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), and early work to standardize suspicious activity reporting across EU member states. From there, the discussion turns to international cooperation, including public-private partnerships in Canada’s fight against human trafficking, and regulatory coordination on cyber threats between the UK and EU.

Back in the U.S., Elliot and John examine recent staff reductions at FinCEN, reflect on leadership changes at IRS‑CI, and discuss the implications of presidential pardons involving financial crime. The episode also highlights scam risks targeting retirees, ongoing debates around digital asset regulation and the proposed Clarity Act, and what financial institutions should be watching next.

In this episode, Elliot Berman and John Byrne discuss a fast-moving week across the global financial crime landscape. They unpack the Charity & Security Network’s shadow report ahead of the U.S. FATF evaluation, the UK’s proposed updated “debanking” rules, and recent European regulatory developments—from Poland’s MONEYVAL review to the Dutch Central Bank’s call for proportionality.

The conversation also covers international efforts against cultural property trafficking, Sweden’s new red‑flag guidance for funds transfer providers, FinCEN’s geographic targeting order in Minneapolis, and the White House’s announcement of a new DOJ Division for National Fraud Enforcement. Elliot and John also discuss upcoming legislative conversations around raising CTR and SAR thresholds.

In this episode of AML Conversations, Elliot Berman is joined by Christopher Sindik, Senior Director of Third‑Party Risk and Due Diligence at Blue Umbrella, for a deep dive into the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the recent deferred prosecution agreement involving Tigo Guatemala, Millicom, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Elliot and Christopher break down how the misconduct unfolded, why the joint‑venture structure created an environment ripe for corruption, and what lessons compliance professionals can draw from the case. The conversation explores practical strategies for strengthening third-party risk management, including intrinsic and acquired risk factors, enhanced controls for high‑corruption jurisdictions, and the critical role of data analytics and AI in detecting anomalies.

They also discuss the importance of tone from the top, resource allocation for compliance programs, whistleblower protection, and how companies can ensure that legitimate services are properly documented and auditable. The episode highlights how proactive self-disclosure and robust compliance frameworks can significantly impact outcomes in enforcement actions.

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne unpack a fast‑moving start to 2026 across the financial crime, regulatory, and geopolitical landscape. They discuss the U.S. military’s recent operation in Venezuela and its potential sanctions implications, FinCEN’s holiday‑week rule changes—including the extension of AML/SAR requirements for investment advisers and new guidance preparing the industry for the residential real estate reporting rule—and the OCC’s renewed warning about voluntary SAR misuse.

The conversation also explores brewing crypto legislation in the U.S., the implementation of the OECD’s Crypto‑Asset Reporting Framework in the EU and UK, and the Netherlands’ new €3,000 cash‑transaction ban. International stories include a troubling investigation into U.S.-registered aircraft ending up in drug‑trafficking networks and FIFA’s controversial decisions involving Russian clubs amid global sanctions.

In this second part of our year-in-review series, Elliot Berman and John Byrne examine the major developments from July to December 2025. From Treasury’s delay of the investment advisor rule and the adoption of the GENIUS Act to the staggering $2 billion in crypto theft, the conversation covers critical shifts in financial crime prevention. They discuss staffing cuts at the State Department, EU fintech risk assessments, FATF’s new national risk assessment toolkit, and the humanitarian toll of sanctions. Other highlights include AMLA’s growing role in EU crypto oversight, AUSTRAC’s crackdown on casino compliance, and global enforcement trends. Plus, insights on OCC’s testimony signaling regulatory priorities for 2026 and FATF’s report on combating online child exploitation. Stay informed as we close out a turbulent year in compliance.

In this special year-end episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne look back at the first half of 2025—a period marked by sweeping changes and global challenges. From the surge in executive orders and controversial pardons in the U.S. to the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act and FATF updates, the discussion covers key developments shaping compliance. They explore DOJ’s shifting enforcement priorities, OCC’s growing influence on crypto and banking charters, debates over the Corporate Transparency Act, and the rising costs of AML compliance. Plus, insights on human trafficking detection, cybersecurity threats, and the resurgence of check fraud. This is your comprehensive recap of a chaotic year in financial crime prevention.

In this candid year-end conversation, John Byrne and Sarah Beth Felix dissect an unprecedented year in AML enforcement. Felix, President of Palmero Consulting and creator of "Dirty Money Weekly," describes what she sees as systematic dismantling of AML infrastructure despite stated priorities of combating fentanyl and transnational criminal organizations. With only four enforcement actions from traditional federal banking agencies compared to FINRA's 20+ penalties, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

The discussion explores Treasury's proposal to give FinCEN veto authority over banking agency BSA decisions - a move Felix warns could create massive bottlenecks. They examine troubling patterns in recent OFAC sanctions penalties where entities disregard guidance while violations flow through traditional banks. Felix shares skepticism about AI replacing the "hyper suspicious" human judgment essential to AML work, noting AI tools consistently fail basic sanctions questions.

The conversation addresses the stark gap between U.S. and European cryptocurrency regulation, with America applying 40-year-old money service business laws to digital assets while the EU has comprehensive frameworks like MiCA. Looking ahead to 2026, Felix urges AML officers to use reduced regulatory scrutiny strategically - eliminating legacy policies that waste time while remembering everything missed now can trigger future enforcement. She emphasizes focusing on cartels and foreign terrorist organizations, which now carry criminal liability for banking officers, and proactively auditing customer sanctions programs.