The F.O.R.C.E.

In this episode, David Schwartz, President & CEO of FIBA, is joined by Kenneth A. Blanco, former Director of FinCEN and Managing Partner at Arktouros PLLC, to examine a financial regulatory landscape undergoing significant change.

Executive orders, notices of proposed rulemaking and new guidance intended to relieve regulatory burdens have been met with evolving interpretations and court rulings—from lower courts to the Supreme Court—creating new questions for financial institutions. Against this backdrop, the episode examines what these changes really mean, where regulation may be headed, and how financial institutions should approach compliance during a period of uncertainty.

Drawing on Blanco’s extensive experience in financial crime enforcement and compliance—including serving as Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, where his responsibilities encompassed nationwide and international extraterritorial matters, as well as Director of FinCEN and a bank compliance and financial crimes executive—the episode explores the shift that began with the January 2025 “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation” executive order and its emphasis on reducing regulatory burden, encouraging economic growth and innovation, strengthening U.S. competitiveness, and protecting national security.

Stay tuned for more insights from FIBA’s FORCE – FIBA on Risk and Compliance Excellence podcast as regulatory developments continue to reshape the financial services industry.

In this episode of FIBA on Risk and Compliance Excellence (The F.O.R.C.E.), David Schwartz, President & CEO of FIBA, leads a timely conversation on how compliance professionals can prepare for the demands of a rapidly evolving industry. As artificial intelligence, regulatory change, and business transformation continue to reshape financial services, the discussion explores the skills professionals need now to remain relevant and effective by 2030.

Joining the episode are Janiell Gonzalez, Associate at Greenberg Traurig and Chair of FIBA’s NextGen Committee, and Michael Laffont, Manager of Risk Advisory Services at Kaufman Rossin and Chair of FIBA’s NextGen Advisory Board. Together, they share practical perspectives on the importance of adaptability, regulatory fluency, communication, technical literacy, and the responsible use of AI.

The conversation highlights that while AI can enhance efficiency and support decision-making, it is not a substitute for judgment, subject-matter knowledge, or human oversight. The guests also stress the value of continuous learning, networking, and developing the confidence to communicate risk clearly to senior management, boards, and regulators.

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A Rare Front-Row Seat to Financial Crime

Today, we feature White Collars, Dirty Hands: Inside a Global Money Laundering Scheme

In this compelling episode, host David Schwartz welcomes investigative journalists Laura Weffer and Nathan Jaccard to discuss Cuellos Blancos, Manos Sucias (“White Collars, Dirty Hands”), a groundbreaking investigative podcast produced by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and La No Ficción.

The OCCRP is globally recognized for exposing complex cases involving corruption, money laundering, sanctions evasion, and transnational financial crime.

In this series, their team unpacks a sophisticated Venezuelan corruption scheme tied to PDVSA, the country’s state-run oil company and long-standing target of U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

A Rare Front-Row Seat to Financial Crime

At the heart of the investigation is an extraordinary audio recording obtained from Spanish prosecutors. The recording captures, in real time, a private meeting in Madrid where individuals openly discuss how to launder millions of dollars connected to a broader billion-dollar scheme involving PDVSA.

Miami and Madrid: Global Hubs in the Story

The episode also highlights the geographic and cultural ties that make cities like Miami and Madrid central to Latin American financial activity—both legitimate and illicit.

Beyond the Scheme: Patterns and Red Flags

For compliance professionals and law enforcement, the series reinforces the importance of robust due diligence, cross-border cooperation, and understanding beneficial ownership structures across jurisdictions.

Corruption Has Human Victims

One of the most powerful dimensions of the podcast is its human focus. The series interviews Venezuelan families who lost children during protests against corruption. Their testimonies serve as a reminder that white-collar crime is not victimless. The diversion of billions in public funds directly impacts infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social stability.

This FORCE episode offers not just a discussion—but a rare window into the anatomy of corruption, the global architecture of money laundering, and the real-world consequences that follow.

In this episode of FIBA on Risk and Compliance Excellence (The F.O.R.C.E.), David Schwartz, President & CEO of FIBA, leads a compelling conversation on the global crisis of human trafficking and the critical role financial institutions can play in addressing it.

Joining him are two powerful voices:

Together, they examine the human and financial dimensions of trafficking—one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises worldwide.

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In this episode, David Schwartz, President & CEO of FIBA, leads a timely discussion on the rise of “fair access” laws and their implications for banks, regulators, and consumers. He is joined by Marina Olman-Pal, Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, and Carl Fornaris, Partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, both leaders in financial regulatory law.

Together, they unpack the legislative trend fueled by political polarization, state activism, and public pressure—including recent developments in Florida, the Agriculture Bill, and proposed federal legislation.

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Stay tuned for more regulatory insights in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of FIBA on Risk and Compliance Excellence (The F.O.R.C.E.), we explore the U.S. Department of Justice’s surprising pivot in cryptocurrency enforcement—and what it means for financial institutions, digital asset companies, and regulators.

Hosted by David Schwartz, President and CEO of FIBA, this episode features Richard Weber, Partner at Winston & Strawn LLP and former Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation, as they unpack the DOJ’s decision to disband its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and narrow its focus to criminal abuse of digital assets.

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🎧 Thank you for joining us!

The Evolution of Trade Tools: Navigating Sanctions, Tariffs, and Domestic Content Strategies

In this episode of FIBA on Risk and Compliance Excellence (The F.O.R.C.E.), we explore the evolving landscape of trade regulations, economic sanctions, and tariffs under the new U.S. administration. Hosted by David Schwartz, President and CEO of FIBA, this episode features the Chair of FIBA’s Trade and Working Capital Solutions Committee, Shalako Wiener.

Join them as they discuss how trade policies impact businesses and global markets.

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Thank you for joining us! Stay tuned for more expert insights at the 25th Annual FIBA AML Compliance Conference in Miami, March 24-27, 2025.

This episode of FIBA on Risk and Compliance Excellence (The F.O.R.C.E.) explores the evolving regulatory landscape, particularly discussions surrounding deregulation, regulatory consolidation, and fintech oversight. Hosted by David Schwartz, the conversation features Jera Bradshaw, from Greenberg Traurig, a regulatory expert and former senior attorney at the FDIC.

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Thank you for joining us! You can hear more from Jera and other industry experts at the 25th Annual FIBA AML Compliance Conference, taking place in Miami, March 24-27, 2025. 

In this episode, Yamil Haidar from US Century and the Co Chair of the NextGen Committee, interview Pamela Clegg, the Vice President of Financial Investigations in CipherTrace.  Hoping you enjoy it!