AML Conversations Monthly Chat with Sarah Beth Felix

In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne sits down with Sarah Beth Felix—AML expert and author of Dirty Money Weekly—to break down the biggest storylines shaping financial crime compliance this month. Sarah offers a practical, forward-looking take on the Epstein files and why community and midsize banks must rethink their approach to adverse media screening. She and John also unpack the confusion surrounding the administration’s de-risking Executive Order, the impact of FinCEN’s recent CDD “exceptive relief,” and the optics behind the agency’s decision to rescind its advisory on the St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship‑by‑Investment program. They dive deeper into IRS‑CI’s newly released data proving the value of BSA reporting—and what rising CTR/SAR thresholds could mean for law enforcement. To close, Sarah responds to emerging rumors that banks should be required to capture and track customer citizenship status, explaining why such a shift would have massive operational implications. This is a must-listen for AML professionals navigating a rapidly changing regulatory landscape and looking for actionable insight, context, and clarity.